Britain at War magazine - Page 2

Mark Hone · 22-03-2008, 03:33 PM

After the first couple of issues it was very difficult to find. Similar magazines have, unfortunately come and gone over the years. The two main wargame mags somehow hang on and 'After the Battle' is still going after 35 years but remember 'War Monthly', 'World War II Investigator' and 'Battlefields'? I was amazed to see that 'Military History Illustrated' does still exist-I spotted one copy in a Manchester W.H. Smith recently. Although the USA seems to be able to support a few newsstand Military History magazines, Britain, despite its strong military history publishing tradition, does not.

PsyWar.Org · 22-03-2008, 07:10 PM

I remember 'World War II Investigator' very well and still have some old copies here somewhere. They did some excellent reprints of some SHAEF reports too.

Could one of the difficulties with publishing on British war subjects be the cost of reproducing official photographs and crown copyright in general? That makes producing a glossy mag very expensive, combined with low sales.

von Poop · 22-03-2008, 07:16 PM

The French seem to churn out a steady stream of relatively mainstream military/militaria related titles.
Are Histoire & collections magazines easily available there? seem to have been going for a while.

Rich Payne · 22-03-2008, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PsyWar.Org

Could one of the difficulties with publishing on British war subjects be the cost of reproducing official photographs and crown copyright in general? That makes producing a glossy mag very expensive, combined with low sales.

I think that you're right and the extensive archives in private hands all seem to think that they're sitting on a goldmine too (but this is not exclusively a UK problem)

I don't know the history of 'Britain at war' but one of the other problems is that W.H. Smith control a large part of both distribution and retail. If they decide not to stock or to favour a product from one of the large publishers then it is very difficult to get a magazine on the shelves. The only way round this is direct subscription but it takes a while to build up a subscriber base.

It's ironic because modern techniques should mean that it's cheaper than ever to produce and print a glossy mag.

52nd Airborne · 23-03-2008, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bodston

Just recieved notification in the mail that Britain at War magazine is to cease publication with immediate effect, after only 12 issues.
Pity really, I enjoyed reading them.

Bod

I recieved the same letter Bod! It's a great shame as I really like the magazine and thought it had plenty of potential.

Rich Payne · 24-03-2008, 12:10 AM

Will the April issue make it out ? I see that it was supposed to have an article on D-Day Dodgers.

Bodston · 24-03-2008, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich Payne

Will the April issue make it out ? I see that it was supposed to have an article on D-Day Dodgers.

I would think not.

Bodston · 28-03-2008, 04:43 PM

Well, to continue the saga. Today I received a letter stating that the publishers have had a change of ownership and as a result Britain at War magazine will continue to be published.
The only change seems to be that the publish date will change from the 11th of the month to the last Friday of every month.

Good news I think.

cheers,
Bod

Leah Vera · 09-07-2008, 10:08 AM

Britain At War Magazine is on a role. The last issue (15) was one of the best yet. It just keeps getting better & better!

Paul Reed · 09-07-2008, 10:38 AM

Yes, it's an excellent magazine. Long may it continue.

22-03-2008, 03:33 PM	#11 (permalink)
Mark Hone Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bury, Lancashire, England Posts: 278	After the first couple of issues it was very difficult to find. Similar magazines have, unfortunately come and gone over the years. The two main wargame mags somehow hang on and 'After the Battle' is still going after 35 years but remember 'War Monthly', 'World War II Investigator' and 'Battlefields'? I was amazed to see that 'Military History Illustrated' does still exist-I spotted one copy in a Manchester W.H. Smith recently. Although the USA seems to be able to support a few newsstand Military History magazines, Britain, despite its strong military history publishing tradition, does not. __________________ In memory of Corporal Jack Hone (1923-2004), proud 14th Army 'Steelback'.

22-03-2008, 07:10 PM	#12 (permalink)
PsyWar.Org Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: East Bay, CA, USA Posts: 124	I remember 'World War II Investigator' very well and still have some old copies here somewhere. They did some excellent reprints of some SHAEF reports too. Could one of the difficulties with publishing on British war subjects be the cost of reproducing official photographs and crown copyright in general? That makes producing a glossy mag very expensive, combined with low sales. __________________

22-03-2008, 07:16 PM	#13 (permalink)
von Poop I Like Tanks. Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Perfidious Albion. Posts: 7,687	The French seem to churn out a steady stream of relatively mainstream military/militaria related titles. Are Histoire & collections magazines easily available there? seem to have been going for a while. __________________ It's only the Internet.

28-03-2008, 04:43 PM	#18 (permalink)
Bodston Very Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: just around the corner Posts: 1,295	Well, to continue the saga. Today I received a letter stating that the publishers have had a change of ownership and as a result Britain at War magazine will continue to be published. The only change seems to be that the publish date will change from the 11th of the month to the last Friday of every month. Good news I think. cheers, Bod __________________ My mother told me, I never should, play with the gypsies in the wood.

09-07-2008, 10:38 AM	#20 (permalink)
Paul Reed Ubique Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: UK/France Posts: 2,861	Yes, it's an excellent magazine. Long may it continue. __________________ The WW2 Society: Remembering those from Britain & The Commonwealth who served 1939-45 - http://www.battlefieldsww2.50megs.com/ww2_society.htm

24-03-2008, 12:10 AM	#16 (permalink)
Rich Payne Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 629	Will the April issue make it out ? I see that it was supposed to have an article on D-Day Dodgers.

09-07-2008, 10:08 AM	#19 (permalink)
Leah Vera Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1	Britain At War Magazine is on a role. The last issue (15) was one of the best yet. It just keeps getting better & better!

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