Orde Wingate: The Most Controversial British Commander of WWII
Orde Wingate was the most unusual British commander of World War Two. Loved by some of his colleagues and hated by others, his reputation remains…
Operation Cobra, 1944: Breaking Out of Normandy
In July 1944, Normandy was the scene of fierce fighting. Operation Neptune had seen the Allies land on the coast on June 6, D-Day. Following…
Seven Wars Where Irregular Forces Thwarted Professional Armies
Massed professional armies do not always win wars. Irregular troops sometimes win; whether volunteer forces or specialists trained in unconventional ways of war. They are…
Six Nations Which Were United As A Result Of Wars
Wars often tear nations apart. Sometimes they unite them. Whether by alliance or by conquest, countries have evolved from the heat of battle. England and…
Operation Longcloth: The Burma Campaign of WWII – “The greatest guerrilla operation ever undertaken”
Reuters described Operation Longcloth as “the greatest guerrilla operation ever undertaken.” Louis Allen wrote that it “had panache, it had glamor, it had cheek.” It…
Giuseppe Garibaldi, the Guerrilla Commander Who United Italy
Giuseppe Garibaldi is one of the most outlandish figures of 19th-century history. A passionate Italian nationalist, he was constantly at odds with the politicians who…
WWI in East Africa, and the Legendary Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck
The East African campaigns of the First World War were quite unlike the fighting that dominated Europe. Instead of the four years of trench-on-trench stalemate…
Thinking Outside the Box – 14 Of The Greatest Mavericks Of Military History
Some commanders achieve exceptional results by following the rules and sticking with the normal approach. Others achieve greatness through innovation and outlandishness. These are some…
Stonewall Jackson – A Flawed but Brilliant Commander
One of the greatest commanders of the American Civil War, Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson was also one of the most difficult to work with. Fierce, secretive,…
Heinz Guderian: A Great German Commander of WWII – He Stood Up To Hitler
General Heinz Wilhelm Guderian was one of the most innovative military commanders of the 20th century. He helped to develop modern tank warfare, bringing success…
Otto Skorzeny: Hitler’s Elite SS Commando Leader of World War Two
In September 1943, Hitler sent SS commandoes to rescue his ally Mussolini from the new Italian government. For the man leading the raid, Otto Skorzeny,…
The Valley Campaign: Stonewall Jackson Defeats Four Union Armies
Stonewall Jackson was one of the most daring and eccentric commanders in American history. Nowhere was his leadership and tactical greatness better displayed than in…