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30 Nov 2018

New Releases for November 2018 from Osprey Publishing Ltd

New Releases for November 2018, we have another fantastic set of new releases.

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Run to the Sound of the Guns

Run to the Sound of the Guns

From frozen mountaintops to dusty city streets and everything in between, Run to the Sound of the Guns is a compelling and deeply personal account of a husband and father who nearly lost his life 'leading the way' in America's secretive global wars.

Nicholas Moore served as part of an elite special operations unit at the fighting edge of the Global War on Terrorism. He served for over a decade with the US Army's 75th Ranger Regiment on the battlefields of Afghanistan and Iraq.

In Iraq, Nicholas participated in the rescue of Private Jessica Lynch, hunted Iraq's Most Wanted and experienced brutal street combat, including 160 night-time missions over one 90-day deployment in the insurgent stronghold of Mosul. While serving in Afghanistan, he was also part of the search and rescue operation for Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell (author of Lone Survivor), and was on the ground again when a Chinook helicopter was shot down resulting in the death of 38 men and one military working dog. It was the single greatest loss of special operations personnel to date.


Wings of the Rising Sun

Wings of the Rising Sun

In the Pacific War's early years, Japanese air power was dominant. The only way for the Allies to defeat their enemy was to know it. This made the task of maintaining productive intelligence gathering efforts on Japan imperative. Establishing Technical Air Intelligence Units in the Pacific Theatre and the Technical Air Intelligence Center in Washington DC, the Allies were able to begin to reveal the secrets of Japanese air power through extensive flight testing and evaluation of captured enemy aircraft and equipment. These provided an illuminating perspective on Japanese aircraft and aerial weapon design philosophy and manufacturing practice.

Fully illustrated throughout with a wealth of previously unpublished photographs, Mark Chambers explores Allied efforts to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of Japanese air power during the war years, and how this intelligence helped them achieve victory in the Pacific.


Soviet T-54 Main Battle Tank

Soviet T-54 Main Battle Tank

The menacing silhouette of the T-54 tank prowling down streets of Eastern European capitals or roaring across fields in massive exercises remains one of the most enduring images of Soviet power in the early years of the Cold War. Its sleek and unmistakable shape was a warning to any nation that wanted to stand against the USSR.

Yet all of this masked a flawed, outdated design, and when T-54s began to clash with the Western armoured vehicles in proxy wars in Southeast Asia and the Middle East they were found to be on the losing side of many of the battles.

Containing 130 stunning contemporary and modern photographs, and written by two experts on Soviet armour, this authoritative book tells the complete story of the T-54, one of the most widely produced tanks of all time, including many previously unheard of variants.


Roman Heavy Cavalry (1)

Roman Heavy Cavalry (1)

From the army of Marc Antony in the 1st century BC, Roman generals hired Oriental heavy armoured cavalry to serve in their military alongside the legions. These troops, both from the northern steppes and the Persian frontiers, continued an ancient tradition of using heavy armour and long lances, and fought in a compact formation for maximum shock effect. They were quite distinct from conventional Roman light cavalry, and they served across the Empire, including in Britain. They became ever more important during the 3rd century wars against Parthia, both to counter their cavalry and to form a mobile strategic reserve.

Displaying these impressive and imposing cavalry units using vivid specially commissioned artwork, this first book in a two part series on Roman Heavy Cavalry examines their use over the Imperial period up to the fall of Western Empire in the 5th century A.D.


Heroes of Telemark

Heroes of Telemark

In May 1941, the Norwegian Section of SOE received a dossier warning of the dangers of a hydroelectric fertiliser plant in Norway. Vemork produced heavy water, an essential part of making plutonium for nuclear weapons. When the Germans overran Norway the entire stock had been smuggled out of the country, but the plant was intact and soon producing heavy water again, destined for the German nuclear programme.

Despite the difficulties of getting to and operating in such a remote, hostile area, SOE decided it had to destroy the plant. Six ski-borne commandos had the task of slipping past 300 heavily armed guards and passing through a ravine the Germans thought impassable.

Fully illustrated with stunning new commissioned artwork, this is the thrilling story of the daring Norwegian-led SOE raid that prevented Hitler from building an atomic bomb.


The Sterling Submachine Gun

The Sterling Submachine Gun

Designed by a motorcycle racer turned small-arms engineer, George Patchett, the submachine gun that eventually became known as the Sterling was developed during World War II. Some suggest it first saw action during Operation Infatuate with No. 4 Commando, before becoming fully adopted by the British Army in 1953 as the Sterling Machine Carbine (L2A1).

It was centre stage for many of Britain's post-colonial conflicts from Malaya to Kenya and from Yemen to Northern Ireland. The silenced L34A1 Sterling-Patchett entered service in 1966 and first saw action deep in the jungles of Vietnam in the hands of the elite special forces of Australia, New Zealand and the United States during prisoner snatches and reconnaissance patrols.

Employing first-hand accounts and painstaking technical analysis, this engaging account features carefully selected archive photography and specially commissioned colour artwork depicting the submachine gun that armed British and other forces for nearly 60 years.


B-25 Mitchell Units of the CBI

B-25 Mitchell Units of the CBI

Flying from and between bases in China and India, the B-25s bombed every type of Japanese target during World War 2 in the China-Burma-India (CBI) Theatre, ultimately dropping more ordinance than their larger four-engined B-24 Liberator brethren.

Mitchell bombers took on the task of disrupting the flow of Japanese supplies to the frontlines at medium ranges, bombing Japanese supply centres, railway depots and bridges. It was in this last capacity that the B-25 established a unique role as a ‘bridge-buster'. This provided significant support for the British Fourteenth Army as they advanced into Burma.

Fully illustrated with detailed cutaway artwork, this book tells the important, yet forgotten story of B-25 operations in the CBI Theatre and the important role that this aircraft played on the road to victory.


Empire of the Seas

Empire of the Seas

The year 1588 marked a turning point in our national story. Victory over the Spanish Armada transformed us into a seafaring nation and it sparked a myth that one day would become a reality - that the nation's new destiny, the source of her future wealth and power lay out on the oceans. This book tells the story of how the navy expanded from a tiny force to become the most complex industrial enterprise on earth; how the need to organise it laid the foundations of our civil service and our economy; and how it transformed our culture, our sense of national identity and our democracy.

Re-issued in trade paperback format Brian Lavery's narrative explores the navy's rise over four centuries; a key factor in propelling Britain to its status as the most powerful nation on earth, and assesses the turning point of Jutland and the First World War. He creates a compelling read that is every bit as engaging as the TV series itself.


Maps of War

Maps of War

There is little documented mapping of conflict prior to the Renaissance period, but, from the 17th century onwards, military commanders and strategists began to document the wars in which they were involved and later, to use mapping to actually plan the progress of a conflict. Using contemporary maps, this sumptuous new volume covers the history of the mapping of war on land and shows the way in which maps provide a guide to the history of war.

Content includes:
The beginnings of military mapping up to 1600 including the impact of printing and the introduction of gunpowder
The seventeenth century: The focus is on maps to illustrate war, rather than as a planning tool and the chapter considers the particular significance of maps of fortifications.
The eighteenth century: The growing need for maps on a world scale reflects the spread of European power and of transoceanic conflict between Europeans. This chapter focuses in particular on the American War of Independence.
The nineteenth century: Key developments included contouring and the creation of military surveying. Subjects include the Napoleonic Wars and the American Civil War
The twentieth century including extended features on the First and Second World Wars including maps showing trench warfare and aerial reconnaissance. Much of the chapter focuses on the period from 1945 to the present day including special sections on the Vietnam War and the Gulf Wars.


Tsushima 1905

Tsushima 1905

Japan was closed to the world until 1854 and its technology then was literally medieval. Great Britain, France and Russia divided the globe in the nineteenth century, but Japan was catching up. Its army and navy were retrained by Western powers and equipped with the latest weapons and ships. Japan wanted to further emulate its European mentors and establish a protectorate over Korea, yet Japanese efforts were blocked by Imperial Russia who had their own designs on the peninsula.

The Russo-Japanese War started with a surprise Japanese naval attack against an anchored enemy fleet still believing itself at peace. It ended with the Battle of Tsushima, the most decisive surface naval battle of the 20th century. This gripping study describes this pivotal battle, and shows how the Japanese victory over Russia led to the development of the dreadnought battleship, and gave rise to an almost mythical belief in Japanese naval invincibility.


USN Fleet Destroyer vs IJN Fleet Submarine

USN Fleet Destroyer vs IJN Fleet Submarine

Leading up to the Pacific War, Japanese naval strategists believed that a decisive fleet engagement would be fought against the United States Navy. Outnumbered by the USN, the Imperial Japanese Navy planned to use its large, ocean-going submarines to chip away at its opponent before the grand battle. In order to accomplish this, the IJN's submarine force was tasked to perform extended reconnaissance of the USN's battle fleet, even in port, and then shadow and attack it.

For their part, the USN was fully aware of the potential threat posed by Japanese submarines, and destroyer crews were trained and equipped with modern anti-submarine weapons and tactics to screen the battle fleet.

Challenging the assumption that Japanese submarines were ineffective during the Pacific War, this fully illustrated study examines their encounters with the US Navy, and the successes and failures of American destroyers in protecting their capital ships.


Bolt Action: Campaign: Battle of France

Bolt Action: Campaign: Battle of France

The Battle of France saw German forces sweep across the Low Countries and towards Paris, crushing Allied resistance in just six weeks. From Fall Gelb and the British withdrawal from Dunkirk to the decisive Fall Rot, this new supplement for Bolt Action allows players to take command of the bitter fighting for France, and to refight the key battles of this campaign. Linked scenarios and new rules, troop types, and Theatre Selectors offer plenty of options for novice and veteran players alike.


Osprey Publishing Ltd

The Greens Are In from Warmonger Miniatures

The greens are in, I'll be heading down to my caster tomorrow for a restock and to drop them off for molding. Here's the new packs you'll be getting:


Organ Guns (2 organ guns and 6 crew)


Wheeled/Staic Mortars (separate packs, 2 mortars and 6 crew each)

Wheeled/Staic Mortars (separate packs, 2 mortars and 6 crew each)

 Organ Guns (2 organ guns and 6 crew)

Organ Guns (2 organ guns and 6 crew)

 Volley Guns (2 volley guns and 6 crew)

Volley Guns (2 volley guns and 6 crew)

 Crew (18 total, 2 of each sculpt)

Crew (18 total, 2 of each sculpt)

The KickStarter will likely start in late December and finish up in January

Warmonger Miniatures

News from Hysterical Games

News from Hysterical Games

Unfortunately we have some bad news.

Over the last few weeks it has become clear that Hysterical Games is facing a major cash flow problem and that we are now only left with the option of winding the company up. Exactly how we will do this has yet to be decided.

To say we are gutted is an understatement, the sudden nature of how this has swept up on us is still very hard to believe.

We are looking at various options at the moment and we are looking at ways for our games to continue. We believe the games and background are good enough to survive and going forward can flourish, the problems that have arisen are largely from other parts of the business.

We appreciate you will have lots of questions but trust you will appreciate that we will probably not have any answers for them at the moment and need to concentrate our efforts on seeing what can be done to salvage the game and sort out other problems, so please bear with us and excuse any immediate radio silence.

The webstore is closed and we cannot take any new orders at the moment.

Hopefully this is just a (rather large) bump in the road and that soon it will be behind us and we will be driving ever forward.

Hysterical Games

Painting Wargaming Figures: WWII in the Desert

Painting Wargaming Figures: WWII in the Desert

Andy Singleton has been modelling and painting most of his life and has been a professional commission figure painter for some years now.

Here he shares his experience and tips of the trade with those collecting figures for the North African campaigns in WWII.

The four main sections of the book cover British, Italian, German and US troops, as well as tips on assembly and painting camouflage uniforms.

Each section is divided into three levels of complexity, 'conscript', 'regular' and 'elite', allowing the reader to build up an array of techniques as they gain confidence and experience.

The emphasis is on achievable results and practical advice that is applicable to painting units or whole armies for wargaming purposes in a reasonable time frame, not on spectacular individual display pieces.

Most of the figures featured in the numerous illustrations are sized either 28mm or 20mm but the techniques described are easily adaptable to smaller sizes and both plastic and metal figures are covered.

Andy's clear, step-by-step guidance takes the reader through the process from the initial preparation and assembly of the figure, to finishing and basing.

29 Nov 2018

Project Update #2: Mythos of Legends Kickstarter, brought to you by The World of Lardello

Project Update #2: Mythos of Legends Kickstarter, brought to you by The World of Lardello

Hi everybody, It’s become clear that our Kickstarter Campaign has failed to get off the ground so we’re going to pull the plug now. Clearly we’ve not approached things quite right to generate the momentum we needed. We’re going to take stock and then re-emerge with a fresh strategy. Rest assured that this isn’t the end of our quest to launch this game. Please stay tuned for further announcements – your support has meant a lot to us and we’d love it if you’re still on board for our eventual release. Please keep in touch with Mythos of Legends and facebook Mythos of Legends for more info. Thanks!

Kickstarter
The World of Lardello

28 Nov 2018

Current Catalogue from Fogg of War Miniatures

Current Catalogue from Fogg of War Miniatures

Current Catalogue from Fogg of War Miniatures.

Please contact Peter Gray for orders or more info. Website is on the process of being built.

Fogg of War Miniatures

26 Nov 2018

Painting Miniatures for the American Civil War from Steve Barber Models


The American War is one of the most popular periods to wargame, and rightly so - it is a fascinating period of history. This book offers the opportunity to learn how to paint wargames miniatures from someone who has been an experienced sculptor and painter. All of the main styles that are used for painting wargames miniatures are covered in great detail. For anyone wanting to start painting for the first time, these pages contain a wealth of information that will help you get started. The book covers: miniature preparation; layer painting; painting with washes; basing; horses and artillery and buildings and scenery. Each chapter is full of detailed step-by-step tutorials on how to paint wargames miniatures for the American Civil War.


Steve Barber Models

22 Nov 2018

Ancient Warfare XII. 4, Dec-Jan 2018

Ancient Warfare XII. 4, Dec-Jan 2018

Ancient Warfare XII.4 with The power of Poseidon - Naval warfare in the Hellenistic era

The first decades of the Hellenistic era are famous for the ever-growing warships of the Ptolemies, but naval warfare wasn't just about who had the biggest ships.

Theme: The power of Poseidon - Naval warfare in the Hellenistic era

Jasper Oorthuys, 'Big, bigger, and small - Historical introduction'.
Raffaele D'Amato, 'Warrior sailors of the Ptolemies'.
Andreas Forrer, 'Ports and shipsheds of Athens'.
Dennis Pricolo, 'Ships to brag about'.
Christa Steinby, 'Typical gadget - The Roman boarding bridge'.
George Topalidis, 'The vexing vessel - On the lembos'.

Features:

Michael Bishop, 'Grim realism - Analyzing the Mainz column bases'.
Duncan B. Campbell, 'Trusted men - The Evocati'.
Ross Cowan, 'Gladius Gallicus - Celtic swords for Italic warriors'.
Boris Dreyer, 'Friderica Alexandrina Navis - Reconstructing Oberstimm II'.
Duncan Head, 'Bristling mercenaries - A Ligurian warrior'.
Michael J.Taylor, 'Fake news from Zama?'

Ancient Warfare

19 Nov 2018

New 10mm Tishomingo Hotel from Good Ground LLC

The newest addition to our "Between the Lines" range of models.

The Tishomingo Hotel from the Battle of Corinth, MS, is now available for sale on the site. Is the work of Mike Randles.

The Tishomingo Hotel

The Tishomingo Hotel

Good Ground LLC

16 Nov 2018

ACW Personalities from Kallistra

Soon to be added to our extensive ACW range, by popular demand - Personalities

ACW Personalities from Kallistra

Confederate Generals

Robert E. Lee
Thomas Jackson
William Barksdale

Union Generals

George McClellan
Ambrose Burnside
Alpheus Starkey Williams

Kallistra Ltd

New Lend Lease Studebaker Truck from Lancer Miniatures

New 10mm Lend Lease Studebaker Truck for the russians from Lancer Miniatures

Lend Lease Studebaker Truck

Lend Lease Studebaker Truck

Lancer Miniatures

New 10mm Katyusha from Lancer Miniatures

Just added to my website the Katyusha BM-13N rocket launcher in 10mm, a kickass bit of kit.

Katyusha BM-13N rocket launcher

Katyusha BM-13N rocket launcher

Lancer Miniatures

15 Nov 2018

Peter the Great's Revenge: The Russian Siege of Narva in 1704

Peter the Great's Revenge: The Russian Siege of Narva in 1704

Narva and Ivangorod – the two fortresses on both sides of Narova River – comprise a nowadays-unique fortification ensemble that has gone through many historical periods of the Baltic region.

Narva gained world fame after two battles in early 1700s during the epic struggle between the Kingdom of Sweden and an alliance of northern powers sponsored by Tsar Peter the Great of Russia – the Great Northern War 1700-1721. First attacked in 1700, its Vauban style bastions were saved by a daring strike on the besieging Russians given by young King Charles XII who came to relieve the town. Four years later Narva saw another full scale three-months-long siege packed with sallies, bombardments, trench combat and peaked by general storm - something rare in a period when governors preferred to surrender before assault.

Military campaigns in the Baroque age across Europe were far more fortress-oriented - field battles were few while sieges were many. Even then, Narva’s two sieges are extraordinary as they provide samples of nearly all possible siege tactics typical to the period but rarely applied to one and the same town. Telling the story of these 1700 and 1704 events thus gives us a chance to speak about the mechanism of fortification warfare, about everyday life of the besieger and the besieged, about morale, military customs of that time, and about broader context of the resolute struggle between Tsar Peter and King Charles.

While writing about Narva’s sieges there are a number of plots to be covered. Lines of circumvallation – their perception in contemporary military thought and their use and fate in the 1700 campaign. Besiegers strive to obtain information via deserters and captives and the most unusual way to do so – a trick or stratagem, with the staging of a mock battle between Russian greencoats and bluecoats pretending to be Swedish relief force. Artillery was probably the most important arm to any siege and it is worth looking into such matters like technology of breaching the walls, use of bombardment against the town buildings, or addiction to a specialty weapon - hand mortars.

Work and life in trenches under fire was typical experience to soldiers of the time. Sallies made by the garrison attempted to slow down their foe’s work, with varying success. Communication between the besieging army commander and governor is explored, along with the special role in it of drummers and trumpeters. When it comes to the final and rare stage of the siege – the general storm – aspects to be researched include the way assault columns were composed, controversy on selecting hour of attack, the amazing size of scaling ladders, and the behaviour of troops prior to and during the action.

The inevitable consequence of a storm, the plundering of the town, raises question about period military laws on this subject. In conclusion the text will conclude with the further story of the town and the fate of several high and low ranking personalities – it will too give additional info on how war was waged in those years. The book is based on day-to-day journals, relations, personal accounts and correspondence from Russian, Swedish and impartial sources – both published and archival.

The book is accompanied with numerous contemporary illustrations – prints depicting specifically Russian and Swedish military scenes as well as engravings from various European sources that visualize typical scenes of siege warfare – and artworks by modern artists.

The Cretan War (1645-1671): The Venetian-Ottoman Struggle in the Mediterranean

The Cretan War (1645-1671): The Venetian-Ottoman Struggle in the Mediterranean

A considerable part of the military history of the 17th century is dominated by the conflict between the Christian powers and the Ottoman Empire.

Much has been written about the politics and the campaigns that led to the siege of Vienna in 1683 and the defeat suffered by the Sultan's armies, while, until today, there are relatively few studies on the long war that opposed Venice to the Ottoman Empire. The importance of the event in the context of politics not only of the Mediterranean, but of all Europe, is easily found in the number of chancelleries involved in the war, both directly on the battlefield or in diplomatic negotiations.

The strategic duel involved the belligerents in the control of the supply routes, and the metropolitan territory of both sides remained almost excluded from military operations. It was a conflict where the logistics organization and the ability to supply the armies made the difference, similar in many ways to the campaigns in the south-western Pacific during the Second World War. It could be said that the Cretan War was the first conflict of contemporary age, but fought with the means of the 17th century. Other aspects make this conflict a topic of great interest.

Just remember that in the last years of war, men from almost all the countries of Europe were concentrated in Crete - and for the Ottomans also from Asia and Africa. Even with regard to the reconstruction of military clothing and equipment, this work finally opens a window on a period not very frequented by researchers, although these are years in which great transformation took place both in the armaments and in the development of new combat tactics.

The different types of soldiers involved in the conflict have been illustrated with care in colour plates, based on the most significant coeval examples and employing several unpublished sources.

The Battle of Killiecrankie: The First Jacobite Campaign, 1689-1691

The Battle of Killiecrankie: The First Jacobite Campaign, 1689-1691

There has not been an account of the first attempt made in Scotland to restore the exiled Stuarts at the end of the seventeenth century for three decades; most accounts stop with the death of the movement’s first leader, ‘Bonnie Dundee’.

This book is the first full length account of the military struggle between forces loyal to the newly established Scottish government and the Jacobite cause. It does this by first considering the political and religious situation in Scotland, and to a lesser extent its southern neighbour, from the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660 to the revolution of 1688-1689, which was far more radical in Scotland than it was in England, and which produced a constituency with a grievance which a new restoration might solve. The book then turns to the initial campaigning by both armies, led by Dundee and for the government, General Hugh Mackay, a fellow Scot.

With marches and counter marches being inconclusive, the possession of Blair Castle focussed attentions and led to confrontation. But before examining the ensuing battle, the book turns to the officers and men of each army, exploring who they were, their tactics, arms, equipment and organisation. The most substantial chapter is a blow by blow account of the battle of Killiecrankie, beginning with the march to conflict on the day itself, discussions over whether to fight, deployment and initial exchanges of fire. Then the crux of the battle is described, the rush of the Highlanders, the musketry of their opponents, melee and the flight and pursuit. Some of Mackay’s army stood and repelled their enemy, but by the day’s end were obliged to retreat.

There is an examination of the numbers of men who fought and the casualties and other losses taken by both sides; including that of the Jacobite commander. A discussion of the battle’s aftermath and its importance then occurs. The conflict was far from over, for the Jacobite army reached its numerical high point after Dundee’s death. There was another battle to be fought that season, at Dunkeld, which was unusual for it was fought in a town. As with the previous battle, this chapter looks at the combatants involved as well as the fighting and its aftermath. The chapter also reviews the campaigning before and after the battle to take the reader until the end of the year. The penultimate chapter covers the final major military engagement of the conflict, at Cromdale, as well as numerous other lesser encounters, skirmishes and sieges, and other developments in the government’s strategy to bring peace to the Highlands.

Finally, there is a chapter covering the campaign’s end; which ended with a peace treaty and then the tragedy of Glencoe, and a commentary about the ending of hostilities and the careers of a number of prominent men who fought in the campaign. The book is largely based on primary sources, both published and manuscript from record offices and libraries in London and Edinburgh. These include letters, memoirs, poems, army listings and contemporary newspapers. Recourse has also been made to studies of the battlefield archaeology and the author having walked the battlefields, one with a local expert. There is also a brief description of the battlefields as they are today.

The Most Heavy Stroke: The Battle of Roundway Down 1643

The Most Heavy Stroke: The Battle of Roundway Down 1643

Sir William Waller called his defeat at the Battle of Roundway Down, the most heavy stroke that ever befell him. He also said it turned victory into mourning and glory into shame.

Indeed his loss in July 1643 was both dramatic and unexpected but what exactly happened has posed questions to historians for many generations. For years the same old solutions as to why Waller's combined-arms army was overcome by a cavalry force of less than half its numbers have been discussed, but with little variation.

They all appear to hail the experience of the vaunted Oxford Horse, the idea that the parliamentarian Horse began their fights stationary, the personal skills of Wilmot and Byron over those of Haselrig and Hungerford, and the cowardice of the parliamentarian Western Horse. These factors are probably correct in some measure, but this volume says there are two more, perhaps even greater reasons for the collapse of Waller's mounted troops.

The text describes how the tactics of the day put Waller's cavalry at a decided disadvantage and that Wilmot having understood the lessons of Edgehill was able to make full use of what he saw. The book also argues a case that perhaps the ostlers and grooms of Oxfordshire contributed more to the royalist victory than has hitherto been acknowledged.

The Most Heavy Stroke is full of new information and new ideas, and offers a new interpretation of what occurred and why. Not only how it happened, but where the fighting actually took place has also over the years brought several interpretations to the fore.

However, many previous writers seem to ignore several witnesses whose testimonies render their own basic deployment premise somewhat flawed. The Most Heavy Stroke combines what accounts say of movements and eye-witness terrain descriptions with knowledge of period practice in a deeper study of both battle and battlefield than has been hitherto undertaken, turning agreed previous positions of both armies on their head.

The Most Heavy Stroke combines new thinking on the battle with recent research on which units took part in the fighting, and what they wore and the flags they carried, even though it acknowledges the paucity of current information.

14 Nov 2018

The Final Set Of Lissa Ships Have Now Been Released from Pithead Miniatures

The final set of Lissa ships have now been released by Spithead, this has been a big project for us and I am pleased that it has come to fruition and grateful to all those who have supported the project. The Lissa series comprises of 8 sets of ships.  It  has  represented  a big investment for both ourselves and for our customers who have supported it.  I feel it has all been worthwhile as the opportunity of owning a full set of the ships for this fascinating battle will probably never happen again.

Austrian second division

This final set of ships represents the wooden warships of the Austrian second division commanded by Anton van Petz  who although out gunned and out armoured  he led his wooden warships in a line straight through the centre and rear Italian Ironclad divisions and although his flagship Kaiser was badly damaged  she survived the action to sail into Vis harbour for after battle repairs . The Kaiser was so well founded that she would later become an Austrian Ironclad carrying the same name.

Spithead plan to introduce some Prussian and Danish warships at a later date that can be used in conjunction with the  Austrian frigates contained  in this ship set .

If you would like more  information on these models or  a full list of Spithead products then contact us at vanilla55@sky.com

Pithead Miniatures

The Battle of Korsun-Cherkassy: The Encirclement and Breakout of Army Group South, 1944

The Battle of Korsun-Cherkassy: The Encirclement and Breakout of Army Group South, 1944

In 1943 the tide began to turn against Germany on the Eastern Front. Their summer offensive, Operation Citadel, was a failure and the Red Army seized the initiative, despite appallingly high losses. Waging a war of attrition, the Russians gradually pushed Germany’s Army Group South back. By October 1943 the Russians had reached the Dnepr in Ukraine, Kiev was liberated, and the scene was set for the events described in this book, written by a high-ranking General Nikolaus von Vormann, who commanded XLVII. Panzerkorps.

The battle of Cherkassy is also known as the Korsun Pocket, Korsun being the small town at the center of the area containing the surrounded German forces. After sudden attacks by the 1st and 2nd Ukrainian Fronts, in January 1944 the Russians achieved a major encirclement of six German divisions, a total of 60,000 soldiers. The Red Army had the numerical advantage, but two of the Panzer divisions were in good shape, and thus a dramatic battle ensued, with each side both attacking and defending.

Strenuous efforts to avoid another Stalingrad were made, with the Germans led by Erich von Manstein attempting to break into the pocket. Atrocious weather plus effective resistance repulsed their attacks and by mid-February it became clear that breaking out of the pocket was the only option for the Germans. Abandoning a huge amount of equipment and the wounded, they succeeded and rejoined the surrounding panzer divisions. The Germans avoided a catastrophe but 34% of the troops did not survive.

Generalleutnant von Vormann’s account starts with the retreat to the Dnepr in 1943, describes the battle of Kirowograd from 5th-17th January 1944, the encirclement, the efforts to relieve the trapped troops, the struggle of the troops within the pocket, and the breakout. His mainly factual account also contains a description of the psychological effects on the men of this most brutal and physically exhausting battle. It is one of the few primary source materials that exists and is therefore of significant historical interest.

13 Nov 2018

War Banner in partnership with Hysterical Games

War Banner in with Hysterical Games

War Banner are thrilled to announce that we have entered into a partnership with Hysterical Games.

War Banner’s Andy Hobday, whose credits include Test of Honour, Gangs of Rome and the forthcoming Mortal Gods, will now manage Hysterical Games. This will include the running of Hysterical Games’ portfolio of games and miniatures, with War Banner fulfilling all orders placed though Hysterical games’ website.

Hysterical Games, meanwhile, will continue to fulfil all resin production contracts and orders as placed by its existing customers and is actively seeking new clients.

We look forward to not only working with Hysterical Games but also helping Hysterical Games’ Steve Blease develop and enrich their existing collection of games such as Panzerfäuste, Futbowel and Spitfyre. In working closely with Hysterical Games, we are excited about the potential opportunities that will arise for both businesses.

War Banner Ltd
Hysterical Games

Wargames Illustrated 373, November 2018

Wargames Illustrated 373, November 2018

In the current issue of Wargames Illustrated magazine (WI373, November) a group of hardened campaigners discuss the relative merits of bringing their experience as re-enactors to the tabletop and vice versa.

OBSERVATION POST
A special look at what we ‘Spotted At’…the Colours show in Newbury, UK, plus a close up on what was in the cabinets at the last Warlord Open Day!

THEME: POLISH THUNDER
Colonel (Retd.) Bill Gray looks at the impact of the Husaria on the tabletop battlefield.

BLACK POWDER SECOND EDITION: A FANBOY’S EYE VIEW
Steve Wood, ardent fan of the Black Powder rules, takes a critical look at what’s new and worth noting in the new edition.

DIFFERENT SCALE, SAME PASSION
Some hardened campaigners discuss the relative merits of bringing their experience as re-enactors to the tabletop and vice versa.

THEME: THE POLISH LEGION 1795 – 1815
Military historian Vincent Rospond charts the rise of the Polish Legion during the period of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.

MODELLING: DISTRESSING YOUR MDF BUILDINGS
Following the success of his recent three part series on painting and modelling with MDF buildings, we asked Gary Faulkner to “give us more!” and he has obliged….

THEME: COMPANY PROFILE WARGAMER STUDIOS
The team behind the popular By Fire and Sword rules tell us about their plans and provide an insight into their company.

REIMAGINING THE CRUSADES – PART 4 – THE TROOP TYPES
The latest installment in author Steve Tibble’s quest to bring a more accurate Crusade to the world of wargaming.

THEME: THE POLISH LEGION 1914 – 1920
Vincent Rospond continues the story of the Polish Legion, focusing on their service during WWI and its aftermatch.

DESIGNER’S NOTES +: SONS OF MARS
A close look at the ideas behind the creation of this gladiatorial combat game, plus some exclusive new rules content.

THEME: 303 SQUADRON
In this article Dom Sore discusses the contribution made by this unit of Polish exiles in the defence of Britain and their efforts to hit back at Germany.

WARGAMES AT THE EDGE OF APOCALYPSE
Paul Leach takes us to the edge of Apocalypse and beyond.

THEME: THE POLES AT MONTE CASSINO
Dom Sore looks at the contribution made by Polish troops during the bloody assaults at Cassino during WWII.

PAINTING A IROQUOIS WARRIOR
Bob Murch of the marvellous Pulp Figures provides some guidelines for getting the best from these new figures that support the Flint and Feather ruleset.

DESIGNER’S NOTES: LAST DAYS
Ash Baker takes us through his motivations and the design ideas of his recently released Osprey zombie game.

MODEL SOLDIERS, MODERN OPERA & TRENCH WARFARE
Dicky Boyd discusses an educational project for children which used wargaming and operatic music to convey the realities of World War One.

WARGAMERS’ SPACES
David Bickley shows us his small but beautifully formed converted garage come wargames room.

Wargames Illustrated

A Muddy Trench: A Sniper's Bullet: Hamish Mann, Black Watch, Officer-Poet, 1896-1917

A Muddy Trench: A Sniper's Bullet: Hamish Mann, Black Watch, Officer-Poet, 1896-1917

The recent discovery of a wooden chest, unopened for 100 years revealed a treasure trove of eloquent trench diaries, letters and poetry.

The author was Hamish Mann, a young Black Watch subaltern killed in France in 1917 just five days after his 21st birthday. Thanks to Mann's outstanding literary gifts and prodigious output, this book re-lives his fateful journey from the declaration of war, his voluntary work at a military hospital, his training and commission and, finally, his service with 8th Black Watch on the Somme.

The daily hardship and trauma he experienced at the Front were shared with countless thousands of his comrades. But Hamish's extraordinary gift was his ability to record the traumatic events and the range of his emotions, writing often in his dug-out 'by the light of a guttering candle'.

A century on, thanks to the Family's discovery and Jacquie Buttriss's sensitive commentary, Hamish's tragically short life can be celebrated and his literary legacy given the recognition it so richly deserves.

Cardiff and the Valleys at War 1939-45

Cardiff and the Valleys at War 1939-45

When Britain declared war on Germany on 3 September 1939, Cardiff and its surroundings, like every other city, town, hamlet and village in the country, sent forth large numbers of young men to fight against the oppression of Hitler and the Nazis.

This is a story not only of the war itself, but of the way war affected those far away from the battlefields, and of how a nation stood together in the face of a seemingly unstoppable force. The book pays particular attention to the way Welsh society changed during the war years, far reaching changes that are still felt in the country today.

The book details the enormity of the human sacrifice paid by the people of Cardiff and its surrounding areas, but also contains many examples of the way ordinary people stood proud, defiant in their determination to bring about the downfall of the Nazis. Lavishly illustrated with over fifty original and modern-day photographs, this book is essential reading for anyone interest in military and social history.

The French Army on the Somme 1916: Rare Photographs from Wartime Archives

The French Army on the Somme 1916: Rare Photographs from Wartime Archives

So much has been written about the 1916 Battle of the Somme that it might appear that every aspect of the four-month struggle has been described and analysed in exhaustive detail.

Yet perhaps one aspect has not received the attention it deserves - the French sector in the south of the battlefield which is often overshadowed by events in the British sector further north. That is why Ian Sumner's photographic history of the French army on the Somme is so interesting and valuable. Using a selection of over 200 wartime photographs, many of which have not been published before, he follows the entire course of the battle from the French point of view.

The photographs show the build-up to the Somme offensive, the logistics involved, the key commanders, the soldiers as they prepared to go into action and the landscape over which the battle took place. Equally close coverage is given to the fighting during each phase of the offensive - the initial French advances, the mounting German resistance and the terrible casualties the French incurred.

The photographs are especially important in that they record the equipment and weapons that were used, the clothing the men wore and the conditions in which they fought, and they provide us with a visual insight into the realities of battle over a hundred years ago.

They also document some of the most famous sites on the battlefield before they were destroyed in the course of the fighting, including villages like Gommecourt, Pozieres, La Boiselle and Thiepval.