Uses over 400 illustrations to show the clothing of both Officers and Ratings in World War II and during the years leading up to it, when Naval uniforms underwent significant modernization. In this book, the illustrations are supported by detailed text describing the development and use of Naval clothing of the time.
Popularly known as the AK47 or just AK, the 7.62mm Avtomat Kalashnikov obrazets 1947g was accepted into service by the Soviet Army in 1947. Despite its widespread use by the Soviet armed forces, the AK only became known in the West during the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, when Soviet troops sent to quell the uprising carried the new weapon.
Traces the development of individual ballistic protection from the multi-layer silk garments and metal plates used during World War One and through to the Korean War and Vietnam, to the advanced armour used in Iraq and Afghanistan. This work illustrates the primary armour patterns in use with the world's major nations from 1914 to the present day.
A paperback edition of this classic work, which describes and illustrates the uniforms and equipment of the WWII British soldier using original items worn by live models in authentic settings. A huge range of subjects is covered, from the uniforms and equipment of the front line infantryman, to the officers' and men's walking-out dress, the special kit issued to tank crews, air-landed and mountain troops, motorcyclists, medics, arctic clothing, anti-gas kit and assault kit, even down to the demob suits issued to discharged soldiers in 1945.
The term camouflage only came into widespread use during the First World War, and the specialist camouflage units developed by the combatants at the time put the bulk of their efforts into the concealment of artillery, vehicles, observation posts and bunkers.
The subjects illustrated cover a wide range, from rear echelon staff to a Bren gun crew of 'Desert Rats', and Alamein tank crewman and a naval party ashore in Malta; from RAF 'erks' and Army Pioneers sweating on fatigues, to a kilted Highlander exploring the sights of India, an infantry man of Slim's victorious 14th Army slogging through the jungle swamps of Burma.
In this book, a follow-up to the same author's well-received study of British web equipment, Martin Brayley gives a detailed illustrated overview of the webbing straps, holsters, carriers and haversacks used by American combat troops from before World War One to the Vietnam War. Hundreds of different items are photographed, and the often small differences between suppliers and periods are pointed in the learned and informative text. This book will be required reading for all students of American uniform and equipment, modelers, re-enactors and collectors.
The outbreak of WW1 in 1914 found the British Army unready in many respects for a new age of warfare. However, the British led the world in the personal equipment worn by the infantryman thanks to an American officer named Anson Mills and the skills of the company created to produce his design - the 1908 equipment set made in woven cotton web. By the outbreak of WW2, the British infantry had new 1937 pattern equipment, whose design reflected a new generation of weapons and tactics. This proved unequal to the special demands of jungle warfare in the Far East: so 1944 saw yet another set of kit. In this book the author offers collectors and students of militaria a detailed review of these infantry equipments which spanned the British soldier's combat experience throughout most of the 20th century.
Osprey's study of the British home front during World War II (1939-1945). The population of Britain was mobilized to support the war effort on a scale unseen in any other Western democracy – or in Nazi Germany. They endured long working shifts, shortages of food and all other goods, and complete government control of their daily lives. Most men and women were conscripted or volunteered for additional tasks outside their formal working hours. Under the air raids that destroyed the centres of many towns and made about 2 million homeless, more than 60,000 civilians were killed and 86,000 seriously injured. This fascinating illustrated summary of wartime life, and the organizations that served on the Home front, is a striking record of endurance and sacrifice.
The bayonet has long been of interest to military collectors, and its history--going back to the 17th century--is just as fascinating. This spectacular photographic exploration of the weapon begins with the inception of the bayonet in Bayonne, France, and follows its evolution through the technical advances of the next few centuries. Over 500 large scale, full-color photos provide overall and detail views of 300 different bayonets from around the globe.The book covers all types of bayonets, including Plug, Sword, Socket, Knife, Yataghan, and many more. In addition to the photographs, each bayonet is detailed with pricing information, physical description, manufacturing data, service history, and an examination of the effectiveness of the model. The book also contains a reference section with information on additional bayonet publications, collections and websites for collectors and enthusiasts.