On Spartan Wings
On Spartan Wings

Author: John Carr

Publisher: Casemate Publishers

Published: 2012-07-19

Total Pages: 332

ISBN-13: 1781598983

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This WWII history chronicles the courageous but ill-prepared Greek air force from the Battle of Greece to the Battle of El Alamein and beyond. On October 28th, 1940, when Greece was invaded by Mussolini’s Italy, the Royal Hellenic Air Force was severely outgunned. Without warning, the RHAF’s paltry fleet was pitted against the much larger and more advanced Regia Aeronautica, whose pilots had recently honed their skills in the Spanish Civil War. Though the British Royal Air Force gave whatever assistance it could, the aerial war was unequal from the beginning. Greek flying aces such as Marinos Mitralexis managed to keep morale high. But even as individual pilots and crewmembers fought valiantly, the RHAF was seriously depleted by the end of 1940. The end came in April 1941 when Hitler sped to the rescue of Italy’s faltering forces. The Luftwaffe overwhelmed what was left of the RHAF, leaving a single mira, or squadron, to escape intact to Egypt. Out of this small squadron grew three full mirai, whose pilots, now equipped with modern aircraft, played a decisive part in the Allied victory at El Alamein. Until Greece was liberated in October 1944, the RHAF units ranged over targets in the Aegean Sea, Italy and Yugoslavia. In this comprehensive history, John Carr draws on meticulous research and firsthand accounts to shed light on the skill and heroism of the Greek airmen and their contributions to WWII air warfare.

A Song for Sparta
A Song for Sparta

Author: Helena P. Schrader

Publisher: Wheatmark, Inc.

Published: 2019-11-15

Total Pages: 632

ISBN-13: 1627877649

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

A lame schoolmaster, an ambitious officer, and a grieving widow find their fates interwoven as the Messenian revolt threatens to destroy Sparta. Based on an incident recorded in Herodotus, A Song for Sparta tells the remarkable story of Sparta’s struggle with Messenia in the seventh century BC through the eyes of three different narrators. The Messenian Wars were the transformative event that shaped Spartan society for the next four hundred years. Helena P. Schrader earned a PhD in History from Hamburg University before becoming a US diplomat serving in Africa and Europe. She has published more than twenty works of history and historical fiction and is the winner of multiple literary awards. Her biography of Leonidas of Sparta will be released in Athens in Greek for the 2,500th anniversary of the Battle of Thermopylae.

Combat Biplanes of World War II
Combat Biplanes of World War II

Author: Peter C. Smith

Publisher: Casemate Publishers

Published: 2015-09-30

Total Pages: 401

ISBN-13: 1473874254

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The era of the combat biplane is usually thought to have been between 1914 and 1938. By the outbreak of World War II, most of the advanced air forces of the world had moved on to monoplane aircraft for their front-line battle forces, both in bomber and fighter capacities. Yet despite this, many biplanes did still survive, both in front-line service and in numerous subsidiary roles, and not just as training machines but as fully operational warplanes. Thus in 1939 the majority of major European powers still retained some, albeit few, biplane aircraft. Sadly, and as an indictment of failed British Government defence policies, it was Great Britain who still had the bulk of such obsolescent combat aircraft, machines like the Gladiator, Swordfish, Walrus, Vildebeeste and Audax for example, while the inferior Albacore, meant to replace the Swordfish, was still yet to enter service!Germany had relegated most of her biplane designs to secondary roles, but they still managed to conduct missions in which biplanes like the He.50, He.51 and Hs.120 excelled. Both France and Italy had biplanes in active service, Mussolini's Regia Aeronautica attaching great importance to the type as a fighter aircraft as late as 1941, while the Soviet Union also retained some machines like the Po-2 in front-line service right through the war and beyond. In addition, a whole range of smaller nations utilised biplanes built for larger combatants in their own air forces. By the time Japan and the United States entered the war two years later, they had mainly rid themselves of biplanes but, even here, a few specialised types lingered on. This book describes a selection of these gallant old warriors of all nations. They represent the author's own personal selection from a surprisingly large range of aircraft that, despite all predictions, fought hard and well in World War II.

THE CHIN & POINT SERIES BASKETBALL PLAYBOOK
THE CHIN & POINT SERIES BASKETBALL PLAYBOOK

Author: Coach Vann

Publisher: Next Play Hoops, LLC

Published:

Total Pages: 216

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

THE CHIN & POINT SERIES PLAYBOOK The Princeton offense was first made famous and popularized by Pete Carril during his time as the head basketball coach while at Princeton University. The Princeton offense is an excellent offense to implement for teams that may not be too talented from a scoring standpoint. This playbook features two of the main actions out of the Princeton offense in both the Chin & Point Series, which can add multiple layers to your offense. The Chin Series is beneficial because of its versatility and features certain types of screens, such as back screens and flare screens that help to generate quick scores near the basket. While the Point Series functions well more like a pressure release offense and creates its scoring opportunities by using the point guard and the post man in several different ways. The Chin & Point Series Playbook contains 95 total quick-hitting plays and over 55 different drills that will help you teach the offense to your team. This book has an answer for anything a defense might throw at you. Fans of the Princeton offense will want to add this playbook to their collection, and it’s a must-have in any coach's library. No matter what level of basketball you coach at these offenses work! Find out all the answers in this 214-page gem! Features: 214 Pages 2 continuity offenses Learn the Point Series & Princeton Offense Create your series of plays that fit your players and team’s strengths 95 Quick hitters to choose from to counter what the defense may try to do Over 55 drills that break the offense down into game-like drills and teaching concepts Learn how to take advantage of those overly aggressive defensive teams

All Things Ancient Greece [2 volumes]
All Things Ancient Greece [2 volumes]

Author: James W. Ermatinger

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA

Published: 2022-10-11

Total Pages: 641

ISBN-13: 1440874549

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

As an invaluable resource for students and general audiences investigating Ancient Greek culture and history, this encyclopedia provides a thorough examination of the Mediterranean world and its influence on modern society. All Things Ancient Greece examines the history and cultural life of Ancient Greece until the death of Philip II of Macedon in 336 BCE. The encyclopedia shows how the various city-states developed from the Bronze Age to the end of the Classical Age, influencing the Greek world and beyond. The cultural achievements of the Greeks detailed in this two-volume set include literature, politics, medicine, religion, and the arts. This work has entries on the various city-states, regions, battles, culture, and ideas that helped shape the ancient Greek world and its societies. Each entry delves into detailed topics with suggested readings. Many entries include sidebars containing primary documents from ancient sources that explore ancillary ideas, biographies, and specific examples from literature and philosophy. Readers, both students of ancient history and a general audience, are encouraged to interact with the material either chronologically, thematically, or geographically.

The Spartan Army
The Spartan Army

Author: J. F. Lazenby

Publisher: Stackpole Books

Published: 2012

Total Pages: 290

ISBN-13: 081171084X

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

For at least two centuries the Spartan army was the most formidable war machine in Greece; the purpose of this book is to show the reasons for this. Professor Lazenby looks first at the composition, training and organization of the army, tracing its roots back to the eighth century BC. The second part analyses some of the main campaigns - Thermopylae, Plataea, Sphakteria, Mantineia, The Nemea, Koroneia, Lechaion and Leuktra. The final part continues the story to the end of Greek independence. Since this book was first written over 25 years ago, novels, computer games and films such as 300 have raised interest in the Spartan military to new heights. The return to print of this excellent study is sure to interest academics and more general readers alike.

Battles of The Greek and Roman Worlds
Battles of The Greek and Roman Worlds

Author: John Drogo Montagu

Publisher: Frontline Books

Published: 2015-01-19

Total Pages: 461

ISBN-13: 1473896878

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

“Exciting and vivid . . . an excellent single-volume reference for classical battles” from the author of Greek & Roman Warfare (HistoryNet.com). This comprehensive reference book on the battles of the ancient world covers events from the eighth century BC down to 31BC, when Octavian defeated Antony and Cleopatra at the battle of Actium. The author presents, in an exciting and vivid style, complete with battle plans and maps, all of the land and sea battles of the Greek and Roman worlds, based on the accounts by historians of the time. “A chronology of ancient battles from earliest recorded Greek history to the end of the Roman Republic . . . This is a unique resource for which there are no comparable works. It will be useful to students, scholars, and enthusiasts of war gaming.” —Booklist “If you are interested in warfare of Greek and/or Roman times . . . this book should be your first port of call to decide on your next ancients project.” —Avon Napoleonic Fellowship “A magnificent compilation of ancient battles from the dawn of recorded history to 31 BC . . . remarkable . . . Ancient buffs need this book.” —Historical Miniatures Gaming Society

The Women with Silver Wings
The Women with Silver Wings

Author: Katherine Sharp Landdeck

Publisher: Crown Publishing Group (NY)

Published: 2020

Total Pages: 450

ISBN-13: 1524762814

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The thrilling true story of the daring female aviators who helped the United States win World War II--only to be forgotten by the country they served. When Japanese planes executed a sneak attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Cornelia Fort was already in the air. At twenty-two, Cornelia had escaped Nashville's debutante scene for a fresh start as a flight instructor in Hawaii. She and her student were in the middle of their lesson when the bombs began to fall, and they barely made it back to ground that morning. Still, when the U.S. Army Air Forces put out a call for women pilots to aid the war effort, Cornelia was one of the first to respond. She became one of just over 1,100 women from across the nation to make it through the Army's rigorous selection process and earn her silver wings. In The Women with Silver Wings, historian Katherine Sharp Landdeck introduces us to these young women as they meet even-tempered, methodical Nancy Love and demanding visionary Jacqueline Cochran, the trailblazing pilots who first envisioned sending American women into the air, and whose rivalry would define the Women Airforce Service Pilots. For women like Cornelia, it was a chance to serve their country--and to prove that women aviators were just as skilled and able as men. While not authorized to serve in combat, the WASP helped train male pilots for service abroad and ferried bombers and pursuits across the country. Thirty-eight of them would not survive the war. But even taking into account these tragic losses, Love and Cochran's social experiment seemed to be a resounding success--until, with the tides of war turning and fewer male pilots needed in Europe, Congress clipped the women's wings. The program was disbanded, the women sent home. But the bonds they'd forged never failed, and over the next few decades, they came together to fight for recognition as the military veterans they were--and for their place in history.

The Defence and Fall of Greece, 1940–41
The Defence and Fall of Greece, 1940–41

Author: John Carr

Publisher: Pen and Sword

Published: 2013-07-02

Total Pages: 297

ISBN-13: 1473828309

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This military history of the WWII Battle of Greece presents a vivid and detailed account with special focus on the Greek forces defending their homeland. On October 28th, 1940, the Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas refused to accept an ultimatum from Italy’s Fascist leader Benito Mussolini. Immediately upon his refusal, Italian forces began the invasion of Greece via Albania. This aggression was prompted by Mussolini's desire for a quick victory to rival Hitler's rapid conquest of France and the Low Countries. But Mussolini had underestimated the skill and determination of the defenders. Within weeks, the Italian invaders were driven back over the border and Greek forces actually advanced deep into Albania. Eventually, Hitler was forced to intervene, sending German forces into Greece via Bulgaria on April 6th. The Greeks, assisted by British forces, were overwhelmed by the Germans and their blitzkrieg tactics. After Athens fell on April 27th, the British evacuated to Crete. But the following month, German airborn troops invaded and eventually took the strategically vital island. John Carr's masterful account of these desperate campaigns draws heavily on Greek sources to emphasize the oft-neglected experience of Greeks soldiers and their contribution to the fight against fascism.

The Balkans 1940–41 (1)
The Balkans 1940–41 (1)

Author: Pier Paolo Battistelli

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2021-01-21

Total Pages: 97

ISBN-13: 1472842588

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The first of two volumes on the Axis campaigns in the Balkans, exploring Mussolini's fateful decision to move against Greece in October 1940. The Greek President Metaxas rejected the Italian ultimatum with a famous 'Oxi' ('No'), and what followed was Italy's first debacle in World War II. In the wake of Italy's rapid annexation of Albania in April 1940, Mussolini's decision to attack Greece in October that year is widely acknowledged as a fatal mistake, leading to a domestic crisis and to the collapse of Italy's reputation as a military power (re-emphasized by the Italian defeat in North Africa in December 1940). The Italian assault on Greece came to a stalemate in less than a fortnight, and was followed a week later by a Greek counter-offensive that broke through the Italian defences before advancing into Albania, forcing the Italian forces to withdraw north before grinding to a half in January 1941 due to logistical issues. Eventually, the Italians took advantage of this brief hiatus to reorganize and prepare a counteroffensive, the failure of which marked the end of the first stage of the Axis Balkan campaign. The first of two volumes examining the Axis campaigns in the Balkans, this book offers a detailed overview of the Italian and Greek armies, their fighting power, and the terrain in which they fought. Complimented by rarely seen images and full colour illustrations, it shows how expectations of an easy Italian victory quickly turned into one of Mussolini's greatest blunders.