This is another of the Home Guard pamphlets which were used for training purposes during the Second World War. This covers a set of ten specific exercises, each of which is described in full and accompanied by a sketch map of the exercise. The book covers wood clearing, defence of a vulnerable position, an attack on a farm, holding a fortified street against a mobile enemy, the defence of a bridge, the defence of a factory, an attack with machineguns and grenades, attacking airborne troops, and two tactical exercises in response. It gives the flavour of Home Guard thought at the time and shows that the accepted picture of the Home Guard gleaned from TV is not entirely accurate.

This manual contains details of all known hand grenades in general use by both the British and the German Army in 1942. It is illustrated with some very fine line drawings of the grenades and is of particular value to stuidents of both the Home Guard and of grenades. Recommended.

There are three original pamphlets in this publication, all of which concern the fighting patrol. The three are a) The Fighting Patrol, b) Fighting Patrol Training and c) Fighting Patrol Tactics. Each pamphlet has a set of coloured illustrative diagrams that complete the extremely effective style of the author in making everything clear and simple. Classics of their time, they are well worthy of a place in the library of all who are interested in the Home Guard - they certainly dispel the 'amateur' flavour often ascribed to this worthy group of men. These and our other Home Guard pamphlets are important in understanding the level of expertise in the Home Guard.

Often seen as little more than old men with out of date weapons, these four pamphlets show how close Home Guard training and thinking was to the British Army in the field. Admittedly some of the heavier weapons were crude (particularly the Smith Gun and the Northover Projector - both of which are covered), but the method of training was very similar to that of the field army. These four pamphlets cover battle craft, battle drill, patrolling and defence and are illustrated throughout with very clear line drawings and relevant photographs. The four pamphlets have never been published together before and we recommend them to anyone interested in the state of the infantry art in 1942-43 as well as in Home Guard training and thought at the time. A very good read that will clarify a number of tactical questions.

This is the fourth reprint in our Home Guard manual series, and covers aspects of fieldcraft that are not in official army pamphlets of the period, particularly in respect of natural camouflage and how it can be imitated. Major Langdon-Davies, the author, had a naturalist's eye for form and camouflage and this combines with the many valuable lessons on fieldcraft, camouflage and movement to make a volume worth studying by today's soldiers. Amply illustrated.

An analysis of the role of the Home Guard by Hugh Slater, who fought in the Spanish Civil War against the Germans and Italians. Slater analyses Germany's possible invasion strategy and looks in detail at how the Home Guard could defend Great Britain against the invader. The book also contains tactical instruction (based on the author's experiences) and other valuable material for any student of the British LDV or Home Guard. A5 softbound.

This manual was first published in 1941, when the Home Guard was settling into its stride, and becoming an effective extra defence force in Great Britain. It covers all aspects of the Home Guard - drill, weapon training, fieldcraft, mapping and reconnaissance, field engineering, signalling, tactics and transport. It is a very good manual from which a true picture of the Home Guard can be drawn.

This is an excellent example of the high quality of instruction available to the British Home Guard at the beginning of the war. It covers all aspects of what is now known as FIBUA (fighting in built-up areas or urban warfare) and could still be used quite productively today. Complete with its colour diagrams for street clearing, house clearing and how to defend in the same areas.

The Regulations for the Home Guard were comprehensive and covered everything from dress and discipline to transport, finance and organisation. This reprint includes both pamphlets (issued in 1942).

This book was intended to show members of the Home Guard and the regular forces that close quarter battle or CQB is not conducted in a gentlemanly way - it is kill or be killed. The authors describe the effective methods of using the bayonet and the rifle and bayonet, grenades, shot guns and other weapons with the sole aim of killing the enemy. It is of value even today in its message to anyone faced with the enemy.

Another of the excellent publications produced by Gale and Polden containing information on how to fight - in this case more on sniping, scouting and patrolling. With many line drawings and photographs to illustrate the text.

The Home Guard is nowadays looked at in the light of "Dad's Army," but this report shows how different reality was. Made by two US Senators who had the full co-operation of the Home Guard and the War Office, it traces the history of the Home guard from its inception through to 1941. It is singularly important because of the complete picture it gives not just of the history, but the doctrine, formation, training and operations of this defence force of desperation. It looks at command structure and the legal position of the Home Guard, and also includes some wise words from veterans of the First and Spanish Civil Wars. In all it presents a very good summary of what the Home Guard was, and its role and station in British society, and is highly recommended to both military and social historians for the period.

Like the Northover Projector, the Smith Gun was a stop-gap weapon introduced during the Second World War to give the Home Guard some form of artillery. This publication includes the original pamphlet on the weapon plus extracts from MTP 53 on the tactical use of the gun. Valuable to all enthusiasts of the Home Guard and for anyone interested in this Heath Robinson type weapon.

The book covers all aspects of guerilla tactics to be employed by the Home Guard with an emphasis on fieldcraft, reconnaissance, ambushes and fighting in built-up areas. Also covers treating the wounded.

The 29mm Spigot Mortar or "Blacker Bombard" was invented by Lieutenant-Colonel Blacker in the early years of WW2 as a cheap and easily produced weapon to replace ordnance lost at Dunkirk. It was extremely heavy (around 350lbs). The weapon fired a 20lb fin-stabilized anti-tank bomb warhead containing a high explosive charge. It had an effective range with the anti-tank bomb of around 100-150 yard. It also fired a 14 lb anti-personnel bomb with a maximum range of around 500 yards. They were fairly accurate and effective at short range. The weapon was rejected by the regular army but saw service with Home Guard and airfield protection units from 1941-1944. This is a reprint of the official manual for the weapon, and covers the wepon itself, its ammunition, use and emplacement. With 4 A3 drawings of the weapon and bombs.

This is another example of Colonel Wade's ability to express ideas with clarity and conciseness. A rare pamphlet to find these days, this is a full colour reprint. It coivers all defensive aspects of Home Guard operations in the defence of villages and small towns. 

This is a basic manual for all home guardsmen. It covers tactics, night fighting, unarmed combat and shooting and is valuable in setting the standard for the Home Guard in their military work. A5 softbound.

This is a reprint of an original manual for the British Home Guard, and covers organisation tactics, fieldcraft, weapons and war gases and their effect. Valuable study in some depth of the basic techniques of the Home Guard. A5 softbound.

Very little in detail is known about the Northover Projector, but this pamphlet fills in most of the gaps. It covers the weapon itself and its ammunition, and there is a tactical section as well. It is of general interest simply bacause of the sparcity of other official information.