What are you reading at the moment?

I finished I Only Joined For The Hat, by Christian Lamb, sort of a compilation volume about WRENs and their experiences in the war. So it excerpts other memoirs to relate other jobs done by Wrens whether they were boaters or coders or whatever. Those parts were great and also the author's own writing of her wartime experience. However she felt evidently that her book should be self-contained so there is a short description of the raid on St Nazaire, for instance. I could have done without that.

 

What is the machine gun in that picture? I really like it

 

I am currently reading
"The Bonus Army" by Paul Dickson and Thomas B Allen
and
"The Rise of the G.I. army 1940-1941" by Paul Dickson.

those are both kind of on hold while I read
"the Encyclopedia of French Tanks and Armoured Vehicles 1914-1940" by Francois Vauvillier
front to back twice.
I want to read it twice though to "get" most of it as it is an inner-library loan and I will probably never see it again as it is spendy.

 

FM 24/29 light machine gun - Wikipedia

 

Fitzroy Maclean's comment on the back cover says it all.

The book? Recommended for those seeking an OSS view of the wartime Balkans.

Always remember, never forget,

Jim.

 

Has anyone on the forum purchased a book from this publisher

It has been copied onto A4 from the original.

Maps are split over several pages and don't line up.

Is this normal or do I have a rogue copy.

 

I think you have a good case to take up with Naval and Military press there UT.

Part of it, without doubt, is the conversion of older tomes originally published in imperial paper sizes to metric (not a lot of A4 size books in 1946!).

Throw in the "print on demand" side of things and results are (clearly in the copy you've received) variable to say the least.

You'll have stumped up for it no doubt, and for your bunce I don't think it unreasonable to expect a better product.

Good luck with all, especially if you do choose to chase the supplier up.

Kind regards, always,

Jim.

 

Newest Wingleader release. Revised and updated from author's previous works. Excellent production quality.

 

I hadn't really joined up the dots on this extraordinary man and his family, together with the remarkable moments in history they experienced, before ......

...... this being rather an understatement, as several other members' posts explain. Anyway:


I was quite struck by the eclectic mix of actors who have emulated some of his character in quite a range of films: Charles Lightoller - Wikipedia

 

1. The Vickers tanks book sounds like fun. I always liked the little light tanks.
2. I learned a while ago that there were prewar projects or proposals to build Czech tanks in Britain. Nicholas Straussler of DD tank fame wanted to build the 35T in the UK, then the 38T. The RAC got an example of the 38T and tested it at Lulworth, but turned it down. Yet another silly British armor decision.
3. I have been designing a notional WWII Allied army. It is mostly based on the British pattern including equipment, but with some important differences. The main cruiser tanks in the early war years (39-40) are the 35T and 38T. The army has lots of Vickers light tanks, but also the Landsverk L60 light tank and the L180 and Straussler AC3 armored cars.
4. I love the KGL, an outstanding corps. Wellington would have been lost without them. The cavalry was especially good.

 

Sylvester McCoy played Birdie in "The Last Place on Earth."

 

Thanks for that TTH.

I had never heard of that TV series, ever. It had completely passed me by (I was otherwise engaged overseas back then, very much removed from anglicised television)

I will seek it out on the dvd/Blu-ray front.

I wonder if there was competion in casting for the roles? Sylvester, beyond his acting prowess, in a close race for the part may well have won by a nose

Which would indeed be well deserved and perfect casting!

Kind regards, and again thank you, always,

Jim.

EDIT: 07:34hrs 12/10/25.

Located dvd for sale, duly ordered. Something to look forward to. Again, thanks for the heads up TTH.

 

All 7 parts are on you tube.
Here's episode 1.

 

Owen!

Curses!!

£6:99 down the swanee!

Then again, who doesn't like a hard copy back up . (Beyond me, in this day and age? Probably not many )

Kind regards, and they double as table mats too, always,

Jim.

EDIT: 08:23hrs 12/09/25.

Aside from all the asides, thank you Owen. I am already liking the theme music. Top job dear chap.

Kind regards, always,

Jim.

EDIT: 08:31hrs 12/10/25.

Well that opening three minutes had me in bits. A man of my age. I don't know.

 

Unfortunately, both books are not available in English yet, but great to read and finding out facts not known by many Germans and British.

Putins Aides by Guido Knopp and,

Berlin 24 June 1922 by Thomas Huetlin
How it all started to end in WW2.

Stefan.

 

Apologies if this is the wrong thread to ask....but are there any good non fiction books regarding the 6th Airborne Royal Artillery Airlanding Regiments?

Books/DVDs/ You Tube? I've searched and searched and, in all honesty, if I get another AI answer giving me complete garbage, well I'll pull out my hair....if I could spare it.

Cheers in advance.
John.

 

Hello John, do you have this one already? As an overall it might be a good place to start, though I very much guess you may have already covered the "bigger picture" history.

With all thanks to and courtesy of the author and publisher, it looks from what I've been able to read online, with my limited knowledge, a good one.



Extracts from (I think) chapter six.















I'll have a go at the individual units book wise next John, and I won't discount the possibility of French or German books on them (I still like to look around Europe, even if nowadays it's from a comfy chair )

And, the many good artillery specialists we have on the forum will know suitable titles for you I'm sure.

Kind regards, good hunting, always,

Jim.

 

I’d lend you some of mine, but I can’t spare a single strand nowadays. The dog sheds quite a bit though if you’re interested?

 

1985, but I don’t recall watching it. 40 years of fading memory, mind. Looks good, cheers to all involved for the tip.

 

I haven't seen that one Jim, thanks for the pointer.

Cheers.
John.