The British Army 1939–45 (1)


Book Description

The Second World War was Britain's last conflict as a world power. For a year it saw Britain standing alone against the fascist dictatorships; winning it demanded the sacrifice of the entire national wealth. This first book of three describes the uniforms developed for European service. It traces the appearance of the 'Tommy' from pre-war mobilization, through the years of defeat and endurance, to D-Day and the long fighting advance to Northern Germany. The book also includes a campaign summary, infantry organization tables, lists of arms and services and basic specifications of a number of heavy weapons.




Companion to the British Army 1939-45


Book Description

To encapsulate the British Army in one book is no easy task, but here, George Forty presents it as it was during the Second World War. When war was declared in 1939, the British Army was very much the 'Cinderella' of the three armed services, with a total strength of around 865,000 men. However, just four years later when the Allies invaded north-west Europe, the British Army had grown into a powerful, well-organised and well-equipped fighting force of 3 million men and women. George Forty presents a comprehensive overview of the British Army during this important time. He includes full details of mobilisation and training, higher organisation and arms of the service; divisional organisations and non-divisional units; HQs and Staff; the combat arms and the services; the individual soldier, his weapons and equipment; tactics; vehicle markings and camouflage; the Auxiliary Territorial Service and other Women's Corps. Fully illustrated with an unusual collection of photographs and line illustrations, this is an indispensable reference guide for anyone interested in this fascinating period of British history.




Luftwaffe Victory Markings 1939–45


Book Description

A fully illustrated overview of the Nazi German Air Force’s victory markings on their day & night fighter aircrafts in World War II. This book provides an overview of the victory markings painted on the fins and rudders of the planes of the German day fighter and night fighter aircraft between 1939 and 1945, and demonstrates how these were applied in reality through the profiles of nineteen pilots, including some of the most emblematic pilots of the Luftwaffe: Hans Troitzsch, Johannes Gentzen, Frank Liesendahl, Wilhelm Balthasar, Otto Bertram, Joachim Müncheberg, Karl-Heinz Koch, Kurt “Kuddel” Ubben, Felix-Maria Brandis, “Fiffi” Stahlschmidt, Franz-Josef Beerenbrock, Heinrich Setz, Walter “Gulle" Oesau, Max-Hellmuth Ostermann, Heinrich Bartels, "Fritz" Dinger, Martin Drewes, Egmont zur Lippe-Weissenfeld and Ludwig Meister. Praise for Luftwaffe Victory Markings 1939–45 “For any and all who seek out photos of the German WWII victory markings adorning their aircraft, this book is simply a ‘must have’.” —Large Scale Planes “Will be of great interest to modelers who want to put victory markings on a Luftwaffe fighter model.” —AMPS Indianapolis “Modelers seeking to put a finishing detail on their aircraft will find this book quite useful.” —Historical Miniatures Gaming Society




Modelling the Matilda Infantry Tank


Book Description

The Matilda tank saw action in almost all theatres of World War II, from Europe to the Pacific. Born in the interwar years, and developed with numerous modifications following combat testing, the Matilda is perhaps most famous for its role in the desert campaigns of 1940-41, thus acquiring its nickname 'Queen of the Desert'. This book provides a detailed guide to modelling the Matilda tank across a variety of types, colour schemes and scales, and features excellent reference photos. Using clearly explained techniques and methods, and featuring the work of several top modellers, this step-by-step guide to building, finishing and displaying the Matilda in European, Western Desert and Australian service presents a creative and enagaging approach to modelling the 'Tilly'.




U.S. Army Vehicle Markings, 1944


Book Description

An illustrated guide to the markings used on WWII Era U.S. Army tanks, lorries and Jeeps—an invaluable reference for historians, modelers and collectors. The markings of a 1944 U.S. Army Jeep are an iconic image of American military and the Second World War. But few people know what the distinctive white letters, numbers and symbols actually mean. This uniquely detailed guide explains how these and other markings were integral to organizing the U.S. Army on the move. U.S. Army Vehicle Markings 1944 covers all the markings used on American military vehicles to denote their unit and classification. It also covers tactical markings and the debarkation codes used in the Normandy landings. Hundreds of contemporary photographs are paired with precise color diagrams to show exactly how markings appeared on vehicles, including the exact measurements. The volume explains all the variations in the use of these markings and includes a chapter on the varieties of camouflage used on vehicles.




International Warbirds


Book Description

In depth descriptions and photographs of the aircraft of 21 nations presented with a unique human dimension that goes behind the machines to the people involved. Invaluable for specialists, accessible to enthusiasts, International Warbirds: An Illustrated Guide to World Military Aircraft, 1914–2000 puts the most legendary fighter aircraft of the 20th century developed outside the United States on vivid display. It offers 336 illustrated "biographies" of the most significant warplanes used in squadron service from World War I to the Balkan conflict, including numerous models from Great Britain, France, Russia, and Japan, as well as notable machines from Israel, Canada, China, India, Brazil, and other nations. Entries span the history and scope of military aircraft from bombers and fighters to transports, trainers, reconnaissance craft, sea planes, and helicopters, with each capsule history combining nuts-and-bolts technical data with the story of that model's evolution and use. Together, these portraits offer an exciting, well-researched tribute to visionary designers and builders as well as courageous pilots and crews across the globe, and tell a vivid tale of how air power became such a decisive factor in modern warfare.




Western Allied Tanks 1939-45


Book Description

The Essential Vehicle Identification Guide: Western Allied Tanks, 1939-45 offers an highly illustrated guide to the main armored fighting vehicles used by the Western Allies during World War II. This compact volume includes sample unit structures and orders of battle from company up to corps level, providing an organizational context for key campaigns throughout the war. Organized chronologically, the book offers a comprehensive survey of Western Allied armored fighting vehicles by campaign, including the fall of Poland, the defense of the Low Countries and France, desert warfare in North Africa, the push through Italy, the Normandy landings, the Battle of the Bulge, and the final defeat of Germany.