The Battle of the Admin Box in February 1944 marked a pivotal moment in World War II, showcasing a diverse group of British troops who achieved a surprising victory against a superior Japanese force. This fifteen-day conflict in the jungles of Northern Arakan not only turned the tide for British efforts in Burma but also provided crucial insights into defeating the Japanese army. James Holland's account highlights the heroism and determination of those involved, positioning this battle as a significant yet often overlooked event in the broader narrative of the war.
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- 2024
- 2024
Following significant victories in Tunisia and Sicily, Allied forces grew optimistic about reaching Rome by Christmas 1943 after Italy's surrender. This narrative explores the complexities of warfare, highlighting that success is rarely straightforward, even amidst apparent triumphs. The book delves into the strategic challenges and the shifting dynamics of World War II, offering insights into the military decisions and morale of the Allies during this critical period.
- 2024
'A beautiful, evocative novel that captures the fear and mood of the early days of the war' Dylan O'Leary The village of Alvesdon has been home to the Castells for generations. But the year is 1939 and the peace and tranquillity there is about to be shattered once more by the stormclouds of war in Europe. As three generations of the family gather, they must all face the prospect of their lives being transformed beyond recognition the moment Britain declares war on Germany. When the inevitable happens and Britain finds itself at war, the younger members of the family and farm workers are called up to fight and those who remain must battle to keep the home fires burning and the farm afloat. The gentle certainties of rural life are replaced by the urgent clamour of war, in the air, at sea and on land, where events unfold with dizzying rapidity and unexpected consequences. Stretching from the glorious summer of 1939 to the Battle of Britain the following year, acclaimed historian James Holland paints a compelling and immersive fictional portrait of how the war changed everything. For one family and for a community, their way of life can never really be the same again...
- 2023
Victory Against Japan 1944-1945: A Ladybird Expert Book
- 56 pages
- 2 hours of reading
PRE-ORDER BOOK 12 OF THE LADYBIRD EXPERT HISTORY OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR, FROM AWARD-WINNING HISTORIAN JAMES HOLLAND Why did Japan decide to attack at Pearl Harbour? What was the Japanese vision of a Greater Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere? How did the American strategy turn the tide against Japanese offensives? Uncover the complexities of the brutal war against Japan. From the surprise attack on Pearl Harbour, Oahu, to the Phillipines Campaign, the Allies were finally able to turn the tide against the onslaught of Japanese forces. Ending in Japanese surrender after the devastating atomic bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima, the war in Japan was eventually won, but at the cost of civilian lives. THE WAR THAT LED TO TWO ATOMIC BOMBINGS Written by historian, author and broadcaster James Holland, Victory Against Japan is an essential introduction to the tactics that finally brought an end to the Second World War. Discover more titles in the Ladybird Expert series: D-Day The Desert War Genetics The Battle of the Nile
- 2023
Pre-order the story of the Second World War brought to life in full colour by renowned historian James Holland and award-winning artist Keith Burns.Spanning six years between 1939 and 1945 and costing the lives of over 60 million people, the Second World War was the greatest conflict in human history. While 300 million people saw combat around the globe, total war left no human life unaffected and would change the world forever.From the great cities of Europe to the jungles of Burma, and from to the deserts of North Africa to the remote islands of the South Pacific and the freezing waters of the Arctic, war touched every continent and ocean on the planet. And from the Blitzkrieg to the atom bomb, the fighting fuelled new technological development on land, at sea and in the air at a ferocious pace. Our future was forged by war.Combining compelling personal stories with a clear and accessible appreciation of the strategic and operational battle for supremacy between the Allies and the Axis powers, bestselling historian James Holland weaves an irresistible narrative, while over 250 illustrations by acclaimed artist Keith Burns, commissioned specially for the project, bring events in The Second World War: An Illustrated History to life with stunning drama and dynamism.Over five years in the making, their groundbreaking collaboration has produced a unique and unforgettable account of the most extraordinary events the world has ever seen.
- 2023
PRE-ORDER BOOK 11 OF THE LADYBIRD EXPERT HISTORY OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR, FROM AWARD-WINNING HISTORIAN JAMES HOLLANDDiscover more titles in the Ladybird Expert series:D-DayThe Desert WarGeneticsThe Battle of the Nile
- 2023
The War in Burma 1943-1944: A Ladybird Expert Book
- 56 pages
- 2 hours of reading
PRE-ORDER BOOK 11 OF THE LADYBIRD EXPERT HISTORY OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR, FROM AWARD-WINNING HISTORIAN JAMES HOLLAND Why were British troops in Burma? What was The Defence of the Admin Box? How did the British defeat the Japanese troops? THE BURMA CAMPAIGN was one of the most prolonged campaigns in the South-East Asian theatre of war, but it was also one of the most dramatic. Against Japanese troops, and monsoon weather, the Allies finally prevailed, demonstrating to the world that the Axis powers could be defeated in the East. BRITAIN'S TURNING POINT IN THE WAR IN THE EAST Written by historian, author and broadcaster James Holland, Burma 1943-1944 is an essential, accessible introduction to Britain's triumph in the East. Discover more titles in the Ladybird Expert series: D-Day The Desert War Genetics
- 2023
- 2023
The book offers a fresh perspective on the early months of the Italian Campaign during WWII, as narrated by acclaimed historian James Holland. It delves into the complexities and controversies of this pivotal period, providing an in-depth analysis that sets a new benchmark for war historiography. Holland's insights challenge conventional narratives and enhance the understanding of military strategies and their impacts on the course of the war.