August 2022 (104)

The Rise of the Sikh Soldier

ISBN: 9781915070524

Author: Gurinder Singh Mann    Publisher: Helion & Company

The might and military prowess of the Sikhs has been recorded in the annals of history but what actually constitutes this development has seldom been understood...


The might and military prowess of the Sikhs has been recorded in the annals of history but what actually constitutes this development has seldom been understood or discussed in a meaningful context. This book considers the rise of military methods from the time of the Gurus, and what the tenth preceptor Guru Gobind Singh was trying to achieve with the formation of the Khalsa, or fraternity of the pure. The development of saint soldiers during the testing time of the Misl, or Confederacy period, considers the role of Jassa Singh Ahluwalia and Charat Singh Sukerchakia. The author also looks at the formation of the Sikh Empire in the nineteenth century, and considers the role of Maharajah Ranjit Singh, and his notorious warriors Akali Phula Singh and Hari Singh Nalwa. Underrepresented female warriors, such as Sahib Kaur and Sada Kaur, are also given coverage to reflect their important, but largely forgotten, part in Sikh history. During the reign of Maharajah Ranjit Singh there was a deliberate change in military methods of the Sikhs. The movement from the predominant favouring of cavalry to the Europeanisation of the Sikh Army is examined. The Anglo Sikh Wars of 1845-1846 and 1848-1849 are given consideration in terms of the military tactics used by opposing armies, along with a brief examination of the major battles and the course of the war. After the Anglo-Sikh Wars the Sikhs became an important part of the British military forces in the Indian Empire, and the deployment of Sikhs in campaigns during the time of the British Indian Army, many outside of the subcontinent, is also considered. The book is supplemented with maps of battles, and illustrated with rare military images, relics, and artefacts, together with the appendices citing important documents and letters.


Bind: paperback


Pages: 290


Dimensions: 156 x 234 mm


Publication Date: 01-06-2022


Tags: August 2022   Military
$59.99
From Ushant to Gibraltar : The Channel Fleet 1778-1783

ISBN: 9781915070395

Author: Quintin Barry    Publisher: Helion & Company

In 1778, when the expected war finally broke with France, Lord Sandwich, the long serving First Lord of the Admiralty, had to find the resources to match the Fr...


In 1778, when the expected war finally broke with France, Lord Sandwich, the long serving First Lord of the Admiralty, had to find the resources to match the French fleet not only in the Channel but in other theatres of war such as the West Indies, the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean. In addition, the Royal Navy had to protect Britain’s extensive maritime commerce, covering the large inbound and outbound convoys on which the country’s economy depended. This book is a study of the men who led and the men who managed, both afloat and ashore, the Channel Fleet. In 1778 it was commanded by Admiral Augustus Keppel; third in command was a member of the Board of Admiralty, Vice Admiral Hugh Palliser. On 27 July it engaged the French fleet commanded by d’Orvilliers. The battle was inconclusive, both sides claiming the victory. During the battle Palliser’s flagship suffered particularly. At the time, no issue arose between Keppel and Palliser as to the course of the battle, but when, in late October, the latter came ashore he was shown a newspaper that suggested that he was to blame for Keppel’s failure to continue the battle. He was furious, but Keppel refused to sign a statement clearing Palliser’s name. The dispute escalated; Palliser demanded Keppel’s court martial but he was acquitted, as was Palliser himself when he in his turn was court-martialled. The navy’s officer corps was profoundly divided, and it caused lasting damage. After Sandwich, the most important naval administrator was the outspoken Sir Charles Middleton, the Comptroller of the Navy. He was responsible for two key innovations – the coppering of ships hull’s which protected them against damaging marine growths and significantly increased their speed, and the introduction of the cannonade, a lighter cannon of shorter range but greater hitting power. Middleton enjoyed a close relationship with Richard Kempenfelt who was arguably the ablest sea officer on either side. With Lord Howe, Kempenfelt was responsible for the introduction of a new system of signalling. He won a striking victory when attacking a heavily defended French convoy in 1781 but tragically died in 1782 when his flagship the Royal George sank at her moorings at Spithead. Throughout the war the French and Spanish planned the invasion of southern England. The enormous Combined Fleet appeared first in the Channel in 1779, but although causing a panic when it arrived off Plymouth, it was suffering from an epidemic of smallpox and abandoned the attempt. In 1782, with the fall of Lord North’s ministry, Sandwich left the Admiralty. Vilified by nineteenth century writers, his reputation has been largely restored by more recent historians.


Bind: paperback


Pages: 364


Dimensions: 156 x 234 mm


Publication Date: 10-06-2022


Tags: August 2022   Military   History
$69.99
The Darkest Hour Volume 1

ISBN: 9781915070616

Author: Michal Piegzik    Publisher: Helion & Company

The Darkest Hour presents the Imperial Japanese Navy offensive in the Indian Ocean area in March–April 1942, the main goal of which was to destroy the Royal N...


The Darkest Hour presents the Imperial Japanese Navy offensive in the Indian Ocean area in March–April 1942, the main goal of which was to destroy the Royal Navy in the Far East and achieve domination on the western flank of the Pacific War on the eve of the Battle of Midway. The bold operation by two Japanese task forces (Kidō Butai and Malay Force) in the Indian Ocean would only be possible with the fall of Singapore in February and the Dutch East Indies in early March 1942. From the strategic point of view, the Japanese offensive in the Indian Ocean was the only moment in the Second World War when the Axis forces could coordinate their efforts to severely threaten the position of the British Empire in the crucial Middle Eastern and Indian theatres. Volume 1 of The Darkest Hour describes the strategic planning and opening moves of both sides in February–March 1942, including the Japanese navy projections on the final steps of the first stage of the Pacific War, and the Royal Navy’s hopes to halt the enemy advance without taking any significant risks. The Japanese offensive in the Indian Ocean began in March 1942 with the invasion of the Andaman Islands and Christmas Island. By securing both vital positions, the Japanese navy planned to establish its advanced bases in the eastern part of the Bay of Bengal. In the next step, the invincible Kidō Butai consisting of five aircraft carriers and their escorts, was expected to crush the British bases on Ceylon and once and forever destroy the main core of the Eastern Fleet. The chaos provoked by the Kidō Butai would then become a great opportunity for the Malay Force to cut off the British shipping routes in the western part of the Bay of Bengal. The Darkest Hour is the first systematic attempt to describe this less-well known part of the Pacific War by researching both British and Japanese archive documents and other sources published in many countries, including the United Kingdom, Japan, and India. The first volume examines events up to the capture of the Andaman Islands and Christmas Island in early March 1942, and is extensively illustrated with photographs and colour artworks of the ships, aircraft and men involved.


Bind: paperback


Pages: 98


Dimensions: 210 x 297 mm


Publication Date: 17-06-2022


Tags: August 2022   Military
$55.00
Czechoslovak Arms Exports To The Middle East

ISBN: 9781915070791

Author: Martin Smisek    Publisher: Helion & Company

During the Cold War, communist Czechoslovakia was one of the largest arms exporters to the Middle East among the Soviet Bloc countries. The third volume of this...


During the Cold War, communist Czechoslovakia was one of the largest arms exporters to the Middle East among the Soviet Bloc countries. The third volume of this mini-series describes the history of arms exports from Czechoslovakia to Egypt including related military assistance. Although Egypt had expressed interest in buying Czechoslovak arms just before the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, no deliveries were made as Prague fully supported the nascent Jewish state. The situation began to change from July 1950 when Czechoslovakia banned exports of its weapons to Israel. These developments culminated in September 1955, when the first huge Czechoslovak-Egyptian arms deal was concluded. As a proxy of Moscow, Prague delivered impressive quantities of armaments and ammunition together with spare parts, logistics, and support equipment. At the same time, Czechoslovak military instructors and advisors were also sent to Egypt. A crucial role was played by a group of Czechoslovak Air Force personnel, whose task was to provide the tactical and combat training for two Egyptian fighter squadrons equipped with MiG-15bis jets prior to the Suez Crisis in 1956. At the same time, Egyptian military specialists were trained at the facilities of the Czechoslovak People's Army. However, from the end of the 1950s, there was a significant reduction in the supply of military hardware from Czechoslovakia because Prague was unwilling or unable to supply the state-of-the-art weapons required by the Egyptians. The focus of Czechoslovak-Egyptian military cooperation in the following years was therefore limited to the establishment of the Military Technical College in Cairo and various military repair facilities around Egypt. The situation in the supply of Czechoslovak armament to Egypt began to change gradually again in the mid-1960s as the Czechoslovak arms industry commenced the production of a new generation of weapons developed by domestic industry or provided under Soviet licence. A huge boom in arms deals occurred after the Egyptian defeat in the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. During the following years, Czechoslovakia supplied Egypt with OT-62 armoured personnel carriers, T-55 tanks, MiG-21F-13 fighters and L-29 Delfin jet trainers, which subsequently took part in the fighting of the 1973 Arab-Israeli War. A further major turning point came in the mid-1970s with the deterioration of Soviet-Egyptian relations and following instructions from Moscow, Prague was forced to abruptly stop supplying arms to Egypt in 1976. Using declassified original documentation, this is the most comprehensive and meticulous account of the Czechoslovak military involvement in the Middle East during the Cold War that has ever been published and is extensively illustrated with photographs and original colour artworks.


Bind: paperback


Pages: 106


Dimensions: 210 x 297 mm


Publication Date: 01-06-2022


Tags: August 2022   Military
$55.00
Eagles Over The Alps

ISBN: 9781913336134

Author: Christopher Duffy    Publisher: Helion & Company

Russia's greatest soldier was at war in Italy and Switzerland. Led by Suvorov, believed by many to be the equal of Napoleon, the Russian and Austrian troops cla...


Russia's greatest soldier was at war in Italy and Switzerland. Led by Suvorov, believed by many to be the equal of Napoleon, the Russian and Austrian troops claimed one victory after another against the French. Much more than strategy and tactics, this a story of adventure as a Russian army fights desperate rearguard actions, and tries to escape through cruel mountain passes in the night. Suvorov's memory is still treasured in the Russian armed forces today. The last and greatest campaign of this legendary soldier has found a fitting narrator in Christopher Duffy. Suvorov's marches and battles can be traced on the many maps, photographs, and original artwork recreates the appearance of the troops.


Bind: hardback


Pages: 304


Dimensions: 170 x 345 mm


Publication Date: 14-06-2022


Tags: August 2022   Military
$100.00
A Guide to the Deer of the World

ISBN: 9781846893629

Author: Charles Smith-Jones    Publisher: Quiller Publishing

A Guide to the Deer of the World is a long-overdue review of deer as we understand them today and includes several species which have only recently become known...


A Guide to the Deer of the World is a long-overdue review of deer as we understand them today and includes several species which have only recently become known to science. Writing for a wide readership in a straightforward and easily accessible style, Charles Smith-Jones has produced an authoritative and attractive reference work with a strong conservation focus. Lavishly illustrated throughout in colour, the guide looks at deer evolution, biology and lifestyles in general before covering each of the fifty-five true deer, seven musk deer and ten chevrotain species as well as their subspecies in more detail with photographs, general information and distribution maps. In addition, there are fact boxes which include descriptions of individual recognition features, habitats, behaviour, breeding and conservation issues for each member of this widely diverse and fascinating group of animals. Forming an iconic and important part of almost all the world's ecosystems, many of the species featured are elusive and only very rarely photographed or observed. Any areas of taxonomical confusion and ongoing discussion are highlighted in readily understandable terms. This book will have a valued place in the library or on the coffee table of any nature lover or deer enthusiast.


Bind: hardback


Pages: 320


Dimensions: 210 x 270 mm


Publication Date: 14-07-2022


$160.00
Game Shooting : An Illustrated History

ISBN: 9781846893605

Author: David S D Jones    Publisher: Quiller Publishing

Game Shooting for sporting purposes has taken place in England since the first half of the sixteenth century. David Jones has written a fascinating and comprehe...


Game Shooting for sporting purposes has taken place in England since the first half of the sixteenth century. David Jones has written a fascinating and comprehensive book covering the history of the sport from its inception to the present day. He examines changes in the typical shooting day, based on surviving diaries, newspaper articles and other historical documents. He charts the development of shooting in England, Wales and Scotland, across Europe and worldwide, including the planning and organisation required to support the growing popularity of the sport. Game Shooting contains a large selection of historic illustrations, photographs, articles and documents, providing an accurate record and unique insight into the lives of those involved. A fascinating book suitable for anyone with an interest in the sport.


Bind: paperback


Pages: 264


Dimensions: 189 x 246 mm


Publication Date: 14-06-2022


$75.00
Training The Working Labrador

ISBN: 9781846893698

Author: Jeremy Hunt    Publisher: Quiller Publishing

Training the Working Labrador looks at all aspects of the care, management and training of the modern working Labrador. It discusses many of the issues affectin...


Training the Working Labrador looks at all aspects of the care, management and training of the modern working Labrador. It discusses many of the issues affecting today's dog owners in a society which may not always seem to be providing enough time to own and train working gundogs. The book provides advice and guidance on a host of practical feeding, management and training matters based on the author's lifelong experience and chapters are included on nutrition and care - especially for those who may be away from home for part of the day. The very latest Labrador health tests are covered in detail and their relevance to their owners. With its wealth of instructional photographs and detailed training guidelines, Training the Working Labrador is essential reading for the first time owner/trainer of a Labrador. It is equally useful as an important update on Labrador issues for the experienced owner.


Bind: paperback


Pages: 216


Dimensions: 189 x 246 mm


Publication Date: 14-05-2022


$59.99
Beginners Guide to Sharpening Carving Tools

ISBN: 9781497103306

Author: Lora S. Irish    Publisher: Fox Chapel Publishing

Learn how to to keep all of your woodcarving tools and knives sharp and in tip-top condition with this comprehensive guide. Offering clear, step-by-step guidanc...


Learn how to to keep all of your woodcarving tools and knives sharp and in tip-top condition with this comprehensive guide. Offering clear, step-by-step guidance, beginners will learn the basics of sharpening knives, gouges, V-tools, and chisels. Also included are informative sections on safety, basic sharpening techniques, what to keep in your sharpening kit, tool storage and clean-up tips as well as how to protect sharp edges, clean stops and sharpen stones. Learn essential tips and tricks from expert artist and best-selling author Lora Irish.


Bind: paperback


Pages: 48


Dimensions: 152 x 228 mm


Publication Date: 23-08-2022


$21.99
Leathercrafting DIY

ISBN: 9780764364198

Author: Pigpong    Publisher: Schiffer Books

Featuring hundreds of very clear step-by-step photos, these projects give beginner and intermediate-level crafters everything needed to make contemporary, styli...


Featuring hundreds of very clear step-by-step photos, these projects give beginner and intermediate-level crafters everything needed to make contemporary, stylish leather items. First up are 23 projects based on simple structures, then 9 more based on intermediate structures, arranged in skill-building sequence. That approach-emphasizing the underlying shapes that leatherwork is based on-allows you to understand the concepts behind the work for better results. Enjoy making bags, water bottle holders, ornaments, office accessories, binoculars cases, and more, and learn ways to use dyeing, decorating methods, embossing, and metal fittings. The basics are here for learning or reference, including preparing patterns, rough cutting, transferring patterns, punching stitching holes, cutting, burnishing, gluing, and finishing. Each of these leather creations allows for infinite variations, making this your go-to project resource for years to come.


Bind: paperback


Pages: 192


Dimensions: 191 x 254 mm


Publication Date: 28-08-2022


$65.00
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