Leroy Thompson – författare

The Fairbairn-Sykes Commando dagger has become iconic as the most widely recognized fighting knife in the world.The origins of the dagger can be traced to Shanghai in the 1930s where W. E. Fairbairn and US Marine officers including Sam Yeaton carried out experiments to develop what they considered the perfect knife for close combat. When Fairbairn and Sykes became instructors for the Commandos, they refined the design which would evolve into the classic Fairbairn-Sykes dagger.The dagger was first used during early Commando raids into occupied Europe but saw action in every theatre of World War II. US Rangers and Marines who had trained with the Commandos took their Fairbairn-Sykes daggers home, and this also influenced the development of American Special Forces daggers.This book explores the history of this knife that remained in use with many units after the war, and has become a symbol of Commando and special forces units throughout the world.

The M14 may have only been the primary US service rifle for a little over a decade before being replaced by the M16, but it is still considered by many experts to be the best rifle to ever see US service.Primarily designed for a war in Europe, where it would take its place alongside the other battle rifles like the FN FAL, the M14 saw most of its combat use in the early days of the Vietnam War. Maintained until 1970 for compatibility with NATO forces the M14 had a renaissance as a semi-automatic sniping weapon and since 2001 the M14 has been employed as a Designated Marksman Rifle, being employed by all branches of the US military, especially in Afghanistan where the open terrain makes longer-range engagements common. Featuring specially commissioned full-color artwork and archive and close-up photographs, this engaging study tells the story of the M14, the long-lived battle rifle that surpassed 50 years in front-line service with US forces.

Influenced by the German MP 40 and the British Sten, the .45-caliber M3 “Grease Gun” served as the primary US submachine gun for almost a half-century.Designed to replace the expensive Thompson SMG, the M3 was issued to airborne troops and others during World War II thanks to its compact design with sliding wire stock. An improved variant, the M3A1, was favored by armored crews right up to the beginning of the 1990s, seeing service in 1991’s Operation Desert Storm. In Korea and Vietnam, reconnaissance troops and special-operations forces were at times armed with the M3A1 – also available in a suppressed version – and it was the first SMG issued to the US counterterrorist unit Delta Force.Featuring full-color artwork, first-hand accounts, and archive and close-up photographs, this engaging study examines how the deadly M3 provided US forces with close-range automatic firepower during World War II and for many decades afterwards.

Entering service in 1931, the 9x19mm Suomi KP/-31 submachine gun saw extensive combat with Finnish troops during their fight against Soviet forces in 1939–44.It was also manufactured under licence in Switzerland, Denmark and Sweden, and remained in Finnish service until the 1980s, an indication of its durability. Rugged and accurate, the Suomi was a favourite with Finnish ski troops who would strike from ambush, cutting down Soviet troops, then skiing away into the woods.Initially used by the Finns as a light machine gun at infantry squad level, it eventually became a dedicated submachine gun, and since it had been designed to be more accurate than the typical SMG, it was often even used as a sniping weapon, or to supplement longer-ranged rifles such as the Mosin-Nagant.Featuring first-hand accounts and specially commissioned colour artwork, this is the story of one of World War II’s most distinctive and respected infantry weapons.

During the Cold War, the G3 was one of the world’s pre-eminent battle rifles.Developed in France and Spain after 1945, the rifle was produced by the German arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch. Adopted by more than 40 countries and produced on licence by many more, it was widely employed during colonial wars in Africa, insurgencies in Latin America and conflicts in the Middle East, but perhaps its widest use was in the Iran–Iraq War.Variants of the G3 have also seen substantial usage among Special Forces including Britain’s Special Boat Service and the US Navy SEALs. Semi-automatic versions, especially the HK91 and HK93, remain popular in the United States, and the G3-derived HK11 and HK21 family of light machine guns have also been widely adopted by military and law-enforcement units across the world.Fully illustrated with specially commissioned artwork, this study examines one of the iconic weapons of the Cold War era.

Making its debut in 1935, the Browning High-Power was the world’s most widely used military pistol for much of the 20th century.Military and law-enforcement agencies in more than 90 countries have issued the High-Power and it has seen combat in conflicts from World War II through to the ‘War on Terror’. After conquering Belgium, Nazi Germany produced more than 300,000 High-Powers for use by the Waffen-SS, Fallschirmjäger and others, and after 1945 the High-Power became standard for most NATO-armed forces as well as scores of others.Chambered for the 9×19mm Luger cartridge, John Browning’s High-Power improved on the classic Colt M1911 design, especially in its use of a far simpler takedown system. The pistol’s innovative 13-round magazine, designed by Dieudonné Saive, staggered the cartridges for higher capacity without unduly increasing the grip size. During its 82-year production run at Fabrique Nationale (FN) in Belgium, the design evolved slightly, but a 2017 High-Power was still easily recognizable as a descendant of the original model. Packed with gripping material including detailed technical specifications, contemporary photographs and highly accurate artist’s renditions, this title is a comprehensive and informative guide to the world’s most iconic semi-automatic pistol.

This is the absorbing story of the development, combat use and legacy of the influential sidearms used by the armed forces of the Soviet Union.Featuring archive and present-day photography and specially commissioned artwork, this is the story of the pistols that armed the forces of the Soviet Union and its allies during and after World War II. In 1930 the TT, a single-action semi-automatic pistol developed by Fedor Vasilyevich Tokarev and firing 7.62×25mm ammunition, began to supplement the venerable Nagant M1895 revolver in Soviet military service. From 1933 the TT-33, a simplified version, was also issued; all three would equip Soviet and proxy forces throughout and after World War II, seeing action across the globe.In 1951 the 9×18mm Makarov round, or PM, entered Soviet service, quickly joined by the Stechkin machine pistol. Other specialized versions of the Makarov were developed, including the PB suppressed version and the 5.45×18mm PSM, a more compact version. Initially developed in 1990, the improved PMM version of the Makarov was intended primarily to increase the stopping power of the 9×18mm round by chambering a higher-pressure load.In this study, noted weaponry expert Leroy Thompson tells the story of the Tokarev, Makarov, Stechkin and other handguns in service with Soviet and other forces around the world, exploring the development, combat use and legacy of these formidable firearms.

Written by a noted authority, this fully illustrated study describes and depicts the machine guns equipping Soviet and Russian troops after 1945.Following the USSR’s victory in World War II, the Soviet armed forces adopted a succession of new or improved machine guns. At squad level, the 7.62mm RPD and RP-46 light machine guns replaced the DPM, themselves being supplanted by the RPK from 1961. Firing the lighter 5.45×39mm cartridge, the RPK-74 was issued from 1974 and remains in use today. The 5.45mm RPK-16 entered Russian service in 2018.Having served alongside the 7.62mm PM M1910 Maxim during World War II, the 7.62mm SG-43 medium machine gun was updated as the SGM before being supplanted by the 7.62mm PK general-purpose machine gun, issued from 1961. The improved PKM made its debut in 1969 and still equips Russian troops today, being joined by the PKP in 2001 and the AEK-999 in 2008.First issued in 1938, the formidable 12.7mm DShK heavy machine gun remains in Russian service today as the DShkM. It was joined by the 14.5mm KPV from 1949, the 12.7mm NSV from 1971 and the 12.7mm Kord from 1998.In this illustrated survey, Leroy Thompson investigates the origins, development, combat use and legacy of all of these machine guns since 1945, from the start of the Cold War to the 2020s, casting light on their battlefield effectiveness and tactical influence.

From the Korean War to the present, the US Air Force’s special forces have spearheaded its operations across the globe. This book examines their evolving organization, appearance, and gear.Since its foundation in 1947, the United States Air Force has deployed elite special-operations troops trained to the same level as the US Navy SEALs or US Army Special Forces, albeit with different specializations. Among these renowned operators are the Pararescuemen, undertaking search and rescue of US personnel, often behind enemy lines; Combat Control Teams, specializing in air–ground communications; Special Reconnaissance operators, tasked not only with weather analysis but also with broad reconnaissance, including use of electronic warfare, drones, and cyber warfare; and Tactical Air Control Party operators, coordinating terminal attack and control of rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft, as well as artillery and naval gunfire.In this book, renowned authority Leroy Thompson describes the origins, organization, appearance, and methods of these highly trained special-operations personnel since their foundation. Eight pages of specially commissioned artwork and carefully selected photographs depict their evolving uniforms, gear, weapons, and insignia, through to the present day.

Relevant Treatment Issues in Substance Abuse Counseling provides future counselors with carefully curated, enlightening articles about the challenges and opportunities practitioners in the field face today.The anthology is divided into four sections. Section I contains selections that introduce the reader to the world of drug use, abuse, and addiction. In Section II, students read about administrative and structural issues regarding the treatment of substance abuse disorders. The readings discuss the agencies responsible for substance abuse treatment in the U.S., the importance of post-incarceration care for drug offenders, and how to treat individuals in the workforce who are also addicted to substances. Section III examines the types of psychological interventions that have proven to be effective in the treatment of substance abuse, including cognitive behavioral approaches and solution-focused group therapy. The final section covers additional issues to be addressed in treating substance abuse in the age of advancement and multiculturalism.Designed to inspire reflection and discussion, Relevant Treatment Issues in Substance Abuse Counseling is an ideal resource for future counselors and practitioners.

Developed to replace the Model 1892 Krag-Jørgensen rifle, the Model 1903 Springfield was a five-shot bolt-action rifle that introduced the .30-06 cartridge – the standard US round until the introduction of the 7.62mm NATO cartridge.This gave the US infantryman a durable, magazine-fed weapon so renowned for its accuracy that it remained in service as a sniping rifle for decades after it was superseded by the M1 Garand in 1937. Extensively used in World War I, the M1903 Springfield saw widespread combat in World War II and Korea. During World War I, US troops developed a formidable reputation for marksmanship aided by the accuracy of the M1903 Springfield. World War II saw the introduction of the M1903A3, which changed the rear sight so that it was closer to that of the M1 Garand, to allow easier training of troops who might be issued either rifle.Illustrated with specially commissioned color artwork and drawing upon veterans’ recollections, this is the engaging story of the M1903 Springfield, an iconic rifle prized for its lethal accuracy that equipped US and other troops for much of the 20th century.

When a soldier must face multiple opponents at close quarters, few weapons can match the effectiveness of the shotgun.From World War I to the War on Terror, the shotgun has been a devastating weapon in the hands of US troops. For urban combat, prisoner control and shipboard operations, it remains as deadly today as it was a century ago. This book examines various types, from the early combat shotguns through to the riot gun and trench gun versions used in World War l.So effective was the trench shotgun, the Germans complained it violated the “Rules of War” as an inhumane weapon, and threatened to execute troops captured carrying one. More recently during the War on Terror, shotguns have been used to clear cave complexes in Afghanistan and buildings in Iraq, but especially to blow doors open during entries and searches.Featuring specially commissioned full-color artwork, this is the story of the origins, development and the use of the combat shotgun in US service, from the trenches of World War l, to the Korean and Vietnamese Wars and Afghanistan.

Since the mid-1960s the Heckler & Koch MP5 has become the most widely used submachine gun in the world, especially among counterterrorist and special-operations units.Lightweight and offering a blistering rate of fire of up to 900 rounds per minute, the MP5 quickly earned a reputation for accuracy. Fielded early by West Germany’s GSG 9 counterterrorist unit it was soon adopted by the SAS. Today military and police agencies in over 80 countries from Albania to Zambia utilize the weapon.Featuring specially commissioned full-color photographs and expert analysis, this engaging study charts the origins, use, and impact of the MP5, Heckler & Koch’s innovative and long-lived submachine gun.

First used in combat during the Punitive Expedition into Mexico and then extensively during the world wars, the Colt Government Model (1911) pistol remained the standard issue handgun in the US armed forces for nearly 80 years.In fact, the M1911 saw a resurgence amongst US Special Operations units as US Marine MARSOC and MEUSOC personnel were more recently issued modernized versions. In addition the pistol has seen service with famous law enforcement agencies such as the Shanghai Municipal Police, LAPD Swat and Texas Rangers.Nearly a century after its introduction, the M1911 pistol remains a popular design and is now produced by virtually every major firearms manufacturer doing business in the USA.

In 1990 the Beretta M9 replaced the venerable Colt 1911 as the main pistol of choice for the US Army, and it has seen widespread use in Iraq and Afghanistan.Written by a leading pistol expert who currently trains US Special Forces in the use of this weapon, this book is an honest appraisal of the successes and failings of the 9mm Beretta. The volume traces the Beretta designs that preceded the M9, as well as its use on the battlefield, including the impact it has had on close combat training due its the larger magazine capacity.It also details the adoption of the Beretta by US law enforcement agencies and the impact this has had. This is a fascinating history of a classic pistol and an assessment of its future use.

In 1938 the US Chief of Infantry requested that the Ordnance Department develop a carbine to be used by service and support troops, artillerymen, machine-gun crews, tankers, mortar crews and other troops not needing the power of the M1 Garand rifle.The development of this new weapon was given an added impetus by Germany's successful use of airborne and glider troops early on in World War II. This caused a fear amongst US officers that troops normally considered 'behind the lines' personnel might have to fight elite German troops and would therefore require a more effective weapon than their standard pistols. The resulting M1 Carbine was a not a shortened version of the standard service rifle but instead a brand-new design chambering a new cartridge. Eventually numerous manufacturers would combine to produce over six million M1 Carbines before the end of the war.This book charts the complete story of the weapon, from its design, to its operational history and its impact upon warfare.

The M1 Garand gave the US infantryman a marked edge during World War II. It shot faster and further than enemy infantry rifles and hit harder.No less an authority on killing the enemy than General George S. Patton called the Garand, “The greatest battle implement ever devised.” At a time when opposing forces were armed with bolt-action rifles, US troops had a highly reliable self-loader. The eight-round clips which were used to load the M1 Garand were, however, viewed with mixed emotions by the troops on the ground. Some Army and Marine Corps troops allegedly felt that the distinctive “twang” as the Garand's clip was ejected when empty alerted the enemy that the soldiers were reloading and resulted in an attack.This is a development and operation history of the defining mankiller of the war. Despite its weight and magazine problems, many US combat veterans consider it one of the key reasons they survived the war.

The Sten submachine gun – officially the 'Carbine, Machine, Sten' – was developed to fulfill the pressing British need for large quantities of cheaply produced weapons after Dunkirk, when German invasion was a very real possibility.Over four million were built during World War II, and the Sten was widely used by airborne troops, tankers, and others who needed a compact weapon with substantial firepower. It proved especially popular with Resistance fighters as it was easy to conceal, deadly at close range, and could fire captured German ammunition – with a design so simple that Resistance fighters were able to produce them in bicycle shops.Featuring vivid first-hand accounts, specially commissioned full-colour artwork and close-up photographs, this is the fascinating story of the mass-produced submachine gun that provided Allied soldiers and Resistance fighters with devastating close-range firepower.