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…
Marie Marvingt – An Incredible Overachiever in World War One and Beyond
Some people lead such incredible lives; they are almost unbelievable. This lady was definitely one of them. Marie Félicie Elisabeth Marvingt was born on February 20,…
The Assault On Messines Ridge – Flanders, 1917
During the First World War, Flanders became some of the most hotly contested ground in military history. Thousands upon thousands of men died in trench…
“Walking Veteran of WWI” – The WWI Veteran Who Hiked to Monthly Veterans Meetings in Jefferson City
War History online proudly presents this Guest Piece from Jeremy P. Ämick, who is a military historian and writes on behalf of the Silver Star…
Charles Whittlesey, the Commander of the Lost Battalion
Colonel Charles White Whittlesey earned his fame when he was a major in World War I with the American Expeditionary Force. He led a battalion…
How Gallipoli And The ANZAC Memorial Parade Inspired A Classic WW2 Song
In 1971 the Scottish-born folk singer Eric Bogle entered a songwriting competition in Brisbane, Australia. The prize was a valuable Ovation Guitar. The song he…
Frank Luke, Medal of Honor Recipient – The “Arizona Balloon Buster”
People might not think shooting a balloon out of the sky is a substantial feat for a fighter pilot. But surround that balloon with enemy…
The Youngest (Confirmed) British Soldier of World War One
In 1998 Richard van Emden’s book, Veterans: the Last Survivors of the Great War was published. Later it became the basis of a 2009 television documentary.…
The Deadliest Weapons Of The First World War
The First World War remains one of the most deadly conflicts in human history, with massive casualties on both sides. Millions died and many more…
How a Single Trumpet Changed The Course of a Battle
When the Balkan Powder Keg was lit in 1912, war broke out. The peoples of the Balkan Peninsula were seeking independence from the Ottoman rule…
Giants of the Sky – The Zeppelins of WW1
Terrifying giants of the sky or vulnerable impracticalities? Zeppelins have appeared as both throughout history – especially during the First World War – but these…