Europa Militaria – serie

This book provides a convenient reference to the history and characteristics of the self-loading pistols that were adopted by the military forces of the nations involved in the two World Wars. It presents a selection of nineteen self-loading pistols - and the firms engaged in their manufacture - during this period, together with a technical appraisal of each weapon. For each pistol a history of both manufacturer and pistol is provided, along with a colour photograph and cutaway views of both the pistol and its breech operation. Details and cutaway views are also provided for the cartridges used by these pistols. All of the weapons illustrated are representative of the pattern issued to the military, and in many cases they continued to be produced for the commercial market.

After World War Two the rapid advance of communism and associated political instability threatened Great Britain's interest in the Far East. From 1948 until around 1967, troops were deployed throughout the Malaysian region. To equip the British soldier and Commonwealth troops or jungle warfare the 1944 pattern 'jungle' webbing, designed during World War Two, was issued. In the 1960s, the new 1958 pattern equipment was issued to troops serving in Borneo, alongside the existing 1944 pattern set. Both patterns of equipment were unofficially customized and formally modified to meet the needs of individual jungle soldiers and the tough environment, to keep up with the rapid innovation of small-arms technology.Brought together into one reference book, the contents include:Components of post-war 1944 pattern webbing1944 pattern equipment modifications 1944 pattern ancillary webbing items, bayonets and radio packsSmall arms used during the conflicts, and carriage of their ammunitionSpecial forces bespoke webbingTypical customisation of infantry belt kitsItems comprising the 1958 pattern webbing equipment set

All the patterns used by the formidable troops of the Waffen-SS, from the first revolutionary designs of the late 1930s to little-known innovations of 1945, are explained and illustrated by means of more than 120 colour photographs of rare, original surviving specimens. The book also covers similar and derivative patterns used by German and foreign armies up to the modern day; and gives invaluable advice on the identification of original wartime uniforms. Useful for collectors, uniform historians and military modellers alike, this title aims to resolve the confusion surrounding this subject and establishes and complete and concise system of identification and terminology.