I would like to see a comprehensive book on the design, production and fates of RN Tank Landing Craft, possibly details of operations and crew accounts. Could also include Infantry Landing Craft and carrying vessels and U.S. vessels but that would expand it considerably. There is quite a lot of information about (particularly on US vessels) but nothing which collects it all together.
Well, you asked for it : The defense of the Corinth Channel. Habforce operations during the Syrian campaign; Palmyra and the clearing of the pipelines. Lots of tank warfare in Africa, from the M11 and the Matilda to the Tiger I, the S-35 and the Churchill. In a separate volume, armoured car operations, from Kenya and Eritrea to Cape Bon. Combat by French forces in Africa; Vichy and Free French from Equatorial Africa all the way to the Mediterranean coast. The Battle of Bir Hakeim. The RN in Hong Kong, mainly the saga of the 2 MTB Flotilla, with a sprinkling of the gunboats of the China Station "Fleet". The Battle of Palembang from the KNIL point of view. The Battle of Yenangyaung in '42. First and Second Arakan. French-Japanese conflict in '45; The takeover of French Indochina, the Alessandri column, etc. Everything thoroughly researched, and published IN ENGLISH! By the way, WW2 only, right?
A survey of British armour in the 1940 campaigns British armoured cars in the desert, a survey I'd buy them. Transport, low loaders, bowsers and lawnmowers of the RAF during the Battle of Britain. And that... particularly the lawnmowers (start a thread on the Bowsers & Transport, mate - think we might have a fair amount of info scattered about between us - 'Motor Vehicles of the RAF'?) I'd like to see Tom Jentz publish more books from the series "Tank Combat in North Africa". A dream of mine "Tank Combat in North Africa - June 1940 to February 1941"... maybe i'll write it one day I'd buy that too, or you could send me a review copy when it's done... Had this in mind for a long time, so first up for me would be a Then and now book on the Burma Campaign. Hmmm, that would quite possibly be rather a lot of Jungle for the 'Nows' wouldn't it, Jase? I'd have to see it before buying it. "The Complete unabridged AB 405s (Unit register of vehicles to war establishment) of the British Army - 1936 - 1945" I'd buy that, and then possibly hide it somewhere, just so people didn't know how bad the nerdism had taken me. I would like to see a comprehensive book on the design, production and fates of RN Tank Landing Craft, Yep, that too. armoured car operations, from Kenya and Eritrea to Cape Bon. More on armoured cars. Yes please. Are you listening Publishers & authors? Are you? the 1000th general book on the Spitfire, Tiger Tank, Battle of Britain or B-17? There might be scope for a 'no more!' theme here too. I like Panzer books, but have to agree that it's time to stop & think what's been done to death... Though sadly Publishers have to pander to the dilletante market, and certain subjects just seem to sell & sell.
How about a comprehensive study of Axis intelligence in the Pacific? I'm still looking for reports/aerial photos by Japanese pilots who flew over New Zealand during the early years of the war. According to reports, the German raider "Orion" was in regular contact with the Japanese.
VP said, "I'd buy that, and then possibly hide it somewhere, just so people didn't know how bad the nerdism had taken me." Sorry, Adam. Everybody knows. Everybody. Keith
Hmmm, that would quite possibly be rather a lot of Jungle for the 'Nows' wouldn't it, Jase? I'd have to see it before buying it. I take your point Adam, perhaps it would be better to focus on certain period within the Burma campaign for me....... Meiktila-fall of Mandalay, should be less jungle to cope with as well
I'm actually faintly surprised, now I think of it, that ATB haven't done a 'Singapore Then & Now'. Lots of shots to work from, Naval & Land Warfare interest. Though now I've looked at this, I wonder if there are enough reference points left in an apparently transformed city to make it worthwhile: Singapore: Then and now | CNNGo.com
Andree Borrell of SOE with new photos I would also like a book about Andree Borrel and Diana Rowden of SOE and a biography of F/O Richard 'Dickie' Lee DSO DFC of 85 Squadron.
Very good choices, Warlord, your interests and mine seem to coincide. Here are some of the things I would like to see. 1. A good comprehensive study of the resurrection of the French Army after 1940, covering the Free French at Bir Hakeim etc, the Tunisian campaign, Italy, and finally the liberation and the campaign into Germany. It is a great story that gives the lie to a lot of myths about the French, and it has yet to be told completely in English. 2. Something about the Second Burma campaign of 1942-43, dealing with both the Arakan and Operation LONGCLOTH. 3. A study of the US Army's reconquest of the Philippines. There has been almost nothing since the official histories were published decades ago. 4. A study of the Tunisian campaign, from all five national perspectives. Works in English grossly neglect the French and the Italians. And perhaps most important of all... 5. A thorough analysis of the German army in both world wars, particularly of the fundamental flaws in German thought and practice (neglect of logistics and intelligence, over-opportunism, strategic grandiosity etc) that led to defeat in each conflict. You can't blame everything on Hitler.
Joslen-Sahib's Indian Army Orders of Battle, Second World War 1939-1945 with Detailed Appendices on Unit and Formation Badges, Indian Unit War Establishments, Battalion Class Compositions, Regimental and Class Headdress and Dress Distinctions, and Other Really Useful Stuff.
Just been pottering through this thread. A really solid, neutral, comparative study of the wartime Engineering/manufacturing capabilities of Axis & Allied nations'd be nice. Lots of photos of factories, Armour manufacturing techniques, who had the best/most modern Milling machines, Lathes etc., or deployed them most efficiently. Sort of things you only usually find nuggets about attached to techie books on other areas.