Military History

Books & Reviews


A Bridge Too Far
A Bridge Too Far

Cornelius Ryan

1974, Coronet Books, 0340199415


A Portrait of Military Aviation in South Africa
A Portrait of Military Aviation in South Africa

Ron Belling

1989, Struikhof Publishers, 094745814X

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Achtung-Panzer!
Achtung-Panzer!

Heinz Guderian

1992, Cassell & Co., 0304352853

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Boer Commando, 1876-1902
Boer Commando, 1876-1902

Ian Knight

2004, Osprey Publishing, 1841766488

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Boot & Saddle
Boot & Saddle

P.J. Young

1955, Maskew Miller Ltd.


Brave Men’s Blood: The Epic of the Zulu War, 1879
Brave Men’s Blood: The Epic of the Zulu War, 1879

Ian Knight

1990, Guild Publishing


Breakout: Drive to the Seine
Breakout: Drive to the Seine

David Mason

1968, Macdonald & Co., 0356029646


British and American Tanks of World War Two
British and American Tanks of World War Two

Peter Chamberlain & Chris Ellis

2000, Arms & Armour, 0304355291

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British Cavalry Equipments, 1800-1941
British Cavalry Equipments, 1800-1941

Mike Chappell

2002, Osprey Publishing, 184176471X

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Collins / Jane's World War II Tanks
Collins / Jane's World War II Tanks

Terry J. Gander

1999, HarperCollins Publishers, 0004722825

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De Boeren Oorlog in Beeld
De Boeren Oorlog in Beeld

Johannes Meintjes

1978, Fibula-Van Dishoeck, 9022838307

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Discovering British Military Badges and Buttons
Discovering British Military Badges and Buttons

R.J. Wilkinson-Latham

2006, Shire Books, 0747804842

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Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two
Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two

Peter Chamberlain & Hilary Doyle

1999, Arms & Armour, 1854095188

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Fight us in the open: The Anglo-Zulu War through Zulu eyes
Fight us in the open: The Anglo-Zulu War through Zulu eyes

J. Laband

1985, Shuter & Shooter, 0869858297

A short text on the war... more of an overview. As seems to be the norm, the author resorts to quoting verbatim from other sources in trying to paint the picture of those involved. The photographical maps of the various battles are nice, but otherwise nothing new is presented.


Fighting Ships
Fighting Ships

Hugh Lyon

1981, Kingfisher, 0862720060


Hitler's War on Russia
Hitler's War on Russia

Paul Carell

1967, Corgi Books


Like the Wind: The Story of the South African Army
Like the Wind: The Story of the South African Army

Siegfried Stander

1985, Saayman & Weber, 0797100199


Mercenary
Mercenary

Mike Hoare

1967, Corgi Books, 0552079359


Military Small Arms of the 20<sup>th</sup> Century
Military Small Arms of the 20th Century

Ian V. Hogg & John Weeks

1985, Arms & Armour, 0853687080

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Ons Vloot: Die Eerste Vyftig Jaar
Ons Vloot: Die Eerste Vyftig Jaar

Komm. J.C. Goosen

1973, W.J. Flesch & Vennote, 0949989045


Orders and Decorations
Orders and Decorations

Alec A. Purves

1972, Hamlyn, 0600367088


Out Sweeps!
Out Sweeps!

Paul Lund & Harry ludlam

1979, New English Library, 0450044688

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Panzer Battles
Panzer Battles

Maj.-Gen. F.W. von Mellenthin

1971, Ballantine Books, 0345321588

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Patton
Patton

Charles Whiting

1970, Pan Books, 0345097750


Patton: Ordeal and Triumph
Patton: Ordeal and Triumph

Ladislas Farago

1969, Mayflower Books


Perde van die Anglo-Boereoorlog
Perde van die Anglo-Boereoorlog

F.J. van der Merwe

2000, 0620258896


Screaming Eagles: In Action the the 101<sup>st</sup> Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Screaming Eagles: In Action the the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)

Patrick H.F. Allen

1990, Hamlyn, 0600568091

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South Africa’s Fighting Ships: Past and Present
South Africa’s Fighting Ships: Past and Present

Allan du Toit

1992, Ashanti Publishing, 1874800502

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South African Defence / Suid-Afrikaanse Verdediging
South African Defence / Suid-Afrikaanse Verdediging


South African War Machine
South African War Machine

Helmoed-Römer Heitman

1985, Central News Agency Ltd., 0620074426


Tanks and other Armoured Fighting Vehicles of World War II
Tanks and other Armoured Fighting Vehicles of World War II

B.T. White

1983, Blandford Press, 0907408354

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The Fourth Service: Merchantmen at War, 1939-45
The Fourth Service: Merchantmen at War, 1939-45

John Slader

1995, New Guild Books, 1899694455

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The German Infantry Handbook, 1939-1945
The German Infantry Handbook, 1939-1945

Alex Buchner

1991, Schiffer Publishing, 0887402844

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The Great Escape
The Great Escape

Paul Brickhill

1995, The Sheridan Book Co., 1855016990


The Long March on Rome
The Long March on Rome

Charles Whiting

1987, Guild Publishing, 0712614397

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The Longest Day
The Longest Day

Cornelius Ryan

1994, Touchstone, 0671890913

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The Royal Navy in South Africa, 1900-2000
The Royal Navy in South Africa, 1900-2000

Bill Rice

2001, Maritime Books, 0907771823

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The Struggle for Europe
The Struggle for Europe

Chester Wilmot

1952, Fontana Books


They Fought for King and Kaiser
They Fought for King and Kaiser

James Ambrose Brown

1991, Ashanti Publishing, 1874800324

The author sets out to discuss the East African theatre during World War 1, specifically the involvement of South African troops, by interweaving the viewpoint of the individual soldiers with the strategies and tactics of the various campaigns. I have only read up to chapter five and skimmed through the rest of the book...

In order to present the viewpoint of the soldiers, the author resorts to quoting from their respective diaries, correspondence and biographies, which more than often results in a disjointed storyline. Furthermore, the book is lacking in any real discussion of the tactics of individual battles. Most are simply related as having happened and then followed by quotes from those involved.

The book starts with a lengthy (and unnecessary) description of the German colonisation of East Africa, through the use of unrelated (and irrelevant) anecdotes; and then a glossing over of '14-'16 in a mad rush to introduce Jan Smuts to the scene. The fatal battle of Salaita Hill is a blur of quotes and personal attitudes. No indepth analysis or discussion.

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War Along the Orange
War Along the Orange

Teresa Strauss

1979, Centre for African Studies, 079920286X

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Zulu Dawn
Zulu Dawn

Cy Enfield

1979, Arrow Books, 0099194309

(Historical Fiction) The novel is set at the start of the Anglo-Zulu War and culminates with the Battle of Isandhlwana, as we follow William Vereker. Recommended for all familiar with the war, even if some liberties are taken with characters.

The appendix provides detailed instructions on the Zulu game of Umlabalaba.


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