Philip D. Chinnery Libros

With the Japanese seemingly unbeatable after their conquest of Malaya, Singapore, Thailand and much of Burma, Orde Wingate’s plans to conduct long range deep penetration operations behind Japanese lines in Burma were audacious to say the least. His Chindit operations (so called after Chindwin River) were hugely demanding on those taking part who suffered terrible deprivation in the harsh climatic and jungle conditions. While costly in terms of lives lost, the operations inflicted damage to the Japanese and raised Allied morale. The author has compiled a fascinating account of Wingate’s 77 Brigade using the personal accounts of survivors, as well as Wingate’s own report and post-war interrogation of Japanese generals. A remarkable story emerges of survival, courage and extreme hardship. The author evaluates the successes and failures of the mission.

Seventy years ago, the Nuremberg Trials were in full swing in Germany. In the dock were the leaders of the Nazi regime and most eventually received their just desserts. But what happened to the other war criminals? In June 1946, Lord Russell of Liverpool became Deputy Judge Advocate and legal adviser to the Commander in Chief for the British Army of the Rhine in respect of all trials held by British Military Courts of German war criminals. He later wrote; 'At the outbreak of the Second World War, the treatment of prisoners was governed by the Geneva Prisoner of War Convention of 1929, the Preamble of which stated that the aim of the signatories was to alleviate the conditions of prisoners of war. 'During the war, however, the provisions of the Convention were repeatedly disregarded by Germany. Prisoners were subjected to brutality and ill-treatment, employed on prohibited and dangerous work, handed over to the SD for "special treatment" in pursuance of Hitler's Commando Order, lynched in the streets by German civilians, sent to concentration camps, shot on recapture after escaping, and even massacred after they had laid down their arms and surrendered.' Tens of thousands of Allied prisoners of war died at the hands of the Nazis and their Italian allies. This book is for them - lest we forget.

Superb rare images of the all-too-often neglected Korean War. Covers the ground war from both the United Nations and Communist (North Korean/Chinese) perspectives. Vividly illustrates the fierce fighting in appalling weather and unforgiving terrain. Latest in the popular and affordable Images of War series.

Controversial and shocking expos of mistreatment and killing of Allied POWs by their North Korean and Chinese captors.

Following on from the his first well-received book 'The Kaisers First POWs' Philip Chinnery now turns his attention to the attempts by allied prisoners of war to escape the Kaiser's clutches and return to their homeland. As the war progressed, the treatment of allied prisoners worsened as the blockade of Germany reduced the amount of food and material coming into the country. The majority of the prisoners were too weak or ill-equipped to attempt to escape, but there were others who were determined to pit their wits against their jailers. These included the officers at Holzminden prison, who dug a tunnel allowing twenty-eight of their number to escape; men like Canadian Private Simmons, who escaped and was recaptured twice before his third attempt saw him gain his freedom; men who jumped from moving trains or marched brazenly out of the camp gates disguised as German officers. Although Holland and Switzerland were neutral countries during the First World War, escaping from their camps, crossing miles of enemy territory and outwitting the sentries guarding the frontiers taxed even the strongest individuals. But many men did make the attempt and more than a few of them were successful. This is their story.

In 1915, the German government published a book entitled 1915 in an attempt to portray the Germans as a civilized people who were destined to win the war, who would treat their prisoners with care and compassion. The Kaiser's First POWs is the first book to compare the 'official' German view to the grim reality of captivity, as experienced by the prisoners. Dozens of original photos from 1915 tell the story as seen by German eyes. Compare them to the personal accounts from former prisoners who describe the reality of falling into the hands of the German Army and life as a prisoner of the Kaiser. By the end of the war, the Germans had taken approximately 2.8 million prisoners of war. This books describes the life and times of these prisoners and the manner in which the Germans dealt with the problems involved in accommodating them.

Kniha se zaměřuje na vznik a historii vzdušných komand USAF, přičemž autor původně plánoval popsat pouze Speciální operační perutě během vietnamské války. Po zjištění, že historie Aircommandos sahá až do druhé světové války, rozšířil svůj záměr. Publikace začíná založením První skupiny Aircommandos a věnuje se také bojům Činditů v Barmě, což zabírá přes šedesát stran. Po válce byly jednotky rozpuštěny, ale jejich historie pokračuje v šedesátých letech během konfliktu v jihovýchodní Asii. Kniha detailně popisuje projekty a činnosti Zvláštních operačních perutí, jako jsou projekt "Farm Gate", gunshipy (Spooky, Shadow, Stinger, Spectre), operace "Ranch Hand", "Stray Goose", "Black Spot", útok na Son Tay a záchranné operace pilotů. Tyto kapitoly tvoří více než polovinu textu. Zbytek se zaměřuje na operace Special Operations Squadron, včetně "Eagle Claw", pokusu o vysvobození rukojmích v Iránu, a akcí na Grenadě, v Panamě a během "Pouštní bouře". Na konci knihy jsou dvě přílohy o označování letounů a organizaci skupin Vzdušného komanda během druhé světové války. Kniha obsahuje přes šedesát fotografií, z nichž většina se vztahuje k vietnamské válce.

Philip Chinnery pátral jako historik Sdružení bývalých válečných zajatců ve Státním archivu a objevil některé dokumenty z období korejské války. Většina materiálů zachycených při vyšetřování případů a uváděných v jeho knize je děsivá. Protože však v této válce nebylo vítězů ani poražených, většina severokorejských a čínských viníků zůstává dodnes bez trestu. A dodnes se neví, jaký osud potkal mimo jiné 7.956 amerických vojáků.