Books by Nigel Thomas

Between 1941-45, the Germans recruited around 175,000 men from a number of minorities in the USSR, distinguishing between 'Turkomans' (predominantly Muslims) and 'Caucasians' (predominantly Orthodox Christians). Of these, many formed rear-area auxiliary units, but at least 55,000 were combat troops. The first recruits formed two battalions in the 444th Security Division raised as early as November 1941; during 1942-­43 seven legions were formed, each of several battalions, eventually totalling some 53 battalions (equivalent to about 6 full divisions). However, with one exception (162nd Turkoman Division), they were not deployed as whole formations; after training in Poland, individual battalions were posted to fill out German regiments in the front lines, at first in Army Group South but later in all three Army Groups fighting on the Eastern Front. Units were also sent to Yugoslavia, Italy and the Western Front.This fully illustrated history of the Eastern legions details the organization, battle orders, combat history, uniforms and insignia of these unique units, combining contemporary photographs and full-colour illustrations with expert research from military historian Dr Nigel Thomas.

This volume describes, lists, and illustrates the several combatant forces raised in Yugoslavia during World War II.In March 1941, an anti-German coup in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia prompted Hitler to order an invasion using allied Italian, Hungarian, Bulgarian. and Romanian forces. Operation Marita was an invasion of Yugoslavia and simultaneously Greece. At the same time, the constituent region of Croatia broke away from Yugoslavia and joined the Axis powers. Royal Yugoslav armed forces, despite advancing against the Italians in Albania were forced to surrender after 11 days' fighting and some 1,000 soldiers, airmen, and sailors escaped to British-occupied Egypt to form Free Yugoslav units. From there, guerrilla resistance to the Axis occupiers broke out and continued with increasing strength until the end of the war under Mihailovic's royalist 'Chetniks' and Tito's Communist 'Partisans' (both supported by Britain). However, hostilities between the two movements eventually led to the Chetniks entering into local agreements with Italian occupation forces and Britain switching its support entirely to the Partisans. The advance of the Red Army increased Partisan strength and, during 1944-45, they created what could be described as a lightly equipped conventional army.Using meticulously-drawn illustrations of different insignia, uniforms, and equipment from each faction to bring the conflict alive, this volume describes, in detail, both the political and military implications of the war and how it was fought, setting the scene for the subsequent rise of Tito to power within Yugoslavia.

In World War II Germany's doctrine of mobile warfare dominated the battlefield. By trial and error, the Germans were the first to correctly combine the strength in tanks and in mobile infantry and artillery. This integration of mobile units, equipment and tactics underpinned Germany's successes in the first half of the war. As the war dragged on, the Allies sought to copy German tactics but German armies remained supreme in this type of warfare until their losses had seriously degraded their capabilities. This study traces the development of the different types of unit that came together in the Panzergrenadier branch from the inter-war years through World War II. Using colour plates to display the changes in uniform, equipment and insignia in all theatres of operations throughout the conflict, this is a complete account of Hitler's elite armoured infantry.

Given the merciless way in which the war on the Eastern Front of World War II was conducted, it is difficult to envisage anyone changing sides during the conflict. This book guides you through the appearance, formation and equipment of the myriad Russian and Soviet units that fought for the Germans.

Presents a detailed analysis of the Soviet armed forces during the final days of the war, covering the soldiers that successfully turned the tide against the Nazi onslaught and pushed it back into Germany itself. This book also offers a detailed breakdown of all the armed forces that conducted the offensive campaigns on the Eastern Front.

Children, family and the state examines different theories of childhood, children's rights and the relationship between children, parents and the state.

Presents an analysis of the Soviet Army at the outbreak of World War II, including the Red Army's campaigns against Japan on the Manchurian plains as well as in Finland. This book also covers the Red Army's first operations during Operation Barbarossa when the Red Army was forced to defend Mother Russia against the German onslaught.

Examines the complex relationships between modern sport, disability and other aspects of wider society. This book presents an introduction and a critical exploration of the key issues surrounding disability sport in the twenty-first century. It is suitable for students, and professionals working in sport studies, and disability studies.

This final volume on the German Army of World War II details the units of the Wehrmacht that fought in the West, from the beaches of Sicily to the defence of the Reich. The text is supported by tables detailing rank insignia and unit organisation, and artwork showing uniforms and equipment.

The first of a series of five books on the German army of World War II, this volume looks at their acheivements from 1935 to 1940, from pre-war campaigns in Spain and Austria to the Polish, Norwegian and French invasions. Blitzkrieg tactics, training and uniforms are all covered.

The second volume in a series of five books on the German army of World War II. It looks at the units that fought in North Africa and the Mediterranian with details of unit strengths, equipment and uniforms.

An account of the uniforms, weaponry, military practices and tactics of Axis forces and their foes in Yugoslavia between 1941 and 1944. The book covers the Nazi invaders, domestic units set up to combat internal resistance, and the partisan forces of Tito and Mihailovic.

Part of the "Men-At-Arms" series, this book looks at the Partisan forces of World War II.

In 1938, Adolf Hitler directed two paramilitary labour organizations - the Reicharbeitsdienst, consisting of recruits, and the Organization Todt, a mobilized force of private construction firms - to assist the military. This book looks at the history, equipment and uniforms of these organizations.

This is the third volume in a series of five books on the German army of World War II. Covering the Eastern Front, the book includes the organization, campaigns and uniforms of the army, beginning with the attack on the Soviet Union and ending with their defeat at Stalingrad in 1943.

At 4am on Sunday 25 June 1950 powerful North Korean forces invaded South Korea, advancing down the Uijongbu Corridor towards the Southern Capital of Seoul. South Korean troops resisted bravely, but were crushed by overwhelming Northern superiority. Later that day the United Nations Security Council condemned the aggression, and on 7 July appointed US General of the Army Douglas MacArthur to command UN forces which would be sent to save South Korea. Nigel Thomas and Peter Abbott explore the history of this conflict, which pitted UN forces against the People''s Republic of China in a resulting in hundreds of thousands of casualties.