Martin J. Brayley Knihy

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.

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.

This full-color volume chronicles the uniforms, weapons and equipment used by the British soldier in the more distant theaters of World War II. Color photos showing re-enactors in authentic settings help to create a realistic picture of what it was like to live and fight in remote areas and often under very trying conditions. From front-line infantrymen to logistical support, and from private soldier to officers, this volume delivers color photos accompanied by explanatory text to make this an invaluable reference for military buffs.

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.

Photos of original uniforms worn by live models present a dynamic recreation of the army at the outbreak of WWII, through to the liberation of North West Europe in 1944-45. Brayley and Ingram have assembled a wide range of rare surviving items - some never before published - including infantry, tank crews, airborne troops, gunners, engineers and medical personnel, set in extraordinarily realistic settings. Superb!

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.

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 Second World War was Britain's last as a world power. For a year it saw Britain standing alone against the fascist dictatorships; winning it cost the sacrifice of the entire national wealth. This first book of three describes the uniforms developed for European service. It traces the appearance of the 'Tommy' from pre-war mobilization, through the years of defeat and endurance, to D-Day and the long fighting advance to Northern Germany. The book also includes a campaign summary, infantry organization tables, lists of arms and services and basic specifications of a number of heavy weapons.