Pen and Sword have developed an unrivalled reputation for the quality and scope of its battlefield guides.
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.
One of three books in the Battleground series about the Rhine Crossing of March 1945, focusing on the landing of the 17th Airborne Division and the crossing of the 9th US Army, in what was the last great set piece operation carried out by the western Allies during the Second World War. The 9th Army quickly secured a foothold on the eastern bank against relatively little opposition and made steady progress towards the airborne troops, who, landing on heavily defended drop zones overlooked by anti-aircraft weapons, had a much more eventful experience, but despite very heavy casualties were able to secure all of their objectives within a few hours. As with all books in the Battleground series, the concise narrative succeeds in cramming an impressive amount of detailed information, first hand accounts, as well as a great many photographs and maps, into a remarkably small space. As such while it can be used solely as a battlefield guide, it also makes for an easy to read and surprisingly comprehensive.. Read more
Pegasus Archive, Mark Hickman
One of three books in the Battleground series about the Rhine Crossing of March 1945, focusing on the landing of the 17th Airborne Division and the crossing of the 9th US Army, in what was the last great set piece operation carried out by the western Allies during the Second World War. The 9th Army quickly secured a foothold on the eastern bank against relatively little opposition and made steady progress towards the airborne troops, who, landing on heavily defended drop zones overlooked by anti-aircraft weapons, had a much more eventful experience, but despite very heavy casualties were able to secure all of their objectives within a few hours. As with all books in the Battleground series, the concise narrative succeeds in cramming an impressive amount of detailed information, first hand accounts, as well as a great many photographs and maps, into a remarkably small space. As such while it can be used solely as a battlefield guide, it also makes for an easy to read and surprisingly comprehensive.. Read more
Pegasus Archive, Mark Hickman
This is a book that discusses the British landings on the 'King' sector of the GOLD BEACH, Normandy , June 6th 1944, and the subsequent push inland from it. It concentrates on the initial objectives and the taking of them, but does not go further than that. In addition to a good description of the fighting, which includes low level clashes between individual infantry groups, naming the participants, it is also a battlefield tour guide. The author has visited the site and provides information on how to find the various locations mentioned in the text. Although now several years old, I'm sure it has not altered that much since writing, because the over all locations had not altered much since 1944! For someone intending to visit the Normandy sites this book would be a valuable source of how to find the smaller actions that are not marked on the tourist maps. Its general description is also very good and gives the reader a particularly good view of how things went and events unfolded.
Malcolm Wright, Australian Maritime Artist & Author
This is a book that discusses the British landings on the 'King' sector of the GOLD BEACH, Normandy , June 6th 1944, and the subsequent push inland from it. It concentrates on the initial objectives and the taking of them, but does not go further than that. In addition to a good description of the fighting, which includes low level clashes between individual infantry groups, naming the participants, it is also a battlefield tour guide. The author has visited the site and provides information on how to find the various locations mentioned in the text. Although now several years old, I'm sure it has not altered that much since writing, because the over all locations had not altered much since 1944! For someone intending to visit the Normandy sites this book would be a valuable source of how to find the smaller actions that are not marked on the tourist maps. Its general description is also very good and gives the reader a particularly good view of how things went and events unfolded.
Malcolm Wright, Australian Maritime Artist & Author
Another excellent addition to the Battleground Europe series of books. A lot of information packed into a handy size book. I recommend this series of books to anyone from the serious historian to the merely curious.
Amazon Reviewer
Another excellent addition to the Battleground Europe series of books. A lot of information packed into a handy size book. I recommend this series of books to anyone from the serious historian to the merely curious.
Amazon Reviewer
An excellent reference book.
Amazon Reviewer
An excellent reference book.
Amazon Reviewer
The book covers the German plan and the Allied dispositions in the area before going through the events of the attack, the initial successes, the siege of Bastogne itself, and then the relief of the town and the eventual retreat of the German forces along with the failure of the accompanying German aerial attack, 'Bodenplatte', launched on 1 January 1945 but which used up some of the last vital Luftwaffe resources, in terms of fuel, aircraft and of course pilots. The story of the events are accompanied by numerous personal accounts and archive photos, along with maps and unit dispositions throughout. The final section gives details of what you can find in a tour of the area, one which really needs a car, as public transport won't take you to everywhere you are likely to want to visit, and these notes are tied in with references to pages in the book which tell you what happened in these places, and the parts they played in the story.
Military Modelling - Robin Buckland
The book covers the German plan and the Allied dispositions in the area before going through the events of the attack, the initial successes, the siege of Bastogne itself, and then the relief of the town and the eventual retreat of the German forces along with the failure of the accompanying German aerial attack, 'Bodenplatte', launched on 1 January 1945 but which used up some of the last vital Luftwaffe resources, in terms of fuel, aircraft and of course pilots. The story of the events are accompanied by numerous personal accounts and archive photos, along with maps and unit dispositions throughout. The final section gives details of what you can find in a tour of the area, one which really needs a car, as public transport won't take you to everywhere you are likely to want to visit, and these notes are tied in with references to pages in the book which tell you what happened in these places, and the parts they played in the story.
Military Modelling - Robin Buckland
Crete
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...