David Greentree Knihy

Britské a německé výsadkové síly patřily k nejlepším jednotkám druhé světové války, a pokud se střetly v boji, byla výsledkem nelítostná zkouška sil. Kniha popisuje tři střetnutí britských výsadkářů s německými padákovými myslivci (Fallschirmjäger) v Tunisku a na Sicílii, během nichž byly otestovány výcvik, taktika, zkušenosti, morálka i výzbroj jednotek na hranice možností. Od britského pokusu obsadit letiště v Depienne a Oudně přes krvavý noční boj o Djebel Azzag (Zelený kopec) až po trpký zápas o most Primosole na Sicílii si tyto důkladně vycvičené výsadkové jednotky měřily síly se svými protějšky, tříbily taktiku a získávaly cenné zkušenosti. Zařazena jsou líčení přímých účastníků, dobové fotografie, detailní mapy a ilustrace určené výhradně pro toto vydání. Dozvíme se zajímavé informace o rozdílných zkušenostech obou znepřátelených stran, o výcviku a vybavení k boji, v němž tito elitní vojáci stáli proti sobě, a nechybí ani autorova analýza jejich výkonů ve vzájemných střetech.

Featuring first-hand accounts and full-color artwork, this Combat-series title casts new light on the desperate fighting between British glider troops and their Waffen-SS opponents during the battle of Arnhem in September 1944.Employing first-hand accounts and drawing upon the latest research, David Greentree tells the story of the glider troops' dogged defense of the Allied perimeter at Arnhem, and the Waffen-SS forces' efforts to overcome them.Operation Market Garden was an Allied plan to try and end the war before the end of 1944, and relied on landing airborne troops to secure bridges over the Rhine in the Netherlands. Critical to this plan were the glider troops of Britain's 1st Airlanding Brigade. Short on heavy weapons and not trained in street fighting, the glider troops were meant to secure and defend the Allied perimeter around Arnhem as the parachute brigades fought their way into the city. Facing the airborne forces were understrength Waffen-SS units that were hastily formed into ad hoc battle groups, some supported by armor. The troops on both sides would have their tactical flexibility and powers of endurance tested to the limit in the bitter actions that ensued.

The airborne forces of Britain and Germany were among their best troops of World War II and when they met in battle the result was a brutal trial of strength. These highly trained parachute troops clashed with their opposite numbers, gaining experience, refining tactics and learning valuable lessons. This book deals with this topic.

An illustrated account of the conflict in Greece between the New Zealand infantry and German motorcycle troops, with appeal to those interested in the military history of New Zealand.

Featuring specially commissioned full-colour artwork and carefully chosen archive photographs, this title assesses the evolving battle between Britain's submarines and Italy's torpedo boats in the struggle for primacy in the Mediterranean at the height of World War II.

"Ever since the 15th century Switzerland had been exporting professional soldiers to serve as mercenaries for foreign monarchies. Napoleon, therefore, was not the first to make full use of the martial qualities of the Swiss and obtained Swiss agreement to expand the recruitment of regiments for service in the French Army." --Publisher description

Featuring specially commissioned artwork and full-color maps, this book evaluates the origins, tactics, armament, and combat effectiveness of the British riflemen and French skirmishers who clashed on three bloody battlefields of the Napoleonic Wars.

Q-ships came in all shapes and sizes - coastal steamer, trawler, barque, yacht or schooner - but all had to look harmless in order to lure their opponents to the surface and encourage them to attack. This title deals with this topic.

Canadian and Waffen-SS troops of 12 SS-Panzer-Division Hitlerjugend faced one another in a series of bloody battles following the D-Day landings of June 1944. The Canadian units were drawn from a number of distinguished regiments, while the Hitlerjugend Division were drawn from the ranks of the Hitler Youth organizations. Officers and NCOs were joined by inexperienced teenagers, and clashed with the Canadians repeatedly, notably at Authie, Bretteville, and Hill 168. The struggle quickly took on an especially bitter nature, fueled by the massacre of Canadian prisoners by Hitlerjugend personnel. Employing first-hand accounts and the latest research, as well as specially commissioned artwork and carefully selected archive photographs, this absorbing study investigates the origins, ethos, training, fighting techniques, and weapons of both sides during the epic struggle for Normandy.

"A highly illustrated study of the Petsamo-Kirkenes campaign, which saw Soviet naval infantry deployed in abundance against the elite German Gebirgsjäger in the harsh conditions of the far north of the Eastern Front. This title examines the bitter conflict between two highly tactical armies as they battled across challenging terrain to gain control of strategically significant Northern Finland. On the one side were the invading Soviet troops, hoping to liberate an area full of rich resources and littered with bases that that would enable the arrival of Arctic convoys from Britain. They employed naval infantry in abundance, not only to make amphibious landings to capture strategically significant port facilities, but also on deep outflanking maneuvers inland. Their opponents were the elite Gebirgsjäger from XIX Gebirgskorps; trained to be self-sufficient and resourceful and equipped with a range of bespoke weaponry, this mountain division was ideally suited to operate in the harsh climate. Combat conditions were unique: the extremely rough terrain, laced with bogs, streams, boulder fields, and large rivers, presented a significant challenge in its own right, even without the added threat of attacks by highly trained soldiers. This illustrated title tells the story of this unique and bitter struggle in the far North, an epic battle between two elite forces fighting in a demanding environment. With bird's-eye views and maps of key battlefields, this is a comprehensive guide to one of the most challenging campaigns of the Eastern Front."--Amazon.ca