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.
As the British advance in Normandy began to move around Caen, the innocuously named Hill 112 and its dominating heights became a vital position for both sides, changing hands several times. This book focuses on Operation Jupiter, which ended in a stalemate with neither side able to fully control the hill, though it did succeed in drawing the German armoured reserves into a costly battle they could ill-afford, helping to pave the way for the American breakout in the west. In the time honoured style of the superb Battleground Europe series, Tim Saunders compresses a substantial amount of information into a remarkably small space, with his clear and concise narrative excellently supported by numerous veterans accounts, reports, photographs and detailed maps.
Read the full review [link=https://www.pegasusarchive.org/shop/shop_bnormandy.htm]here[/link]
Pegasus Archive
As the British advance in Normandy began to move around Caen, the innocuously named Hill 112 and its dominating heights became a vital position for both sides, changing hands several times. This book focuses on Operation Jupiter, which ended in a stalemate with neither side able to fully control the hill, though it did succeed in drawing the German armoured reserves into a costly battle they could ill-afford, helping to pave the way for the American breakout in the west. In the time honoured style of the superb Battleground Europe series, Tim Saunders compresses a substantial amount of information into a remarkably small space, with his clear and concise narrative excellently supported by numerous veterans accounts, reports, photographs and detailed maps.
Read the full review [link=https://www.pegasusarchive.org/shop/shop_bnormandy.htm]here[/link]
Pegasus Archive
An exceptional retelling of a pivotal moment in history. Incredibly well researched, the authors offer new information and insights even to those who are familiar with the Battle of Hastings. The writing itself is clear and accessible to any reader with an interest, avoiding academic pretensions which sometimes come with very focused history books.
NetGalley, Louise Gray
An exceptional retelling of a pivotal moment in history. Incredibly well researched, the authors offer new information and insights even to those who are familiar with the Battle of Hastings. The writing itself is clear and accessible to any reader with an interest, avoiding academic pretensions which sometimes come with very focused history books.
NetGalley, Louise Gray
In detail the Guide goes on to build up the story of the attack of the 39th Division on 13th November, and then the subsequent fighting on the 14th November; all as part of the Battle of the Ancre. As ever, a tremendous piece of personal anecdotal history is developed via the integration of the story of the three Victoria Crosses obtained within this location
Within the book, are continual visual and hard hitting maps and photographs, that further bring to life the outstanding narrative contained within. What I particularly like about this volume is the integration of examples of archaeological finds, thus reminding the reader of the continual link, and indeed obligation, of being a 'battlefield tourist', 'historian', and archaeologist at the same time. Here, there is no distinction.
Jon Sandison
In detail the Guide goes on to build up the story of the attack of the 39th Division on 13th November, and then the subsequent fighting on the 14th November; all as part of the Battle of the Ancre. As ever, a tremendous piece of personal anecdotal history is developed via the integration of the story of the three Victoria Crosses obtained within this location
Within the book, are continual visual and hard hitting maps and photographs, that further bring to life the outstanding narrative contained within. What I particularly like about this volume is the integration of examples of archaeological finds, thus reminding the reader of the continual link, and indeed obligation, of being a 'battlefield tourist', 'historian', and archaeologist at the same time. Here, there is no distinction.
Jon Sandison
The volume is extremely interesting and full of ideas for further studying the conflict and visiting the places.
Read the full Italian review [link=https://oldbarbedwire.blogspot.com/2020/06/touring-sedan-campaign-franco-prussian.html?m=0]here[/link]
On The Old Barbed Wire
The volume is extremely interesting and full of ideas for further studying the conflict and visiting the places.
Read the full Italian review [link=https://oldbarbedwire.blogspot.com/2020/06/touring-sedan-campaign-franco-prussian.html?m=0]here[/link]
On The Old Barbed Wire
Another superb addition to the Battleground Europe series, primarily focusing on the landing of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division on Juno Beach, the difficult and costly fighting to secure their initial objectives, and the advance inland. The first chapters also describe their training, the assault plan, and the formidable Atlantic Wall defences they faced, while later ones touch on the related activities of the 79th Armoured Division as well as the Commandos of the 4th Special Service Brigade, and their protracted battle around the Douvres radar station. As with all books in this series, the concise narrative succeeds in packing a considerable amount of detail into a relatively small space, and it is generously supported with photographs, maps, and veterans accounts. Though intended as a battlefield guide, with the final chapter highlighting numerous places of interest across the Juno area, it is also a very worthy historical study in its own right. Read the full review [link=http://www.pegasusarchive.org/shop/shop_bnormandy.htm]here[/link]
Pegasus Archive
Another superb addition to the Battleground Europe series, primarily focusing on the landing of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division on Juno Beach, the difficult and costly fighting to secure their initial objectives, and the advance inland. The first chapters also describe their training, the assault plan, and the formidable Atlantic Wall defences they faced, while later ones touch on the related activities of the 79th Armoured Division as well as the Commandos of the 4th Special Service Brigade, and their protracted battle around the Douvres radar station. As with all books in this series, the concise narrative succeeds in packing a considerable amount of detail into a relatively small space, and it is generously supported with photographs, maps, and veterans accounts. Though intended as a battlefield guide, with the final chapter highlighting numerous places of interest across the Juno area, it is also a very worthy historical study in its own right. Read the full review [link=http://www.pegasusarchive.org/shop/shop_bnormandy.htm]here[/link]
Pegasus Archive
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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...
