Wartime Pocket Manuals

3 reprinted pocket manuals from WWI and WWII.

The Royal Navy Officer's Jutland Pocket Manual 1916  

Published in the months leading up to the Battle of Jutland, W.M. James’ New Battleship Organisations, was the ultimate guide to command and organization of every aspect of a modern First World War capital ship. The book provides a unique, and highly revealing, insight into life aboard ship, the mechanics of command, seamanship, the issuing of orders, and the broad expectations placed upon British naval officers. Specific sections are dedicated to the organization of watches, the division of work (from fellow officers right through the ship’s company to the ratings), naval routine, parades, anchor and cable work, coaling and right down to the organization of chapel, on-board shops, cleaning and even the ship’s barbers. A series of detailed tables, diagrams and humorous cartons accompany the lucid, period language of the First World War Senior Service and provide a further glimpse below-decks that will appeal to social and family historians, and anyone with a general or specialist interest in naval history.

The book, re-published here by the Pool of London Press as The Royal Navy Officer’s Jutland Pocket-Manual 1916, marks the centenary of the First World War’s most famous, and deadly naval encounter.

The World War I Aviator's Pocket Manual  

Aviation was still in its infancy when World War I broke out. The first men to take to the skies above the battlefield undertook reconnaissance. Pilots and observers soon branched out into primitive bombing attempts, and attacking enemy aircraft when they came into contact. Nascent air forces produced manuals to help these pioneers as they took warfare into a new dimension.

Pulling together information from British manuals such as A Few Hints for the Flying Officer and Practical Flying, as well as American, German and French training guides, this pocket manual shows what type of information the pilots were given. From the basics of how to care for, start, and fly an aircraft, through tactics and strategy in the air, identifying whether vehicles below were friend or foe, interacting with mechanics, and coordinating with army or naval forces, this fascinating time capsule opens up the world of the Great War aviator. With introductions to the manuals by Chris McNab, setting them in context and providing background.

The Home Guard Training Pocket Manual  

How would you clear a stoppage on a Bren Gun while in action? What is the most effective way to clear a wood of enemy forces? How best could you counter a landing by enemy airborne forces in your area? What measure can you take to help ensure accurate rifle fire at night? What qualities should you look for when selecting a patrol commander?

Just a few of the practical questions posed – and answered – in the selection of publications included in The Home Guard Training Pocket Manual. A number of manuals and training pamphlets were privately published during World War II to supplement the slim official Home Guard manual produced by the War Office. Covering everything from patrolling, night fighting, drill and small arms proficiency to the legal powers of the Home Guard, these manuals were welcomed by the men of local Home Guard units keen to do everything possible to prepare for possible invasion – when they would be the first line of defence. This pocket manual collates a selection of material from these fascinating publications, often written by serving soldiers and reprinted multiple times due to demand.

• Author - n/a
• Series / character - n/a
• Illustrations - Black & white
• Age range - Adult
• ISBN - various
• Publisher - Casemate
• Date - n/a
• Format - Hardback
• Approx. size - 
• Weight - 295g
• No. of pages - n/a
• RRP - £8.99

Awards: n/a