The Colt 1911 Pistol (Osprey Weapon 9)

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First used in combat during the Punitive Expedition into Mexico and then extensively during both World War I (1914-1918) and World War II (1939-1945), the Colt Government Model (1911) pistol remained the standard issue handgun in the US armed forces for nearly 80 years and has continued in service with some units to this day. In fact, the M1911 has seen a resurgence among US Special Operations units, as US Marine MARSOC and MEUSOC personnel are issued current generation 1911-type pistols. In addition, the pistol has seen service with famous law enforcement agencies such as the Shanghai Municipal Police, LAPD Swat and Texas Rangers. Nearly a century after its introduction, the M1911 Pistol remains a popular design and is now produced by virtually every major firearms manufacturer doing business in the USA. In this new volume, handgun expert Leroy Thompson sheds new light on the development, history and use of this revolutionary handgun, complete with specially-commissioned artwork depicting the firing process and cutaway profile of the gun, as well as its use in various theaters of war.

The Great War 1914-1918

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The years 1914 to 1918 saw Europe engaged in a conflict involving a greater area and a greater number of men than history had ever before recorded. In this book, Captain Cyril Falls, known in British academic and governmental circles as an expert in military history, discusses the military side of World War I in the light of its battles, tactics and weapons; its problems of supply and transport; its armies and their commanders. The engagements in the many theaters of war in Europe, Asia and Africa are described in vivid detail, but particular attention is focused on the Western Front, where the principal and decisive battles were fought.

A Treatise On The Theory Of Invariants

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This volume is produced from digital images from the Cornell University Library Historical Mathematics Monographs collection.

The Rising: Ireland: Easter 1916

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Based on a recently released trove of over 1,700 eye-witness statements, this gripping volume tells the story of the Easter Rising as seen through the eyes of the rebels themselves, capturing in crisp, unflinching detail what the nascent Irish revolution actually felt like. As it chronicles the activities of members of Sinn Féin, the Irish Republican Brotherhood, Cumann na mBan, and the Irish Volunteers, this compelling volume addresses a range of key questions that continue to divide historians of modern Ireland: What led people from ordinary backgrounds to fight for Irish freedom? What did they think they could achieve given the superior forces arrayed against them? What kind of republic were they willing to kill and die for? Fearghal McGarry deftly interweaves the oral history of the rank-and-file revolutionaries of the Rising into a comprehensive, yet powerfully affecting narrative–one that The Boston Globe called "vivid and compelling" and "a poignant mosaic of idealism, bravery, and humanity."

American Expeditionary Force: France 1917-1918

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When the United States entered the war in April 1917 the belligerents were approaching exhaustion. It had been hoped by the Generals in both Britain and France that untold numbers of fresh troops would be assimilated into their respective commands. However, this idea was firmly resisted, America would field its own army alongside the Allies - it would have its own section on the front line. Those with concerns that the untried divisions under General Pershing would fair badly against the seasoned German military machine were soon reassured as impressive victories were won by the newcomers. The book is split into eight chapters which deal with different pivotal moments during the First World War from the American perspective, from the reasons behind the American involvement in the war and initial training to the major battles at Cantigny, Chateau Thierry and St Mihiel. This story is told in pictures gleaned from the official archives which were first published in 1920 and now presented for re-examination and public awareness in the Images of War series.

Mcdonnell Douglas Aircraft Since 1920 Volume 2

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This volume includes the complete history of McDonnell and McDonnell Douglas after the two companies merged in 1967. In addition, it details the products of Hughes aviation.

Dk Eyewitness Travel Guide: Cyprus

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DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Cyprus will lead you straight to the best attractions this island nation has to offer. Explore ancient sites, monasteries and hill villages, dramatic countryside, and beaches. Play in the water sports and take scenic walks. This fully updated guidebook covers of all the major sights and activities, from Nicosia to the harbor at Kyrenia. DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Cyprus includes 3-D illustrated cutaways and floor plans of the must-see sights, including the monastery of Kykkos and the ancient town of Kourion, as well as maps and reliable information about getting around. Plus, this guidebook is packed with comprehensive listings of the best hotels, restaurants, shops, and nightlife for all budgets. With hundreds of full-color photographs, hand-drawn illustrations, and custom maps that brighten every page, DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Cyprus truly shows you this nation as no one else can.

The Science Of Self-Defense For Girls & Women

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From preface: Women should have some knowledge of how to protect themselves. Nature gave women aids for self protection with finger nails and knuckles. Modern women give little or no attention to these means of protection. Their study of beauty culture and their desire for slender forms have greatly weakened their powers for self protection. A little study and a few exercises will give women some of their lost powers in self defense.

Scientific Self-defence

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W.E. Fairbairn’s Scientific Self-Defence, published in 1931 as a slightly modified reprint of Defendu (1926), outlines the brutally effective close-quarters combat program developed during Fairbairn’s renowned service with the Shanghai Municipal Police. Fairbairn’s straightforward techniques for defending against various holds, dealing with assailants armed with guns or knives, applying truly effective holds and throws, using the club and walking stick for self-defense, and other areas of close-in fighting have had an extraordinary influence on the development of the combat arts.

The Floating Pound And The Sterling Area: 1931-1939

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Britain's abandonment of the Gold Standard in 1931 raised new economic policy problems both for Britain and for the countries of the Empire, who had to decide whether to follow sterling off gold and, if so, whether to peg their currencies to sterling. By exploiting archival material, the author casts fresh light on the debates and financial diplomacy of the period, and provides a fuller understanding of several key issues: the formation of the sterling area, the World Economic Conference of 1933, and American concerns about the price and course of sterling.

Federal Fathers And Mothers

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Established in 1824, the United States Indian Service (USIS), now known as the Bureau of Indian Affairs, was the agency responsible for carrying out U.S. treaty and trust obligations to American Indians, but it also sought to "civilize" and assimilate them.

Fallschirmjager: German Paratrooper 1935-1945 (Osprey Warrior 38)

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Few of the combatants of World War II have captured the imagination as compulsively as the Fallschirmjäger. Boldness and courage were vital characteristics in the rigorous selection process, and their training was highly demanding. Hitler's airborne troops were involved in some of the most daring actions of the whole war; from the 1940 assault on Eben Emael and the invasion of Crete in 1941, to the rescue of Mussolini and the attempt on Tito's life. In addition, they saw service as elite line infantry in the key theatres of North West Europe, North Africa and the Eastern Front. This title looks at the life and experiences of the average Fallschirmjäger, and includes first-hand accounts from different theatres and periods of the war.

Blitzkrieg Unleashed: The German Invasion Of Poland 1939

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At dawn on Friday 1 September 1939 the Germans launched their land, sea and air assault on Poland. The World became aware of the awesome power of Hitler's Third Reich and the limitless and ruthless nature of his ambition. The Blitzkrieg (Lightning War) attack, spearheaded by Panzers, took the German forces to the gates of Warsaw in a week. The vital port of Danzig fell, crushed by naval and air bombardment and land assaults. The Polish Air Force, out-numbered and out-gunned, were driven from the skies. In a month Warsaw fell amid great bloodshed and in six weeks the Poles were defeated. The speed of the German conquest was matched by its brutality. Lives and property meant little to the invaders and civilians and POWs were summarily executed. Jews received particular attention and these atrocities were not just perpetrated by the SS but soldiers of the Wehrmacht. Blitzkrieg Unleashed is told in the words of those who conquered Poland, thanks to the author's research into letters, diaries, unpublished accounts, official documents and histories and newspapers.

Us Marine Rifleman 1939-1945: Pacific Theater (Osprey Warrior 112)

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The Marine Corps began World War II with less than 66,000 officers and men. Yet despite suffering 10 per cent of the overall American casualties, the Marines were able to build on their proud traditions and history to transform a small branch of service into a premier combined arms amphibious assault force. Regardless of its expansion by 750 percent, the Corps was able to maintain its sense of tradition, instill that into thousands of new Marines, and create an elite arm of service. In this book, Gordon Rottman, follows a Marine Corps rifleman through his draft, training and participation in assaults such as: Roi-Namur in the Marshall Islands, Saipan and Tinian in the Mariana Islands, and Iwo Jima.

Them And Us: Fighting The Class War 1910-1939

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The period between 1910 and 1939 was one of thess most explosive in British working class history. As all the main political parties chorus their commitment to continuing cuts and the Tories try to take us back to the Thirties, Them and Us is a timely reminder of how workers responded to at previous ruling class offensive. Using up-to-date research, John Newsinger draws on the words and actions of activists to bring to life key episodes of working class revolt. Them and Us underscores the need for rank and file organization and the importance of solidarity for a new generation.

Us Marine Corps Tank Crewman 1941-1945: Pacific (osprey Warrior 92)

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The ferocity of the Pacific war almost defied the available military technology. In this environment the evolving use of tanks by the US Marine Corps played a significant role; at the end of the Battle of Okinawa, Major General Lemuel Shepherd wrote in his report that 'if any one supporting arm can be singled out as having contributed more than any others during the progress of the campaign, the tank would certainly be selected.' This book traces the history of the US Marine Corps tank crewman, including the significant changes in doctrine, equipment, and organization that the war brought, and his experience fighting in the Pacific theater.

Practical Unarmed Combat

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Practical Unarmed Combat is a unique training program that is based on one core technique. Dr. Feldenkrais developed the program as emergency training for soldiers in World War II. Through ten one-hour lessons, soldiers learned to defend themselves against an armed opponent in the most rapid and effective way possible. The program is based on one Judo technique. Feldenkrais emphasized concepts of the learning process throughout the book. He encouraged the reader to maintain a relaxed attitude, to start with slow and precise movements as he explained the timing, and to master the movements by repetition. The result would be a spontaneous movement which was correct and precise. He claimed that a fighter must first acquire the ability and then put it to practical use. Thus, the first three lessons teach the core technique. The remaining lessons implement the technique in a variety of situations against armed or unarmed attacks from different directions all of which culminate in the use of the core technique. This approach deepens the learning so that the fighter can effectively perform the core technique with many alternatives to survive the situation.

The U. S. Marines On Iwo Jima

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The authors of this book are Marine Corps combat correspondents and two Marine Public Relations Officers who were at Iwo Jima. Combat correspondents are trained like other Marines. They live and fight with the outfits to which they are attached and write articles for newspapers and magazines about the men in their units. In battle they can see only what happens in their own units' limited sectors. In compiling this book, therefore, they drew upon their own experiences on Iwo plus stories written by other combat correspondents and Public Relations Officers who were there.

Death At The Opposite Ends Of The Eurasian Continent: Mortality Trends In Taiwan And The Netherlands 1850-1945

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Historical demographers since Malthus have characterized the West-European and Chinese demographic regimes as systems under low and high pressure, respectively. This volume examines the operation of the positive check at the two ends of the Eurasian continent by taking the Netherlands and Taiwan as representatives of the West-European and Chinese mortality regimes. Are these cases as different as the low and high pressure contrast implies? The volume opens with a cluster of chapters dealing with long term trends in mortality and the accompanying changes in causes of death (Chapters 1 through 4 ). Both Taiwan and the Netherlands witnessed steady improvements in public health, disease prevention, medical care, and living conditions in the periods described; these trends are discussed in Chapters 5 though 8.

Commandos In Exile: The Story Of 10 (Inter-Allied) Commando 1942-1945

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Formed from members of Free Forces who had escaped from German occupation, 10 (Inter-Allied) Commando was one of the most unusual units in WW2. All members had to pass the Green Beret commando course at Achnacarry in Scotland and the book begins by describing this training. With no less than six national troops, plus X Troop drawn from exiled Jews, 10 Commando never fought as an entity but loaned troops for specific operations, such as One Troop (French) taking part in the Dieppe Raid, 2 Troop (Dutch) fighting at Arnhem, 5 Troop (Norwegian) raiding the Lofoten Islands etc. At other times groups played a key intelligence role questioning POWs, translating captured documents, conducting reconnaissance patrols and intelligence gathering on the D-Day beaches. The history of X Commando, made up of escaped Jewish individuals is especially interesting. The book also reviews the growth of post-war national Commando forces.