Andrew Knighton

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

Articles by Andrew Knighton:

The 4 Types of Men Who Fought for Napoleon – Not All Wanted To

The awesome power of the Napoleonic Empire was built on the blood and courage of millions of soldiers. Though Napoleon is remembered as an icon…

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…

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…

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…

A Game-Changing Medieval Siege

Civil wars and revolts were common in medieval England. Without elections to decide between opposing leaders and policies, violence became the answer. As in modern…

What Happened To Prisoners Of War In Medieval England

Every medieval English monarch had to decide how to deal with prisoners of war. Ruling over territory that sometimes ran from the highlands of Scotland…

Civil Wars That Shaped Medieval England

Medieval England was a warlike place – so much so that the cliché of an Englishmen abroad was that of a violent thug. Though their…

Invading The Land Of The Pharaohs – Napoleon Comes To Conquer

Napoleon’s invasion of Egypt was his last great military campaign before seizing power as First Consul of France. Despite being a disaster, it helped him…

Who Dares Wins – When Overly Timid Generals Brought Disaster To Their Troops

Recklessness can be a bad thing in a commander, getting the people beneath them killed by an excess of innovation and risk taking. But so…

How The Spear Transformed Warfare – From Ancient Times To The Age Of Gunpowder

Spears have featured in warfare throughout history. Even after the arrival of firearms, spears continued to play a dominant role, from the pike blocks of…

5 Kings Who Made Sparta a Military Great

The Kingdom of Sparta is one of the most famous city states of ancient Greece. The harsh military upbringing given to its male citizens has…

Super-Sized Siege Guns From World War One And Two – These Are Simply Massive

In the 19th century, transport limitations restricted the size of artillery. If a piece of equipment could not be pulled by horses, then it could…