"At the end of the 20th century one can look back on a period of unprecedented acceleration in the technology of the battlefield - from rifles and early machine-guns to rockets and tactical nuclear weapons. During these hundred years, punctuated by two world wars, hundreds of wars were fought around the globe; and some continue to this day." "This encyclopedia sets out to provide, in one concise volume, an authoritative, illustrated reference to the men, machines and events that shaped this century of war." "In common with companion volumes on Air Warfare and Sea Warfare, this volume concerns itself first with a chronology of events, from which the reader will be able to chart the century in each war theatre, before turning to an alphabetical listing of important equipment, weaponry, units and formations, theatres of war and locations. Thereafter the forces of seven countries and six other geographical areas are described, followed by biographies of 160 of the leading personalities of warfare in the century." "Interwoven amongst these sections are twenty special features including such topics as women soldiers, matters of supply and transportation in the field, the airborne soldier, the work of United Nations forces, and the treatment of wounded." "This illustrated reference will serve the needs of personal students, professional historians and libraries of all types and function. The author, George Forty, is well known to readers of military history and is a respected authority on the waging of war by land in the 20th century."--BOOK JACKET.