Military Classics

In the summer of 1940, the most important battle in the history of air warfare was fought between the British Royal Air Force and the German Luftwaffe in the skies over southern Britain. Only after a tightly-fought series of aerial battles did the RAF secure a narrow victory — or did it? Although glamourized by the press and cinema alike over the past 60 years, the battle was an intense war of attrition in which luck, skill, judgement and bravery all played a role. The Battle of Britain explores in detail the men, machines and tactics engaged in the epic struggle, and seeks to debunk some of the popular myths that surround it. The book examines the strength of both sides on the eve of the battle, and its wider strategic implications of the outcome of the war, before looking at the German preparations for invasion, and the Luftwaffe's state of readiness after the Polish and French campaigns. It explains why the battle was a race against time for the Germans and highlights factors such as the lack of suitable transports and inexperience in planning a seaborne invasion that helped hinder their efforts. The book also asks whether Hitler himself was ever truly committed to invading Britain. Britain's preparations for defending herself from attack are also closely examined. The role and effectiveness of such institutions as the Home Guards and Observer Corps are covered, as well as the vital Chain Home and Chain Home Low radar networks. The Battle of Britain analyses the RAF's preparations for the battle, its main fighters, the Hurricane and the Spitfire, and the vital importance of pilots from the Commonwealth, Poland, Czechoslovakia, France, the United States and elsewhere. The Battle of Britain covers every stage of this mammoth contest in detail, beginning with the opening attacks on British shipping and ports. The book highlights how close the war of attrition against the RAF came to succeeding, when the full fury of the Luftwaffe was unleashed on its airfields. It also asks why the Luftwaffe began bombing the cities when it was so close to success. The failings of both sides are dissected: the discord between key RAF commanders, and the initial failure of the Germans to realize the importance of radar. Superbly illustrated with both full-colour artworks of the aircraft (including some three-view artworks), as well as colour and black-and-white photographs, and a detailed appendix on squadron and aircraft service history, The Battle of Britain provides an outstanding account of the conflict.

The World's Great Tanks examines the best tanks to have ever entered combat - from the earliest British Mark IVs and Vs to classic World War II tanks such as the Russian T-34, the American Sherman, and the German Tiger and Panther tanks to the more modern tanks, such as the Abrams, T-72, Challenger and Leopard. The book details the development of these key vehicles and significant breakthroughs such as the Christie suspension and Chobham armor.

The divisions of the Waffen-SS were the elite of Hitler's armies in World War II, but the most fanatical of them were not even German. The book offers a comprehensive examination of every foreign Waffen-SS formation, including well-known divisions such as Wiking, Nord, and Prinz Eugen, notoriously brutal units such as the Kaminski Brigade and the British-recruited Britisches Freikorps. Each unit's history, structure, and combat record is described in detail. Despite their non-Germanic background, the Norwegians, Dutch, Danes, Belgians, Latvians, Estonians, Cossacks, Ukrainians and other nationalities — often motivated by an extreme anti-Communist zeal — fought hard on the Eastern Front for the Nazi cause, even when their position was hopeless. Often treated badly by their German commanders, the foreign SS units were not all excellent combat formations, however. Some, like the British and Indian volunteers, were used for propaganda purposes only, while others like the notorious Dirlewanger Brigade, who helped brutally suppress the Warsaw Rising in 1944, were nothing more than murderous criminals in uniform. Other divisions formed in the final months of the war never reached functional strength and were disbanded before they saw action. SS: Hitler's Foreign Divisions is a definitive history of the 350,000 foreigners who fought for Hitler and Germany in World War II.

From its creation in 1933 until Hitler's death in May 1945, anyone living in Nazi- controlled territory lived in fear of a visit from the Gestapo — Geheime Staatspolizei — or Secret State Police. Young or old, rich or poor, nobody was beyond the attentions of a brutally efficient organization that spread its influence into every corner of occupied Europe. The Gestapo is a detailed history of Heinrich Himmler's organization, whose 20,000 members were responsible for the internal security of the Reich. Under its auspices, hundreds of thousands of civilians, resistance fighters and spies were tortured and murdered, and many more were deported to concentration camps. Drawing on evidence from the Gestapo's own archives as well as eye-witness accounts, the author charts the development of the organization, its key figures, such as Reinhard Heydrich and Heinrich Himmler, its methods, and how the Gestapo dealt with internal security, including the various attempts to assassinate Hitler. Illustrated with 120 black-and-white photographs, The Gestapo is a lively, expert account of this notorious, but little understood, secret police force.

The Vietnam War is a timely account of the 6,000-day conflict in Southeast Asia. The book begins with the history of South East Asia during World War II, before discussing the French involvement in the First Indochina War, and the subsequent drawing-in of the United States and its allies, Australia and South Korea. The repercussions of this bitter, tragic and costly conflict were far-reaching, for it has affected US foreign policy ever since. As the book reveals, the war remains a fascinating military study, embracing such diverse topics as guerrilla and conventional warfare, urban and jungle fighting, and political and ideological struggle. The lucid, authoritative text includes eye-witness accounts of the battles and incidents of America's undeclared war. The book provides a graphic and compelling account of one of the most brutal conflicts of modern history.

"One loses all sense of time here. The battles for the last positions before Alexandria are hard. I was several days in the front line and lived in the car or a hole in the ground." — Erwin Rommel Combining private letters to his wife, orders, his daily accounts of battle written during World War II and his published memoirs, 'Rommel — in his own words' offers a compelling insight into the mind of one of the twentieth century's great military leaders. Alongside accounts of fighting in World War I and World War II, Rommel shares his views on the philosophy of warfare, battles, leaders and the progress of both world wars. Dr John Pimlott's commentary puts Rommel's writing into historical context, describing the background to Rommel's ideas and how his plans were affected by circumstances beyond his control. The book includes 120 black-and-white photographs — many of them taken by Rommel himself — and battle maps illustrate the theatres in which Rommel fought. From the Alps in World War I to the invasion of France in 1940, and from the Desert War in 1943 to Normandy in 1944, 'Rommel — in his own words' brings the concerns and crises of Rommel's wars to life.

Few statesmen have received so many honours as he did over the course of his career. Although several have received the Nobel Peace Prize, none save Churchill have received the Nobel Prize for Literature. His was a career that had few parallels in British history for richness, range, length and achievement. The biography provides an interesting and informative account of Churchill's life - from his childhood, military service in India and the Sudan and his role as war correspondent during the Boer war to his rise in the world of politics, his leadership of Britain in World War II and his role in the post-war struggle of the Cold War years. Coverage of Churchill's personal life is woven into the narrative, including his marriage to Clementine Hozier, their children and Churchill's struggle with his 'Black Dog' depressions. The book gives an honest and accurate presentation of Churchill, including his mistakes and misjudgements as well as his successes. Like so many personalities of high achievement, the rules of ordinary, everyday life — politeness, diplomacy, toleration — did not always apply to Winston Churchill. Where he was eccentric or fanciful, pugnacious, obstinate, demanding and self-centred, this was the character and dynamism of a great man. Using many hundreds of extracts from his speeches and writings throughout his life, the book brings Churchill the man into focus.

The United States Marine Corps is one of the most famous military units in the world. The Marine Corps: Three Centuries of Glory tells the story behind one of the most famous military units in the world from its creation in the 18th century through to the present day. The book begins with the Marine Corps' origins during the colonial period, where battalions of American Marines were raised to fight alongside their British counterparts. It was not until 1798, however, that the Marine Corps was officially created by an act of Congress. Since that date, it has fought in Central America, China, both world wars, Korea, Vietnam, Beirut, Grenada, Iraq and Afghanistan. The book describes the full combat record of Marines and details the Corps' organization, equipment, uniforms, and insignia. Some of the men who have made the Corps what it is today are profiled, as are the key events where the Marine Corps has gained its glorious reputation-Belleau Wood, Iwo Jima, Inchon, Khe Sanh-these great battles are core battles for any student of military history. Written in an engaging yet informative style, the Marine Corps is a classic history of one of the world's greatest fighting units.

The German invasion of Russia was Hitler's biggest gamble in his quest for 'Lebensraum' in the East — and it was at Stalingrad that his gamble failed. Stalingrad is a comprehensive history of the greatest battle of World War II, a defining moment in the struggle on the Eastern Front.

The Sniper at War looks at the impact and role of the sniper from the American Revolutionary War to the present day. It was not until the late 18th century that advances in technology made accurate sniping with a gun possible. The American backwoodsmen took a toll of the redcoats with their hunting rifles, and the modern art of sniping was born. The book looks at how the art of sniping in war has become more professional and specialised, with dedicated training courses and equipment. Famous snipers throughout history are profiled, with testimonies from individual snipers who took part in modern conflicts from Vietnam to Afghanistan and the Gulf. Packed with first hand accounts from snipers and those who have faced them, this is the definitive guide to these secretive and deadly individuals and the role they have played in battle over the last three centuries.