The Mines At Messines – Over 1 Million Tons of Explosives – 20 have detonated, but 5 remain
In 1917, the world was engulfed in war. For the first time, the economics of industry had been applied to warfare on a huge scale.…
The US Marine Corps’ “Longest Day” – June 6, 1918
By Guest Blogger Alan G. Gauthreaux “We wore the army uniform,” wrote Elton Mackin, a United States Marine on the Western Front in 1918, “and…
The Second Battle of Artois – It Led To A Scandal That Changed The British Government
Fought in May and June 1915, the Second Battle of Artois was a significant engagement of WWI. Launched by Marshal Joffre, the French Commander-in-Chief, it…
Long-Lasting Consequences – World War One in the Pacific
WWI in comparison with WWII saw minimal fighting in the Far East and the Pacific. There was combat in the region, however, some of it…
Light Machine-Guns of WWI – The Rapid Advance Of Deadly Technology
WWI produced many innovations in weapons design. For the first time in history, significant changes occurred during only a few years of fighting. Light machine-guns…
As A 16 Year Old Kid, Young Jack Faced Off With The German Fleet And Was Awarded The Victoria Cross
It is estimated that up to one-third of British Sailors in World War I was under the age of 18. Many lied about their age…
The Versailles Peace Treaty – Ending The Great War In 1918
The treaty of Versailles was one of several peace treaties which signaled the end of the devastating years of World War I. It sealed the end…
49 Men Would Receive the Victoria Cross During the Battle of Somme Including These 9 on the First Day
In the 70 years following World War II only 15 men have been awarded the Commonwealth’s highest military honor. And yet during one five-month long…
Warfare Under the Waves – Submarines in the First World War
Submarines were among the important new technologies that came to the fore during WWI. Although work on submarines had been underway for decades, it was…
The Infamous Battle of the Somme – One of the Worst Battles in History
The Battle of the Somme was originally meant to be predominantly a French offensive. The Battle of the Somme was first planned in late 1915,…
An Island Country Goes to War – The Irish at the Somme
The outbreak of the First World War in 1914 had an unusual effect in Ireland. In a place where there had already been conflict and…
Hiding Ships In Plain Sight: How Dazzle Camouflage Is Used To Confuse The Enemy
Dazzle camouflage was the brainchild of British artist Norman Wilkinson. It was put forward as a solution to the problem that ships could not be…