Bayonets of the World was originally published from 1972 to 1976 in four volumes, and over 40 years later it is still the reference work by which all other books are measured. This new publication, Bayonets of the World: The Complete Edition, contains all drawings and information from the original version, but is extended with new information and drawings, arranged into 47 national chapters, depicting and describing circa 1100 different bayonets by country. Further, this new edition contains indices on markings, manufacturers, lengths and countries. The absolute standard work on the subject. AUTHOR Paul Kiesling owned one of the largest and finest collection of bayonets of the world. In the seventies, he combined his collection, knowledge and drawing talents with those of other collectors and museums and composed the best book on the subject ever. ILLUSTRATIONS 1100 photographs

Bayonets: An Illustrated History covers the subject from the 17th century to date—providing a full-color introduction to a fascinating military weapon. A short, general introduction examines the history of the bayonet—named after the French town of Bayonne, where it is thought to have been devised around 1650. The book details the technological advancements over the years in the size, shape, manufacture and style of the bayonet. Most of the book is divided into alphabetical coverage on the bayonets of 37 countries, from Argentina to Yugoslavia. This latest book from long time researcher and militaria expert Martin J. Brayley provides an extensive and in depth examination of bayonets from 37 countries from around the world – over 300 bayonets in all. The history of the bayonet is indeed an interesting one, and this comprehensive reference does a splendid job of covering its origin and evolution, as well as the physical description, manufacturing data, service history and effectiveness of each model. Contains nearly 500 supporting color photographs. Bayonets: An Illustrated History is an excellent starting point for the military enthusiast or collector, providing over 500 color images and contemporary illustrations.

The essential guide for every bayonet collector. Covers blades from Argentina to the USSR, and everything in between. Bayonets are especially interesting collectibles for a number of reasons, the most inexpensive, readily available, and their histories are interesting and well documented, plus the immense variety of design. Over the years bayonets were made with a number of uses -- as saws, trowels, combat knives, cutlasses, lances, machetes, even wire cutters.

A presentation of over 270 images of bayonets and an explanation of their development and use throughout World War I.

In the final days of World War II in Europe, Georgians serving in the Wehrmacht on Texel island off the Dutch coast rose up and slaughtered their German masters. Hitler ordered the island to be retaken and fighting continued for weeks, well after the war's end. The uprising had it origins in the bloody history of Georgia in the twentieth century, a history that saw the country move from German occupation, to three short years of independence, to Soviet rule after it was conquered by the Red Army in 1921. A bloody rebellion against the Soviets took place in 1924, but it remained under Russian Soviet rule. Thousands of Georgians served in the Soviet forces during World War II and among those who were captured, given the choice of “starve or fight”, some took up the German offer to don Wehrmacht uniforms. The loyalty of the Georgians was always in doubt, as Hitler himself suspected, and once deployed to the Netherlands, the Georgian soldiers made contact with the local Communist resistance. When the opportunity arose, the Georgians took the decision to rise up and slaughter the Germans, seizing control of the island. In just a few hours, they massacred some 400 German officers using knives and bayonets to avoid raising the alarm. An enraged Hitler learned about the mutiny and ordered the Germans to fight back, showing no mercy to either the Georgians or the Dutch civilians who hid them. It was not until 20 May, 12 days after the war had ended, that Canadian forces landed on the island and finally put an end to the slaughter. Eric Lee explores this fascinating but little known last battle of the Second World War: its origins, the incredible details of the battle and its ongoing legacy.

A complete history on the development, manufacturing, field trials, and results of the Krag bayonets.

The bayonet is an essential item of a soldier's kit even on today's modern hi-tech battlefield. This work examines the origins of this humble weapon and the 'cult of the bayonet' as espoused by the Russian General Alexander Suvorov who asserted that The bullet misses, the bayonet does not. The first bayonets appeared in France in the early 17th century and soon they were being used by every army in Europe. The author examines the spread of this simple weapon and how it led to fundamental changes being made in battlefield tactics. Over 300 years later, in the age of hi-tech warfare and weapons of mass destruction, the bayonet is still in service with armies around the world. British and US forces in Afghanistan regularly have their bayonets fixed. Fix Bayonets illustrates how tactics changed and the design of the weapon, although fundamentally the same, has evolved over the centuries.Much myth and legend surrounds the subject of bayonet charges and the weapon has become an icon of defiance and the determination to do whatever it takes to win. The author examines evidence for the reality of such actions. How did the ordinary soldier feel to be told 'fix bayonets'? John Norris draws on personal accounts of soldiers using bayonets in combat from the Napoleonic and Crimean Wars, various Colonial campaigns, through the World Wars, Falklands War and into the 21st century in Afghanistan. In so doing he explains the seemingly anachronistic survival of this simple weapon on the modern battlefield.

The image is indelible: densely packed lines of slow-moving Redcoats picked off by American sharpshooters. Now Matthew H. Spring reveals how British infantry in the American Revolutionary War really fought. This groundbreaking book offers a new analysis of the British Army during the “American rebellion” at both operational and tactical levels. Presenting fresh insights into the speed of British tactical movements, Spring discloses how the system for training the army prior to 1775 was overhauled and adapted to the peculiar conditions confronting it in North America. First scrutinizing such operational problems as logistics, manpower shortages, and poor intelligence, Spring then focuses on battlefield tactics to examine how troops marched to the battlefield, deployed, advanced, and fought. In particular, he documents the use of turning movements, the loosening of formations, and a reliance on bayonet-oriented shock tactics, and he also highlights the army’s ability to tailor its tactical methods to local conditions. Written with flair and a wealth of details that will engage scholars and history enthusiasts alike, With Zeal and with Bayonets Only offers a thorough reinterpretation of how the British Army’s North American campaign progressed and invites serious reassessment of most of its battles.