Learning the Luftwaffe’s Secrets: How Intelligence Gathering Shaped the Battle of Britain
In WWII the Battle of Britain was fought in the air. A victory was achieved through the skill and courage of the rightly revered fighter…
A Race for Superiority – The Sources of Military Intelligence in World War Two
During the Second World War, military intelligence came into its own in a way it never had before. The increasing speed, scale, and complexity of…
The Haitian Revolution: A Rare and Brutal Act of Liberation
The Haitian revolution is one of the most remarkable revolts in history. Unlike most revolutions, it was driven not by the middle classes but by…
The Battle of Issus: A Close Call in a Campaign of Conquest
In 333 BC, Alexander the Great defeated the Achaemenid King Darius III at the Battle of Issus. It was the beginning of the end for…
How One Man Seized Control of the Roman Empire and Founded a Dynasty
Constantine the First, also known as Constantine the Great, was one of Rome’s most capable rulers. Rising to power in the early fourth century, he…
Seven Reasons Why Britain was Unprepared for World War Two
In retrospect, the outbreak of the Second World War seems both obvious and inevitable. However, to many people at the time, particularly in Britain, there…
Britain’s Sacrifice of Crete Preserved North Africa For The Allies In World War Two
In May 1941, German paratroopers invaded and overran the island of Crete. A British force, which included New Zealanders and supported by the local resistance,…
Saving Sara Matuson: How 10 POWs Risked Their Lives to Save One Woman
Life in a prisoner of war camp could be hard and dangerous during the Second World War. It was even more so for ten British…
Inspiring Officers of the First World War – A Time of Great Bravery, Great Horror, and Great Sacrifice
Thousands of men served as officers in the British army during the First World War. Many of them lost their lives, and the survivors were…
Four British Intelligence Agents of World War Two and Their Very Different Civilian Lives
In the early stages of WWII, Britain had to hastily improve its capacity to make war. It included recruiting skilled professionals to previously neglected military…
Fog Of War – Often, the Allies Couldn’t Tell if Bombing Campaigns Were Working
Destructive bombing raids against Germany were a vital part of World War Two. They let the Allies lash out against the Nazi war machine long…
21-Year-Old Bomber Pilot Who Died Saving His Comrades in WWII
On the night of May 30, 1942, Britain launched its largest bombing raid so far in World War Two. Of the 1,047 bombers that flew,…