Books published by Naval & Military Press Ltd

Historians still debate the causes of the Indian Mutiny. This history, drawn from a formidible array of sources, should add ammunition to the controversy. It covers the whole history of the force that rebelled in 1857 - the Bengal Army- from the raising of the first prototype units by the East India Company in the 17th century, down to the height of the British Raj in the 1890s, and includes many half forgotten campaigns and actions. It was compiled as a continuous narrative by a serving officer in the Indian Army, Lieut. F. G. Cardew, before being revised and edited in the Military department of the Government of India by Mr. G. W. de Rhe-Phlipe. The book is particularly valuable as a source for the Bengal Artillery. "Provides much valuable background information on the organization of and disaffection in the Bengal Army." Includes an index, a glossary of Indian terms and words, and a Chronology of Indian army corps.

This Naval and Military Press series on military technology continues with this very important publication, which gives details of all ammunition in use by the British Army in 1936 With few exceptions, it covers ammunition, explosives and propellants in service just prior to the start of the Second World War.Every military historian, war gamer, re-enactor and reader should be familiar with the technology associated with the tactics, and this series of reprints aims to provide that information. No true, objective appreciation of tactical operations is possible without a basic knowledge of the weapons and ammunition being used at a specific point in time, and the series will serve as a continuing source of the relevant information.This volume looks in detail at explosives, cartridges, tubes and primers in detail. It also gives a treatment of projectiles, explaining the form of shells, and how they are designed for their purpose. There is a detailed examination of time fuses (the proximity fuse being still a dream in 1936). Small arms ammunition is described, as are grenades (including the famous Mills 36) and a section deals with military explosives.There is a wealth of illustration including many colour plates and the book is an essential to any study of the British Army and its equipment at the start of World War II.

This study of small arms and ammunition in all major armies of the world was a survey of the competition at a time when the British Army was still in a transitional stage of switching to the Martini Henry, a prototype of the rifle that dominated early 20th century warfare. European development in the 1880s was rapidly leading to bolt action rifles (such as the German Dreyse and Mausers and the French Chassepot and Gras rifles) whilst the US was still wedded to the single shot Remington, despite the success of lever action weapons (such as the Winchester and the Spencer). Waiting In the wings was the Lee magazine rifle. All of these weapons, and many more, are described in this book, and there are many line drawings showing the details of the arms so that a full understanding and comparison of the competing systems can be arrived at.This is an excellent book which needs to be on the bookshelf of anyone interested in the history and development of firearms.

The sixteen years between the suppression of tribal rebels in Waziristan and the unrest which welled up there in 1936 were something of a golden age for the British administration in the region. The tribes were quiescent and a 'steady drive by the Government to inculcate civilized ideas' went ahead unopposed. Even as nationalist agitation organised by the Indian National Congress convulsed other parts of the sub-continent, the tribes of the North-West frontier remained quiet. This volume of the Official History of militarty operations in the turbulent region attributes this relative passivity to the tribes having been humbled in 1919/20, and to the efficient deployment of troops by the authorities: 'The fact that there was little fighting and few major clashes...only demonstrates how little opportunity was afforded to the enemy. It shows how prudent were the dispositions and planning of Commanders and how efficient the bearing of the troops'. But the history concludes with words of warning that have a grim echo in the same troubled region today: ' Wars between 1st class modern powers come and go. Armaments and battle grounds change with each upheaval. The tribes of the North-West Frontier of India however remain as heretofore an unsolved problem. The Indian Army of the future will still have to deal with Mohmands and Afridis, Mahsuds and Wazirs...history repeats itself. Let it be read profitably.'

The diary of a gunnery officer during ten months service with the Naval Brigade in South Africa. Burne joined Gen. Buller's force in Natal taking part in operations at Chieveley, Colenso, Spion Kop and Vaal Krantz between December 1899 and February 1900.Following the relief of Ladysmith the naval detachment was broken up.The men of HMS Powerful and HMS Terrible being recalled for service elsewhere.Burne was taken ill with dysentery and sent to recuperate near Maritzburg.On return to service in April he was given command of a naval detachment in General Hildyard's brigade.The writer gives a personal account of the eastern advance with reference to the engagement at Almonds Nek in June 1900.Following a second bout of illness in July the author returned to his unit near Sandspriut in the Transvaal until recalled from active service in October 1900.The volume contains notes on gunnery together with a diary of the war up to October 25, 1900. Extracts from despatches and hints on clothing and equipment for active service are appended.