Midget Ninja and Tactical Laxatives: Bizarre warfare through the ages

Which army used camels disguised as war elephants? Which illustrious warlord was killed by a midget ninja hidden in his latrine? How did live cows dropped by the Soviet air force sink a Japanese vessel? And just what kind of weapon was the Bohemian Ear Spoon? These are just a few of the important questions of military history answered in this book.

‘Midget Ninja and Tactical Laxatives’ is a light-hearted look at some of the most bizarre incidents, weirdest weapons and strangest stratagems to be found in the annals of warfare. Drawn from all periods of history there is something here for every reader with an interest in military history and/or a sense of humor.

Some of the sections included:
War Elephants and How to Stop Them (including the infamous blazing pigs)
Ignominious Deaths (e.g. the midget ninja in the latrine)
A Misplaced Sense of Honor (e.g. the sniper who let George Washington live)
Suicide Missions (e.g. mass suicide as a diversion tactic and a case of self-decapitation)
Weird and Wonderful Weapons: (such as the WW2 bat bomb -with real bats)
Stranger things happen at Sea (e.g. million-ton ice ships and death by blocked toilet)
God is on our side (of omens, oracles and the ancient battle stopped by a UFO)
An Army Marches on its Stomach (e.g. the tactical use of laxatives and the Greek army immobilized for 3 days by hallucinogenic honey)

Philip Sidnell has a First Class degree in War Studies and History from King's College London and was for some years the Editor of The Military and Aviation Book Society, Ancient and Medieval History Book Club and the History Guild.

He is now a commissioning editor for Pen & Sword Books, one of the UK's leading specialist publishers of military history. He edited Tribute: the Combat Experiences of the Military and Aviation Book Club, and wrote Warhorse: Cavalry in Ancient Warfare.

A keen wargamer, he has a deep interest in all periods of military history but a special fondness for the ancient world. He lives and works in Kent.