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The SAS 1983-2014

Highly-trained and immensely skilled, the SAS are widely regarded as one of the best Special Forces units in the world. Their missions are uniquely diverse, ranging from counter-terrorist responses at home and abroad; counter-insurgency in collaboration with US Delta Force and other foreign Special Forces; mobile operations in support of conventional forces; targeting terrorist leaders and man-hunting war criminals, to 'direct action' raids.

This book charts the changing organization and operational emphases of the Regiment over the past 25 years; its individual deployments and operations, including those planned but aborted, joint missions with other British and foreign units. It sheds light on the SAS's involvement in the Troubles of Northern Ireland, their operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and the widespread use of the SAS in counter terrorism and counterinsurgency operations since 9/11.

CONTENTS

Introduction: formation; brief overview of ops from WW II to Falklands War 1982
The Embassy Effect - worldwide interest since Iranian Embassy counter-terrorist op in 1980 - foreign training ops
Op ‘Banner' - the SAS in Northern Ireland
Op ‘Granby' 1990-91 - the SAS in the First Gulf War
The 1990s - the Balkans, and Sierra Leone
Op ‘Veritas' 2001 - frustrating first ops in Afghanistan
Op ‘Row' 2003 - Task Force 14 in Iraq
Op ‘Telic' 2003-2009 - Task Force Black & TF Knight in Iraq - joint ops with US SF
Op ‘Herrick 2006-2014 - Task Force 84 in Afghanistan
Weapons, Equipment & Vehicles
Special Forces Support Group
Commonwealth SAS - Australia & New Zealand

French Foreign Legion 1831-71

Concluding his bestselling series on the French Foreign Legion, Martin Windrow explores the formation and development of the Legion during its 'first generation'. Raised in 1831, the Legion's formative years would see it fight continuous and savage campaigns in Algeria, aid the Spanish government in the Carlist War, join the British in the Crimean campaign and fight alongside the Swiss in the bloody battles of Magenta and Solferino. With the ever-changing combat environments they found themselves in, the Legion had to constantly adapt in order to survive.
Taking advantage of the latest research, this lavishly illustrated study explores the evolution of the uniforms and kit of the French Foreign Legion, from their early campaigns in Algeria through to their iconic Battle of Camerone in Mexico and their role in the Franco-Prussian war.

CONTENTS

Introduction - France and Algeria in 1831
Chronology of organization
The first campaigns, Algeria 1832-35
Spain, 1835-38
Algeria, 1836-57
The Crimean War, 1854-56
Italy, 1859
The Mexican Adventure, 1863-67
The Franco-Prussian War, 1870-71; the Paris Commune, 1871
Plate commentaries - uniform history

Austro-Hungarian Cruisers & Destroyers 1914-18

At the outbreak of World War I Austria-Hungary had four modern light cruisers and twenty modern destroyers at their disposal, constructed in the early 20th century to defend their growing overseas interests. It was these fast light vessels, not the fleet's prized battleships, which saw most action during the war; from the bombardment of enemy batteries during the Montenegrin Campaign to their victory over the Allied fleet at the Battle of the Strait of Otranto in 1917. Using specially-commissioned artwork author Ryan Noppen examines the cruisers and destroyers that the Austro-Hungarian Empire had at their disposal during World War I. His study covers their design and development, with thrilling combat reports highlighting the way in which the strategies evolved throughout the Adriatic Campaign.

Osprey Publishing Ltd