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Part of the acclaimed "Special Campaign" series of works intended for serious professional students of military history each volume is interspersed with strategical and tactical comments and illustrated by numerous sketches.The engagement between France and Austria, during the second war of Italian independence, on the 4th of June 1859 at Magenta, and the decisive engagement in that war the Battle of Solferino on the 24 June 1859 were crucial steps in Italian unification.Solferino interestingly was the last major battle in world history where all the armies were under the personal command of their monarchs, approximately 300,000 soldiers fought in the important battle, the largest since the Battle of Leipzig in 1813. There were about 130,000 Austrian troops and a combined total of 140,000 French and allied Piedmontese troops. After the battle, the Austrian Emperor refrained from further direct command of the army.The war's geopolitical context was the nationalist struggle to unify Italy, which had long been divided among France, Austria, Spain and numerous independent Italian states.

¿For his work on novels like War of the Worlds and The Island of Doctor Moreau, British author H.G. Wells is rightly lauded as a visionary. What often gets lost amongst the applause for his ideas on science fiction though is another area in which he was a pioneer: the field of tabletop wargaming. Which, at least as far as we know it today, was basically invented by Wells while he and a friend were playing with toy soldiers.Wells did not invent the idea of using abstract rules to simulate the events of a battle. Prussian officers in the 19th century were trained on complex military board games called Kriegsspiel (literally "War Games"), while there are many other examples throughout history of using the basic ideas of war either as a primitive simulation tool or, in the case of chess, a game.But what Wells did was invent the concept of the recreational wargame, the kind of experience you find today in things like Warhammer, games which are bought and enjoyed by the wider population, not just military professionals.Sitting around after dinner one night with his friend Jerome K. Jerome, the pair began firing a toy cannon at toy soldiers, eventually making an impromptu competitive game out of it. Convinced that with some rules and a little more variety he could make a structured experience of it, Wells - an admirer of Kriegsspiel as a concept - decided to write what would become known as Little Wars.The game was based around two concepts: that units and terrain would be represented by miniaturised models (or at least something lying around that resembled a hill or horse), and that the movement and interaction between the game's units would be determined by a relatively simple set of rules.

Lawrence's personal driver in the desert "our strongest & most resourceful man, the ready mechanic who largely kept our cars in running order", Rolls was a pre-war motor mechanic who enlisted into the Armoured Car Brigade of the Royal Naval Air Service in 1914. After a short sojourn in Flanders this book follows his many adventures combating the Senussi Uprising in North Africa, rescuing captured British Sailors and fighting in support of Lawrence's Arab irregulars battling against the Turkish army in the Middle East. All this accomplished from behind the steering wheel of his Rolls Royce Armoured Car.Of particular interest is the authors association with T E Lawrence, known affectionately by Rolls as the 'Skipper'. His description of their first meeting shows how he was captivated from the start by the inspirational aura surrounding this enigmatic Englishman who is so inextricably linked to the Imperial Army's Desert Campaign and the Arab Revolt against the Turks. As well as Lawrence, we are also introduced to several of the other important figures of the Middle East campaign such as Faisal, Allenby, Nuri Bey and Auda of the Howeitat.

In A Guide to the Civic Heraldry of England, Ray Westlake has gathered together a comprehensive collection of seals and coats of arms in use by England's counties, cities and towns. Much local history is expressed in the devices used by these places this fact, together with the opportunity to enjoy beautiful artwork, being the main intention of the book. Heraldry has its own wonderful language, but for the purpose of this work plain descriptions have been used. From the Berkshire town of Abingdon to the County of Yorkshire, almost 500 places are mention, their seals and arms described and supported by more than 570 illustrations. A Guide to the Civic Heraldry of England will be a useful reference tool for those interested in heraldry, local and military history. I add the latter as many of the devices used found their way onto the badges worn by the British Army.We see them all about in stone, metal and wood. There above town hall entrances, on library walls, law courts and on gates to refuge departments. Crematoriums have them, so do park keepers' huts, the sides of buses, dustcarts and offices of weights and measures. Caretakers in council flats have them on their hats. They come in paper, too. Rate demands have them; so do letters from the mayor's parlour which, before 'cut backs' possibly, were embossed on fine paper. From these lions, stags, fierce bulls, wolves with chains around their necks, dogs with collars, beasts, real and mythical, look down on us. To the dexter and sinister, steadfast they perch on heraldic wreaths alongside mottos inscribed on ornate scrolls. In sable, vert, gules and azure: wheat sheaves, scallop shells, fleurs-de-lis, bishops' mitres, open books showing learning, wheels and cogs for industry adorn the shields (whole, divided or quartered) which they guard. Civic coats of arms, some ancient and 'official', some the whim, perhaps, of a past mayor. Their records of adoption long lost and, if ever written down, now hidden among the dusty minute books and archives of local authorities.

This is the official history, compiled by the War Office, of four armed British expeditions, mounted in the Horn of Africa into some of the most inhospitable terrain on earth. The Somali expeditions were launched a century ago in territory which, then as now, is intractable and ungovernable - at least by foreigners. Although described by the War Office as ''Uncivilised and little-known'' - Somaliland was situated in a key position on the western side of the Red Sea, dominating the southern approaches to the Suez Canal and thus sitting astride British communications with India, the Far East and Australasia. All the powers had an interest in Somaliland and three of them - Britain, France and Italy, - had, by the turn of the 19th/20th centuries, established ''protectorates'' - small slices of territory to safeguard their interests there. Periodically the native tribes, known generally to the British as ''Dervishes'', were stirred by their Mullahs to harass these territories, and it was to deter and drive back such hostile demonstrations that the four Somali operations were mounted. These two volumes recount the stories of these punitive expeditions in great detail, and are accompanied by many maps, charts and some fine quality photographs to tell the complete story of an almost forgotten ''small war''.

This is the official history, compiled by the War Office, of four armed British expeditions, mounted in the Horn of Africa into some of the most inhospitable terrain on earth. The Somali expeditions were launched a century ago in territory which, then as now, is intractable and ungovernable - at least by foreigners. Although described by the War Office as ''Uncivilised and little-known'' - Somaliland was situated in a key position on the western side of the Red Sea, dominating the southern approaches to the Suez Canal and thus sitting astride British communications with India, the Far East and Australasia. All the powers had an interest in Somaliland and three of them - Britain, France and Italy, - had, by the turn of the 19th/20th centuries, established ''protectorates'' - small slices of territory to safeguard their interests there. Periodically the native tribes, known generally to the British as ''Dervishes'', were stirred by their Mullahs to harass these territories, and it was to deter and drive back such hostile demonstrations that the four Somali operations were mounted. These two volumes recount the stories of these punitive expeditions in great detail, and are accompanied by many maps, charts and some fine quality photographs to tell the complete story of an almost forgotten ''small war''.

Edward Keble Chatterton (1878-1944) was a sailor and prolific writer who is best known for non-fiction works. His voyages across the English Channel, to the Netherlands, around the Mediterranean and through the French canals led to many articles and books. Joining the R.N.V.R. at the outbreak of the Great War he commanded a motor launch flotilla, leaving the service as a Lieutenant Commander. In 1918 he was appointed to the Naval section of the Official History Committee, where he worked until 1922.Unquestionably one of the most important and vivid nautical authors of the past century using both first hand accounts from the people that were there at the time, and having the opportunity to access to official documents .Chatterton recorded the maritime history of Britain at its most momentous point of change, from sail to steam, from the advent of the submarine to the carrier.Plunging through the ocean waves with guns at the ready, the surface raiders were a disparate assemblage of ships. collected to intercept enemy supplies during the Great War, they plundered merchant vessels; boarding or sinking them for their resources. The Author had the privilege of the Admiralty's permission to examine the appropriate documents in the Admiralty archives. He also obtained information in certain cases from those who took part.

The 2/1st Wessex Field Ambulance, RAMC (Territorial Force) was formed in September 1914 as a reserve to the 1st Wessex at Exeter in Devon. With the original unit having left with the 8th Division for active service, the men of the 2nd would wait patiently in numerous camps for their turn. This would come in 1916 when, on the morning of 15 January, the Territorials landed at Le Havre. Soon they would see the Somme and later the mud and horrors of Ypres, Cambrai, Givenchy and Festubert before returning to their Devonshire homes. Included in the book is a Roll of Honour as well as a list of those wounded and taken prisoner. Honours and Awards take up a whole page. Illustrations include sketches of trench life, as well as two group photographs of 'A' and 'B' sections.The Field Ambulance was not a vehicle but a mobile front line medical unit manned by troops of the Royal Army Medical Corps. It had responsibility for establishing and operating a number of points along the casualty evacuation chain, from the Bearer Relay Posts, taking casualties rearwards through an Advanced Dressing Station, and also providing a Walking Wounded Collecting Station. When it was at full strength a Field Ambulance was composed of 10 officers and 224 men.

On 4 August 1870 General Abel Douay's French division was surprised and virtually destroyed by Bavarian and Prussian troops at Wissembourg. Douay held a very strong position initially, thanks to the accurate long-range fire of the Chassepots, but his force was too thinly stretched to hold it. Douay was killed in the late morning when a caisson of the divisional mitrailleuse battery exploded near him; the encirclement of the town by the Prussians threatened the French avenue of retreat.Two days later at one of the decisive battles of the war MacMahon's I Corps was heavily defeated by the Germans at the Battle of Woerth. The Crown Prince of Prussia's 3rd army had, on the quick reaction of his Chief of Staff General von Blumenthal, drawn reinforcements which brought its strength up to 140,000 troops. The French had been slowly reinforced and their force numbered only 35,000. Although badly outnumbered, the French defended their position just outside Fröschwiller. By afternoon, the Germans had suffered c. 10,500 killed or wounded and the French had lost a similar number of casualties and another 9,200 men taken prisoner. The Germans captured Fröschwiller which sat on a hilltop in the centre of the French line. Having lost any hope for victory and facing a massacre, the French army disengaged and retreated in a westerly direction towards Bitche and Saverne, hoping to join French forces on the other side of the Vosges mountains. The German 3rd army did not pursue the French but remained in Alsace and moved slowly south, attacking and destroying the French garrisons in the vicinity.Useful tactical treatise that was designed for use of Staff College students sitting exams in 1907, and as such gives a clear analytical account of two important battles during the opening rounds of the Franco-Prussian war in 1870. The observation of foreign armies and their technology, particularly that of the German Army, provided many tactical lessons at the beginning of the 20th century.

The Special Operations Executive (SOE) was a British secret service, formed in 1940 to encourage underground resistance to Hitler's Germany. This book, based on a mass of official and hitherto unavailable material, presented for the first time an account and analysis of SOE's work in France. Foot provides some background to the origins and nature of the SOE and describes the operations of agents who worked on French soil. He concentrates on the work of the 'independent French' section, though he also covers SOE's five other sections operating mainly in France. The six sections despatched over 1,800 clandestine agents who between them changed the course of the war. In chapters on strategy and politics Foot discusses the comparative value of SOE's effort and of more normal methods of war. As part of the HMSO History of the Second World War series, the text is highly authoritative and supported by plates and four coloured maps.

Edward Keble Chatterton (1878-1944) was a sailor and prolific writer who is best known for non-fiction works. His voyages across the English Channel, to the Netherlands, around the Mediterranean and through the French canals led to many articles and books. Joining the R.N.V.R. at the outbreak of the Great War he commanded a motor launch flotilla, leaving the service as a Lieutenant Commander. In 1918 he was appointed to the Naval section of the Official History Committee, where he worked until 1922.Unquestionably one of the most important and vivid nautical authors of the past century using both first hand accounts from the people that were there at the time, and having the opportunity to access to official documents .Chatterton recorded the maritime history of Britain at its most momentous point of change, from sail to steam, from the advent of the submarine to the carrier.Many historians attribute the seemingly sudden collapse of Germany and her Central Powers allies in 1918, not to defeats on the battlefields of the western front, but to the disastrous cumulative effects of the British blockade of Germany's ports and coastline. E. Keble Chatterton pieces together the tightening blockade on Germany from private letters, personal conversations and diaries of those who saw action.

The story of the fighter pilot the Red Baron himself sought to emulate... German air ace Oswald Boelcke was a national hero during World War I, and was the youngest captain in the German air force, decorated with the Pour Ie Merite while still only a lieutenant and with 40 aerial victories at the time of his death. He became a pilot shortly before the outbreak of the war, and when he was tragically killed in a flying accident during combat less than two-and-a-half years later not only was his name known all over the world but the whole of Germany mourned his passing. He established his reputation on the Western front first in reconnaissance, then in scouts, and, with Max Immelmann, he became the best known of the early German aces. After Immelmann' s death, he was taken off flying and traveled to the Eastern front where he met a young pilot called Manfred von Richthofen. Transferred back to the Western Front in command of Jasta 2, when new small fighting units were formed he remembered von Richthofen and chose him as a pilot for his new Staffel. Boelcke was killed in October 1916, although not before the reputation of his unit, together with his own, had been firmly established forever.This absorbing biography was written with the blessing of Boelcke's family. Professor Werner was given access to his letters and other papers, and presents here a rounded and fascinating portrait of a great airman and a remarkable soldier, who became known as the father of the German Jagdflieger.This is an aviation classic, Johannes Werner used Boelcke's letters home to his parents to help produce a life history within the frame of aerial warfare in the Great War. Boelcke (19 May 1891 - 28 October 1916) was one of greatest German flying aces of the First World War and also one of the most influential patrol leaders and tacticians of the early years of air combat. He is is considered the father of the German fighter air force, as well as the "Father of Air Fighting Tactics".

This Great War period guide to the art of flag semaphore was original published by Gale & Polden and formed part of their respected "Military Series". Each letter of the alphabet is illustrated with a front facing soldier using this rapid means of field communication. Semaphore could usefully be employed at short distances, as between columns and their advanced guard, or rear guards, across rivers, or fire swept zones, and to connect an attacking line with its supports.Flag semaphore is the telegraphy system conveying information at a distance by means of visual signals with hand-held flags. Information is encoded by the position of the flags; it is read when the flag is in a fixed position. Semaphores were adopted and widely used in the 19th century.

Practical illustrated guide on the art and principles of the wicket-keeper, with hints on how to overcome the many difficulties of this specialist role. Written by a decorated Army officer and English amateur first-class cricketer, who played for Yorkshire County Cricket Club and England, captaining England in the four Test matches he played in.

In this volume Robert Freke Gould who is best remembered for his massive six volume "History of Freemasonry, examines the history of Masonry as it relates to warfare and the military. With useful biographies of both Naval and Military freemasons, both British and foreign. It is interesting to see the extent that Freemasonry was embedded within 18th and 19th century armies.With the sub-title "Being and Account of Lodges and Regiments and Ships of War and of Famous Soldiers and Sailors (of all Countries) who Have Belonged to the Society together with Biographies of Distinguished Military and Naval Brethren, and Anecdotes showing the Influence of Masonry in Warfare." This is an unusual, and very scarce publication in it's 1899 original printing.

A rare (in it's original laced binding) large format, RESTRICTED, Cold War period manual, that was prepared jointly by the War Office and the Air Ministry. Published in 1960 to ensure that the effectiveness of parachute troops, as fighting units, was not impaired, and potential casualties did not jeopardise the success of operations. Subjects covered include Parachute Training, Parachutes, Airborne Equipment, Dropping zones, complete with numerous illustrations and plans.This a facsimile copy of an original 1960 (Air Publication 4215) laced binding working copy that was amended with additions and extractions until December 1962.

Alfred Reynolds Downer was born at Shands Pen, May Pen, Clarendon a town in Jamaca , on January 23, 1873, and was baptised on June 1, 1873, by George William Downer, his uncle, then 'Island Curate' at St. Gabriel's, Four Paths, Clarendon. His parents were Walter Daley Downer and Mary Reynolds King, who had been married in Kingston in 1869. He was quite a sprinter according to Harry Pearson - 'The Jamaican-born Scot was the pre-eminent sprinter of the late-Victorian era.' Some of the first noted sprinters of Jamaican origin were Alfred R. Downer and G. C. Foster. Downer was Scottish national champion in the 100, 220, and 440 yards events for three consecutive years from 1893, but later lost his amateur status, preventing him from participating further. The author was born in Jamaica but raised in Scotland and sadly went insane and died in an asylum aged just 39.Alfred Reynolds Downer was born at Shands Pen, May Pen, Clarendon a town in Jamaca , on January 23, 1873, and was baptised on June 1, 1873, by George William Downer, his uncle, then 'Island Curate' at St. Gabriel's, Four Paths, Clarendon. His parents were Walter Daley Downer and Mary Reynolds King, who had been married in Kingston in 1869. He was quite a sprinter according to Harry Pearson - 'The Jamaican-born Scot was the pre-eminent sprinter of the late-Victorian era.' Some of the first noted sprinters of Jamaican origin were Alfred R. Downer and G. C. Foster. Downer was Scottish national champion in the 100, 220, and 440 yards events for three consecutive years from 1893, but later lost his amateur status, preventing him from participating further. The author was born in Jamaica but raised in Scotland and sadly went insane and died in an asylum aged just 39.

A successful system of boxing instruction for large classes, to allow tuition with no detriment to the "backward or shy pupil". Covers Kit-On, Guard-Sparring-Advance-Point & Mark-Ducking-Medicine, Bag-Left & Right Hooks etc. The author considered that boxing systematically taught to the youth was beneficial exercise, and would have a marked elevating influence on the national character.

A Great War period publication showing the value of marching as opposed to walking, and the benefits to civilians in posture, eliminating "shuffling" with regular and measured tread, and to co-ordinate movement. It is difficult to over estimate the importance of marching as a branch of physical training.

Much valuable practical information contained in this collection of circulars that would help battalion commanders in France, in the later stages of The Great War. Covers the use of Scouts, Musketry, Attack in the open, Trench warfare, contact patrol work by aeroplanes, Courts-Martial in France.

A concise Canadian Divisional History, the 4th served both on the Western Front in France and in Flanders until Armistice Day. They formed part of the Canadian Corps in the Battle of Vimy Ridge, which attacked and defeated the Germans, driving them from the ridge. As a result, the Canadians became known as masters of offensive warfare and an elite fighting force. In the Battle of Vimy Ridge in April 1917, the Division was given the job of capturing Hill 145, the highest and most important feature of Vimy Ridge.

The 17th Battalion arrived in France in April 1918. Its first operations were in support of the French Army in June. It returned to the British Army in August and was very successful at the Battle of Amiens. The Austin Armoured cars were towed in pairs by tanks across the battlefield. Once they reached better ground on the other side of the lines, they ranged freely. A German Corps headquarters 10 miles back was captured and German reserves, artillery and supply lines were shot up. The 17th was the first British unit to cross the Rhine in 1918. This is a very good Battalion history that is scarce in its original printing.Recognising after the battle of Cambrai that the slow MARK V tanks could break through the fortified German lines, but could not exploit the breakout, the new Whippet Tanks and the 17th (armoured car) Battalion underwent training to establish how to take advantage of this situation.In 1917 an order of Austin Armoured cars - originally destined for the Russian Army - became the 17th (Armoured car) Battalion. 16 of the Austins not sent following the revolution were used to equip the 17th (Armoured Car) Battalion of the Tank Corps. The Vickers machine guns were exchanged for the Hotchkiss M1914 machine gun, which was the standard machine gun of the British tank unit. During the fighting at Amiens as part of the 5th Australian Division, 16 cars were towed in pairs across the trenches and battlefield by tanks, and were then let loose behind the German lines, creating havoc around Proyart and Framerville.A German Corps Headquarters, which was located 10 miles behind the front line, was captured, and in honour of the Australian Division an Australian flag was nailed to the German generals' front door. Detailed plans of the Hindenburg line were captured and German reserves, artillery and supply lines were shot up, including a train.The greatest value of these cars was in the spreading of fear and rumour. German troops were reporting a new British tank that could travel at 30mph and spout fire in all directions. It was said that the 16 cars were 'worth more than a whole cavalry division'.At the time of the Battle of Amiens the armoured cars were painted sky blue and khaki, in the hope that they would not show up against the horizon.

The entire text of the R.N.A.S. OPERATIONS REPORTS from November 1915 To March 1918 are presented in this massive three volume set. These 53 OPERATIONS REPORTS were produced for internal consumption and provide a comprehensive coverage of observation and bombing sorties, damage inflicted and incurred in clashes with the enemy, intelligence gathered,aircrew are frequently mentioned by name.In addition to seaplanes, carrier-borne aircraft, and other aircraft with a legitimate "naval" application, the R.N.A.S. also maintained several crack fighter squadrons on the Western Front, as well as allocating scarce resources to an independent strategic bombing force at a time when such operations were highly speculative.During it's existence the R.N.A.S. had bases and stations in the UK, France, The Eastern Mediterranean, Durban, Otranto, Malta and Mombassa.The information in this huge three volume set is an absolute gold mine of facts, packed with revealing detail for Great War aviation historians, medal collectors and researchers.Flight Sub-Lieut. Fox, Killingholme Air Station, in a Sopwith Baby seaplane, proceeded in chase of a Zeppelin reported to be about 35 miles east of Spurn, He sighted the airship, and rising to 11,000 feet passed over it, dropping four 16-lb. bombs in succession and two boxes of Rauken darts.Hostile Aircraft.-Eighteen aeroplanes of the First Brigade taking photographs in the rear of the enemy's lines encountered 19 hostile machines. As the result of the fight three hostile machines were destroyed, three driven down damaged, and one driven down under control. The hostile formation was broken up, and the photographic machines completed their work.Lieutenant Musgrave and Corporal Jex, No. 45 Squadron, drove down a two-seater out of control, and Lieutenants Charlwood and Selby of the same squadron drove down another enemy machine out of control.Flight Sub-Lieut. Burt was obliged to land near the wrecked seaplane owing to his pressure failing. The Camel sank, and he swam about 400 yards from the wrecked enemy seaplane and was picked up by one of our destroyers.Pembroke.-Airship C. 3 carried out a patrol to Coningbeg between 0915 and 1715, during which an oil patch was sighted and bombed 5 miles south-west of St. Ann's Head at 1545. Oil rose to the surface after the first bomb was dropped; this was observed to increase after the second bomb had exploded.Flight Commander Price on wireless patrol attacked an Albatross Scout. Enemy aircraft went down in an almost vertical dive, and the Camel followed it for some way, but was not able to keep up with the enemy aircraft. This combat is confirmed by anti-aircraft battery.