It was also the first time that sea-skimming anti-ship missiles dominated naval tactics. In addition to this, the British launched an amphibious landing in the jet era, with only 28 serviceable Harrier fighters against 112 fighter jets – it was also the first time air-to-air combat depended entirely on a fighter aircraft capable of vertical take-off and landing (the Harrier). On the first day of Britain’s recovery effort, an RAF Vulcan bomber dropped twenty-one bombs to get one on target. After considerable ‘research under fire’, on the war’s last full day an RAF Harrier dropped a single laser guided bomb and scored a bullseye. As such, the war marks an important transition in British aviation technology.

While both sides had six ships sunk, the British use of SSNs forced the entire Argentine navy to retreat to port. High British ship losses remain controversial, and they are compared here with losses in Operation Pedestal, the long-range naval action on a similar scale to save Malta in the Second World War. Losses were overall lower in the Falklands War, and the reasons behind this are discussed. The book also reveals what might have happened if the Argentine dictators had launched their war several months later, as originally considered.　

Michael Ibbotson is a professor of neuroscience and biomedical engineering at the University of Melbourne and an ex-infantryman. His other academic interest is military history and he revelled at the opportunity to write a book based on the memories of his uncle, who was a member of the Guards Armoured Division in the Second World War. With his academic training, he has created an account through the use of interviews, archival research and technical knowledge that portrays a unique soldier’s perspective on well-known battles.

Comprising units from five countries - Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and India - the Commonwealth Brigade saw 9 months of brutal fighting. From the Pusan pocket in the far south, up to the border with Communist China, the disparate units of the Brigade were welded together into an extremely potent fighting force. The Commonwealth troops faced North Koreans, Chinese Communists and the equally brutal ‘General Winter’, emerging from numerous battles as a well-respected and effective force.

This book is the first book which looks at the composition of each of the five countries which made up the Commonwealth Brigade and describes their commonalities and differences as well as how they were brought together to form a single effective unit. It also examines in detail the ‘friendly fire’ incident at Hill 282 when the Argylls were accidentally bombed by the US Airforce and the first VC of the war was awarded. This books also looks at the pivotal battle at Kapyong which helped to blunt the Chinese Spring Offensive of 1951. Unlike previous histories which often focussed on the actions of a single country, this book looks at the contributions of all of the Commonwealth forces as a whole and shows that it was the efforts of the Commonwealth troops together that led to their eventual success.　

David Allison was born in Perth, Australia. With degrees in Chinese studies and Law, he has practiced as a lawyer in Australia, China and Hong Kong for more than 20 years. He has also served as an officer in the Australian Army (Reserve) for over 15 years. David’s primary research interest is the military history of Commonwealth forces in Asia from the Second World War to the present. David is married and lives with his wife and three children in Hong Kong.

The book will explore mission areas at both the operational and strategic level in enemy dominated areas of operation, focusing on stealth for survival and battlefield success. The book will also include historical references and first-person narratives to analyze successes and failures. Similarly structured to this first book, the proposed book will also draw from Lessons-Learned and TTPs derived from operations conducted by the legendary Military Advisory Command Vietnam – Studies and Operations Group (MACV-SOG). These operations entail Direct Action (including Target Acquisition, Sabotage, Ambush, Raid, Interdiction/Area Denial, Prisoner of War Snatch Operations, Downed Aircrews Rescue, Psychological Warfare methods and materials and other high-risk tasks.　

Lt. Col. Wolcoff (ret.) served in Special Operations Group and went on highly classified Special Reconnaissance missions. He also spent over seven years in Explosive Ordnance Disposal. A decorated veteran with years of experience as a team leader in aggressive, cross-border operations, Wolcoff is uniquely qualified to present this invaluable document for Special Operations personnel. After the military, Wolcoff worked in support of the National Security interests of the United States.

This left 3rd British and 3rd Canadian divisions on the Caen front in a period of ‘active defence’, with patrolling and a series of remarkably bloody actions, in the shadow of other operations such as EPSOM, that were fought to nibble away at the German positions.

In July, with the Second Army’s build up complete and rising criticism of General Montgomery’s conduct of the campaign in Normandy, attention returned to Caen with the Canadians taking part in Operation WINDSOR: the attack on the heavily defended Carpiquet Airfield. This was a necessary precursor to I Corps’ Operation CHARNWOOD. The final battle for Caen opened on the evening of 7 July 1944 with the controversial bombing of the northern part of the city, and at dawn the established British and Canadian divisions attacked having been joined by the newly arrived 59th Staffordshire Division in their first battle. By the following evening the Lutwaffefeldt Division had collapsed, and the Hitlerjugend were withdrawing to the south of the River Orne.　

TIM SAUNDERS served as an infantry officer with the British Army for thirty years, during which time he took the opportunity to visit campaigns far and wide, from ancient to modern. Since leaving the Army he has become a full time military historian and has made nearly fifty full documentary films with Battlefield History and Pen & Sword. He is an active guide and accredited member of the Guild of Battlefield Guides.

This first-ever history of the wartime Belgian SAS published in English is the result of extensive research based on previously classified archives and integrating first-hand accounts from founder members’ unpublished memoirs.

Addressing all enthusiasts of special operations history, this book explains the broader context to guide the uninitiated, while simultaneously offering the expert military historian unprecedented insight and detail into the recruitment, training and operations of an elite unit raised in Britain, whose commanding officer accepted no compromises to achieve its goals, and which took every opportunity to bring the fight to the enemy, living by its motto ‘Who dares wins’.

Containing both dramatic and humorous personal stories, the book features numerous rare wartime photographs from private archives, alongside detailed appendices covering personnel records, casualties, battle honours, and awards.　

The Belgian SAS Association is a non-profit organisation dedicated to preserving and promoting historical knowledge of the Belgian SAS from the Second World War and its post-war successor units. The association primarily consists of former service members and relatives of those who served in these units and maintains close ties with the British SAS Association.

It might be asked why, out of all the bayonets of the world, these three have been selected since at first sight they appear very ordinary and mundane when compared with some of their more ‘exotic’ brethren. However, as with the arms they were fitted to and whose manufacture has been covered in two earlier companion volumes, they are the only bayonets whose manufacture is described in varying degrees of detail in contemporary publications. They also share another kinship since, like the weapons they fitted, the Russian M.1808 is a direct copy, and the Enfield Pattern 1853 bayonet a descendant of, the French M.1777. This bayonet was a major landmark in socket bayonet design. It may be distasteful and not something to be contemplated lightly, but the socket bayonet’s function at the end of a musket was to penetrate the body of an enemy in close combat. Earlier bayonets having a plain mortice or ‘zig-zag’ slot engaging with a stud on the barrel to hold them in place, might easily be removed from the musket by one or other of the adversaries twisting it in the wrong direction. Honoré Blanc’s design, with its medial locking ring, prevented such accidental removal and became the prototype for many, if not all, socket bayonets which followed through to the end of the 19th century.　

Peter G Smithurst graduated in Chemistry and Biochemistry in 1968 spending several years as a research chemist before pursuing his passion for industrial and technological history, moving in to museum work.

Peter was appointed Assistant Curator of the Industry and Technology section of Sheffield City Museums in 1975 including the planning and opening of the Kelham Island Industrial Museum in 1982 leading to a promotion to Principal Keeper, Industry and Technology. In 1994 Peter was appointed Assistant Curator of Artillery at the Royal Armouries Museum at Fort Nelson before transferring to the Royal Armouries in Leeds for its opening in 1996.

In 2001, Peter became the Executive Director at the American Precision Museum in Windsor, Vermont housed in the Robbins & Lawrence factory where much of the technology for the mechanised manufacture of firearms, including the Enfield 1853 rifle, had been developed before finally returning to the Royal Armouries in 2002 retiring in 2009 as Senior Curator of Firearms. Just prior to retirement Peter was appointed Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Huddersfield resulting in a PhD from the School of Engineering and Computing in 2020 for a study of the manufacture of the Pattern 1853 Enfield Rifle-Musket and was subsequently elected Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London in 2021.

When we talk about North Africa, we of course also talk about Rommel, a central figure in the events described. Other names that are for ever connected with North Africa are El Alamein, one of the turning points of the Second World War, and Montgomery, the British general who managed to turn the tide.

This book begins with a sketch of the organisational dimensions of the German and British armies, but also looks at the dynamics of the fighting in North Africa and the demands it placed on men, officers, equipment, leadership, training, logistics, planning etc.　

Featuring over 300 rare and previously unpublished photographs, 50 of which are presented in full colour, this book showcases the full range of attire worn by German troops. From standard service dress and winter camouflage to armoured crew uniforms and protective gear, the volume covers it all, including headgear, rank insignia and battlefield equipment. Every image is accompanied by a detailed caption, bringing to life the appearance of soldiers of all ranks from privates and NCOs to generals, infantrymen, mountain troops, tank crews and assault gun operators.

Beyond the visual documentation, the book offers a detailed analysis of how the German army meticulously developed its fighting force into a formidable war machine. It explores how different branches of the military were equipped across various theatres of war, from Europe and Russia to North Africa.

Whether you’re a military historian, collector or enthusiast, The German Wehrmacht provides a unique and comprehensive look at the clothing, equipment and insignia that defined one of history’s most formidable fighting forces.　

Drawing from meticulously researched historical documents, multiple secondary sources in several languages and the author’s own professional experience, this book chronicles not only daring missions and extraordinary personalities like Countess Dorothea Lieven but also the unique tradecraft techniques that set these female spies apart in a male-dominated field. Readers will uncover extraordinary stories of women who defied societal norms, from Roxelana - the most seductive, powerful, egoistical, intriguing, manipulative and enigmatic woman of the early 16th century to modern-day intelligence operators like Anna Chapman, Nomma Zarubina and Olga Kolobova (‘Maria Adela Kuhfeldt Rivera’).

The Black Book of Espionage sheds new light on a popular yet often misunderstood and misinterpreted subject, revealing the psychological and tactical nuances of female spies who have on occasion shaped the geopolitical landscapes of their times. With its blend of thrilling narratives and insightful analysis, this book is a must-read for history enthusiasts, intelligence scholars and spy fans, and for anyone intrigued by the power dynamics of gender in espionage. Prepare to be captivated by the secrets that have remained hidden for too long, and discover ‘invisible agents’ (female spies) behind the curtain of international intrigue. The book is well-illustrated using rare photos from the author’s archive.　

In The Murder of Heinrich Himmler, historian Krzysztof Drozdowski delves into inconsistencies and unanswered questions surrounding Himmler’s final hours. Drawing on newly accessed archives, eyewitness statements, and correspondence, Drozdowski explores whether Himmler was really the man who died in Lüneburg, or if he was silenced to prevent the spread of dangerous secrets.

Why was the autopsy report sealed until 2045? Why were the Soviets and Americans denied access to the body? What role did British intelligence and military authorities play? Could Himmler have escaped, or was his death the result of a well-planned cover-up?

This compelling book offers not only a thorough re-examination of Himmler’s demise, but also a chilling glimpse into the murky world of post-war intelligence and political intrigue.　

This reflection on the Soviet era, particularly from the 1920s to the 1950s under Stalin, challenges romanticized views of the past by revealing it as a grim and tragic period. The fates of the six Soviet secret police chiefs—once powerful figures of state repression—serve as stark illustrations. These men, who were responsible for countless deaths during the Great Terror, ultimately shared the fate of their victims, executed by the same regime they served. The author stresses that they were not inherently monstrous but ordinary individuals shaped—and corrupted—by a criminal system. Had historical circumstances differed, they might have lived quiet lives. The positions they held sealed their destinies, making them too dangerous for the regime to keep alive due to the blood they had on their hands, which mirrored that of the top party leadership. Their tragic end highlights how power not only corrupted but consumed its own agents. The author concludes that it was not personal evil but the systemic, criminal nature of Soviet power that transformed these otherwise mediocre men into enduring symbols of terror.

A note of gratitude is extended to individuals and institutions who supported the book’s research, especially the Russian State Archive of Socio-Political History (RGASPI).　

Waldemar, the youngest and favourite son, was among those spearheading Germany’s early, so-called ‘war of movement’. Wounded at the Battle of the Marne, he rejoined his regiment to engage in the trench warfare that characterized, from then on, the fight on the Western Front. He was mortally wounded on the Somme on the last day of 1914.

Georg, the middle son, joined one of Berlin’s student reserve regiments. Ill-prepared and ill-equipped, he was sent to Belgium in October 1914. By 1916, he was one of a tiny handful of officers to have survived in the regiment since the beginning. That was when he volunteered as a Company Leader. He was killed soon after, at Verdun.

The eldest son, Hermann, had three ships sunk under him in the Baltic. He was fighting a war where, from late 1914, the Russian enemy was able to read supposedly-secret German orders. In 1917, he volunteered for U-boat service. His boat was sunk off Gibraltar on 11 May 1918. This time it was the British who were reading German messages.

This poignant account of sacrifice in the name of duty and country is told by Hermann’s granddaughter. She draws on Philipp’s memoirs, family letters and her own research as she walked through Belgium and onto the Marne, following the tracks of the German army in 1914. Hers is a compelling story, offering a fascinating perspective on patriotism, war, love and loss.　

Having attained his great goal of a free Poland, he fought a series of wars. These little-known conflicts (with Ukraine and Lithuania) are illuminated by Evan McGilvray. When it became clear that Bolshevik Russia was preparing to invade Poland, Pilsudski launched a pre-emptive attack in 1920. Despite early successes, the Russians were able to gain the upper hand and were almost at the gates of Warsaw before Pilsudski’s masterful counterattack brought about ‘the miracle of the Vistula’ and turned the tide.

This is a fascinating and long overdue study of a key figure in modern European history.　

Battle Group "Lohse" - Oberleutnant Heinrich Lohse’s memoirs detail his time as a training officer at the 5th Wehrmacht Infantry School in Poznań. When the battle for the city began, he led a reserve battle group and commanded the fortress headquarters’ last defence. Lohse is notably critical of General Gonell, the fortress commander and former head of the 5th Infantry School, in this gripping memoir about the fight for the citadel.

Fahnenjunker from Poznań - Leutnant Jonny Neuwirth recounts his role in the battle of Poznań. After being wounded, he describes the dire conditions in military hospitals, his attempted escape and his experience of being captured by the Polish militia and taken into Soviet captivity. His memoir details his suffering and that of his fellow German soldiers under a ruthless enemy, highlighting the brutal reality of war and its aftermath.　

About Heinrich Lohse
From 1944-45, Oberleutnant Heinrich Lohse served as a training officer of the 5th Wehrmacht Cadet School in Poznań, commanding the 3rd platoon of the 6th company During the battle for the city in January and February 1945, he commanded the "Lohse" Battle Group.

About Jonny Neuwirth
As a conscript, Jonny Neuwirth first served in the 319th Mountain Rifle Battalion, and then graduated from the Land Forces Non-commissioned Officer School in Saalautern. In 1944, he was sent for training at the 5th Wehrmacht Cadet School in Poznań, where he took part in the battle for the city in early 1945.

After Hamas’ shocking 2023 attack on Israel, the United States stood firmly behind Israel’s near-genocidal war on Gaza, despite widespread moral outrage and significant damage to Washington’s global agenda. But Gaza is only the latest paradox in thirty-five years of Middle East policy. How did this pattern develop, why can’t policymakers learn from repeated Middle Eastern calamities, and what does Gaza’s destruction mean for America’s place in the world?

Marc Lynch charts the United States’ disastrously failed approach to the post-Cold War Middle East, where aspirations for US leadership and a calm region have only produced war, instability and humanitarian catastrophe. Lynch exposes the failure of each president’s efforts to transform the Middle East in America’s image, or pivot away from the region; Washington’s refusal to take seriously the views of Middle Easterners; and its fantasy of forging a regional order ’without’ the Palestinian issue.　

2023年哈马斯对以色列发动震惊世界的袭击后，美国仍坚定支持以色列在加沙地带近乎种族灭绝的战争，尽管此举引发全球道德谴责，严重损害了华盛顿的国际议程。但加沙事件不过是美国中东政策三十五年来最新的一次悖论。这种模式如何形成?为何决策者无法从中东频发的灾难中吸取教训? 加沙的毁灭对美国在世界格局中的地位意味着什么? 马克·林奇剖析了美国在后冷战时代中东政策的灾难性失败——那些渴望美国领导力与地区稳定的愿景，最终只换来战争、动荡和人道主义灾难。林奇揭露了历任总统试图将中东改造为美国形象的失败，或是刻意疏离该地区的行径；华盛顿拒绝认真对待中东民众诉求的顽固态度；以及其幻想在“不涉及”巴勒斯坦问题的情况下构建地区秩序的空想。(Sandy)

Marc Lynch is Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at The George Washington University, where he directs the Middle East Studies Program. He’s the founding director of the Project on Middle East Political Science, and founding co-director of the Program on African Social Research. He is currently an associate editor of The Monkey Cage, after previously creating and editing The Middle East Channel for Foreign Policy. He blogs at https://abuaarvark.substack.com and also hosts a popular podcast on Middle East Political Science. He writes widely on Arab politics and US foreign policy.