The Chaco War was massive territorial war between Bolivia and Paraguay, which cost almost a 100,000 lives.An old fashioned territorial dispute, the contested area was the Gran Chaco Boreal, a 100,000-square mile region of swamp, jungle and pampas with isolated fortified towns. The wilderness terrain made operations difficult and costly as the war see-sawed between the two sides.Bolivian troops, under the command of a German general, Hans von Kundt, had earl...

This book traces the evolution of the German Army uniform from 1870 to the present day, using nearly 800 photographs to offer the reader an unparalleled analysis. Each image is accompanied by a detailed caption, explaining interesting aspects of the soldiers uniform, insignia and equipment.It begins with the German Empire at its height, with the iconic spiked Pickelhaube and the colonial troops in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and moves on to the field-grey uniforms of the First World War....

This book details the uniforms and weapons of the American, Spanish, Cuban and Filipino forces involved in the United States Army's first overseas war.In 1898 the USA took the decision to intervene in the Cuban war of independence against Spain, and to expel the last vestige of European colonial rule from the Americas. This also led to the US acquiring rule over the Philippine Islands; and there, US troops were sent into the jungle to fight a “colonial” war of thei...

This book examines the brief but colorful history of the 1st US Volunteer Cavalry, and details the rich experiences of the men who fought in its ranks. Founded in May 1898 after the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, the unit was composed of volunteers from all walks of American life. Posted to Cuba, it fought in the battles of Las Guasimas, Kettle Hill and San Juan Hill. At this time, Theodore Roosevelt assumed command, and the unit became known as 'Roosevelt's Rough Riders'. Eventuall...

Germany's 30–year colonial episode in Africa, the Pacific, and her enclave in China is a relatively unexplored aspect of the country's history.Under the young Kaiser Wilhelm II, rivalry with the old colonial powers saw the protectorates, originally established by trading companies, transformed into crown colonies garrisoned by the newly raised Schutztruppe, with support from the Imperial Navy's Seebataillone. This book explains the organization and the operations i...

Nazi Germany's MP 38 and MP 40 submachine guns are among World War II's most recognizable weapons. Portable and with folding stocks, both were widely issued to airborne troops and became the hallmark of Germany's infantry section and platoon leaders. A million were produced during the conflict – and many found their ways into the hands of paramilitary and irregular forces from Israel to Vietnam after the war. Featuring specially commissioned full-color artwork and period and close-up photo...

This book details the uniforms and weapons of the American, Spanish, Cuban and Filipino forces involved in the United States Army's first overseas war.In 1898 the USA took the decision to intervene in the Cuban war of independence against Spain, and to expel the last vestige of European colonial rule from the Americas. This also led to the US acquiring rule over the Philippine Islands; and there, US troops were sent into the jungle to fight a “colonial” war of thei...

The Spanish Civil War was the curtainraiser to World War II and involved a complex collection of forces, particularly on the Republican side.This title illustrates how diverse the Republican forces were, drawn from loyal elements of the Spanish army that rejected the appeal of the rebel generals, a wide range of volunteer regional units and political militias, and supported by volunteers from many other countries, including Great Britain, France and Germany, in uni...

The Spanish Civil War, 1936–39, was the curtain-raiser to World War II, and the major international event of the 1930s.It was the first great clash of 20th-century ideologies, between the rebel Nationalist army led by General Franco (right-wing, and aided by Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy), and the Republican army of the government (left-wing, and aided by the Communist Soviet Union and many volunteers from liberal democracies). Three years of widespread campaigns ...

A look at military fortifications over the centuries, with photos included.The state of Georgia has a long tradition of building stalwart military fortifications—going all the way back to the early sixteenth century, when it was part of a much larger region of the Southeast claimed by Spain and known as La Florida.After the failure of Lucas Vasquez de Ayllon's settlement in 1526 on the coast of Georgia, French Huguenots established a small fort at Port Roya...

Nazi Germany's MP 38 and MP 40 submachine guns are among World War II's most recognizable weapons.Portable and with folding stocks, both were widely issued to airborne troops and became the hallmark of Germany's infantry section and platoon leaders. A million were produced during the conflict – and many found their ways into the hands of paramilitary and irregular forces from Israel to Vietnam after the war.Featuring specially commissioned full-color artwor...

Alex de Quesada reveals the full history of the US Coast Guard throughout World War II in this Elite title.In particular, the book draws attention to the little-known story of how the US Coast Guard ran a number of the landing craft throughout D-Day in 1944 as well as providing crucial anti-U-boat patrols throughout the war years. A number of Coast Guard servicemen were lost in these two campaigns, and their undeniable contribution to the US war effort deserves gre...