Ian Sumner

After an unconscionable lay-off, it may be time to resuscitate this blog. Although it may not be universally popular Since June:    The proofs (not quite galley-proofs, but a manuscript produced from my computer file) of my most recent book, Kings of the Air: French aces and airmen of the Great War , came, got checked, and were then sent back. I'm now waiting for the page proofs. Once those are returned then it's full steam ahead for publication sometime in the New Year. Meanwhile, in an unrelated development, I wandered into the bookshop in the Heeresgeschichtliches Museum in Vienna, to find some of my previous books on sale, but translated into Czech. Well, I never. No, never. Not even once. They spelled my forename wrong with the French Army book, as Jan rather than Ian, but that's OK, because my Czech is non-existant. I should be able to get back on something approaching my old weekly schedule for next week, with updates of previous pos...

The third (and last) part of visiting the 1914 battlefields of the Marne in connection with my Osprey on the First Battle of the Marne. Although the fighting had gone on for several days, the Germans had not succeeded in defeating the Allies, although they had been driven back in places with heavy casualties. But the front was too long for the number of men engaged, and gaps, small and large, began to appear. Both sides rushed to fill the gaps, but began to run out of men. The clash to the west of the town of Montmirail was the straw that broke the German camel's back. We stayed at the Hotel Le Vert Galant in Montmirail. More by chance than design, the French had found the open flank of the German 2nd Army. On 8th September, masking Montmirail itself, French infantry from 36th Division crossed the Petit Morin river and climbed the wooded slopes opposite, supported by artillery. The key combat was the struggle for the small village of Marchais-en-Brie. The German comman...

Continuing our travels around northern France in search of the First Battle of the Marne for my Osprey Campaigns book . Moving on from Meaux, we headed east. These posts will be in the order of the battle, rather than the order we actually visited the sites to keep the account half-way coherent, because there was bit of ducking and diving on the way.  The next phase of the battle involved assaults by the German 2nd Army, along the lines of the Petit and Grand Morins rivers, and by 3rd Army across the River Somme (a different River Somme, not the one of 1916). Restricted as we were by public transport, we were not able to visit sites like Charleville, where the French defenders hung on bravely in defiance of common sense. Nor could we reach the line of the Somme, and the villages of Normée, Lenharrée, Haussimont and Sommesous, the site of an equally desperate French defence, and where the surprise night attack of the Saxons of 3rd Army nearly succeeded in breaking through t...

In 2008, I was writing a book on the First Battle of the Marne for Osprey ( here ), so a visit to the battlefield was vital. The trouble is that the battle took place over a wide geographical area, and I don't drive, so arranging the visit was a major campaign in itself (for which my wife must take the sole credit). Our first port of call was Meaux, to cover the battle of the Ourcq phase. We stayed at the Hotel Le Richemont , which is handily placed for both the centre of town and the rail / bus interchange. The first day started with a bus trip to Trocy-en-Multien. The route goes past the American monument (a bit flamboyant for my taste, but still ... ); the new Museum of the Great War was still a gleam in the architect's eye at the time, but has since been completed on a neighbouring site. Alighting at Trocy, we walked the short distance to the village of Etrepilly. This marked the high-water mark of the French advance during the battle in this sector - a night-t...

Partly from esprit de corps and partly for the more prosaic reason of traffic management, many French transport units of the Great War adopted their own badge, which was displayed prominently on the vehicles. I wrote about them in my first Osprey title here . Some badges are shown in the contemporary magazine illustration on the left - top row left to right TM431, SS141, SS625; second row TM55, TM516; third row SS64, SS8, TM716; fourth row SS92, SR709, TM48; fifth row TM557 and TM273. SS units were ambulances ( sections sanitaires ), SR units carried metalling for road maintenance ( section routière ), and TM units transported equipment ( transport de matériel ). Some units used a background colour for the badge that varied according to the sub-unit - white, blue, red or yellow. For more on transport units during the war, look at Les camions de la victoire by Paul Heuzé here , or the more modern book with the same title, by Jean-Michel Boniface and Jean-Gabriel Jeudy. Sadly, the...

Anzac infantryman 1914-15: From New Guinea to Gallipoli (Warrior 155) by Ian Sumner, artwork by Graham Turner (Botley, Osprey, 2011; ISBN 9781849083287) A detailed examination of the life of the Anzac soldier, using first-hand contemporary accounts, from both Australia and New Zealand, in the characteristic Osprey style. 'Ian Sumner has done it again, what a great book in that series. Peppered with real accounts and stories told by those who survived and those who didn't, this book gives us a genuinely poignant overview of how these young men and boys from Australia and New Zealand enlisted enthusiastically for a war that wasn't really theirs. And then came Gallipoli, its horrors, the trench life and the terrible loss of life with almost 80% casualties for the New Zealanders engaged in that campaign. A great read, an excellent mix of real life accounts, facts and figures and of course all the details about the uniforms and armament at the time.' P...

The First Battle of the Marne 1914: the French 'miracle' halts the Germans (Campaign 221) by Ian Sumner, artwork by Graham Turner (Botley, Osprey, 2010; ISBN 9781846035029) The First Battle of the Marne, 6-10 September 1914 - the battle that saved Paris and prevented the defeat of the Entente powers in the first few weeks of the First World War. Includes orders of battle and detailed descriptions of three key actions in the battle. 'Good value Osprey book with some excellent photos and illustrations and an okay text. Maps are good too!' Bluecap on amazon.co.uk 'This is a very interesting account of the campaign and battle, the detail is good and the maps are helpful.' Gareth Simon on amazon.co.uk 'Essential to a better understanding of Western Front history.' The Midwest Book Review on amazon.com 'This 96-page book documents the origins of the campaign, followed by a brief chronology. Then the opposing commanders and the for...

French poilu 1914-18 (Warrior 134) by Ian Sumner, artwork by Giuseppe Rava (Botley, Osprey, 2009; ISBN 9781846033322) The French Army of the First World War, but concentrating on the experience of the ordinary soldier, rather than battles and strategy. The books contains numerous quotations from first-hand accounts, as well as numerous photographs and colour artwork in the characteristic Osprey style. '[This book] tells how [the Poilu] were recruited, how they were trained, how they were clothed, the weapons that they used, and the tactics they used. It tells of life in the trenches, during battles and what happened to them once they were wounded. They were fighting for their nation as were all troops in that war, and thanks to author Sumner, we can get a good look at what it was like to be one of these men... A book that I found eminently readable and fascinating. I know you will as well.' Scott Van Aken on modelingmadness.com 'a good book to start w...

German Air Forces 1914-18 (Elite 135) by Ian Sumner, artwork by Graham Sumner (Botley, Osprey, 2005; ISBN 184176924X) The uniforms and organisation of the aviation forces of Germany during the First World War - those controlled by the Army and those controlled by the Navy - in the characteristic Osprey style. '... it [gives] plenty of information about the subject and does not concentrate on fighter pilots only, there are interesting accounts of photo recce and ground attack missions. Very good colour plates of uniforms and equipment and a fine selection of photographs.' Alan Pearson on amazon.co.uk '.. a fine little reference... This handy, compact volume offeres a wealth of information on all aspects of the Kaiser's aviation forces. Despite the short length, the coverage is excellent, including observation, recon, bomber, fighter, Zeppelin, balloon, flak, and supporting forces... Especially useful are typical tables of organization and equipme...

Allied Commanders of World War I , French Army of World War I , French African and Colonial Troops , The French Army: from Blitzkrieg to Victory , The French Army: From the Free French to the Army of Liberation , and The Indian Army 1914-47 (Madrid, del Prado, 2004) Booklets issued with a model soldier. They were generally based on the respective Osprey Men-at-Arms title, but in the case of French African and Colonial Troops and Allied Commanders of World War I , were written specially for the series. The following model soldiers were based on my titles- 4: Captain, French Armoured Troops, 1939 9: French Infantry Corporal, Verdun, 1916 23: Senegalese Skirmisher [sic], Gabon, 1940 38: Sergeant, 1er Regiment de Marche de Zouaves, 1914 62:  Dafadar, 1st Jodphur Lancers, 1918 64: General Joseph Joffre, France, 1914

British Commanders of World War II (Elite 98) by Ian Sumner, artwork by Malcolm McGregor (Botley, Osprey, 2003; ISBN 0841766690) Profiles of the most important and influential British commanders of the Second World War, in the characteristic Osprey style. 'This book leaves the reader with an impression of the vastness, complexity, and diversity of the British war effort 1939-1945. While by no means comprehensive, it allows insights that can only be gained through studying personalities and leadership challenges. ... this title does as much as one could hope to accomplish what is frankly impossible: to cover the vast topic of British World War II leadership in a single slim volume.' Jonathan Lupton on amazon.com

The Royal Navy 1939-45 (Elite 79) by Ian Sumner, artwork by Alix Baker (Botley, Osprey, 2001; ISBN 1841761958) The uniforms and organisation of the Senior Service during the Second World War, in the characteristic Osprey style. 'As with all Osprey books, well illustrated, good photos and enough information to make you want to know more about the subject. ... Helped me understand what my grandfather went through in the Arctic convoys etc having had no previous knowledge of the so called "Senior Service", being a "Pongo".' Baldrick399 on amazon.co.uk

The Indian Army 1914-1947 (Elite 75) by Ian Sumner, artwork and plate commentaries by Mike Chappell (Botley, Osprey, 2001; ISBN 1841761966) The uniforms and organisation of the Indian Army in the two world wars, in the characteristic Osprey style. 'A most useful summary' Military Modelling 'Comme pour la plupart des autres ouvrages de la collection Osprey, sujet traité par un auteur qui connaît son affaire, explications claires et illustrations bien choisies' Luc Vangansbeke amazon.fr 

British colours and standards 1747-1881 1: cavalry (Elite 77) by Ian Sumner, artwork by Richard Hook (Botley, Osprey, 2001; ISBN 1841762008) British colours and standards 1747-1881 2: infantry (Elite 81) by Ian Sumner, artwork by Richard Hook (Botley, Osprey, 2001; ISBN 1841762008) The flags, colours and standards of the British Army between the regulations of 1747 and the reorganisations of 1881, in the characteristic Osprey style. A wide variety of regiments are represented in the photographs, coloured artwork and line drawings, supported by extensive tables of battle honours. Both regular and volunteer regiments are covered. Much of the material is based on original research and presented here in print for the first time. The author is the Librarian of the Flag Institute, the country's leading authority on vexillology.

The French Army 1939-45 1: The Army of 1939 and Vichy France (Men-at-Arms 315) by Ian Sumner and François Vauvillier, artwork by Mike Chappell (London, Osprey, 1998; ISBN 1855326663) The French Army 1939-45 2: Free French, Fighting French and the Army of Liberation (Men-at-Arms 318) by Ian Sumner and François Vauvillier, artwork by Mike Chappell (London, Osprey, 1998; ISBN 1855327074) The French Army of the Second World War, in the characteristic Osprey style. '[Volume 1] follows the usual Osprey format of a general historical overview, followed by details of arms of service, equipment, insignia etc with a good selection of photos and, of course, their trademark colour plates for the uniforms, and is a valuable contribution to a neglected area of military history. Volume 2 covers the Free French, the Army of Africa's belated conversion and the reborn 'army of liberation' in Italy and France in 1944-5 and is warmly recommended too' Mulwharcha...

The French Army 1914-18 (Men-at-Arms 286) by Ian Sumner, artwork by Gerry Embleton (London, Osprey, 1995; ISBN 1855325160) The uniforms and organisation of the French Army during the First World War, in the characteristic Osprey style. 'Pertinently written ... exactly what was, until now, lacking for English-speaking readers interested in the French Army. I heartily and definitely recommend it' François Vauvillier '[The book] proves how much information could be fitted into the ... format by a really professional author.' Martin Windrow 'This book is a great source on all details about WWI french soldiers. It has plenty of (black and white) photos as well as the usual Osprey center color plates, with complete explanations at the end.' Frederico Kereki on amazon.com 'This is a great book on a very neglected aspect of the Great War. Ian Sumner has made an outstanding contribution to the Anglophone history of the French Army 1914-191...