David Nicolle Book order

Volume 7 of the first and only book-series to cover the operational history of all Arab air forces through the early decades of their existence.

Volume 6 of the Air Power and the Arab World mini-series continues the story of the men and machines of the first half century of military aviation in the Arab world. These years saw the Arab countries and their military forces caught up in the events of the Second World War.For those Arab nations which had some degree of independence, the resulting political, cultural and economic strains had a profound impact upon their military forces. In Egypt the Army generally remained quiet, continuing with its often unglamorous and little appreciated duties. Within the Royal Egyptian Air Force (REAF), however, there were a significant number of men who wanted to take action in expectation of what they, and many around the world, expected to be the defeat of the British Empire.The result was division, widespread mistrust, humiliation, and for a while the grounding of the entire REAF. In Iraq the strains of the early war years sowed the seeds of a yet to come direct armed confrontation with the British.Volume 6 of Air Power and the Arab World then looks at the first efforts to revive both the REAF and the Royal Iraqi Air Force (RIrAF), along with events in the air and on the ground elsewhere in the Arab world from 1939 until March 1941.This volume is illustrated throughout with photographs of the REAF, RIrAF and RAF and a selection of specially commissioned color artworks.

This fully illustrated study delves into the armies of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain states in present-day India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Afghanistan from AD 500 to the early 13th century. It examines the emergence of a distinct 'medieval Indian' civilization during the Late Classical and Early Medieval periods, highlighting the prolonged conflict with the eastern Islamic world that culminated in the rise of the Mughal Empire in the 16th century. The author investigates the traditions and conservatism of non-Islamic medieval Indian warfare, focusing on recruitment patterns and the importance of archery and cavalry. The study also evaluates the role of war elephants, both beneficial and detrimental, and considers how climate, particularly the seasonal monsoon, influenced warfare. Additionally, it assesses arms and armor, contrasting the advanced technology and high status of Indian weapons, especially swords, with the notable absence of metallic armor. The exploration extends to siege warfare, as well as riverine and naval engagements in South Asia. The book further examines why the wealth and large populations of traditional non-Islamic Indian states did not safeguard them against Islamic invasions and conquests.

"Hundreds of fighter-bombers of Soviet design and manufacture served in the air forces of multiple frontline Arab states during the first half of the 1960s. Not only older Mikoyan i Gurevich MiG-15s and MiG-17s, but also newer types such as the MiG-19 and MiG-21 were acquired in continuously increasing numbers, concurrently with Ilyushin Il-28- and Tupolev Tu-16 bombers, transport types such as the Antonov An-12 and Ilyushin Il-14, and trainers designed by Yakovlev. Nowhere else did they - and their pilots - play as important a role for the future of the local air forces - or entire nations - as in Egypt and Syria from 1963 until 1967. Whilst the period in question is still frequently described as a 'peaceful decade' in Israel and the West, they saw almost uninterrupted action: in Egypt, in Syria, as well as in Yemen, and especially in continuous incidents with Israel."

Volume 4 of Air Power and the Arab World continues the story of the men and machines of the first half century of military aviation in the Arab world. The earliest of the Arab air forces to be established trace their histories back to the 1920s and 1930s when the overwhelming majority of Arab countries, and an even larger majority of the Arabic-speaking people, were ruled or dominated by four European powers. This volume continues with the story of the period from 1936-1941. The role, organizational structure and activities of the first Arab air forces are described based on decades of consistent research, newly available sources in Arabic and various European languages, and is richly illustrated with a wide range of authentic photography. These air forces ranged from dreams which never got off the ground, to small forces which existed for a limited time then virtually disappeared, to forces which started very small then grew into something more significant. Even so, the successful air forces of Iraq and Egypt would only have a localized impact within the frontiers of their own states. It was not until the next stage of the story of Air Power and the Arab World that Arab warplanes and Arab airmen would attempt to play a role on the world stage. This fourth volume includes over 100 photos, 5 maps, and 12 color profiles.

The years leading up to the Second World War and into its early years saw the Arab countries and their military forces buffeted by forces far beyond their control. Nevertheless, Arab countries which had some independence or autonomy attempted to strengthen their small air forces.

The Bulgars were a Turkic people who established a state north of the Black Sea. Their state fragmented under pressure from the Khazars; one group moved south, but the rest moved north during the 7th and 8th centuries to the basin of the Volga river. This book explores the costumes, armament, armour and fighting methods of the Volga Bulgars.

Suitable for sharing or reading alone, this book features Meg's Veg, Mog at the Zoo and Meg up the Creek.