Andrew Knighton

Andrew Knighton is one of the authors writing for WAR HISTORY ONLINE

Articles by Andrew Knighton:

Operation Torch, November 1942 – Seizing the Oran Airfields

During WWII, death from the skies was a constant threat. The sudden appearance of bombers or fighters on a strafing run could spell doom for…

How 230 American Soldiers Walked Through Enemy Lines to Safety

On February 15, 1943, 230 American soldiers achieved a remarkable escape. Trapped behind German forces during fierce fighting in North Africa, they walked through the…

Powerful Hardware After WWII – Soviet Tactical Ballistic Missiles of the Cold War

Missiles were a vital part of the Cold War. Intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) threatened to hurl nuclear payloads from one side of the globe to…

Breaking The Deadlock – Machine Gun Tactics of WWI

The machine-gun was possibly the most valuable weapon in defining the fighting of WWI. Its massive firepower devastated infantry formations and virtually eradicated the use…

These Technological Innovations Transformed The History Of Handheld Firearms

Since they first appeared in the 14th century, handheld guns have been through many changes. These are some of the key technological developments that brought…

The US 503rd Parachute Battalion Seize the “High Ground” From the Axis

When American forces arrived in North Africa in November 1942, the 503rd Parachute Battalion were among the first troops on the ground. A week later,…

Hermann Ramcke, German Marine Turned Paratroop General

In an American prison cell, a former German officer sat writing a letter to his captors. The war was over, but his concern for his…

America’s First Ever Paratrooper Assault – Operation Torch

On the night of November 7, 1942, American forces launched Operation Torch, the invasion of Axis-occupied North Africa. It was an operation that involved several…

Desperate Measures – Two Massive Lies That Shaped the Last Days of WWII

Propaganda played a huge part in WWII. Lies, distortions, and half-truths were spread by all sides to motivate the people and deceive the enemy. In…

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…

Game Changing Battlefield Technology – The Machine Gun From The Civil War To The Present Day

For nearly as long as there have been guns, military thinkers have looked for ways to make them fire faster. In the late 19th century,…

America’s First Ever Paratrooper Assault – Operation Torch

On the night of November 7, 1942, American forces launched Operation Torch, the invasion of Axis-occupied North Africa. It was an operation that involved several…