Pen and Sword have developed an unrivalled reputation for the quality and scope of its battlefield guides.
We are proud to publish the Holt's Series of Guide Books. Tonie and Valmai Holt are the pioneers of battlefield touring, having developed the concept nearly 40 years ago. Now millions visit the battlefields every year and their bestselling titles have been assisting with this for many years.
For those looking to understand battles in a bit more detail, then the battleground series, now with over 100 titles in print, is perfect for the armchair historian or battlefield traveller alike.
The story of Aubers Ridge is very important. The Battle was one of the small set-piece battles which the British Expeditionary Force launched in the late winter and spring of 1915. These included Neuve Chapelle in March, Aubers in early May, to be followed by Festubert. With very few British troops on the continent, these battles along with Second Ypres were tough desperate times for the BEF. As stated by Nigel Cave in the introduction, ‘Given the size of the French casualties, a decision to halt an attack after a setback would not have been regarded in an understanding manner by the French staff – o popular opinion. Aubers Ridge had to be seen bearing these considerations in mind if there is to be any hope of understanding what transpired to be the sheer futility of it all”... Each area of the attack is brought out in extensive detail. Describing the 1st Division attack from Rue du Bois on the southern front, it is mentioned that after capturing and securing the German front.. Read more
Jon Sandison, Freelance
The story of Aubers Ridge is very important. The Battle was one of the small set-piece battles which the British Expeditionary Force launched in the late winter and spring of 1915. These included Neuve Chapelle in March, Aubers in early May, to be followed by Festubert. With very few British troops on the continent, these battles along with Second Ypres were tough desperate times for the BEF. As stated by Nigel Cave in the introduction, ‘Given the size of the French casualties, a decision to halt an attack after a setback would not have been regarded in an understanding manner by the French staff – o popular opinion. Aubers Ridge had to be seen bearing these considerations in mind if there is to be any hope of understanding what transpired to be the sheer futility of it all”... Each area of the attack is brought out in extensive detail. Describing the 1st Division attack from Rue du Bois on the southern front, it is mentioned that after capturing and securing the German front.. Read more
Jon Sandison, Freelance
As well as the background to the battle, this brings life to the story of the battlefield that was Verdun, a focus for the French and German armies during WW1, scene of huge casualty lists and vicious fighting... This book will certainly go with me next time we are in the area.
Read the full review [link=https://www.militarymodelscene.com/pands-walking-in-the-footsteps]here[/link]
Military Model Scene, Robin Buckland
As well as the background to the battle, this brings life to the story of the battlefield that was Verdun, a focus for the French and German armies during WW1, scene of huge casualty lists and vicious fighting... This book will certainly go with me next time we are in the area.
Read the full review [link=https://www.militarymodelscene.com/pands-walking-in-the-footsteps]here[/link]
Military Model Scene, Robin Buckland
In time for the 75th anniversary of the Normandy Landings, a completely revised and much expanded edition of the book universally known as the Bible of battlefield guides.
The Bookseller 8/3/19
In time for the 75th anniversary of the Normandy Landings, a completely revised and much expanded edition of the book universally known as the Bible of battlefield guides.
The Bookseller 8/3/19
The Tour of Riqueval, takes the reader via sites such as the canal, bridge, and Australian Division Memorial. Continuously, useful pieces of advice are given such as keeping away from areas that is used to grow arable crops, or where cemeteries are, and areas that were formerly German machine gun posts, and German concrete blockhouses... The stories connected to Victoria Crosses also make fascinating read. Just one included is that of Sergeant William Henry Johnson of the Sherwood Foresters. He was awarded the VC for single-handedly rushing machine gun posts and taking out their gun crews near the Beaurevoir Line.
Overall, this is another excellent book in the series and worthy of any collection for the enthusiast of the battlefields of the Western Front.
Jon Sandison, Freelance
The Tour of Riqueval, takes the reader via sites such as the canal, bridge, and Australian Division Memorial. Continuously, useful pieces of advice are given such as keeping away from areas that is used to grow arable crops, or where cemeteries are, and areas that were formerly German machine gun posts, and German concrete blockhouses... The stories connected to Victoria Crosses also make fascinating read. Just one included is that of Sergeant William Henry Johnson of the Sherwood Foresters. He was awarded the VC for single-handedly rushing machine gun posts and taking out their gun crews near the Beaurevoir Line.
Overall, this is another excellent book in the series and worthy of any collection for the enthusiast of the battlefields of the Western Front.
Jon Sandison, Freelance
As featured by
AIM, January 2019
As featured by
AIM, January 2019
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Fort Vaux
The bitter fight for Fort Vaux is one of the most famous episodes in the Battle of Verdun - it has achieved almost legendary status in French military history. The heroic resistance put up by the fort's commander, Major Raynal, and his small, isolated garrison in the face of repeated German assaults was remarkable at the time, and it is still seen… Read more...
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Aisne 1914
The 1914 Battle of the Aisne, officially from 12 – 15 September, came about as a result of the German retirement from the Battle of the Marne, which took place further south as the huge conscript armies of France and Germany jostled for position almost within sight of Paris. By the time the British arrived on the Aisne the battle line stretched some… Read more...
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Operation Bluecoat-Over the Battlefield
After seven weeks of bitter fighting there was a desperate need to break out of the Normandy bridgehead. In late July 1944 Lieutenant-General Sir Miles Dempsey's Second Army moved two entire corps from the Caen sector to the relatively quiet countryside around Caumont. Here, the British XXX Corps prepared to give battle, with VII Corps advancing in… Read more...
The invasion was launched to round off Hitler's Balkan Campaign against Crete in May 1941. The Island was important to Britain's control of the Eastern Mediterranean and Churchill was determined that the Island would be held. The British garrison was largely made up of New Zealand and Australian troops who had been evacuated from Greece, with little… Read more...
