Britain and Her Army by Correlli Barnett. t5. (Reviewed by D. Featherstone in Wargamer's Newsletter, October 1970). This is a big book of some 500 pages. Covering the army from the reign of Henry VIII to the present day. His theme is the British belief in the Militia or the amateur, the refusal to serve in or trust a regular army from the days of Cromwell's Major Generals until the late 19th century: consequently for every major war Britain has had to construct an army more or less from scratch - and has run it down as soon as the need is over. It points the refusal of politicians from Elizabeth I to Harold dilson to face the cost of defence. Barnett argues that Britain has believed in a "myth" of Sea power from Elizabeth I to 1939 - and that the pre-war preoccupation of the R.A.F. with the bomber was a mistake. But some of this may well be hindsight and I think Barnett underestimates the importance both of Sea and Air power. But he has a powerful point in his criticism of the refusal of British people and politicians to face the cost of adequate defences.
The Year of Salamis: 480-479 B.C. by Peter Green. This is an interesting tale of the battle of Salamis, and covers the whole period from Marathon to Plataea and Mycale. It is a scholarly work, discussing the authorities, ancient and modern carefully. Green's hero is Themistocles. Should be most useful to the "Ancients".
The Battle of Actium by John M. Carter. 42/-; 1970. This covers the whole period from the Murier of Caesar to the death of Anthony and final triumph of Octavian. There is an interesting account of Mark Anthony's Parthian Campaign. Carter has rather a poor opinion of Octavian, as a man, but regards him as a clever politician. He advances the interesting theory that - contrary to the accepted view Cleopatra's flight was intended from the first - her fleet was mainly merchant ships - and Anthony intended to cover her retreat by sacrificing part of his fleet. Much useful background materials for the "Ancients".
The Battle of the Torpedo Boats by Bryan Cooper. 50/0: 1970. An account of the light coastal forces, M.G.Bs, M.T.Bs, etc., during the war in all the various theatres - North Sea, English Channel, Med, and the Far East; British, German, U.S., Italian, including the St. Nazaire Raid. There is some fascinating stuff about the use of light forces in "cloak and dagger" work in the Mediterranean and the Greek Islands off the Yugoslavian coasts. This should provide good ideas for Naval wargamers wanting a new field of operations.
The Frigates by James Henderson. 45/-; 1970. An account of Frigates and Frigate actions of the Anglo-French Napoleonic Wars during the period 1793-1815. This contains an account of the main actions of the war, (including "Hornblowers" Pellew in the Indefatigable)- he also covers the 1812 War with America -- he thinks the early frigate actions in this war may have been tactical defeats for the British, but were generally strategic victories. Should be invaluable to Napoleonic period Naval wargamers.
Corsairs of Malta and Barbary by Peter Earle. 60/-; 1970. This is an interesting account of the corsairs in the Mediterranean in the 16th, but mainly the 17th and 18th century -- and shows that there was a Christian Corsair campaign as well as a Barbary one. This might provide a setting for a novel period in Naval wargaming.
Combat over Spain by Duke of Lema. The autobiography of a Nationalist flying for Franco, finally as a fighter pilot, in the Spanish Civil War - interesting as a curtain raiser to the air fighting of 1939-40.
The Red Falcons - Soviet Air Force in Action 1919-69 by Robert Jackson. 45/-; 1970. For a relatively small book of about 200 pages this contains a lot of information especially about the Soviet Air Force in the war and the big Eastern Front Air Battles. There is interesting matter about Korea, and a rather chilling account of the part the Soviet Air Force played in the occupation of Czechoslovakia. Apart from its interest to our wargamers it gives descriptions of Soviet planes, designer and intelligence. Lets hope it gives some western politicians wakeful nights.
The Thin Red Line by John Selby. An account of the main actions of the Crimean War, rather more kind to British leadership than the general run of books on this war.
Tannenberg 1410/1929 by Geoffrey Evans. An account of the two Battles of Tannenberg: that of 1410 in which the Poles under Jagiello defeated the Teutonic Knights, and the 1914 Battle in which Hindenburg and Ludendorf smashed the Russians.
Battle Dress by Frederick Williamson. A miscellany of militaria, including some interesting stuff on armour.
The Day Gibraltar Fell by Barry Wynne. This is an interesting novel by the man who wrote "The Sniper" - in the same semi-documentary style - describing a detailed (imaginary) surprise attack by Spain on Gibraltar resulting in its capture, and the choice by which it is recovered. There may be a lesson in this for our politicians and our security forces. It is a well written and exciting story.
Six Battles for India by George Bruce. 45/-; 1969. An account of the Anglo- Sikh Wars of 1845-6 and 1848-9. This should certainly appeal to you as you have dealt with the period yourself.
Duel of Eagles by Peter Townsend. £ 2.75. Peter Townsend has traced and interviewed many survivors of the Battle of Britain - both R.A.F. and Luftwaffe and interpolates their memoirs with an account of the battle - with an introduction covering 1914-18 and the inter-war years. The result is a very interesting account of the battle from both sides.
There is another good account of a Civil War Battle in Copredy Bridge 1644 by Margaret Toynbee and Peter Young. This shows Charles 1st as a much better tactician than he is usually given credit for -- indeed had it not been for Marston Moor, Charles might well have won the war in that year with the Copredy Bridge and Lostwithiel campaigns.
The Israeli Air Force Story by Robert Jackson. 1970; £ 2.50. Is by the same man who has written "The Red Falcons" - the story of the Soviet Air Force. This is an exceedingly good study of the Israeli Air Force - which is very efficient an d "professional"; and the author glimpses rather ominous possibilities in the last chapter. The very ruthless tactics of the Israeli Intelligence in dealing with German technicians in Egypt are enlightening.
Lastly there is a Fontana paper back The I.R.A. by Tim Pat Googan (60p) which is interesting, but poses the question whether there can ever be peace in Ireland. I wonder whether our forces in Ulster could not take some useful lessons from the Israelis?
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© Copyright 1971 by Donald Featherstone.
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