Constantinople: Holding The Walls At All Costs
At dawn, the leaders of the defence gazed out west from the walls of Constantinople. The two Byzantine commanders, Bonus and Sergius, did not speak…
The End of an Era – The Sack of Rome
Rome, the city that had ruled the world, was in chaos. To the north-west, a great pillar of dirty smoke rose skywards from the Gardens…
10 Great Men Who Inspired The Young Napoleon Bonaparte
From an early age, Napoleon Bonaparte showed the ambition and intelligence that would eventually make him the emperor of half of Europe. As a child,…
Facts And Pictures: Bloody Battle For The Bridge Over The Rhine At Remagen In WW2, March 1945
On 7 March 1945, Allied troops captured the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen. This surprise success allowed thousands of troops to cross the River Rhine and…
The Devastating Power of Ancient Roman Sieges
Tactically, the purpose of a siege is almost always the same – to take control of a strongly defended position. The reasons for launching one…
10 Facts: Maurice Gamelin And The Fall Of France In 1940
A quick look at the fall of France in May 1940. 1. The French Were Led by Maurice Gamelin At the start of the Second…
Ángel Sanz-Briz – The Angel Of Budapest, Who Saved 5000 From The Nazis In WW2
Oskar Schindler is credited with saving about 1,200 Jews during WWII, but he was not alone. Another person would outdo Schindler, despite his unusual background. Although officially…
The Amazing Story Of James Crotty, Who Single Handedly Won The Coast Guard A Battle Streamer
Battle Streamers are awarded to a military branch, or unit, for their participation in an important battle or campaign. They are usually earned by large…
“Beyond the Call” – Captain Robert M. Trimble – The Unsung Hero Who Saved 1000 POWs In WW2
During WWII, the American government tricked him into going on a secret and dangerous mission to save lives. After the war, only France and Russia…
Exaggeration And Angels – The Battle of Mons, 1914
At the start of the First World War, the commanders of both sides expected fast-moving action. They believed devastating modern weapons would open gaps in…
Discipline, Tactics, Personal Skill – Military Might Of Ancient Sparta
Two-and-a-half millennia after they were at the height of their power, the Spartans remain famous as some of the finest warriors in European history. The…
Five Fascinating Military Inventions – From The Big Dog Robot To The Humble Email Address
Military technology has a history of experimenting with novel approaches to the development of new methods of attack and defense. Some experiments are driven by…