A Terrible Mistake – Why The USSR Ignored Britain’s Warnings of Impending Invasion
On June 22, 1941, Germany invaded the USSR. It was a move that came as a shock to the Soviets, but less so to the…
The most decorated Marine in United States history – Chesty Puller, American Hero
“Chesty” Puller is the most decorated Marine in United States history. Heroic service in Haiti, Nicaragua, the Second World War, and the Korean War earned…
The Amazing Harry Errington: The Only London Fireman to Earn a George Cross for Service in the Blitz
The bombing campaigns of WWII put a massive strain on firefighters. In both Britain and Germany, campaigns of deliberate destruction set cities alight. Not just…
Bill Slim and WWII’s Forgotten Army – One Of The Most Successful Commanders Of The War
One of the greatest military commanders of WWII is usually forgotten in stories of the war. Bill Slim, the British general commanding troops in Burma,…
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…
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…
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…
The Rosary Paratrooper – Friedrich August Freiherr von der Heydte
WWII saw paratroopers become an important part of warfare for the first time. Among the most gifted paratroop commanders was Friedrich August Freiherr von der…
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 First Thousand-Bomber Raid – Changing the WWII Air War
From the start of the Second World War, Britain’s Royal Air Force (RAF) committed themselves to a particular bombing strategy. They believed that, with heavy…
The Roman Military Camp: How Each One Was Established, Run, and Left Behind
The military camp is one of the most iconic symbols of Roman martial prowess. The armies of Rome were not just made up of warriors.…
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,…