Index, bibliography, notes, ill (b/w), p.348.From the 1930s through WWII to Afghanistan today, from total war to counterinsurgency, this history unravels and defines the intangible qualities that differentiate the "Sky Men" from other soldiers Seventy years ago the Parachute Regiment was formed - the army's elite air assault force was tough, well-trained, and designed to fight hazardous operations behind enemy lines with little or no backup. Dropping into the middle of enemy territory, these "Sky Men"- British, American, German, and Russian soldiers - engage in gruelling combat in the most dangerous conflict zones around the world. Ex-Parachute Regiment officer Robert Kershaw reveals the history of these airborne forces and their role during the most dramatic battles of the 20th century. He finds out what drives a "Sky Man" to take these extraordinary risks, and what marks these sky warriors out from ordinary soldiers. How do military paratroopers conquer the fear of jumping from aircraft at low level, by night, and frequently under fire? Has the helicopter replaced the need for parachutists in the 21st Century? Has the increasing lethality of anti-aircraft weapons made the airborne option redundant? These issues are examined alongside the personal experiences of the Soviet "Locust Warriors," German Fallschirmjäger, British Red Devils, American "devils in baggy-pants," and Les Paras. Based on letters, diaries, and exclusive interviews with soldiers from around the world, this book is full of vivid personalities and nail-biting action.great britain - history - military, great britain - parachute regiment

Ill, p.190.non-fictionMore than 450 photographs present a superb visual record of World War Two - the great convoy battles fought between aircraft, U-boats and escorts; the battles with the German raiders; desperate struggles in the icy seas of the Arctic; great naval-air battles in the Pacific; the vast amphibious operations that brought the Allies to grips with the enemy on land; and much more. For the six years between 1939 and 1945, naval action was seen on every ocean of the world. This sea war was on a unique scale - it had never been seen before, has not been experienced since and surely will never be witnessed again. This pictorial history brings together images from international archives and personal collections to demonstrate the diversity and drama of these years, to portray the atmosphere experienced by the mariners in this most unforgiving battlefield of all, and to provide an unprecedented visual record of this most event filled period of naval history.world war 1939 – 1945 –naval operations, world war 1939-1945 - naval operations - pictorial works

Index, bib, maps, p.235.non-fictionAt the outset of 1918 Germany faced certain defeat as a result of Allied technical innovation in tanks and aircraft, and the American entry into the war. Victory could only be gained by the immediate application of overwhelming force in new tactical form; the 'fire-waltz' artillery barrage and the storm-trooper infantry attack. 1918 examines both the Germans' tactics and the Allies' preferred solution to fighting this war, the combination of artillery, tanks, infantry and aircraft, and argues that this reached a level of sophistication in command and control never before achieved. The war of attrition was far from over, but as more Americans arrived in France the ghastly cost became affordable. For the Germans, it became a question of whether they could negotiate an armistice before their armies were utterly destroyed.world war 1914-1918 - history, world war 1914-1918 - campaigns - france

Index, bib, ill, p.283.non-fictionAt the outset of 1918 Germany faced certain defeat as a result of Allied technical innovation in tanks and aircraft, and the American entry into the war. Victory could only be gained by the immediate application of overwhelming force in new tactical form; the 'fire-waltz' artillery barrage and the storm-trooper infantry attack. 1918 examines both the Germans' tactics and the Allies' preferred solution to fighting this war, the combination of artillery, tanks, infantry and aircraft, and argues that this reached a level of sophistication in command and control never before achieved. The war of attrition was far from over, but as more Americans arrived in France the ghastly cost became affordable. For the Germans, it became a question of whether they could negotiate an armistice before their armies were utterly destroyed.world war 1914-1918 - history, world war 1914-1918 - campaigns - france

Index, bib, ill, p.236.non-fictionIt is difficult to overestimate the excitement that accompanied the birth of the Spitfire. An aircraft imbued with balletic grace and extraordinary versatility, it was powered by a piston engine and a propeller, yet came tantalisingly close to breaking the sound barrier. First flown in 1936, the Spitfire soon came to symbolize Britain's defiance of Nazi Germany in the summer of 1940. Flown by pilots of many nations, it saw service as far afield as Australia and the Soviet Union. Spitfire: The Biography is a celebration of a great British invention.spitfire, world war ii - air warfare

Suitcase issued to aircraft captains or crew by RAAF during World War II. The contents of M D Frecker's suitcase include World War II medals awarded to the owner, photographs, maps, pilots' handbooks, language dictionaries (Malay, Pidgin, Japanese), propaganda leaflets dropped by Japanese.Has historical and social significance, also research significance. Provenance known, owner piloted B-24 Liberator bombers and General Blamey's personal aircraft; item was donated by son. Great interpretive potential.Worn dark suitcase belonging to Mason Day Frekker, strong cardboard covered with 'leatherette', metal fasteners on front, with carry handle. Suitcase contains Flying Log Book RAAF, Wedding Photo, National Archives Record Search Mason Day Frecker, Distinguished Flying Medal Register WW2 x 3, Papers on Medals and Victorian Ground Crew Numbers, Files 1 - 2 - 3 - Photographs, Leaflets, Pilots' Notes, Maps - Germany (28 maps), Buttons and badges and other medals."RAAF/402653/Frecker/M.D." on top surface, "M.D.F." on front surface under handle.b24 liberator bomber, world war ii, raaf pilot, world war ii aerial photographs, a22.00

aircraft engines of the Second World War. Particularly focusing on the state of aircraft engines in 1944. Considers engines from the United States of America, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan and the USSR (Soviet Russia). engines, aircraft engines, second world war, 1944

With the outbreak of the First World War, HMAS Australia became the flagship of the naval force that captured the German colonies in the southern Pacific. She led a force which captured Rabaul on 13 September 1914 before proceeding to Samoa. With no German forces left in the South Pacific, Australia was deployed to the United Kingdom. En route she sank the German ship Eleanore Woermann. On 8 February 1915 she became flagship of the 2nd Battle-cruiser Squadron of the Royal Navy's Grand Fleet. Australia's service with the Grand Fleet consisted of a series of frequent patrols and exercises. She was twice rammed, firstly on 22 April 1916 by HMS New Zealand. This led to her missing the Battle of Jutland which, considering the disastrous losses in the Battle-cruiser Force, may well have been fortunate. She was rammed again by HMS Repulse in December 1917. Australia carried out experimental aircraft operations in 1918 and led the port column of the Grand Fleet at the surrender of the German High Seas Fleet. Returning home in 1919, Australia suffered a mutiny upon reaching Fremantle, Western Australia. Quite obsolete, she became a training vessel in Westernport until scuttled off Sydney Heads on 12 April 1924.The Australian Navy's first flagship, the battle cruiser HMAS Australia (I) was the centrepiece of the 'Fleet Unit', whose acquisition signalled the RAN's arrival as a credible ocean going force. Ordered from John Brown and Company in March 1910, construction began three months later with the total cost of the ship and fittings expected to be some £2 million. The Commonwealth Government decided upon the name Australia, and it proved a popular choice, carefully avoiding any suggestion of favouritism towards any one Australian State. The ship's badge maintained the national theme by featuring the Federation Star overlaid by a naval crown, while the motto 'Endeavour' reflected the ideal of the Australian spirit and recalled Lieutenant James Cook's ship of 1768-71.Timber frame of black and white print of a ship at sea.Imperial War Museum Photograph HMAS AUSTRALIA - RAN FLAGSHIP First flagship of the Royal Austrlian Navy 1913-1920 Sunk under the terms of the Washington Treaty 12th April 1924 This frame is made of teak from her deckhmas australia, ww1

Crew of "M" for Mother, a Lancaster aircraft belonging to No. 467 Squadron RAAF in Bomber Command. The Squadron is based at RAF Station Waddington, and this crew is just preparing to take off on a raid over Berlin. Left to right: 417035 Flight Sergeant (Flt Sgt, later Flying Officer [FO]) John Warrington Scott of Ballarat, Victoria; 413558 Flt Sgt (later FO) George Edward Erickson of Sydney, NSW; 412890 Flt Sgt (later Flight Lieutenant [Flt Lt]) Albert Reginald Thomas Boys of Sydney, NSW; 11615 Sergeant (later Flt Sgt) Charles Edward Adair of Swan Hills, NSW (lost on operations over Germany on 23 September 1943); 414407 Flt Sgt (later Flt Lt) Bertram Raymond Jones of Wyandra, Queensland; 400444 Flt Sgt (later Flt Lt) John Hudson Wilkinson, (later Distinguished Flying Cross), (bending down) of Rutherglen, Victoria (lost on operations over Europe on 30 August 1944); Sgt E L Tull, RAF. From collection of photographs and cuttings dedicated to the memory of WILKINSON JOHN HUDSON : Service Number - 400444 : Date of birth - 18 Feb 1914 : Place of birth - RUTHERGLEN VIC : Place of enlistment - MELBOURNE : Next of Kin - WILKINSON HUDSON. The crew of “M for Mother”, a Lancaster bomber from 467 Squadron, preparing to take off on a raid over Berlin. John Wilkinson is standing at far right. Wilkinson was awarded the distinguished flying cross in March 1944 and tragically killed in action over Germany in August 1944. black and white photograph of seven airmen in front of Lancaster bomber planeRear of photograph - John Wilkinson on right standing behind man bent over pilot, kia, killed in action, dfc, distinguished flying cross, wwii, world war two, air force, lancaster, 1944

Citation of Distinguished Flying Cross awarded to JOHN HUDSON WILKINSON: Service Number - 400444 : Date of birth - 18 Feb 1914 : Place of birth - RUTHERGLEN Victoria - tragically killed in action over Germany on 30th August, 1944. Citation reads: - "Pilot Officer WILKINSON is an air gunner of great ability and determination. He has taken part in a large number of operational sorties, many of which have been against some of German's most heavily defended targets. On one occasion, in March 1944, when engaged in an attack on Stuttgart, a Junkers 88 attacked the aircraft five times, but Pilot Officer WILKINSON, by his accurate directions to his captain and coolly aimed return fire, drove off the enemy aircraft in a badly damaged condition. At all times his unwavering devotion to duty and constant alertness have inspired confidence in his crew." The Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers, and since 1993 to other ranks, of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against the enemy"Original typed document on blue/grey parchment with blue letterhead containing crestGovernor General Commonwealth of Australiapilot, kia, killed in action, dfc, distinguished flying cross, wwii, world war two, air force, wilkinson

Photograph of RAAF Squadron in front of aircraft From collection of photographs and cuttings dedicated to the memory of WILKINSON JOHN HUDSON : Service Number - 400444 : Date of birth - 18 Feb 1914 : Place of birth - RUTHERGLEN VIC : Place of enlistment - MELBOURNE : Next of Kin - WILKINSON HUDSON. Wilkinson was awarded the distinguished flying cross in March 1944 and tragically killed in action over Germany also in 1944. Black and white photograph of airmen in front of aircraftpilot, kia, killed in action, dfc, distinguished flying cross, wwii, world war two, air force, john hudson wilkinson

Dornier Flying Boat. One of a collection of 25 model aircraft made by Brian Anthony DOWD The Dornier Do X was the largest, heaviest, and most powerful flying boat in the world when it was produced by the Dornier company of Germany in 1929. Large dark green model plane with German markings. Propeller is on the top of plane behind the wings.model airplanes, dornier flying boat

Junkers JU52. One of a collection of 25 model aircraft made by Brian Anthony DOWD In a military role, large numbers flew with the Luftwaffe, being deployed on virtually all fronts of the Second World War as a troop and cargo transport; it was also briefly used as a medium bomber.Medium sized dark green model plane with yellow tail fin and German markings. model airplanes, junkers ju52.

Meswerschmitt ME109. One of a collection of 25 model aircraft made by Brian Anthony DOWD The ME-109 was the most widely produced German fighter during World War II, thanks to its ability to fly low to the surface during battle. Dark & light green German plane with german markings, Has red on side & yellow nose.model airplanes, meswerschmitt me109.

Defence records belonging to 400444 John Hudson WILKINSON born 18./2/1914 at Rutherglen. He was a Pharmaceutical Chemist prior to enlisting in the RAAF on 2/9/1940 Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross - citation reads Pilot Officer Wilkinson is an air gunner of great ability and determination. He has taken part in a large number of operational sorties many of which have been against some of German's most heavily defended targets. On one occasion in March 1944 when engaged n an attack on Stuttgart a Junkers 88 attacked his aircraft five times but Pilot Officer Wilkinson by his accurate directions to his captain and coolly aimed return fire drove ff the enemy aircraft in a badly damaged condition. At all times his unwavering devotion to duty and constant alertness have inspired confidence in his crew. Killed in battle over Europe on 30/8/1944.White and green folder depicted with a sprig of rosemary above large group of soldiers.Defence Service Records National Archives of Australiapilot officer john hudson wilkinson, dfc, ww2, raaf, kia

Distinguish Flying Cross medal awarded to John Hudson WILKINSON 400444 born 18/2/1914 at Rutherglen. He was a Pharmaceutical Chemist prior to enlisting in the RAAF on 2/9/1940 He was reporting missing during air operations over East Prussia and later presumed to have lost his life on 30/8/1944 Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross - citation reads Pilot Officer Wilkinson is an air gunner of great ability and determination. He has taken part in a large number of operational sorties many of which have been against some of German's most heavily defended targets. On one occasion in March 1944 when engaged n an attack on Stuttgart a Junkers 88 attacked his aircraft five times but Pilot Officer Wilkinson by his accurate directions to his captain and coolly aimed return fire drove ff the enemy aircraft in a badly damaged condition. At all times his unwavering devotion to duty and constant alertness have inspired confidence in his crew. The Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers, and since 1993 to other ranks, of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against the enemy"Black case which opens out from right side. The top affixed by two side hinges on the left and push in pin on the right side. Inside case the top is lined in satin fabric imprinted with a black crest and the base is lined in felt containing a silver metal medal in the shape of a cross attached to a purple and while diagonally striped ribbon.On Top - DFC impressed in gold colour paint. Inside Top - Royal Mint Medal inscriptions -400444 Flt Lt Wilkinson Stuttgart 1944 pilot officer john hudson wilkinson, dfc, ww2, raaf, kia

The Atlantic Star was instituted in May 1945 to honour those who took part in the Battle of the Atlantic and was intended primarily for award to those who served in shipping convoys and their escorts and anti-submarine forces, as well as to those who served on fast merchant ships which sailed alone. The Battle of the Atlantic took place between 3 September 1939 and 8 May 1945, as German U-boats attacked convoys transporting vital supplies from America and the Colonies to Britain. Warships of the Royal Navy and aircraft of the Royal Air Force escorted these convoys, hunted the U-boats and, despite some notable successes by the U-boats, eventually won a comprehensive victory in the Atlantic. Group of three World War Two medals awarded to J Pritchard Merchant Navy: Atlantic Star, Pacific Star and Australian Service Medal 39-45.atlantic, merchant navy, world war two, wwii