Forces armées

There are periods in history when the character of warfare alters so profoundly that those living through it only partially understand what is happening. The change does not come as a single moment of recognition, but as a gradual shift in practice, driven by necessity rather than design. Methods that once seemed sufficient begin to show their limits. Assumptions that guided earlier conflicts become unreliable. In their place, new approaches emerge, often quietly at first, shaped not by theory alone but by the pressing demands of reality. The Second World War was one such period.

Bloomsbury presents Tsushima 1905: Death of a Russian Fleet by Mark Lardas, read by Phillipe Bosher A highly illustrated study of the naval campaign of the Russo-Japanese War of 1904–05, focusing on the decisive battle of Tsushima. Japan was closed to the world until 1854 and its technology...

'The entire span of British submarine history has been carefully recorded here: the tragedies in both peace and war … the successes too.' — Geoffrey Moorhouse, Daily Telegraph

Steel begins as an idea before it becomes a vessel. It is first drawn on paper, reduced to lines, tolerances, calculations, and compromises. Only later does it take shape under the weight of urgency, noise, and human hands. In the spring of 1943, at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, that transformation was already well underway. War had a way of accelerating everything. Decisions that might once have taken months were compressed into days. Labour moved in shifts that blurred into one another.

The True Story of Britain’s Elite at Sea: The SBS and Naval Commandos by Mick Trenlow-Symes is a powerful and detailed exploration of one of the most secretive and highly specialised military forces in the world. Operating in silence, often beyond the reach of conventional forces, the Special Boat Service and Britain’s naval commandos represent a unique form of military capability. Their work is not defined by visibility or recognition, but by precision, discipline, and the ability to operate in environments where uncertainty is constant and risk is unavoidable.

Bloomsbury presents D'you Hear There!: Daily Pipes of the Royal Navy by Richard Harris, read by David Rintoul. A unique approach to describing life at sea in the Royal Navy. Despite the introduction of modern-day technology, Ships and Submarines of the Royal Navy still operate on the basis of...

In the vast and unforgiving landscapes of the Second World War, few military formations have attracted as much attention, debate, and controversy as the Waffen-SS. Often described as an elite fighting force, it was at once a product of ideology, a tool of the Nazi regime, and a significant component of Germany’s war effort. Yet behind the reputation lies a far more complex and challenging story.

Brought to you by Penguin. In the summer of 1940, Britain was under siege. Poland, Belgium, Holland, Norway and France had already fallen, and the British army had been routed on the continent, leading to the chaotic evacuation at Dunkirk. In the rubble of the Allie’s crumbled defence...

Bloomsbury presents Operation Market-Garden 1944 (1): The American Airborne Missions by Steven J. Zaloga, read by Tom Alexander Overshadowed by the dramatic British failure at Arnhem, the US 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions were a vital component of Operation Market-Garden and succeeded in...

Bloomsbury presents Operation Market-Garden 1944 (3): The British XXX Corps Missions by Ken Ford, read by Tom Alexander The final instalment in Osprey's trilogy on Operation Market-Garden, this is a fascinating account of the British XXX Corps assault towards the Rhine at Arnhem. Field Marshal...

Arnold Döring was just twenty-three years old when he flew his first mission against the Soviet Union on June 21, 1941. On that day he started writing his diary. His account not only describe the technical aspects and the difficulties posed by weather and terrain, but are also filled with...

Discover the gripping, untold story of one of World War II’s most elite fighting forces—the Fallschirmjäger. In The Fallschirmjäger: Germany’s Elite Airborne Soldiers, Mick Trenlow Symes meticulously examines the rise, legacy, and ultimate fall of these extraordinary German paratroopers, providing a comprehensive account of their military prowess and significance during the Second World War. This audiobook offers a deep dive into the world of the Fallschirmjäger, exploring their origins, training, pivotal battles, and the profound influence they had on modern airborne warfare.

Former President Carter introduces this gripping first-person narrative that provides significant details about six headline stories not previously revealed. Captivating experiences from my unique childhood, attending boarding school at the age of seven, escaping the 1964 Congo rebellion as a refugee, and being inducted into the Masai tribe in Kenya, jump start the book. Human-interest vignettes punctuate fascinating accounts of developing the Predator drone, conducting the 2003 scud hunt in Iraq, and accompanying Senator Obama to Africa in 2006.

Bloomsbury presents Tidal Wave: From Leyte Gulf to Tokyo Bay by Thomas McKelvey Cleaver, read by John Chancer. Now publishing in paperback, this is a vivid narrative history of the final stages of the Pacific War, as the US Navy began to slowly approach the Japanese Home Islands against fearsome...

Bloomsbury presents Holding the Line: The Naval Air Campaign In Korea by Thomas McKelvey Cleaver, read by Robert G Slade. Naval and air power were crucial to the United Nations’ success in the Korean War, as it sought to negate the overwhelming Chinese advantage in manpower. In what became...