RUSSELL PHILLIPS

In the midst of the Second World War, Winston Churchill created the Special Operations Executive (SOE), a secret organisation on a mission to sabotage the enemy.Instructed to "set Europe ablaze", the SOE, nicknamed the Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, got to work creating a covert team of secret agents. The resourceful men and women recruited by the SOE risked their lives behind enemy lines committing acts of sabotage, resistance and espionage.Displaying phenomenal bravery, SOE agents worked in a world with no rules, doing whatever they could to help civilians in occupied countries, assist local resistance fighters and make sure downed Allied airmen managed to evade capture. Every act they committed came with a high risk of discovery and potentially execution.Setting Europe Ablaze: The SOE Sourcebook gives you all the tools you need to GM or play in an SOE campaign. With no rigid military ranks or limiting rules to follow, the SOE offers the perfect opportunity to play an RPG set in the Second World War where almost anything can happen. This user-friendly sourcebook is system-neutral, so you are free to use whatever rules you and your players prefer.

During the Second World War, information was one of the most precious currencies there was. And in this light-hearted and humorous one-shot adventure, delivering a simple newspaper could be the one thing which stops an entire village being erased from the history books and forgotten forever.In The Newspaper, the player characters will have to overcome a number of wartime challenges to ensure their delivery makes it into the hands of Dr Barnett Stross, a doctor and local politician in Stoke-on-Trent. If the mission succeeds, their newspaper will alert Dr Stross to the plight of Lidice, a Czechoslovakian village razed to the ground by the Nazis, and inspire him to start the Lidice Shall Live campaign.While the stakes may be high in this adventure, the action is far from serious. Players will have to keep their heads down and avoid the police, keep their valuables from being stolen by pickpockets, survive an air raid, and stay on the right side of the Home Guard.Will you complete the mission with your dignity intact? Or will your newspaper merely end up being the next days fish and chip paper?

Welcome to the Epiphany Club, where the pursuit of knowledge and adventure is the name of the game. A Victorian gentlemens club with a difference, its distinguished members are determined to solve some of the worlds greatest mysteries. For centuries, the wonders of the Great Library of Alexandria have been considered lost forever. So when the club discovers a clue to its whereabouts, the race is on to discover this forgotten treasure first. In this exciting steampunk campaign, you will play a member of the Epiphany Club, travelling across Europe and Africa to find the Great Library of Alexandria. But with so many people desperate to get their hands on the knowledge contained within the librarys hidden walls, your mission will be far from smooth sailing. Will you gather all the clues and solve them in time? Or will they merely lead you on a risky wild goose chase? Your quest will take you on a high stakes adventure where danger and betrayal lurk round every corner. Youll encounter an array of interesting characters, but not everyone is who they say they are. Theres a network of spies, criminals and even ninjas to contend with, so youll need to stay calm and keep your head if you want to reach your goal. Will you be the one to uncover one of the most famous wonders of the ancient world? Or will you be beaten to the discovery by someone hoping to get hold of the priceless historical artefacts for their own motives?

In 1982, the average Briton didnt know the Falkland Islands existed, let alone their status as a disputed British territory just off the coast of Argentina. That changed when the Argentinians invaded the islands and overwhelmed the small defending force. Both nations claimed the islands were theirs, but now Argentina thought the British would give them up without a fight.They were wrong.Britain sent a task force into the South Atlantic to re-take the islands, and the short, intense war that followed was--in the words of Major-General Sir John Jeremy Moore--"a damn close-run thing."This short history sums up the events leading up to the war and its major military actions including details of an Argentinian plan to sink a Royal Navy ship in Gibraltar harbour (foiled at the last minute by Spanish police) and an audacious British plan to land SAS soldiers in Argentina to destroy Exocet-carrying aircraft while they were still on the ground.

When East and West survived on a knife-edge between peace and war, both sides were busy preparing themselves for military action. But what exactly would NATOs troops have faced if the Cold War had suddenly turned hot?Tanks and Combat Vehicles of the Warsaw Pact is a fascinating reference book looking at the wide variety of combat vehicles which were poised and ready for action throughout the long years of military stand-off.Led by the Soviet Union, the nations which formed the Warsaw Pact were as innovative as they were prepared and these deadly war machines had the potential to change the course of world history forever. Find out more about these combat vehicles from how they worked to what they would have been capable of if they had been used in military action against NATO.Tanks and Combat Vehicles of the Warsaw Pact details more than 100 military vehicles from the 2P26 "Baby Carriage" - a compact Soviet off-road vehicle mounted with anti-tank missiles to the T-80U main battle tank, in service from 1985 onwards.

Arnold Bennett Prize finalist.How North Staffordshire miners saved a Czech village during WWII.Lidice was a peaceful and vibrant community in Czechoslovakia with a rich mining heritage. But an act of Nazi revenge saw this village wiped from existence in a horrifying chapter of European history.Disaster struck for Lidice in 1942 when the prominent Nazi official Reinhard Heydrich was assassinated. Described by Hitler as "the man with an iron heart", Heydrich was one of the key architects of the Holocaust.His death, after an attack by members of the Czech resistance, left Hitler furious and desperate for vengeance. Looking for a scapegoat to blame for Heydrichs death, he settled on the village of Lidice, which had been falsely linked to the assassination.In a brutal act which shocked the world, Lidice was completely destroyed. The men were shot while the women and children were rounded up and sent to their deaths in Nazi concentration camps.Hitler was determined that by the time he had finished, no one would even remember Lidice, let alone live there. What he hadnt reckoned on was the efforts of a group of campaigners in Britain, who resolved to make sure Lidice would never be forgotten.A Ray of Light tells the tale of Lidices downfall and what happened next. Would the village simply be allowed to become a footnote in history, or would it rise from the ashes and forge a new future?This book is a compelling testament to the power of friendship and solidarity, and how empathy and compassion can help rebuild the world.

The ability to advance rapidly over sometimes difficult terrain was a key part of the Warsaw Pacts strategy. The Eastern European nations which formed this historic alliance wanted to be able to move quickly and effectively so they didnt give their enemies an advantage.The vital tools which helped the Warsaw Pact overcome the challenges it faced included a whole range of combat engineering equipment. This book is a factual reference of the equipment which was used throughout the Cold War period and the important roles each piece played.With obstacles including rivers and minefields to negotiate, combat units could have faced costly delays if it hadnt been for the diligent work of the Warsaw Pacts engineers. Refusing to allow troops to be slowed down by the landscape, these combat engineers worked in sometimes challenging conditions to find safe routes to their destination.From building bridges and clearing safe lanes through minefields to repairing and recovering broken down vehicles and creating field fortifications, the work of these engineers played an essential part in the Warsaw Pacts military strategy.But the work of this effective force would have been impossible without the specialist engineering equipment they used. Rugged, simplistic compared to their Western equivalents, these items would play a crucial part in both peacetime military exercises and combat operations in Afghanistan.

Russell Phillips wrote an "A to Z" series of blog posts around the theme of AFVs (Armoured Fighting Vehicles). They have been edited and collated into this ebook.

Considered to be "the god of modern war" by the Soviet army, artillery played a vital role in the Cold War period.The armies of the Warsaw Pact made artillery a cornerstone of their military strategies. And the importance they placed on this type of weaponry saw them use their technology and expertise to develop a wide range of munitions including mortars, rocket launchers, missiles and large-calibre guns.Artillery of the Warsaw Pact provides a compelling and detailed account of the artillery used by Warsaw Pact countries and the important role it played during this period of suspicion, tension and unease. The powerful weapons created at this time had the potential to destroy significant enemy resources, posing a very real threat to NATO forces.This book will allow you to gain an insight into the way in which artillery was used by the Soviet Union and other Warsaw Pact nations. Read about mortars ranging from light 50mm weapons to enormous 240mm breech-loaded versions capable of destroying fortified buildings from a distance.Artillery of the Warsaw Pact also looks at the widespread use of towed guns as well as the growth in popularity of self-propelled guns. The book also details how Second World War weapons like multiple rocket launchers continued to play a key part in the Cold War hostilities, alongside newly-developed artillery, including tactical ballistic missiles which Khrushchev viewed as a critical part of his response to the threat posed by the United States.

The Kaiserliche und Konigliche Kriegsmarine -- The Austro-Hungarian Navy -- was in at the beginning of World War I when Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie lay in state aboard its flagship, and at the end when it dissolved along with the empire that commanded it. During the war, this small but powerful "fleet in being" forced the Allies to maintain a blockade of the Otranto Straits. German and Austro-Hungarian U-boats ran riot in the Mediterranean even though the capital ships almost never left port.Illustrated with thirty photographs and drawings, this book provides a comprehensive and detailed reference of the ships that made up the KuK Kriegsmarine, its operations, and the unique problems this unusual fleet faced, from contentious duelling parliaments to ships built by landlocked Hungary.

NATO kept the Warsaw Pact behind the Berlin Wall until its dissolution - but what if it hadnt?The Bear Marches West contains 12 wargame scenarios set during a fictional Warsaw Pact invasion of West Germany in the 1980s. All the scenarios are based on battles depicted in well-known novels, and are designed to be used with whatever rules the players wish.Each scenario includes the battles context, weather conditions, deployments, force lists and a colour map. The scenarios range in scale from small skirmishes, with a company on each side, to large engagements, with Soviet regiments bearing down on smaller but better-equipped NATO units.

Foreword by Peter Caddick-Adams.Madagascar provided the stunning backdrop for one of the strangest conflicts of the Second World War when Britain went head to head against one of its closest allies.When British forces landed on the island in 1942, the enemy they faced wasnt German, Japanese or even Italian, this time the opposing forces were French.Concerned that Japan might use Madagascar as a strategic base to disrupt the supply line to India, Britain was keen to take control of the island. However, the Vichy forces were keen to defend the French colony and prevent it becoming part of the British Empire.A Strange Campaign: The Battle for Madagascar gives a detailed account of this fascinating but little-known period of military history. Even at the time, the conflict was a controversial one, pitting two colonial empires against each other.However, it was also ground-breaking as it was the first time Allied forces had staged a major amphibious invasion. The lessons learned on the shores of Madagascar would prove to be invaluable two years later during the D-day landings in Normandy.Military historian Russell Phillips examines the tactics used in the battle for Madagascar which included secret agents, dummy paratroopers and attempted bribery.But just how did the British finally break down months of resistance by the French? And how did a tug-of-war over an island in the middle of the Indian ocean influence the rest of the Second World War? Russell Phillips gives us a well-researched, enlightening, and skillfully detailed account of a little-known but clearly pivotal WWII operation thats suited for both curious laypersons and serious researchers. Steve Anderson, author of the Kaspar Brothers series and other WWII-era novels Though it was a world war it is easy to overlook some corners of the conflict. Madagascar was strategically important and controlled by Vichy France. Phillips has done an excellent job drawing out the story of the British-led invasion of the island. Angus Wallace, host of the WW2 Podcast

The truth behind the SAS most famous mission.Drawing on extensive research, Operation Nimrod dispels the myths and reveals the truth of those six long days, and the dramatic rescue that thrust the SAS into the public eye.On 29th April 1980, British police assured Iran that their embassy was secure. The very next day, terrorists stormed the embassy and took twenty-six hostages. With the Iranian government willing to let the hostages become martyrs, and the British government only willing to talk if the terrorists surrendered, twenty-six lives hung in the balance.What followed was six days of tension and terror. It was finally ended when the SAS launched a daring rescue mission, broadcast live on television. Millions held their breath, waiting to see the outcome of Operation Nimrod.

When East and West survived on a knife-edge between peace and war, both sides were busy preparing themselves for military action. But what exactly would NATOs troops have faced if the Cold War had suddenly turned hot?This ebook box set contains the first three books of the Weapons and Equipment of the Warsaw Pact series: Tanks and Combat Vehicles of the Warsaw Pact, Combat Engineering Equipment of the Warsaw Pact, and Artillery of the Warsaw Pact.

Its 1982 but not as we know it. The Cold War has lost its chill and World War III has arrived, threatening to send the whole planet into meltdown.Vladislav Rakovich is a young, idealistic communist. He dreams of being an officer, leading his soldiers on a mission to free the world from capitalism. But as the Soviet armies roll west, he gains his first bitter taste of command and reality hits. Can he stay focused on his aim in the face of undisciplined troops, a corrupt superior officer, and NATOs military might? As conflict rages around him, Rakovich finds that his biggest battle comes from within as his faith in the communist cause is shaken by the horror of war.Back home in Leningrad, Rakovichs beloved sister Anna has other things to worry about. Drawn into a world of trade unions and protests, Anna finds herself driven by a new purpose, although her beliefs introduce her to a dangerous world where dissent can lead to disappearance or even death. Will this war birth the second revolution the nation is crying out for? Or will the people be trampled underfoot by the establishment once more?The Bears Claws is a compelling and powerful story of how family, courage, and conviction can survive in a world torn apart by war.