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John Gordon Smith wrote one of the most vivid, honest and readable personal accounts of the Battle of Waterloo and the ensuing campaign, where he served as a surgeon in the 12th Light Dragoons, but his classic narrative was only published in a limited edition in the 1830s and since then it has been virtually unknown.

Motorsport has many iconic names attached to it. It has many that are celebrated as heroes in their chosen sport. However, what perhaps is less well known is how many of the motorsport icons of the twentieth century carried out acts of real-life bravery, many during war time, but some in selfless acts of bravery in saving the lives of their fellow competitors.Some of the iconic names of motorsport are linked to the great conflicts of the twentieth century. Enzo Ferrari served during World War One, the most revered of the 1920s Bentley Boys were all World War One veterans such as John Duff, Bernard Rubin, Woolf Barnato, Sammy Davis and Glen Kidston. World War One American flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker was an Indianapolis 500 racing driver. Muriel Thompson, Military Medal, who became a World War One ambulance driver, was not only a chauffeur for suffragette Emeline Pankhurst, but raced at Brooklands before the war.Commentator Murray Walker was a World War Two tank commander, fellow commentator Raymond Baxter was a Spitfire pilot who was mentioned in dispatches for bravery. Carroll Shelby was a United States Army Airforce pilot and instructor with a reputation for great leadership. His friend, engineer and racing driver Ken Miles, served throughout the war as a specialist in tank recovery, landing as part of the D-Day operations.These are just a few of the most notable names from a group of men and women who risked all in conflict, before risking all on the track profiled in this book.

When the samurai warlord and respected castle architect Todo Takatora died in 1630, the funeral attendants responsible for preparing his body were shocked to note that there was not a single part of his body not scarred or disfigured by sword, spear, glaive or matchlock gun wound.Todo Takatora lived a life that unfolds like a drama. Born to a small landholding samurai family, the maverick youth worked his way to the top, becoming one of the most successful of daimyo warlords. He had served on the front lines of some of the most violent of battles, turning points that forged the nation. In a land and time in which loyalty was held dear, he changed his allegiances a record seven times, serving a record ten lords, more than any other samurai in history. Because of this, he has long been held in contempt by the Japanese.Standing 6 feet tall in a time when the average Japanese man stood between 5 and 5 1/2 feet, Todo Takatora was a giant among men. He died aged 74, when the normal life span was around 50. He was also the finest, most innovative of castle architects, responsible for the design and construction of over 30 of the strongest, most innovative Japanese castles and structures, and influencing samurai castle construction across Japan.In explaining his life, his reasons for having served so many lords, his achievements in battle and in castle design, his political and personal ideals and how these attributes were shaped during the course of his adventurous life, this book will reveal the man, and show why Takatora deserves the epithet of National Hero.In this fascinating biography, the first ever published in the English language, Chris Glenn explores Todo Takatora's remarkable, and influential, life, the battles he fought in, the political intrigues he was part of, as well as detailing the magnificent castles he built.

A hand-written account by William, the author's grandfather, was found in her mother's papers, long after his death. This book describes a year of his time fighting in the First World War, from December 1915 to December 1916.

"[A] delight for modelers, history buffs, and people who are just interested in weapon." -- A Wargamers Needful ThingsWhile the Red Army's arsenal at the start of the Second World War included weapons dating back to the Great War or earlier, the 1930s' modernization program had introduced the automatic Tokarev pistol and self-loading Tokarev rifle.Its small arms were soon replaced by mass-produced sub-machine guns, such as the PPSh 1941, nicknamed the 'PePeSha, '. Supplementing the submachine guns, the Degtyarev Light Machine Gun DP-27. Fitted with a circular pan magazine, it received the not-unsurprising nickname 'Record Player.'New mortars and towed artillery pieces, ranging from 76mm to 203mm, entered service in the pre-war years. In addition to a wide range of towed, self-propelled and anti-tank guns, the Soviets fielded the Katyusha rocket launchers in 1941, nicknamed the 'Stalin's organ' by the Germans.The 1930s saw the introduction of the BT light tank series. The iconic T-34 medium tank series came into service in late 1940, joined by the IS-2 heavy tank from early 1944, the prefix letters 'IS' translates to Joseph Stalin. These formidable AFVs led the Red Army to victory in May 1945 over Nazi Germany.All these weapons and more are covered with numerous images in this authoritative overview of the subject.

In the early 1980s, I began to visit South Wales on a regular basis to photograph the railway scene. At that time, the collieries and steelworks were generating a lot of rail traffic with Class 37 diesels being the usual motive power.Passenger trains were in the hands of Class 47s and 37s, while 'Peaks' and Class 50s would also appear on occasion. HSTs, DMUs, Sprinters and Pacers were, of course, also common.As time went on, collieries closed and the coal traffic reduced, but there always something new and interesting. Rugby Internationals at Cardiff regularly produced a number of special trains which arrived from various parts of the country, often bringing interesting motive power to the Welsh capital.The Class 37s were slowly replaced by Class 56s, and later Class 60s, on many duties in South Wales, but the Rhymney Valley saw Class 37 diesels working passenger trains into the twenty-first century, and on Rugby International days, privately-owned Class 50s were also used on occasion.I also visited the Central Wales line a number of times and particularly enjoyed the time I spent at the small country stations, before the semaphore signals were replaced.This book contains a selection of photographs taken in the latter part of the 20th and in the very early 21st Century, covering the railways of South Wales and the Welsh section of the Central Wales line. A few photographs of the principal heritage railways in more recent times are also included.

The four seasons pass by like a gliding ship, each signalled by a transformation of changing colors and hues of light, thus providing a form of marker to these passages of time. Living in the temperate zone we experience four distinct seasons. The railway scene reflects such in its own special character - cold winter air enhances the bountiful steam escaping from the hissing steam locomotive impatiently awaiting its departure, while autumn enchants with trees that exude a variety of hues which embellish any image of even the most mundane suburban train. Springtime blossom and wild flowers bestow railway cuttings with a bounty of generous bright colors while coastal railways often look most inviting on warm sunny days as they pass alongside azure seas and golden beaches. The seasons each add their own dimension for the photographer to encapsulate, and railways passing through the ever-changing landscape provide their own tribute to this inspirational tapestry. As readers travel through each season, so they are invited to share this awe and constant source of inspiration from nature's kaleidoscope of color.Photographs are provided with captions and reflective commentary to enlighten the knowledgeable rail enthusiast alongside those who equally enjoy such a portrait of landscape and scenery through the seasons. The range of photographs ranges from the mid -1980's to the present with the majority from the last two decades.

The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II was the most-produced American supersonic military jet with 5,195 aircraft being produced. By any standards the F-4 has been incredibly successful, used not only by the USAF and US Navy but many air forces around the world including Germany, Israel, Turkey and Japan.The F-4 was designed as a long-range fighter interceptor and fighter bomber, excellent in all roles assigned to it. The Phantom has performed leading roles in multiple conflicts around the world from the Vietnam War through to the Gulf War. Although the F-4 left US service in 1996 it has continued in service with other air forces, only just being retired in 2020 from the Japanese Air Self-Defence Force.This new title in Pen & Sword's highly successful Flight Craft series covers the development and operational use of the F-4 Phantom II and brings to life the variety of color schemes and markings applied by many of the multiple air arms that have operated the Phantom around the world by including quality color profiles.Multiple model projects are included covering significant variants of the F-4 like the F-4B, F-4D, F-4E, F-4F, F-4G, F-4J, F-4EJ-Kai; British FGR-2 and F-4J(UK). All the popular model scales are represented: 1:72, 1:48 and 1:32A first for scale modellers everywhere - a book aimed at scale modellers of all levels interested in building the F-4 Phantom II.

Modern historians have consistently condemned the Abwehr, Germany's military intelligence service, and its SS equivalent, the Sicherheitsdienst, as incompetent and corrupt. However, newly declassified MI5, CIA and US Counterintelligence Corps files shed a very different light on the capabilities of the German intelligence machine.

Spies have made an extraordinary impact on the history of the 20th Century, but fourteen in particular can be said to have been demonstrably important.

The 'ShipCraft' series provides in-depth information about building and modifying model kits of famous warships. Previously, these have generally covered plastic and resin models of 20th century subjects, but this volume is a radical departure - not only a period sailing ship but one for which kits are available in many different materials and scales. This requires some changes to the standard approach, but the main features of the series remain constant.Victory, Nelson's flagship at Trafalgar, is probably the world's most famous sailing warship, and survives in restored form at Portsmouth. With lavish illustration, this book takes the modeller through a brief history of the ship, highlighting differences in appearance over her long career. Detailed color profiles reveal decorative detail and changes to paint schemes over 250 years, and outline some of the debatable features experts still disagree about. The modelling section reviews the strengths and weaknesses of available kits, lists commercial accessory sets for super-detailing, and provides hints on modifying and improving the basic kit, including the complexities of rigging. This is followed by an extensive photographic gallery of selected high-quality models in a variety of scales, and coverage concludes with a section on research references - books, monographs, large-scale plans and relevant websites.Following the pattern of the series, this book provides an unparalleled level of visual information - paint schemes, models, line drawings and photographs - and is simply the best reference for anyone setting out to model this imposing three-decker.

The Edwardian castles of north Wales were built by a Savoyard master mason, but also by many other artisans from Savoy.

Few people in Britain had heard much about the Falkland Islands before the Argentine invasion of 1982. Since then they have rarely been out of the headlines, and the story of the recapture of the islands by British forces is one that has been told many times. Yet, surprisingly, there are still some elements of that memorable conflict that remain largely unknown - not least among which is the uniforms and equipment that were used.In this highly-illustrated publication, soldier-historian Mark Magreehan has assembled an unrivalled collection of original items of uniforms and equipment used by the British troops who operated and served in that memorable war deep in the South Atlantic. Among the units covered, are 40 and 42 Commando, the 2nd and 3rd battalions of the Parachute Regiment and the Scots Guards. Headgear, footwear, rucksacks, packs, helmets, combat and working gear, smocks, Arctic issue reversable waterproofs, windproof clothing and insignia, are all included, both for officers and other ranks, and even some items from the secretive SAS.Accompanied by a varied selection of color and monochrome photographs taken of the men, by the men, during the fighting and the aftermath of battle, enriched with numerous personal accounts by the veterans, this book provides the reader with an unprecedented, exceptionally detailed view of what the troops wore, carried and fought with in the fighting to recapture the Falklands Islands.

By exploring the wide range of interconnected factors that influence the results of battles, the authors broaden the study of this aspect of military history from a narrow focus on isolated episodes of conflict.

John Franklin has been collecting traditional toy soldiers for over sixty years, mostly Britains but, as the title suggests, including other interesting additions. In this book he shares some of the in-depth knowledge gained through experience and countless hours of careful research, but most of all the passion and enthusiasm for his hobby. He explains how he was inspired to collect soldiers, like so many, in early boyhood and how a hobby grew into an obsession. The various chapters then examine themes he followed in his collecting, such as Britains Special Painting Orders and Indian Army Pipe Bands for example, or address questions regarding the manufacture or identity of specific sets that he has researched or, in some cases, is still seeking the answer to. It is packed with anecdotes, useful technical information and helpful advice for the collector but it is above all a proud tour of inspection of a sixty-year labour of love. Over four hundred photographs, show much of the author's magnificent collection in a parade of miniature pomp and splendour.

Just hearing the phrase the East End summons up images of slums and dark alleyways, with Jack the Ripper appearing from the mist, or housing estates and pubs where you might find the Kray twins. It is a place of poverty and menace, yet these images can prevent us from seeing the reality of life east of the City of London, and of its dark history. This study features stories of crimes and misdeeds that show what life was like in this area before the 'East End' existed. They also reflect the changes caused as the settlements of the Tower Hamlets became absorbed by the new metropolis of London.As there is nothing new under the sun, so these stories find their modern counterparts in our times. However, they also take us into unfamiliar territory as they bring to light the often forgotten past that underlies the present-day streets and lurks behind the facades of some of the areas older buildings. Many of the stories will be unfamiliar and indeed strange, but yet they show how the character and notoriety of the City's famous shadow has been formed. Paying scrupulous attention to place, this volume features a wealth of specially-commissioned photographs, allowing the reader to locate these stories in the present-day London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

Loos is a small mining town between Lens and La Bassee in northern France. But on 25th September 1915, and for a few days after, it was the center of one of the most intense and bloody battles of the First World War.

This well researched and well written book covers the early campaigns and battles that earned The Desert Rats their fame and name.This volume covers the difficult early years when ultimate victory was less than certain. The Nazis were victorious on many fronts and Britain stood alone. Indeed it was at El Alamein that 7 armored Division and the rest of Montgomerys Eighth Army turned the tide. The church bells rang out in Britain and a new spirit was born. But much fighting lay ahead and many were to die. The successful completion of the North African campaign led to the invasion of Sicily and the long slog up Italy.The Desert Rats were at the forefront of these campaigns. Three Victoria Crosses were won in the desert and many famous names were associated with the Division, such as Field Marshal Lord Carver and Major General Pip Roberts.The Divisions story is told by many first hand contributions and is the result of painstaking research by the author who was also a Desert Rat.

Here, Dr Jeremy Armstrong traces the development of Rome's military might from its earliest discernible origins down to the First Punic War.

Bernard Paget enjoyed a hugely successful military career which culminated in his top level appointments in WW2.

Fascinating for its gripping and factual re-creation of the bomber-fighter/flak encounters, the confrontations in captivity between PoWs and Stalag guards, Escape from Hitler's Reich provides a real insight into the war as those who 'fell from formation' saw it.

Adolf Hitler's Great War military experiences in no way qualified him for supreme command. Yet by July 1940, under his personal leadership the Third Reich's armed forces had defeated Poland, Czechoslovakia, Holland, Denmark, Norway, Belgium and France. The invasion of Great Britain was a distinct reality following Dunkirk. Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania had become allies along with the acquiescent military powers of Mussolini's Italy and Franco's Spain. These achievements prompted Field Marshal Willem Keitel, the Wehrmacht's Chief of Staff, to pronounce Hitler to be 'the Greatest Commander of all time'.Storm clouds were gathering, most notably the disastrous decision to tear up the treaty with the Soviet Union and launch Operation Barbarossa in 1941. As described in this meticulously researched and highly readable book, Hitler's blind ideology, racist hatred and single-mindedness led him and his allies inexorably to devastating defeat. How far was it good luck that gave Hitler his sensational early political and military successes? Certainly fortune played a major role in his survival from many assassination attempts and sex scandals. The author concludes, from 1941 onwards, the Fuhrer's downfall was entirely attributable to military misjudgments that he alone made.Lucky: Hitler's Big Mistakes exposes the enigmatic Dictator for what he really was - incredibly lucky and militarily incompetent.

Liz McConaghy, from a small town in County Down, spent a total of seventeen years flying with the RAF's Chinook Fleet.

Already a pre-war airfield, it was in 1915 that the land was requisitioned for use by the Royal Fling Corps.

Nazi UFOs tells the strange tale of how, following the first alleged flying saucer sightings made in the USA in 1947, a series of fantasists and neo-fascists came forward to create a media myth that the Nazis may have invented these incredible craft as a means for winning the Second World War.