Mini-Guides 1939-1945

In the beginning of August 1944, after the American breakthrough at Avranches, the German left wing collapsed.
Changing their first project (the conquest of Brittany), the American command decided to envelop all German forces in Normandy by a wide eastward movement. The British Army, south of Caen, was to be the Northern branch.
Illustrated with a wide selection of wartime photographs, while full colour is brought on every page by maps of the battlefields, pieces of uniforms and insignia, wartime posters and a variety of military historical artefacts.

The project of landing in Normandy led the British military planners to re-examine the role of the armoured forces. To secure the beaches, they implemented an elaborated doctrine, based on using a whole series of modified armoured vehicles : amphibian tanks, minesweepers, assault bridges, etc.
Apart from these so-called "Funnies", the British tank force of 1944 comprised a large variety of conventional units and formations (brigades, divisions, corps or army-level units, plus armoured recce regiments) which, during the Normandy campaign, totalized more tanks and AFV's involved than the US forces. Their specific organization and combat doctrine are detailed in the volume, along with the study of each individual type of tank and main AFV.
Illustrated with a wide selection of wartime photographs, while full colour is brought on every page by maps of the battlefields, pieces of uniforms and insignia, wartime posters and a variety of military historical artefacts.

In 1944, two types of Armoured Divisions existed in the US Army : the Heavy ones and the Light ones. Each Division comprised three Combat Commands. The flexible internal organization of a Combat Command — which grouped proper tank units as well as mechanised infantry, self-propelled artillery and engineers troops — allowed a wide variety of tactical use, in contrast with the more rigid British armoured doctrine.
In the spirit of the cavalry raids of the past, the US armoured units gave a strong impetus to the whole American forces which landed in Normandy in the spring of 1944, thus playing a major role in the German defeat.
Illustrated with a wide selection of wartime photographs, while full colour is brought on every page by maps of the battlefields, pieces of uniforms and insignia, wartime posters and a variety of military historical artefacts.

Illustrated with a wide selection of wartime photographs, while full colour is brought on every page by maps of the battlefields, pieces of uniforms and insignia, wartime posters and a variety of military historical artefacts.

Even in the "pays des cigales", the occupant doesn't fall asleep. "les provençaux" have also suffered from the pangs of an occupied country. From the scuppering of Toulon to the arrival of the French Commandos, the author brings back to life the dark years of the occupant for "Marius and Fanny".

Goodwood, Cobra ! After many difficulties, Montgomery and Patton have now broken through all the front from Caen to Brittany. It is a rush. Paris and river Seine are now at close range and the last German forces are about to disappear in the blaze of Falaise.
Illustrated with a wide selection of wartime photographs, while full colour is brought on every page by maps of the battlefields, pieces of uniforms and insignia, wartime posters and a variety of military historical artefacts.

The Allies now hold a bridgehead in Normandy but nothing is won yet and the Germans are resisting fiercely. After the success of 6th June and the disappointments of the first fifteen days, the author invites you to live again the first Allied victories in the bocage.
Illustrated with a wide selection of wartime photographs, while full colour is brought on every page by maps of the battlefields, pieces of uniforms and insignia, wartime posters and a variety of military historical artefacts.

"The longest day" sounds usually as the beginning of the end for Adolf Hitler's troops. But the whole operation was somewhat a gamble and, on the evening of June 6th 1944, the margin was still narrow. With this small book, first in a series devoted to the campaign of Normandy, follow the actions of the paratroopers, commandos and soldiers which landed on D-Day.
Illustrated with a wide selection of wartime photographs, while full colour is brought on every page by maps of the battlefields, pieces of uniforms and insignia, wartime posters and a variety of military historical artefacts.

The Allies now hold a bridgehead in Normandy but nothing is won yet and the Germans are resisting fiercely. After the success of 6th June and the disappointments of the first fifteen days, the author invites you to live again the first Allied victories in the bocage.
Illustrated with a wide selection of wartime photographs, while full colour is brought on every page by maps of the battlefields, pieces of uniforms and insignia, wartime posters and a variety of military historical artefacts.

From the German troops arrival to the Britttany's liberation by the American army, a precise and detailed panorama of the Breton's everyday life under the German heel. St Marcel's maquis, but also the battle for Brest. A practical guide.