Stephen Wynn Bücher

History of the Victoria Cross. The story of the Gold Victoria Cross. First one awarded during the Second World War.

First major conflict involving large scale use of aircraft. Adolphe Pegoud, the 1st Ace of the First World War. Aircraft - Observations and photography to fighter and bomber aircraft.

This book looks at the invaluable work carried out by members of the Air Transport Auxiliary during the course of the Second World War.

Churchill's relationship with Violet Asquith 1907. Tonypandy riots of 1910.

Many brave men gave it their all during the action at St Nazaire, to such an extent that 89 of those who took part in the raid were awarded decorations for bravery, including 5 who were awarded the Victoria Cross.

The camps prisoners came mainly from defeats at St Valery, Dunkirk, and Crete.

When did the Allies know about the Holocaust and why didn't they act earlier.

Malmedy massacre - Was Peiper innocent or guilty?

Emperor Meiji and the beginnings of the Imperial Empire of Japan: 1867 - 1912. Japan under Emperor Taisho: 1912 - 1926. Japan under Emperor Showa: 1926 - 1989.

The book looks at the effects of war on the City of London, including the damage caused by the 8 months of the Blitz between September 1940 and May 1941.

A duel on elephants in 1592 between King Naresuan of Siam and the Crown Prince of Burma, Mingyi Swa.

Operation Flipper - November 1941. Operation Gaff - July 1944. Nazi, or nationalist? Rommel's death - suicide or murder? The Frenchman, Raymond Courand, sent to kill Rommel.

Gordon Frederick Cummins: Blackout Ripper, or convenient patsy?

How many people were actually on board the Lancastria? Where were the destroyers tasked with escorting Lancastria back to England?.

This book examines that first journey, as well later ones, and discusses the agents and operations which members of the Shetland Bus were involved in throughout the war.

Operation Dynamo, the evacuation of Belgian, British, Dutch, French, and Polish troops from Dunkirk between 27 May and 4 June 1940, was a pivotal moment in World War II that significantly influenced its outcome. The "Hitler Halt" order, which prevented German Panzer units from finishing their assault, has sparked much debate regarding its motivations. This decision ultimately allowed Britain to continue fighting. During the operation, 338,226 Allied troops were rescued using 861 vessels, with 243 sunk. However, up to 80,000 French and British troops were captured, and approximately 16,000 French and 1,000 British soldiers lost their lives during the evacuation. The British forces abandoned a vast amount of military equipment, including around 90,000 rifles, 11,000 machine guns, 880 field guns, 700 tanks, and 20,000 motor cycles—sufficient to equip nearly ten divisions. Notably, two atrocities occurred during the battle: the Massacre at Le Paradis and another at Wormhoudt, perpetrated by Waffen-SS soldiers against surrendered troops. While the Battle of Dunkirk is tactically a German victory, the successful evacuation enabled Britain to rise from the ashes of defeat and ultimately achieve lasting victory.

The narrative centers on Operation North Pole, a pivotal WWII counterintelligence operation by Germany's Abwehr, which exploited the capture of SOE agents Huub Lauwers and Thys Taconis. Lauwers, coerced into sending deceptive messages to London, omitted crucial security checks, allowing the Germans to manipulate communications undetected. This oversight led to the tragic loss of 50 out of 54 SOE agents sent to the Netherlands, highlighting the dire consequences of intelligence failures and the complexities of wartime espionage.

The narrative explores Singapore's transformation from a favored destination for affluent European travelers in the late 1930s to a significantly altered landscape following the onset of the Second World War. It delves into the historical context of this shift, highlighting the impact of global conflict on travel and the region's status.

The book delves into often-overlooked elements of the Second World War, shifting focus from well-known figures and battles to explore less discussed aspects of the conflict. It examines the military strategies, lesser-known operations, and the broader implications of these events on the war's outcome, providing a fresh perspective on the factors that contributed to victory. By highlighting these unique elements, the narrative aims to enrich the reader's understanding of the complexities of wartime efforts beyond the traditional narratives.

The Mystery of Missing Flight F-BELV, believed to be the only aircraft never to have been recovered from the Vietnam War.

The Korean War (1950-53) is often called the 'forgotten war' by British and Commonwealth veterans, highlighting the experiences of those involved and the families of the fallen. Following the liberation of Korea from Japanese rule on 15 August 1945, the country was divided at the 38th parallel, with the Soviets in the north and Americans in the south. Tensions escalated as both governments claimed legitimacy over Korea, culminating in North Korea's invasion of South Korea on 25 June 1950. The conflict saw fluctuating control for nearly four months until UN forces, including South Korean troops, pushed the North Koreans back towards China, which intervened on 19 October. Initially hesitant to commit troops due to other obligations, the British government became concerned about China's potential threat to Hong Kong, leading to the deployment of British forces to South Korea on 29 August. Throughout the war, the Victoria Cross was awarded only four times, with two awards given posthumously. The actions that led to these honors, including an interview with Bill Speakman conducted in 2017, are explored in detail.

The 'Phoney War' September 1939 to April 1940 - Lost opportunity for Germany to increase her air defences.

Did lessons learnt at Dieppe help save lives during the Normandy D-Day landings? Why did the raid on Dieppe actually take place? Find out the answer to these questions and more in Dieppe - 1942.

Account of The Battle of Itter Castle, 1945 - one of only two known times in the Second World War when Americans and Germans fought side by side.