Currently Reading

Leman (Andy) · August 12, 2018, 05:53:06 PM

Seem to be a lot of books there on how to repress native African peoples.

Mike Tanner · August 12, 2018, 06:08:26 PM

Quote from: Leman on August 12, 2018, 05:53:06 PM
Seem to be a lot of books there on how to repress native African peoples.

Please explain yourself.

Leslie BT · August 14, 2018, 03:44:55 PM

Six armies in Normandy by John Keegan and The Admirals' Game by Davis Donachie.

Mike Tanner · August 26, 2018, 12:12:00 AM

Last year I watched a television documentary about the siege of Musa Qala in 2006. The documentary makers praised the soldiers involved but didn't seem very impressed with the MOD (hardly surprising given their track record). When I learned of this book I bought it immediately to learn more of what had really happened.

No Way Out is informative and confirms the documentary makers dim view of how the Afghan war was conducted in 2006. Major Jowett's reward for successfully defending Musa Qala was to be told several years later he was being made redundant under the Strategic Defence and Security Revue.

"...not a single one of the men I had written up for awards received official recognition for their heroism.

Not one."

Mike Tanner · August 26, 2018, 12:23:46 AM

I finished this book last week. It covers the fortunes of the 3 Para battle group in Afghan 2006 when the s**t really began hitting the fan. I have to admit I gagged a little at the beginning of the book as Mr. Bishop went over the top in his grovelling praise of paratroopers. [In truth I nearly stopped reading the book because of it.]

Thankfully Bishop sticks to the facts once the Paras get to Afghan and we get are given a good idea of what they were up against. Don't expect detailed reports of what was happening at specific locations. For that you will need to read books like No Way Out.

Thumbs up.

I am currently reading Ground Truth. 3 Para are returning to Afghanistan with 16 Air Assault Brigade in 2008.

Thumbs up.

Leman (Andy) · August 26, 2018, 08:51:11 AM

Lobositz to Leuthen - the experiences of Horace St. Paul on campaign with the Austrian army in the SYW. One of an extremely beautifully prepared pair of volumes (the other covers Olmutz to Torgau) at a knock down price from the Naval and Military Press. It has been translated into modern English idiom with additional material by the translator. Each book has over 200 plates of maps, battlefield sketches and tables. Very detailed with additional comments (usually at the bottom of the page) by the battlefield commanders. Exceptional bargain at £25 for the pair.

Mike Tanner · September 17, 2018, 02:49:29 PM

This book seems very promising. It is based on the activities of a Special Branch operative taken from the war diary of the Beitbridge TAOR during the Rhodesian Bush War.

Sean Clark · September 20, 2018, 10:01:51 PM

Just picked up Max Hastings new book on Vietnam from Tesco.

Unfortunately on walking through the door Lisa swiped it and told me I can have it for Christmas 🤣

Oh well..got plenty of books in the reading pile anyway !

Sean Clark · September 20, 2018, 10:12:51 PM

....so I've just bought it on Audible. She'll never find out 😍

Colonel Kilgore · September 20, 2018, 11:01:44 PM

I'm still chugging through Mr Hastings' "The Secret War: Spies, Codes and Guerrillas 1939-1945". It is a long read...

So far, there's been a lot about codes and code-breaking and maybe even more about a group of largely ineffectual spies. Apparently normal diplomatic channels provided more effective and reliable information than spies (much of whose information - particularly in the case of the Russians - was either not believed or never processed at all) and the Germans, while having very effective counter-espionage and -insurgency capabilities, failed to have a single successful spy in Britain during the war: they all got rounded up in very short order.

So far, there's very little at all on Guerrillas, which was the part I was most interested in from a gaming perspective.

Mike Tanner · September 23, 2018, 04:03:57 PM

In my role as the Devil's advocate I would suggest the "Guerrillas" Hastings talks of would better be described as terrorists.

France declared war on Germany and was eventually forced to surrender, after that time all hostilities should have stopped. I suggest Britain was the main instigator of illegal terrorist acts carried out against the French and German people in France prior to June 6th 1944.

I for one do not believe the rules of war should be ignored by belligerents merely for convenience.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjERRm5_z80

Sean Clark · September 23, 2018, 04:12:48 PM

Crikey! Talk about lighting the touch paper. Hang on a minute whilst I grab my popcorn and sugary drink. This should be good...😁

Sean Clark · September 23, 2018, 04:14:29 PM

One man's freedom fighter is another man's terrorist ....Discuss.

Mike Tanner · September 23, 2018, 04:43:00 PM

The fact that YouTube is now censoring a video covering a major historical event because some may find it offensive is very, very scary.

History censored:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjERRm5_z80

Leman (Andy) · September 23, 2018, 07:35:16 PM

Well they were quite happy to make a feature film about an Irish terrorist/freedom fighter not too long back. Oh yes - Hereward the Wake - Terrorist! May he rot in hell for taking up arms against the Norman invaders.
Napoleon Bonaparte - terrorist. The war was over in 1814. How dare he ignore the rules of war.