From the Vikings to Vietnam – Five Wars in Which Drugs Fuelled the Fighting
Drugs have a long history as part of war. These days, their main role is a medicinal one, but down the centuries they have often…
José Arturo Castellanos Contreras: The Latino Schindler
During WWII, many did what they could to save Jews – including the Latino Schindler. José Arturo Castellanos Contreras was born on December 23, 1893,…
Capture of the Privateer Jeune Richard, 1807 – When 28 men defeated 92
On October 1, 1807, a lone British packet was sailing 110 miles off the Northeast Coast of Barbados. The crew of 28, both men and…
The Equipment of the Samurai – Fearsome Warriors Armed to the Teeth
Samurai were the elite warriors of feudal Japan; as dominant as knights were in Europe. Their equipment was as much a display of their status…
In Feudal Japan, This Ambitious Warlord Rose To Blood-Soaked Victory, Then Was Betrayed
During the 16th century, Japan was politically fragmented. Warlords fought for control of local provinces. The weak government of the shogun could not maintain the…
Here’s Why William Wallace Won At Stirling Bridge In The Face Of Overwhelming Odds
On 11 September 1297, an outnumbered Scottish army defeated the English at the Battle of Stirling Bridge. The most spectacular victory of William Wallace, the…
The Mongol Invasions of Japan and the Origin of the Word “Kamikaze”
In the 1270s and 1280s, the menacing forces of the Mongols attacked Japan. Through courage, determination, and good luck, the Japanese drove them off. It…
When One Man Attacked The USA With His Militia at His Back – Pancho Villa
In 1916 WWI was ravaging Europe. Neutral countries were on edge, striving to stay out of the conflict. Then the southern border of the United…
When A British Destroyer Rammed a German Cruiser In World War Two
April 8, 1940, two ships found each other off the coast of Norway. One a German heavy cruiser the Admiral Hipper, the other, a British…
The Shortest Wars In Military History
Though many wars throughout human history have dragged on for years, others ended far sooner. In fact, the results of some of the quickest wars…
Four Glaring Historical Errors In Otherwise Realistic War Games
Some of the best video games from recent years have revolved around real wars and historical conflicts, with varying degrees of accuracy. In certain cases,…
A Sailor’s Life For Me – A day in the life of a Royal Navy Sailor from 1806
The life of a sailor has never been easy, and during wartime, it is doubly true. It was particularly so in the Royal Navy at the…