Who tried to bomb Japan with bats? Who invented the air-gun in 250BC? Which stories should we believe? The so-called Dambusters raid was all but ineffective; the Hurricane not the Spitfire was the champion of the Battle of Britain; Singapore did not fall because all the guns were pointing the wrong way.

Presents the history of Catholic armies of the Hapsburg Empire that fought in the Thirty Years War. This book explores the role of infantry and artillery during the last major religious war in mainland Europe.

As the haunting air raid sirens of WWII echoed around blacked out streets, the people of British cities would gather together in tube stations fearful of what the night might bring from the dark skies. This title brings together over 500 games, pensees, jokes and literary snippets which provided some amusement during the long nights of the blitz.

Most famous for the dambusting raid in the darkest days of the Second World War, the No 617 Sqn were a vastly experienced crew. It was the first, and only, squadron to use certain equipment and weapons in combat. This study covers the history of the No 617 Squadron. It explains the men, aircraft, weapons and operations of this squadron.

Brings together the profiles of sixty soldiers who have fought over the past 2,500. From the Spartans at Thermopylae to the war in the Persian Gulf, this book shows the lives of the individual men and woman who made up the great armies that changed the world.

The battle for Irish Independence was not one conflict, but a series of bloody struggles that stretched over a decade. In 1912, Britain passed a law that would bring 'Home Rule' to Ireland. Backed with numerous photographs and detailed maps, this title deals with this complex struggle for Irish Independence.

The Battle of the Coral Sea is unique in the annals of naval history. It is the first battle in which enemy fleets never came within sight of one another. Instead, aircraft launched from carrier decks were sent out to attack the enemy with bombs and torpedoes. This book tells the story of this battle in the Pacific War.

The light and agile A-4 Skyhawk was the first modern American jet to be offered to the Israeli Air Force, marking the point where the US took over from France as Israel's chief military supplier. This work presents the history of the IAF's A-4 squadrons, including the story of Ezra BABAN Dotan who became an ace with a unique double-kill of MiG17s.

Covers the background to the Yom Kippur War of 1973 and the campaign against the Egyptians in the Sinai Peninsula, including the initial devastating air assault that showed the world how vital air supremacy was in modern combat.

Throughout time, violent battles have changed the course of history and shaped nations or empires. This title examines battles of annihilation throughout history to discover what sets these engagements apart, whether they achieve a decisive strategic advantage in war, and why there are fewer battles of annihilation in modern times.

Offers a re-evaluation of the vital contribution made by the Roman navy to Roman imperial power, covering the organisation of the fleets and the everyday life of the soldiers.

Helps to discover the history of one of the most colourful and dramatic episodes of the Civil War.

Explores the origins of American warships, primarily light and medium frigates, built for the Continental Navy during the years 1776-1783. Looking at how these ships performed in key battles, this title presents an overview of the ships' service and development until France's entry into the war and its subsequent decline in importance.

Deals with the Roman gladiator. This title reconstructs the history of these men who battled for the entertainment of the masses, covering the evolution of gladiatorial combat, the types of gladiator, their equipment, their way of life, and their social status. It paints an intimate portrait of their complex, dangerous and often deadly lives.

Sandwiched between the heart of ancient Greece and the lands of Persia, the Greek cities of Western Anatolia were the spark that ignited some of the most iconic conflicts of the ancient world. This title illustrates the evolution of Greek fortifications and the influences of the region they bordered in this fascinating study.

Even after the paint dries, there is one important decision left to the modeller. How to display the finished work? This book covers the common and many less common display techniques including dioramas, simple display cases, mirror stands, domes for individual figures, deep 'picture frame' boxes, and light boxes.

Presents the history of the first destroyers of the Royal Navy, which revolutionized the way war was fought at sea with new armaments and a great improvement on earlier designs. This title highlights the role the destroyers played in the North Sea during the crucial battles to control the Heliogoland Bight.

Follows the Luftwaffe's twin-engined 'Wunderbomber' southwards to describe its deployment in North Africa and the Mediterranean theatre of war. This work features accounts of the bombing of shipping off the coast of Greece and the sinking of three Royal Navy destroyers south of Crete, illustrated with photographs.

Offers a comprehensive review of the seven battleships of the Nelson and King George V classes from their initial commissioning to their peacetime modifications and wartime service. This book highlights what it was like on board for the sailors who risked their lives on the high seas.

The soldier slang of World War II was as colourful as it was evocative. This title offers look at the British, Commonwealth, American, German, Japanese and Russian slang used by the men on the ground, and shows how, even in the heat of battle, they somehow managed to retain their sense of humour, black though it might have been.