Foreigners Who Fought in Other Countries’ Armies
In the modern world, we expect the people fighting for a country are its citizens. However, throughout history, countries have called upon foreigners to help…
Why the World’s Greatest Naval Power Opposed the Use of Steam Ships
From the start of the 19th century, the race was on to create steam-powered navies. This would eventually take the world’s fleets from wooden sailing…
Building Armies in the Harsh World of Medieval England
Recruiting an army could be a difficult business in the Middle Ages. Most people’s lives consisted of farming small patches of land. When people didn’t…
The Longbow: Its Rise and Dominance – It Totally Changed Medieval Warfare
The growing effectiveness of metal armor created a challenge for medieval soldiers. While the elite of knights and men-at-arms were now well protected, the majority…
Understanding the Crusader Mind – How Crusaders Might Have Thought And Felt About Their Wars
A knight stands on the walls of Jerusalem, staring out at the parched land beyond the city. He is weary from weeks of travel and…
China’s Long Fight Against Japan – 1937 to 1945
In 1937, following the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, China and Japan went to war. It was the beginning of WWII in East Asia, two years…
WWII: Panzer Unit Grossdeutschland and the Last Ditch Defence of Germany
From the spring of 1944, German forces were pushed back through Eastern Europe by the Russians. They went from holding conquered territory to desperately defending…
The SS – One of the Most Infamous Fighting Forces in History
The Schutzstaffel, or SS, was one of the most infamous fighting forces in history. The political shock troopers of the German Nazi party, they were…
Famous Medieval Knights – Warriors, Leaders, And Scholars
Medieval knights were among the celebrities of their day – warriors, leaders, and scholars. They became figures of romance and inspiration, giving them a special…
History of the Hand Grenade – An Essential Infantry Weapon In Modern Warfare
Hand grenades play an important part in modern war as lightweight and hard-hitting infantry weapons. But their development hasn’t been a steady one, and for…
In World War Two, The Germans Had Big Plans – Here Are Five Which Did Not Succeed
Throughout WWII, Adolf Hitler’s political ambitions interfered with his plans. Several high-profile military operations were canceled, sometimes against the advice of his commanders. Operation Sealion…
Fighting for Both Sides: the Spanish Army in the Napoleonic Wars
In 1807, Napoleon’s French armies crossed Spain to invade Portugal. It began a seven-year campaign known as the Peninsular War. For the Spanish, it was…