Military Books

Battleship USS Wisconsin (BB-64): From World War II to Museum Ship https://amzn.to/3SBROWB Warships Books https://tinyurl.com/warships-books Carrying the highest hull number ever assigned to a commissioned US battleship, the Wisconsin was the last of the four Iowa-class battleships—along with the Iowa, New Jersey, and Missouri. The Wisconsin fought through the final year of WWII, saw extensive service during the Korean War, and then was recalled to arms to liberate Kuwait during the Gulf War in 1991. During the latter war, Wisconsin not only loosed its massive 16-inch cannons but launched Tomahawk cruise missiles deep into enemy territory. Finally released from Navy service, the battleship today is a floating museum moored near downtown Norfolk, Virginia. This book, through more than 250 photos, documents the battleship from design and construction, through combat during each of its wars, to its preservation today.

General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon Manual https://amzn.to/3ZdXk3M Military Aircraft Books https://tinyurl.com/military-aircraft-books Officially called the Fighting Falcon by the USAF (a name loathed by pilots and ground crews), the F-16 is popularly referred to as the "Viper". First introduced into service with the USAF in 1978, the F-16 is a successful all-weather multi-role jet fighter of which more than 4,500 have been built and exported to 25 countries worldwide. It remains in service more than 30 years later. The Viper incorporates a number of innovative design features that include a frameless bubble canopy for better visibility, pilot's side-mounted control stick for ease of control when manoeuvring, a seat reclined 30 degrees to reduce the effect of g-forces on the pilot, and the first use of a relaxed static stability/fly-by-wire flight control system that makes the Viper a highly agile aircraft. At the 'business end' the F-16 has an internal M61 Vulcan cannon and eleven weapon-mounting stations.

PT Boats: The US Navy’s Fast Attack Patrol Torpedo Boats in World War II https://amzn.to/3kosO8w Warships Books https://tinyurl.com/warships-books Patrol Torpedo—or PT boats—captured the public's imagination during WWII due to the daring exploits of their crews. Built not of plywood, as many believe, but rather of mahogany planks, and powered by a trio of Packard marine engines, these vessels operated in every theater, often facing opponents many times their size. The use of PT boats to evacuate General Douglas MacArthur and his family from the Philippines, a story dramatized in the movie They Were Expendable, put the PT boats and their crews in the public forefront, as did John F. Kennedy’s loss of PT-109 and the subsequent rescue of him and his crew. This book looks at all the PT boat configurations used by the US Navy during WWII through rare archival photos, augmented by images of the few remaining vessels of the type. Part of the Legends of Warfare series.

Walther P.38: Germany's 9 mm Semiautomatic Pistol in World War II https://amzn.to/3Z17sNS Guns and Rifles Books https://tinyurl.com/guns-and-rifles-books Adopted by the German Wehrmacht at the end of 1939, more than 1.2 million P.38s were manufactured up to 1945. Designed by the Walther company from its civilian model PP, it was the first double-action military pistol. Its robustness and simplicity of manufacture made it a worthy successor to the legendary P.08 Luger in the Second World War. This illustrated book presents the design, manufacturing, and development of the various models, from initial acceptance by the German military in 1938 through their production and use from 1939 to 1945. Includes close-up views of markings and other details, as well as a visual breakdown of the weapon. Accessories such as magazines, ammunition, holsters, and cleaning kits are featured throughout the book, as are rarely seen combat-related uniform and equipment items.

F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler: The US Navy’s Primary Fighter/Attack Aircraft https://amzn.to/3KwCsRs Military Aircraft Books https://tinyurl.com/military-aircraft-books The Boeing F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet is an evolutionary redesign of the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 A/B Hornet. The Legacy F/A-18 Hornet first flew in 1980 and met the requirement for a multirole fighter to complement the larger and more expensive Grumman F-14 Tomcat, serving in fleet defense interceptor and air superiority roles. The Hornet proved to be effective, but it was limited in combat radius due to fuel capacity. This would be corrected with the newer and larger F/A-18 Super Hornet design, which is now the primary fighter/attack aircraft used in the US Navy carrier fleet and has replaced both the legacy Hornet and the F-14 Tomcat. Additionally, the Super Hornet airframe design was used for the design of the EA-18G Growler, which took over the electronic countermeasures (ECM) role of the EA-6B Prowler.

T-34 Tank Manual: 1940 to date https://amzn.to/3xl1YRS Tanks and Armored Vehicles Books https://tinyurl.com/tanks-and-armored-vehicles The Soviet T-34 was one of the finest tanks of the Second World War and the mainstay of Soviet armoured units throughout the war. Most nations underestimated the scale and quality of Soviet tank production before the Second World War and the Germans were no exception. They were certainly not prepared for the T-34, which they encountered during Operation Barbarossa (the German invasion of Russia) in 1941. Its combination of firepower, mobility, protection, and ruggedness led German Panzer General Paul von Kleist at the time to call it "The finest tank in the world." Another legendary Panzer tactician and general, Heinz Guderian, also confirmed the T-34's "vast superiority" over existing German armour of the period.

USS Kidd (DD-661): From WWII and Korea to Museum Ship https://amzn.to/3YPDr3e Warships Books https://tinyurl.com/warships-books USS Kidd (DD-661) is the only Fletcher-class destroyer preserved in WWII configuration. With 175 total ships launched, the Fletchers were the most numerous and most impactful class of destroyers in the US Navy during the Second World War. DD-661 was named for RAdm. Isaac C. Kidd, who was killed onboard the Battleship Arizona at Pearl Harbor. USS Kidd saw action in both the Atlantic and in the Pacific. In April 1945, the ship was seriously damaged by a Kamikaze strike. Kidd was recommissioned during the Korean War, and finally decommissioned for the final time in 1964. The interior and exterior of the ship have been painstakingly restored and preserved in Baton Rouge by the Louisiana Naval War Memorial Commission. This work uses color photography to provide readers an illustrated tour of the ship, above and below deck.

The Sten: The Legendary World War II British Submachine Gun https://amzn.to/3jYxOAH Guns and Rifles Books https://tinyurl.com/guns-and-rifles-books The legendary British, World War II STEN submachine gun is featured in this concise, illustrated book. Famous for its use by British elite forces, as well as the French underground during WWII, variants of the STEN were manufactured and used by many countries during the war and up through the 1970s. Beginning with its initial design and construction, the Mk.I and Mk.I*, Mk.II, Mk.III, and Mk.5 versions are presented in detail, including up-close images of manufacturer's markings. Superb war-era photographs show the various STEN models in combat use. Select foreign variants also discussed include French, Polish, and German types. STEN accessories such as magazines, ammunition, silencers, and bayonets are featured throughout the book, as well as rarely seen WWII-related uniform and equipment items.

Tiger Tank https://amzn.to/3K3nTV4 Tanks and Armored Vehicles Books https://tinyurl.com/tanks-and-armored-vehicles The German Tiger I was the most feared battle tank of the Second World War. Its invincibility lay in its main 8.8cm gun and heavy defensive armour. Tiger Tank gives a rare insight into acquiring, owning and operating one of these awesome fighting machines, using the UK’s Tank Museum’s Tiger 131 – the only Tiger I in the world that has been restored to full running order. In addition to offering unique insights into maintenance and driving the Tiger, the book includes vivid personal recollections from wartime German tank crewmen and reveals what it was like to operate this 57-ton giant in combat. It was written by a team of experts from the Tank Museum who were closely involved with the strip-down and rebuild of the Tiger I. David Fletcher is a historian, a prolific author and a world expert on tanks. David Willey is a curator, and Mike Hayton is workshop manager. Other members of the writing team include volunteers Darren Hayton and Steven Vase, Mike Gibb of the SdKfz Military Vehicle Foundation and David Schofield, a specialist in forensic science.

M18 Hellcat: 76 mm Gun Motor Carriage in World War II https://amzn.to/3Yppg4S Tanks and Armored Vehicles Books https://tinyurl.com/tanks-and-armored-vehicles The M18 Hellcat was developed in an era when the United States fought tanks not with other tanks, but with specialized tank destroyers. With a powerful aircraft-style radial engine pushing it at up to 50 miles per hour, and mounting a potent 76 mm cannon, the Buick-built M18 Hellcat, or “Hell-Cat” as Buick's publicists named it, provided US troops with a powerful shoot-and-scoot answer to heavily armored German tanks. Further experiments were conducted to increase its armament or adapt it to other uses, such as the M39 armored utility vehicle. Through dozens of archival images, many never before published, as well as detailed photographs of some of the finest existent examples of these vehicles, this iconic tank hunter is explored, and its history is explained. Part of the Legends of Warfare series.

C-141 Starlifter: Lockheed's Cold War Strategic Airlifter https://amzn.to/3YujaA7 Military Aircraft Books https://tinyurl.com/military-aircraft-books The Lockheed C-141 Starlifter was a new-build design by Lockheed and proved adaptable to many roles, from carrying outsized cargo to dropping paratroops. The C-141 was used in difficult environmental conditions, such as the heat and extreme humidity of Vietnam, the deserts of the Middle East, and the frozen ice pack of Antarctica. Modification programs enabled the C-141 to make full use of its capabilities, by adding in-flight refueling plus extending the length of the fuselage. The plane was a valued and appreciated USAF asset in numerous missions, from disaster aid and humanitarian relief to doing their part in Operation Desert Shield/Storm, and in the war on terror. The aircraft were eventually retired en masse in 2006 simply as a result of wear and tear. This book covers in detail all aspects such as interior/exterior configurations, cargo capabilities, missions, and modifications made throughout its service life.

German Heavy Armored Cars: Sd.Kfz. 231, 232, 233, 263, and 234 in World War II https://amzn.to/40JBK95 Tanks and Armored Vehicles Books https://tinyurl.com/tanks-and-armored-vehicles During WWII, Germany fielded a variety of six- and eight-wheeled armored cars, which were used in numerous ways, including reconnaissance, antitank, infantry support, and other roles. The earliest of these vehicles, the 6-Rad, or six-wheeled vehicles, were based on 6 × 4 truck chassis. Once the limitations of this design became evident, later models utilized specially designed all-wheel-drive power trains, with the final model, the 234 series, incorporating a unibody design. Similarly, armament evolved from 7.92 mm machine gun to 75 mm PaK 40 cannon and 7. 5 cm StuK40 howitzers. Based on the author’s earlier work, through over 250 photographs this volume explores 12 major types of these vehicles and delves into the subtle changes made during production.

USS Intrepid Aircraft Carrier (CV-11/CVA-11/CVS-11): From World War II, Korea, and Vietnam to Museum Ship https://amzn.to/3RTko5l Warships Books https://tinyurl.com/warships-books USS Intrepid, the "Fighting I," was one of America's longest-serving aircraft carriers. Launched during WWII, Intrepid and her crews weathered kamikazes, torpedoes, and typhoons throughout three years of heavy combat. Decommissioned after WWII, Intrepid was recommissioned in 1955 and designated as an attack carrier (CVA), and in 1961 as an antisubmarine warfare carrier (CVS). In the early 1960s, Intrepid served to retrieve some of the nation's first astronauts during the pioneering Mercury and Gemini spaceflights. In 1966, Intrepid made the first of three deployments to the Tonkin Gulf for combat operations with Carrier Air Wing 10 during the Vietnam War. Intrepid cruised throughout the North Atlantic and Mediterranean in the early 1970s while patrolling for Soviet submarines in antisubmarine operations during the Cold War. With her days at sea over, Intrepid first hosted the Navy exhibits during the US bicentennial celebrations in 1976, before finding a new home as the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum on the Hudson River waterfront in New York City.

K5 Rail Gun: Krupp's WWII Behemoth https://amzn.to/3RZw9rj Guns and Rifles Books https://tinyurl.com/guns-and-rifles-books Anzio Annie, Anzio Express, "Leopold"; known by many names, the German 8 cm Kanone 5 Eisenbahngeschütz (railway gun), commonly abbreviated K5(E), was the most successful and widely used of Germany's railway gun designs. Twenty-four of the weapons, capable of shelling England from positions in France, were built and were used by Germany on most of their fronts, including France, Italy, Russia, and Holland. The operation and use of these these fearsome weapons are presented through 80 period black-and-white photos. The vintage photos are supplemented by over 150 full-color photos of the only surviving examples, illustrating the nuances of the construction of these massive weapons.

McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle Manual https://amzn.to/3x8ejbU Military Aircraft Books https://tinyurl.com/military-aircraft-books The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is a twin-engine, highly maneuverable, all-weather tactical jet fighter, designed to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. It is considered among the most successful of modern jet fighters with 104 aerial combat victories to its credit, with no losses (combined figure across all user-air forces). The F-15 Eagle first flew in July 1972 and entered service with the USAF in 1976. It is expected to remain in service with the USAF until 2025.

Liberty Ships: America’s Merchant Marine Transport in World War II https://amzn.to/3YC8P4Y Warships Books https://tinyurl.com/warships-books Although not a weapon in the traditional sense of the word, arguably no item in the Allied arsenal contributed as much to the defeat of the Axis during WWII as did the Liberty ships. The 2,710 Liberty ships placed into service between 1941 and 1945 provided a vital link in the supply chain not only of US but also Allied forces during WWII. Although the basic design itself was obsolete even before the first one slid down the builder’s ways, it had the advantage of being relatively easy to produce, and simple to operate and maintain. Thus, the vessels were mass-produced by no fewer than eighteen shipyards. Building time, initially 244 days, dropped to forty-two days per ship, although as a publicity stunt the Robert E. Peary was launched four days and fifteen and a half hours after the keel was laid.

M50/M50A1 Ontos: Self-Propelled Multiple 106 mm Recoilless Rifle https://amzn.to/3YzB8B2 Tanks and Armored Vehicles Books https://tinyurl.com/tanks-and-armored-vehicles Designed to counter the threat of a massed Soviet armored assault, the M50 Ontos showed its merit in the jungles and streets of Vietnam. Ontos grew out of Project Vista, the secret study of possible improvements to NATO defenses. Project Vista identified the need for an inexpensive, heavily armed “something” to thwart waves of Soviet armor. Armed with six powerful recoilless rifles, the diminutive M50 was given the name “Ontos,” an Army mistranslation of Greek for “the Thing.” Initially, the Army felt that the Allis-Chalmers T165E1 (later standardized as the M50) was the thing to fill the recommendation of Project Vista. Ultimately, and after some controversy, the Army lost interest in the vehicle, but the United States Marine Corps believed in the vehicle, and in 1955 the M50 entered production. While the Corps first used the Ontos in Santo Domingo in 1965, it would rise to fame in Vietnam, where the M50, as well as the modernized M50A1, saw considerable use as antipersonnel weapons and in perimeter defense. On the streets of Hue, Marines made considerable use of the Ontos, blasting open walls and using antipersonnel rounds to create faux smoke screens. Over 270 photos, many in color, chronicle the development, production, combat use, and details of this famed vehicle and the men who used them.

Grumman F-14 Tomcat Manual https://amzn.to/3jMoLTo Military Aircraft Books https://tinyurl.com/military-aircraft-books Probably best-known for its starring role in the Hollywood blockbuster Top Gun, the US Navy's Grumman F-14 Tomcat is a supersonic, variable geometry, two-seat, carrier-based, air superiority fighter. The Tomcat was developed for the US Navy's Naval Fighter Experimental (VFX) program following the collapse of the F-111B project. This workshop manual covers operating and maintaining this aircraft, and is filled with first-person insights into flying the Tomcat.

C-130 Hercules: Lockheed's Military Air Transport and Its Variants https://amzn.to/3YrCLk1 Military Aircraft Books https://tinyurl.com/military-aircraft-books The Lockheed C-130 Hercules has been in continuous production for over six decades, longer than any other military aircraft in the world, and no end of production is yet in sight. The Hercules has been a part of US combat operations since Vietnam, and the airframe, which began life as a simple transport, has been adapted to a variety of roles, including gunship, electronic warfare, refueling, and rescue. This book chronicles the development and use of the Hercules from concept to combat. Through dozens of archival photos, many never before published, as well as detailed photographs of some of the finest existent examples, these iconic aircraft are explored, and their history explained.

1. Great Battles for Boys: WW2 Pacific https://amzn.to/3YkUDNw 2. Great Battles for Boys: WW2 Europe https://amzn.to/3X4SR1P 3. Great Battles for Boys The American Revolution https://amzn.to/3I2SQav 4. Great Battles for Boys: World War I https://amzn.to/3x1uLur 5. Great Battles for Boys: Civil War https://amzn.to/3XbyrED 6. Great Battles for Boys: Bunker Hill to WWI https://amzn.to/3wYlnaS 7. Great Battles for Boys: Ancients to Middle Ages https://amzn.to/3x36dkC 8. Great Battles for Boys: The Korean War https://amzn.to/3wZnH1d 9. Great Battles for Boys: The Vietnam War https://amzn.to/3oAiZ9E

US Half-Tracks: In World War II https://amzn.to/3DPsxCa Tanks and Armored Vehicles Books https://tinyurl.com/tanks-and-armored-vehicles Based on an adaptation of the White Scout Car, the US half-track vehicles of WWII combined the cross-country ability of a fully tracked vehicle with the road performance of a medium truck. A myriad of variations of these vehicles were produced, including prime movers, armored personnel carriers, mortar carriers, and a wide range of heavily armed variants. Antiaircraft versions were often used against ground targets with devastating results. In fact, despite half-track production ending in March 1944, demand for half-track vehicles mounting quadruple .50-caliber machine guns was so great during the Korean War that additional examples were produced through the wholesale modification of personnel carriers. Although phased out of service by the US military in the late 1950s, the Israeli forces continued to use these remarkable vehicles through the 1980s. This volume includes coverage of the vehicles produced by Autocar, Diamond T, and White for use by US forces, as well as the similar International Harvester–built vehicles supplied to our allies through Lend-Lease. Illustrated with over 200 vintage photos, as well as line drawings and color profiles.

The Huey Helicopter in Vietnam: Bell’s UH-1 at War https://amzn.to/3X8gOFJ Military Aircraft Books https://tinyurl.com/military-aircraft-books Few implements of war are as representative of the US presence in Vietnam as the Bell Huey UH-1-series helicopters. Whether serving in the role of troop transport for airborne assault, supply transports, aerial gunships, or medical evacuation, the Huey was seemingly everywhere. The versatile aircraft, officially the "Iroquois," was affectionately known to all as the "Huey," a name derived from its early model designation of HU-1A. The Huey, later redesignated UH-1, was a mainstay during America's presence in Vietnam, and 11 Huey crewmen earned the Medal of Honor. Through carefully researched archival documents and photographs, the history of this iconic helicopter, and the men who flew it, is told in this illustrated volume.

The M1 Carbine: Variants, Markings, Ammunition, Accessories https://amzn.to/3JFaiDh Guns and Rifles Books https://tinyurl.com/guns-and-rifles-books The M1 carbine is a .30-caliber, semiautomatic rifle that first appeared in 1942 as a standard firearm for the US military during World War II. It was later used by US forces in the Korean and Vietnam Wars and continues to see worldwide use to this day. Produced in several variants by many manufacturers, it was and is still widely used not only by military forces, but by paramilitary and police units worldwide. Its design, construction, and variants—including the M1A1, M2, and M3—are shown in superb period photography and clear, up-close color images. Accessories such as magazines, ammunition, belts, pouches, and cleaning kits are featured throughout the book, as well as rarely seen World War II-related uniform and equipment items.

A-6 Intruder: Grumman’s All-Weather Interdictor from Vietnam to the Gulf War https://amzn.to/3JJ7pRR Military Aircraft Books https://tinyurl.com/military-aircraft-books The Grumman A-6 Intruder was the US Navy and Marine Corps' primary carrier-based, all-weather attack aircraft from 1963 to 1997. Famous for its combat missions in Vietnam and the 1991–92 Gulf War—as well as the novel and movie Flight of the Intruder—the A-6 was capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear weapons. This book covers the A-6 from concept, design, and construction in the late 1950s, through its fleet service beginning in 1963, up to its retirement and display status in museums around the country. Every A-6 USN and USMC squadron is covered through superb photography, including aircraft markings and unit insignias.

Mauser Rifles, Vol. 2: 1918–1945: G.98, K.98b, “Standard-Modell,” K.98k, Sniper, Markings, Ammunition, Accessories https://amzn.to/3leAlqv Guns and Rifles Books https://tinyurl.com/guns-and-rifles-books The second of two volumes on Mauser rifles, this full-color, illustrated book presents the design, manufacturing, development, and combat use of the various models from 1918 through World War II. Post-WWI manufacturers defined the characteristics of a future German regulation rifle derived from the WWI-era Gewehr 98. After the Nazi accession of the German government, the improved version of the Gewehr 98 was adopted in 1934 under the designation "K98k." This book presents the various models of this famous rifle, as well as the changes made to its manufacture during the Second World War. Details include close-up views of markings, as well as a serial numbers list, and a visual breakdown of the weapons. Accessories such as ammunition, ammo pouches, bayonets, magazines, scopes, and cleaning kits are featured throughout the book, as are rarely seen combat-related uniform and equipment items.