How would you expect to recognise a German military vehicle? What is meant by 'crimping' a detonator? How far away, by night, can a lighted match, at eye level, be seen? How far a lighted cigarette? Just a few of the practical questions posed – and answered – in Home Guard Proficiency, one of a number of manuals privately published during World War II to supplement the slim official Home Guard manual produced by the War Office. Covering everything from camoflague, night fighting, unarmed combat, map reading, small arms and drill, these manuals were welcomed by the men of local Home Guards 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 retired soldiers and reprinted multiple times due to demand. AUTHOR: Lee Johnson worked for 15 years in military publishing, including a number of years as Managing Editor of Osprey Publishing's military list before moving into the education sector. He has worked in state education for the past 14 years, the last four as a Deputy Headteacher and Special Educational Needs Coordinator in a West London primary school. 30 b/w photographs and diagrams