Circumvallation: How the Romans Mastered Surrounding Towns To Conquer Populations
Of all the armies of the ancient world, the Romans did the most spectacular job of combining military might with engineering skill. This was repeatedly…
“My Heart Refused Such Sinister Grandeurs” – The Fall Of The Last Napoleon
It was a turbulent time in Europe. The year was 1870, and the Kingdom of Prussia held the reins of power. Prussia’s king, Wilhelm, was…
War Journalism During The American Civil War – Innovations And The Search For A Great Story
The American Civil War saw the rise of many new technologies, from weaponry to medical advances. An aspect of this were the changes taking place…
Hobart’s Funnies – The Strange-Looking Tanks That Helped To Win On D-Day
The landings in Normandy demanded new sorts of hybrid tanks that were capable of fulfilling multiple engineering tasks to provide maximum support to the infantry.…
Two Amazing Stories From USCGC Escanaba – Heroism And Heartbreak In The North Atlantic, 1943
The Rescue of the Dorchester USCGC Escanaba was steaming along calmly on February 2, 1943. She was part of a six-ship convoy; three escorts, and…
The Rise and Fall of the Chariot – It Changed History, But Eventually Was A Victim Of Its Own Success
The ability to move at speed around the battlefield can create huge advantages. Before the internal combustion engine, this was usually undertaken by horses. At…
How the Other Side Ate: Meals of Royal Naval Officers During The Napoleonic Wars
Officers of the Royal Navy at the turn of the 19th century were expected to live charmed and genteel lives. This was reflected in almost…
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…
Roman Emperors Who Died in Battle, From The End Of The Roman Empire To Byzantium
Though Roman Emperors occasionally did fight while out on campaigns, it was often a major shock if they were wounded or killed. If an emperor…
The Shetland Bus – Escape, Survival, And Adventure To Keep Norwegian Resistance In The Fight
Europe during the Second World War was a bleak place; German forces invaded Norway on the 9th of April, 1940, and as the country was…
The Greatest German General No One Has Heard Of – Lieutenant General Of Armored Troops Herman Balck
Herman Balck might be one of the most effective German Generals, whose actions are largely forgotten today. He came from a military family, his father,…
Le Paradis – The WW2 Massacre Of British Soldiers Which Outraged Even The Nazis
In 1940, members of the British military were slaughtered – after they had surrendered to German forces. Two survived, but no one believed their story.…