Andrew Knighton

Andrew Knighton is one of the authors writing for WAR HISTORY ONLINE

Articles by Andrew Knighton:

One Secret Agent Who Helped Pave the Way for D-Day

Many agents served in secret during the Second World War. Sent behind enemy lines, they risked their lives gathering information and supporting acts of resistance…

How Britain was Unprepared for World War Two

In retrospect, the outbreak of the Second World War seems both obvious and inevitable. However, to many people at the time, particularly in Britain, there…

Second World War Naval Reservist Was Awarded the VC After Surviving 31 Air Attacks in 4 Days

At the start of the Second World War, thousands of reservists were called up to serve in the armed forces of Britain and other European…

Learning the Luftwaffe’s Secrets: How Intelligence Gathering Shaped the Battle of Britain

In WWII the Battle of Britain was fought in the air. A victory was achieved through the skill and courage of the rightly revered fighter…

Iron Cross Recipients – German Soldiers In World War Two

For several generations, the Iron Cross was the most prestigious medal a German soldier could earn. During WWII, many received the Cross, which was awarded…

The War In The Air – Fighter Planes in World War One

WWI was not the first time that planes fought against each other. It happened a year earlier, during the Mexican civil war. WWI, however, saw…

The First Jet Versus Jet War: Air Power in the Korean War

During the dying days of WWII, both sides fielded jet fighters, but they were experimental aircraft. Propeller-driven fighters still dominated the skies. The first jet…

Over The Years, Many Moments In Military History Have Inspired Great Works of Art

With its drama, spectacle, and significance for human life, war has always inspired art. From cave paintings of stone age skirmishes to abstract explorations of…

Machine Guns – Rapid Early Development Of A Deadly, Game-Changing Technology

In the second half of the 19th century, industrialized nations entered an arms race to produce the best machine-gun. This new type of weapon was…

The Oslo Report: How a German Scientist Gave Away Nazi Military Secrets and Why Britain Almost Ignored Him

Early in the Second World War, the British received a dossier of Nazi military secrets. The extraordinary contents had been sent at great personal risk…

The Disastrous Attack Which Led To George Armstrong Custer’s Last Stand

George Armstrong Custer is one of the most infamous figures in American military history. A cavalry commander whose style was based on instinct and showmanship…

Battlecruisers: A Flawed Naval Experiment of WWI

WWI was a time of change in naval warfare. Heavy dreadnoughts were replacing older, more vulnerable ships. Submarines made their first serious appearance in combat.…