Equations are derived for the combined bending and compression of cylindrically orthotropic plates with allowance for shear and without postulating a shear distribution lawf/it(z). Solutions of the equations obtained are given for various boundary conditions. The error introduced by postulating the distribution lawf/it(z) is estimated. The effect of the ratio of the Young''s moduli in the circumferential and radial directions E/E_r and the ratio of the Young''s modulus E_r and the shear modulus G on the deflection w and the critical load T_cr is investigated. It is shown that for plates made of materials such as oriented glass-reinforced plastics the shear correction is very important. It is noted that buckling (due to shear) can occur even when the Young''s moduli of the material are infinite.