Revised and updated second edition of this best-selling guide to air force history Comprehensive guide to tracing the careers of air force men and women Covers the Royal Flying Corps, the Royal Air Force and the Fleet Air Arm Features all records that have recently been put online Explains air force organization and unit histories
Did you have a spy in the family, an ancestor who was involved in espionage at home or abroad? If you have ever had any suspicions about the secret activities of your relatives, or are curious about the long hidden history of Britain's secret services and those who served in them, this is the book for you. Phil Tomaselli's fascinating guide to over 200 years of British spies and spying takes the reader on a journey through the twilight world of the secret intelligence organizations Britain has run since the time of the French Revolution to the modern day, and it shows where their records can be found.
A graphic account of a crucial sector of the Western Front throughout the First World War
This book delves into the intriguing claim that renowned painter Philip de Laszlo was an Austrian spy during World War I, supported by MI5's secret evidence. It presents a thorough investigation into the artist's life and the implications of his alleged espionage, revealing unexpected connections between art and espionage in high society. The shocking conclusion challenges perceptions of de Laszlo's legacy and raises questions about loyalty and betrayal during a tumultuous period in history.
"The battles fought at Estaires and Givenchy, just south of Ypres, in April 1918 were critical episodes in the larger Battle of Lys which determined the outcome of the ultimate German offensive on the Western Front. The massive assault of Ludendorff's armies crashed against defences manned by the British and Portuguese. A series of intense attacks and counter-attacks followed, and the Germans were on verge of gaining the decisive breakthrough that both sides on the Western Front had struggled for since the onset of trench warfare in late 1914. A German success might well have forced the British to retreat from Ypres ... [Tomaselli] describes the course of the fighting ... using eyewitness accounts, official records, photographs and maps ... He [also] provides walking and driving tours of the battlefield and of the monuments and cemeteries associated with it"--Publisher's website.
The Second World War was the defining conflict of the twentieth century and it is one of the most popular and fascinating areas for historical research - and for family historians. More records than ever are available to researchers whose relatives served during the war. And this new book by Phil Tomaselli is the perfect guide to how to locate and understand these sources - and get the most out of them. He explains how, and from where, service records can be obtained, using real examples showing what they look like and how to interpret them. He also examines records of the military units relatives might have served in so their careers can be followed in graphic detail. The three armed services are covered, along with the merchant navy, the Home Guard, civilian services, prisoners of war, gallantry and campaign medals, casualties, women's services and obscure wartime organizations. Also included are a glossary of service acronyms, information on useful websites, an introduction to the National Archives and details of other useful sources.