MLRS Books - Latest Books

The Development of Artillery Tactics and Equipment

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 07:17:50 +0000

This is the single most important text on the subject of the gun in the British Army during the Second World War. It is complete in all detail, and exceptionally well illustrated with diagrams, photographs and maps. It covers the following topics: Pre-War developments Antiaircraft artillery Antitank artillery Anti-mortar methods The War in North Africa, Italy, NWEurope and the Far East. Within the text there are descriptions of all equipments used, and where they were in action. There are also details of shell, fuses, fire control equipment and the myriad of other equipment needed by the gunner to get his shell onto the target. The fire plans alone are worth the price of this book, covering operations in NW Europe and in the Far East in specific detail. This is a book which we recommend unreservedly to any historian of the Second World War. Also contains comparisons between British and foreign artillery and antitank guns.

Originals are very difficult to find and the price of such a volume is becoming prohibitive.

The RAF in Maritime War Volume IV

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 08:29:17 +0000

This fourth volume of the series covers the period from February 1943 to May 1944. It includes details of all anti-U-Boat operations, the Bay Air Offensive, the anti-shipping war in NW European Waters, the final phase of enemy blockade running in the Far East, enemy major units (Scahrnhorst, Tirpitz, Lutzow, Admiral Hipper), the bombing of enemy ports and naval objectives, aerial minelaying, and the air defence of shipping in Home Waters. There are many appendices to fill out the facts, and a complete series of charts showing U-Boat locations during the period.

The Northover Projector

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:30:46 +0000

Very little in detail is known about the Northover Projector, but this pamphlet fills in most of the gaps. It covers the weapon itself and its ammunition, and there is a tactical section as well. It is of general interest simply bacause of the sparcity of other official information.

The Northover Projector on CD

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:30:07 +0000

The Dieppe Raid

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 12:43:53 +0000

The Dieppe Raid could be described as a disaster; this is a complete reprint of the original mammoth report issued by Combined Operations Headquarters in 1942. Careful reading shows what was known about the town and its defences, the plan and the aftermath. The volume is complete with all its plans, diagrams, maps and photographs in exactly the same place as in the original, and nothing has been omitted. Please note that some of the maps are oversized. A very valuable analysis of this combined opeartion.

Dieppe - Operation JUBILEE 1942

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 12:41:27 +0000

The raid on Dieppe was carried out by Commandos and Canadian and other troops. This is the Canadian story, and of the main assault on the town. The publication covers the preparations for the attack and the day itself in detail. It also covers personal experiences on that day and there are some German papers included (in translation) including defences in the area and German reactions to the raid.

Service Dress 1902 to the Present

Tue, 8 Nov 2011 11:06:32 +0000

Yet another tour de force from John Bodsworth. A detailed and well illustrated history of British Army Service Dress from 1902 to the present day. As with all work by the author the sources/dress regulations are quoted, and most importantly he traces the development of Number 2 dress throughout its existence. He also records the important regimental and corps variations that have occurred. His work is exemplary for its attention to detail, and exhibits clearly why he is the leading writer on the subject today. MLRS Books is proud to be able to offer this, his third book for MLRS.

Manual of Field Works (All Arms)

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 10:15:04 +0100

Trenches were the predominant facet of field engineering of the First World War. This publication essentially gathers together all the lessons learned about trenches but also includes much other extremely helpful instruction - on tools and materials, siting of trenches and machine gun emplacements, obstacles, how to set up a defensive system, camouflage, working parties, tools and equipment, and also includes details for planning camps adnd organising roads, tracks and even tramways. Essentially a detailed and exact treatise on field engineering, a subject that engaged so many soldiers at the time. Needless to say the lessons of World War One were disregarded by the Germans who brought in the war of movement - but that is another story and another set of pamphlets!

Trench Warfare

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 10:07:00 +0100

The pamphlets declares that "Trench fighting" [was] "only a Phase of Warfare." The British Army still held to its age-old basic precept that the only way to win a battle was by attack. Trench warfare was the interim phase; an interim phase that had lasted over two years and was to continue for two more years. The pamphlet gives a very good picture of how the British conducted trench warfare as well as of the trenches themselves, and how they were to be planned and organised. Readers of this pamphlet should also read the later "Platoon Training 1918" to see how doctrine developed in the two years between the issue of these works.

Platoon Training 1918

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 09:57:43 +0100

This pamphlet was issued for the guidance of platoon commanders in 1918. It is essentially a tactical pamphlet and the illustrations give guidance to the young officer when planning and leading an attack. It is essentially based on the underlying doctrine of the British Army - the attack is the best form of action. Defence is given one long patragraph, the rest of the pamphlet being devoted to the newish concept of fire and movement. It is for this reason seminal in its importance - it shows how at long last the new concept was engaging the military mind, and how the old concepts of artillery supported attacks in lines at company and battalion strength were beginning to be phased out in favour of smaller probing attacks and infiltration. WEll worth studying to see how tactices were evolving at the lower level.