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Special Weapons and Types of Warfare

Bonnex

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At the end of World War 2 the UK Service Ministries commissioned the writing of 'administrative histories'(1) on specific subject areas likely to be of use in future conflicts. The volumes produced were associated with the Official History of the Second World War but, unlike the operational and civil series of volumes, were classified and not available for purchase by the public(2). In recent years some of these administrative histories have found their way onto the second-hand book market. My favourite Army history is a three volume set called 'Special Weapons and Types of Warfare' and I have been lucky enough to have Volumes 2 and 3 for many years. A personal copy of Volume 1(3) has eluded me despite the usual forays into Abe-books and eBay; until last week that is when I tripped over the latest catalogue from The Naval and Military Press to discover that they had just reproduced all three volumes using a 'master' held at the Royal Armouries, Leeds. Volume 1 arrived today and it is a very faithful reproduction with a soft (Perfect) binding. The photographs are particularly good. My only criticism is that a hardback option was not available but I might sort that out using a local bookbinder.

The N&M volumes are pricey at £38 each but they contain a great deal of information as shown in the chapter titles below.

Special Weapons and Warfare was largely compiled by Lt Col Wiseman from work of the staff at Porton Down:
Volume 1 deals with Gas Warfare:
Chapter 1 - Policy
Chapter 2 - Organisation
Chapter 3 - The War Gases
Chapter 4 - Gas Weapons
Chapter 5 - Employment of Gas and Tactical Doctrine
Chapter 6 - Defensive Equipment
Chapter 7 - Gas Training
Chapter 8 - Development in Enemy Countries

Volume 2 deals with Smoke, Flame and Insecticides
Chapter 9 -
Introductory
Chapter 10 - Smoke Materials, Weapons and Appliances
Chapter 11 - AA Smoke Screening
Chapter 12 - Tactical Smoke Screening
Chapter 13 - AA and Large Scale Tactical Screening
Chapter 14 - Smoke Training
Chapter 15 - Feasible Uses of Smoke Not Resorted to Operationally
Chapter 16 - Axis Smoke Development
Chapter 17 - Signal Smokes and Flares
Chapter 18 - Flame Warfare Introductory
Chapter 19 - Development (Flame Warfare)

Chapter 20 - Operational Success

Chapter 21 - Effect of Flame and Defence Against It

Chapter 22 - Training (Flame Warfare)

Chapter 23 - Development of Flame Warfare in Germany, Japan and Russia

Chapter 24 - Incendiary Projectiles
Chapter 25 - Insecticides and Insect Repellants
Chapter 26 - Special and Common User Equipment (Including I.R.)
Chapter 27 - Jungle Equipment

Volume 3 deal with Visual and Sonic Warfare
Chapter 28 - Introductory
Chapter 29 - Routine Concealment and Disguise
Chapter 30 - Tactical Deception
Chapter 31 - Decoys
Chapter 32 - Sonic Warfare
Chapter 33 - Organisation for Visual Warfare
Chapter 34 - Training
Chapter 35 - Enemy Development



(1) sometimes referred to as 'Staff Histories' or Monographs.
(2) the Royal Navy's 'War with Japan' is an example of an exception but it was not published until 1995
(3) only 375 copies were printed
 
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N. Thanks for posting that . I'd never even seen Vol. 1 . i think it may be more than slightly relevant at this time..........
 
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