Gazala 1942

Gazala 1942
Author: Ken Ford
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 180
Release: 2011-01-01
Genre: History
ISBN: 1849087245

Illustrated by contemporary photos and specially commissioned maps, this book is a fascinating account of Rommel's greatest victory. Following a lull in the desert war which saw the Germans and British reinforce their armies, Rommel suddenly attacked British fortifications with an assault on the northern sector of the British line near Gazala. Pinning down the British in the north and outflanking the 1st Free French Brigade, Rommel succeeded in encircling the main British positions, trapping them in what became known as 'The Cauldron'. With thousands of British soldiers killed or taken prisoner, this was a devastating defeat for the Allies. Accompanied by contemporary photographs and maps depicting the movement of both armies, Ken Ford provides a masterful study of Rommel, the 'Desert Fox', at the height of his powers as he swept the British army back to the site of their final stand at El Alamein.

The Illustrated Timeline of World War II

The Illustrated Timeline of World War II
Author: A. A. Evans
Publisher: The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc
Total Pages: 265
Release: 2011-08-15
Genre: Juvenile Nonfiction
ISBN: 1448847958

An overview of World War II, from the events leading up to the war, to the war crimes trials after the war, in a timeline format.

The Bismarck 1941

The Bismarck 1941
Author: Angus Konstam
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 98
Release: 2012-12-20
Genre: History
ISBN: 1849083843

A highly illustrated account of the hunt for the Bismarck. The break of the German battleship Bismarck into the North Atlantic in May 1941 was one of the most dramatic episodes of World War II. It began with a battle between the Bismarck and the British battleship Prince of Wales and the heavy cruiser Hood. The Hood was blown to pieces, while the battered Prince of Wales managed to escape. The British then focused all of their resources on hunting the mighty German battleship and eventually brought her down. Supported by birds'-eye-view maps and archive photography, this volume recounts the fight in detail.

Operation Barbarossa 1941 (1)

Operation Barbarossa 1941 (1)
Author: Robert Kirchubel
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 96
Release: 2012-09-20
Genre: History
ISBN: 1846036518

This book focuses on Field Marshal von Rundstedt and Army Group South, tasked with the capture of the Ukraine and Crimea. Operation Barbarossa, Germany's surprise assault on the Soviet Union in June 1941, aimed at nothing less than the complete destruction of Communist Russia. Von Rundstedt's 46 divisions and single Panzer Group faced fierce resistance from the best equipped, trained and commanded units in the Red Army, but ultimately succeeded in destroying the Soviet 6th and 12th Armies at Uman before inflicting a further 600,000 casualties at Kiev. Here, von Rundstedt's five-month advance to Rostov is examined in detail.

Otterburn 1388

Otterburn 1388
Author: Peter Armstrong
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 96
Release: 2013-01-20
Genre: History
ISBN: 1846037700

Supported by original sources and thoroughly illustrated, a detailed account of the Douglases' fight against the Percys. In his Chronicles, Froissart describes Otterburn as 'the best fought and the most severe' battle of his time. Fought at Redesdale in Northumberland in August 1388, the battle originated from the ongoing war between the Scots and the English following Robert Bruce's victory over the English at Bannockburn in 1314. Using all the contemporary sources, this book details the events that led up to the clash on the borders, examines the opposing armies, their weaponry and their commanders – including the Douglases on the Scots side and the Percys on the English – and gives a full account of the battle and its aftermath.

Maginot Line 1940

Maginot Line 1940
Author: Marc Romanych
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 241
Release: 2012-12-20
Genre: History
ISBN: 1782008748

The failure of the Maginot Line shocked the world and lead to the sudden collapse of organized French resistance against Germany. Constructed throughout the 1930s, the Maginot Line was supposed to form the ultimate defence against a German invasion of France. However, different sections of the line were built at different times and the strength of various sections varied widely. During their Blitzkrieg invasion, the Germans were able to identify these weak points and focus their attacks against them. This book uses maps and period photographs to tell the story of the five German operations launched against the Maginot Line. While the Germans were able to smash through the lightly defended section of the line along the Meuse River, at other points the line held. Although ultimately the Maginot Line was to prove a failure, the stiff resistance put up by some of the fortresses confirms the fighting ability of the French army during the invasion.

The Six Day War 1967

The Six Day War 1967
Author: Simon Dunstan
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 98
Release: 2013-02-20
Genre: History
ISBN: 1849081220

A concise explanation of the campaigns in which Israel took over the West Bank and the Golan Heights. Following the lightening destruction of the Egyptian forces at the outbreak of the Six Day War, Israel turned to the forces of Jordan and Syria, with whom Egypt had signed a mutual-defence pact, and which had now entered the war. Jordan's army moved against West Jerusalem and central Israel, while Syria began shelling Israeli towns from the seemingly impregnable Golan Heights. The IDF's invasion of the Golan was as risky and successful as its more famous Egyptian victory, but its success in Jordan – taking the West Bank – sowed the seeds of its future troubles. Comprehensively illustrated with artwork, maps and battlefield views, this new history brings one of the most important of 20th century campaigns to life.

Sherman's March to the Sea 1864

Sherman's March to the Sea 1864
Author: David Smith
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 96
Release: 2012-10-20
Genre: History
ISBN: 1846038278

A detailed, illustrated account of the Union Army's controversial and destructive March to the Sea. Riding on the wave of his victory at Atlanta, Union General W. T. Sherman abandoned his supply lines in an attempt to push his forces into Confederate territory and take Savannah. During their 285-mile 'March to the Sea' the army lived off the land and destroyed all war-making capabilities of the enemy en route. Despite the controversy surrounding it, the march was a success. Supported by photographs, detailed maps, and artwork, this title explores the key personalities and engagements of the march and provides a detailed analysis of the campaign that marked the 'beginning of the end' of the Civil War.

Bannockburn 1314

Bannockburn 1314
Author: Peter Armstrong
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 96
Release: 2012-09-20
Genre: History
ISBN: 1846035570

Pete Armstrong's illustrated account of the Battle of Bannockburn, a pivotal campaign in the First War of Scottish Independence. Bannockburn was the climax of the career of King Robert the Bruce. In 1307 King Edward I of England, 'The Hammer of the Scots' and nemesis of William Wallace, died and his son, Edward II, was not from the same mould. Idle and apathetic, he allowed the Scots the chance to recover from the grievous punishment inflicted upon them. By 1314 Bruce had captured every major English-held castle bar Stirling and Edward II took an army north to subdue the Scots. Pete Armstrong's account of this battle culminates at the decisive battle of Bannockburn that finally won Scotland her independence.

Balaclava 1854

Balaclava 1854
Author: John Sweetman
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 254
Release: 2012-10-20
Genre: History
ISBN: 1782005064

Balaclava 1854 examines in detail the crucial battle of Balaclava during The Crimean War. The port of Balaclava was crucial in maintaining the supply lines for the Allied siege of Sevastapol. The Russian attack in October 1854 therefore posed a major threat to the survival of the Allied cause. This book includes: the attack on the redoubts; the action of 'the thin red line' in which an assortment of about 700 British troops, some invalids, were abandoned by their Turkish allies; the subsequent charge of the Heavy Brigade; and the most famous part of the battle: the infamous charge of the Light Brigade.