This installment in R. P. Hunnicutt's ambitious 10-volume series on the history of American tanks covers the development of the American main battle tank from its conception in the 1950s through the production and standardization of the M1 Abrams main battle tank. In the 50s, as the M48 Patton was gearing up for production, there was a great deal of interest in developing new design concepts for future armored fighting vehicles; many of these ideas made up the early foundations of the tank that would become the M1 Abrams 30 years later.
This was a very fertile and productive period for combat vehicle development and Hunnicutt covers nearly every detail of it with his trademark precision and diligence. Many of the wildly radical design concepts considered in the 50s and 60s proved to be impractical, but a number went on to be applied with great success to the Patton and its product-improved M60 series. In fact, the M60 was used as an interim tank pending the development of a standardized main battle tank.
The project was eventually reoriented as an effort to design an effective tank at a specified, reasonable cost. After competing for the contract against GM, Chrysler set out to design the tank that was designated as the XM1. This is the design that became standardized as the M1 Abrams, and was introduced to troop service in 1981. It has since been improved with more powerful armaments and tougher armor as the 120mm gun tank M1A1. Hunnicutt meticulously traces the entire span of the M1's development with the keen, detail-oriented eye that has made him a renowned figure in the world of military history.
Boasting dozens of photographs, line drawings, and figures, in addition to Hunnicutt's painstakingly thorough research, Abrams: A History of the American Main Battle Tank is a must-have for anyone with a profound interest in American military history.
Readers interested in related titles from R. P. Hunnicutt will also want to see: Armored Car (ISBN: 1626541558), Bradley (ISBN: 162654252X), Half-Track (ISBN: 1626541329), Patton (ISBN: 162654879X), Pershing (ISBN: 1626541671), Sheridan (ISBN: 162654154X), Sherman (ISBN: 1626548617), Stuart (History of the American Light Tank, Vol. 1) (ISBN: 1626548625), Firepower (ISBN: 1635615038).
A myth-shattering study of the first clash between the Zulu kingdom and European interlopers and its dramatic effects on Boer and Zulu alike.
By the 1830s, the Zulu kingdom was consolidating its power as the strongest African polity in the south-east, but was under growing pressure from British traders and hunters on the coast, and descendants of the early Dutch settlers at the Cape - the Boers. In 1837, the vanguard of the Boers' Great Trek migration reached the borders of Zulu territory, causing alarm. When the Boer leader Piet Retief and his followers were massacred in cold blood, war broke out. Although the initial Boer counter-attacks were defeated by the Zulus, in December 1838 a new Trekker offensive resulted in a nation-defining clash between Boer and Zulu at the battle of Blood River. In this ground-breaking and carefully balanced new work, containing stunning artwork and detailed maps, Ian Knight explores what has long been a controversial and partisan topic in South African history, placing the Zulus more squarely in this part of their history. Among the topics covered are the 1836 Boer/Ndebele conflict, the imbalance in technique and weaponry, the reasons why the British settlers allied themselves with the Boer Trekkers, and why the war was a key turning point in the use of traditional Zulu military techniques. This work also reveals that a Boer victory at Blood River was by no means a foregone conclusion.The essential visual guide to the warriors of the Middle Ages, this richly illustrated guide provides an overview of the medieval world and a guide to the typical battlefield and the armies that populated it.
This installment in R. P. Hunnicutt's ambitious 10-volume series on the history of American tanks covers the development of the American main battle tank from its conception in the 1950s through the production and standardization of the M1 Abrams main battle tank. In the 50s, as the M48 Patton was gearing up for production, there was a great deal of interest in developing new design concepts for future armored fighting vehicles; many of these ideas made up the early foundations of the tank that would become the M1 Abrams 30 years later.
This was a very fertile and productive period for combat vehicle development and Hunnicutt covers nearly every detail of it with his trademark precision and diligence. Many of the wildly radical design concepts considered in the 50s and 60s proved to be impractical, but a number went on to be applied with great success to the Patton and its product-improved M60 series. In fact, the M60 was used as an interim tank pending the development of a standardized main battle tank.
The project was eventually reoriented as an effort to design an effective tank at a specified, reasonable cost. After competing for the contract against GM, Chrysler set out to design the tank that was designated as the XM1. This is the design that became standardized as the M1 Abrams, and was introduced to troop service in 1981. It has since been improved with more powerful armaments and tougher armor as the 120mm gun tank M1A1. Hunnicutt meticulously traces the entire span of the M1's development with the keen, detail-oriented eye that has made him a renowned figure in the world of military history.
Boasting dozens of photographs, line drawings, and figures, in addition to Hunnicutt's painstakingly thorough research, Abrams: A History of the American Main Battle Tank is a must-have for anyone with a profound interest in American military history.
Readers interested in related titles from R. P. Hunnicutt will also want to see: Armored Car (ISBN: 1626541558), Bradley (ISBN: 162654252X), Half-Track (ISBN: 1626541329), Patton (ISBN: 162654879X), Pershing (ISBN: 1626541671), Sheridan (ISBN: 162654154X), Sherman (ISBN: 1626548617), Stuart (History of the American Light Tank, Vol. 1) (ISBN: 1626548625), Firepower (ISBN: 1635615038).
During World War II, navies developed camouflage for their ships. Applying it to both vertical and horizontal surfaces, they reduced visibility and confused the identities of their ships to the enemy. Maritime artist Malcolm Wright, author of popular books on British naval camouflage schemes in World War II, now turns his attention to the ships and aircraft of the Imperial Japanese Navy and Army from 1932 to 1945. Many schemes included in this volume are difficult to find without intensive research, making this a unique and valuable resource. The book covers every ship type from battleship to the smallest auxiliary, including the riverine craft that fought in China, all the ships in the separate fleet operated by the Imperial Japanese Army, and three special bonus pages describing camouflage schemes for selected hard-to-research ships from other navies. The timespan covered actually goes beyond 1932-45 and includes developmental milestones for each ship and class, from the 1914 construction of the battlecruiser KONGO to the 1946-47 repatriation service of the surviving vessels and their subsequent transfer to victorious navies.
At 288 11 x 8.5 pages with half-inch margins and 9-point type, this book offers almost double the content area of the previous volumes in the series, which were 196 10 x 8 pages each, with a somewhat challenging 7-point font. This expansive and reader-friendly layout allows for numerous full-page spotlight views of important and interesting ships and planes, for a total of 952 images and captions. The durable case laminate jacket and 70-pound premium paper assure a long-lasting and pleasant physical experience.
The captions combine construction, refit and service histories with sharp personal assessments of ship performance, accompanied by plank-level illustrations of the color schemes applied to ships and planes. Since sadly most pictures of World War II are in black and white, this book is a delight for anyone who wants to visualize the war as it actually occurred, in color. With its unparalled depth of technical detail and breadth of coverage, it is a must-have for students of naval history, the war in the Pacific, wargaming, and ship and aircraft modelling.
The highly readable captions combine construction, refit and service histories with sharp personal assessments of ship performance, accompanied by plank-level illustrations of the color schemes applied to ships and planes. Since sadly most pictures of World War II are in black and white, this book is a delight for anyone who wants to visualize the war as it actually occurred, in color. With its unparalleled depth of technical detail and breadth of coverage, it is a must-have for students of naval history, the war in the Pacific, wargaming, and ship and aircraft modeling.
The current printing includes fixes to several issues reported by reviewers, including making the ship scales consistent on page 7, cleaning up images on page 49 and 67, increasing image size on page 123, and removing a duplicate paragraph on page 187.
War era correspondence and 70 year old photographs depict an age of heroism and innocence. PHOTOGRAPHER, PARATROOPER, POW: A Wyoming Cowboy in Hitler's Germany tells the story of three brothers who leave their Wyoming home to fight in World War II. This historical narrative begins with the westward expansion of a tough breed of immigrants, and ends with the rendition of Harold Carroll's many harrowing escapes from Nazi prisoner of war camps, mostly described in his own words. Within these pages family histories, military experiences, personal desires, photos, and war-time correspondence subtly communicate the angst and awe of an era. Judiciously saved by one of America's first paratroopers, a combat photographer, and a prisoner of war whose stubborn tenacity saved him repeatedly from execution at the hands of the Nazis; and meticulously compiled by the author into a rich saga that allows glimpses into our colorful & troubled past.
Fully illustrated, this book assesses the Roman and Dacian fighting men who clashed in three bloody encounters during the Dacian Wars of AD 85-106.
While the Roman emperor Trajan's two campaigns against the Dacian people (AD 101-02 and 105-06) are widely known, the earlier conflicts between the Dacians and their Roman neighbours are also important. Drawing upon the latest research and findings, this fully illustrated study investigates the emperor Domitian's Dacian war (AD 86-88) as well as Trajan's campaigns. Inhabiting an area of Europe from the Tisza River to the Black Sea, the Dacians mounted raids into Roman territory throughout the 1st century AD. In 85 Dacian forces invaded Roman territory; after defeating the invaders, the Roman Army moved into Dacia. Distracted by other crises, Domitian made peace and Dacia became a client kingdom of Rome. In AD 101, the emperor Trajan launched a pre-emptive strike on Dacia, prompting the Dacians to sue for peace in 102. In 105, Trajan's troops commenced a new campaign; the Romans besieged the Dacian capital, Sarmizegetusa. After the Dacian king committed suicide, a new Roman province of Dacia was established. Featuring specially commissioned full-colour artwork and mapping, this study pits the might of the Roman Army against the formidable Dacians, showing how the fighting men of both sides adapted their tactics and technologies as the fighting progressed.This entry in R. P. Hunnicutt's unrivaled 10-volume history of American armored fighting vehicles focuses on the spectrum of armored personnel carriers with a focus on the Bradley fighting vehicle (BFV). Operations in WWII indicated a need for an armored vehicle with improved protection and reliable mobility for transporting soldiers in and out of battle. To address this need, development began on full-tracked armored personnel carriers with overhead protection before WWII came to a close. Development continued into the postwar period. One result of this program was the M59 armored infantry vehicle, which was pioneered as a low-production-cost vehicle and had the added benefit of being amphibious, a quality that became required in all armored personnel carriers that succeeded it.
In his trademark style, Hunnicutt surveys the development of each armored personnel carrier since the end of WWII, illustrating his detailed history with line drawings and photographs. He covers the development of the M113, which was employed successfully in Vietnam and served as the basis for a family of vehicles ranging from armored combat vehicles to unarmored cargo carriers. The success of the M113 as a fighting vehicle gave rise to the development of the Bradley fighting vehicle, which was intended for use by both infantry and cavalry units.
With all the detail and precision readers have come to expect from R. P. Hunnicutt's histories of American armored vehicles, Bradley is the definitive work on the history of American fighting and support vehicles. An absolute must-have for anyone interested in American military history.
Readers interested in related titles from R. P. Hunnicutt will also want to see: Abrams (ISBN: 1626542554), Armored Car (ISBN: 1626541558), Half-Track (ISBN: 1626541329), Patton (ISBN: 162654879X), Pershing (ISBN: 1626541671), Sheridan (ISBN: 162654154X), Sherman (ISBN: 1626548617), Stuart (History of the American Light Tank, Vol. 1) (ISBN: 1626548625), Firepower (ISBN: 1635615038).
The armored car has played a major role in American military operations since the relatively early days of the 20th Century. In 1989 Col. Royal P. Davidson arranged for the installation of a .30 caliber Colt machine gun on a Duryea light three-wheeled car. In doing so, he jump-started the development and production of armored fighting vehicles that have served in the American military ever since. Although the very first armored cars were merely outfitted with a gunshield, they were soon fully protected by armor plating.
In this installment of R. P. Hunnicutt's 10-volume series on the history of American armored vehicles he details their early development through WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Beginning with the development of armored cars on American soil at the outbreak of WWI-although none were ever shipped overseas-Hunnicutt goes on to describe the production of armored cars based on commercial car and truck chassis in the 1920s. These vehicles eventually reached limited production as the armored car M4.
With detailed drawings and photographs to illustrate the history, Hunnicutt describes the development of the armored car T3, which was also designated as scout car T1. The development of these lightweight scout cars, which met the needs of the cavalry, made the armored car unnecessary by 1937. Although production of armored cars stopped for the American military, American development continued on armored cars intended for British use.
However, in 1942 as the Palmer Board decided to limit the weight of reconnaissance vehicles, the light armored car T22E2 was standardized as the M8 and put into production. The M8 and a variation, the M20, served in the U.S. Army until after the Korean War, with new models developed for use in Vietnam.
Spanning the history of American wheeled combat vehicles, Hunnicutt's Armored Car is a must have for anyone with a keen interest in the history of American military operations and equipment.
Readers interested in related titles from R. P. Hunnicutt will also want to see: Abrams (ISBN: 1626542554), Bradley (ISBN: 162654252X), Half-Track (ISBN: 1626541329), Patton (ISBN: 162654879X), Pershing (ISBN: 1626541671), Sheridan (ISBN: 162654154X), Sherman (ISBN: 1626548617), Stuart (History of the American Light Tank, Vol. 1) (ISBN: 1626548625), Firepower (ISBN: 1635615038).
This entry in R. P. Hunnicutt's unrivaled 10-volume history of American armored fighting vehicles focuses on the spectrum of armored personnel carriers with a focus on the Bradley fighting vehicle (BFV). Operations in WWII indicated a need for an armored vehicle with improved protection and reliable mobility for transporting soldiers in and out of battle. To address this need, development began on full-tracked armored personnel carriers with overhead protection before WWII came to a close. Development continued into the postwar period. One result of this program was the M59 armored infantry vehicle, which was pioneered as a low-production-cost vehicle and had the added benefit of being amphibious, a quality that became required in all armored personnel carriers that succeeded it.
In his trademark style, Hunnicutt surveys the development of each armored personnel carrier since the end of WWII, illustrating his detailed history with line drawings and photographs. He covers the development of the M113, which was employed successfully in Vietnam and served as the basis for a family of vehicles ranging from armored combat vehicles to unarmored cargo carriers. The success of the M113 as a fighting vehicle gave rise to the development of the Bradley fighting vehicle, which was intended for use by both infantry and cavalry units.
With all the detail and precision readers have come to expect from R. P. Hunnicutt's histories of American armored vehicles, Bradley is the definitive work on the history of American fighting and support vehicles. An absolute must-have for anyone interested in American military history.
Readers interested in related titles from R. P. Hunnicutt will also want to see: Abrams (ISBN: 1626542554), Armored Car (ISBN: 1626541558), Half-Track (ISBN: 1626541329), Patton (ISBN: 162654879X), Pershing (ISBN: 1626541671), Sheridan (ISBN: 162654154X), Sherman (ISBN: 1626548617), Stuart (History of the American Light Tank, Vol. 1) (ISBN: 1626548625), Firepower (ISBN: 1635615038).
The armored car has played a major role in American military operations since the relatively early days of the 20th Century. In 1989 Col. Royal P. Davidson arranged for the installation of a .30 caliber Colt machine gun on a Duryea light three-wheeled car. In doing so, he jump-started the development and production of armored fighting vehicles that have served in the American military ever since. Although the very first armored cars were merely outfitted with a gunshield, they were soon fully protected by armor plating.
In this installment of R. P. Hunnicutt's 10-volume series on the history of American armored vehicles he details their early development through WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Beginning with the development of armored cars on American soil at the outbreak of WWI-although none were ever shipped overseas-Hunnicutt goes on to describe the production of armored cars based on commercial car and truck chassis in the 1920s. These vehicles eventually reached limited production as the armored car M4.
With detailed drawings and photographs to illustrate the history, Hunnicutt describes the development of the armored car T3, which was also designated as scout car T1. The development of these lightweight scout cars, which met the needs of the cavalry, made the armored car unnecessary by 1937. Although production of armored cars stopped for the American military, American development continued on armored cars intended for British use.
However, in 1942 as the Palmer Board decided to limit the weight of reconnaissance vehicles, the light armored car T22E2 was standardized as the M8 and put into production. The M8 and a variation, the M20, served in the U.S. Army until after the Korean War, with new models developed for use in Vietnam.
Spanning the history of American wheeled combat vehicles, Hunnicutt's Armored Car is a must have for anyone with a keen interest in the history of American military operations and equipment.
Readers interested in related titles from R. P. Hunnicutt will also want to see: Abrams (ISBN: 1626542554), Bradley (ISBN: 162654252X), Half-Track (ISBN: 1626541329), Patton (ISBN: 162654879X), Pershing (ISBN: 1626541671), Sheridan (ISBN: 162654154X), Sherman (ISBN: 1626548617), Stuart (History of the American Light Tank, Vol. 1) (ISBN: 1626548625), Firepower (ISBN: 1635615038).
West Point, New York, home of the United States Military Academy, is one of the nation's most famous and unique landscapes. Established in 1802 to train engineer officers for the Army, West Point has for over two hundred years produced many of the country's greatest leaders, including Ulysses S. Grant, Dwight D. Eisenhower, George S. Patton, and Douglas A. MacArthur.
Using nearly two hundred historical photos from the Library of Congress, National Archives, and collections at the United States Military Academy, here is West Point as it was from the mid-nineteenth to the mid-twentieth century. These priceless, black-and-white photos highlight cadets in classrooms, during military training, and on the fields of friendly strife. West Point buildings long demolished are shown as they were when Eisenhower and MacArthur were cadets. Also featured are special occasions such as graduations and visits by presidents, celebrities, and world leaders. This is West Point as you have never seen it, from the early days of photography through world events that thrust the Academy's graduates onto the world stage.
These 72 impressive watercolour plates by Major Lovett depict the many full dress and field service dress uniforms of the British Indian Army during the years leading up to the Great War. Never again would the pressures of economy allow uniforms of such variety, colour and distinctiveness.
Major A. C. Lovett of the Gloucestershire Regiment was a painter and illustrator best known for his book 'The Armies of India', a wonderful book for the aficionado of the Indian Army at the height of the English Age of Empire - this is also republished by The Naval & Military Press.
This is an invaluable work for anyone interested in the Indian armies and their military uniforms.
A highly illustrated introduction to some of the greatest battles in world history, from the iconic encounters of the Ancient World such as Thermopylae and Cannae, through to the major clashes of the 20th century epitomized by Stalingrad and Khe Sanh.
This concise study by renowned military historian Angus Konstam examines one hundred of the most famous battles from world history. It includes great naval engagements such as Salamis, Trafalgar, Jutland and Midway; pivotal land battles that decided the fate of nations, such as Hastings, Yorktown, Gettysburg and the Somme; and the impact of the new dimension of aerial warfare in the 20th century at Pearl Harbor, in the Battle of Britain and in the skies over Hiroshima. This highly illustrated book features 100 full-colour battlescene artworks from Osprey's comprehensive archive and is the ideal introduction to the battles that changed the course of history.A must-have reference gift for military enthusiasts and general readers alike, no other book about warfare contains such a diverse selection of imagery including contemporary paintings and photographs, objects and artifacts, and specially commissioned artworks, maps, and diagrams.
Warfare: The Definitive Visual History includes a comprehensive directory of every major war, thematic spreads examining broader topics within the history of warfare, from the role of mercenaries, communications, and the treatment of wounded soldiers, and personal accounts and objects from soldiers and civilians that bring to life the human experience of battle.
From the earliest known Wars in Sumeria and Ancient Egypt War to the occupation of Iraq, Warfare: The Definitive Visual History combines a coherent and compelling spread-by-spread historical narrative with a wealth of supporting features to recount the epic 5,000-year story of warfare and combat through the ages.