WWII 1944: The Assault on Myitkyina was a Failure of Leadership
In May 1944, the Allies assaulted Japanese-held Myitkyina in Burma. It was an attack that brought successes despite significant failures of leadership and coordination. Stilwell…
7 Clashes Between Allies in the Second World War
WWII was the most destructive event in human history. To face such a challenge, soldiers, and politicians from different nations needed to come together. Only…
Vinegar Joe Stilwell – a tough, brilliant, but difficult commander in World War Two
General Joseph Stilwell, widely known as Vinegar Joe, had one of the strongest personalities of WWII. As American commander in Burma, he showed incredible insight…
The Mongol Invasions of Japan and the Origin of the Word “Kamikaze”
In the 1270s and 1280s, the menacing forces of the Mongols attacked Japan. Through courage, determination, and good luck, the Japanese drove them off. It…
Patton, Guderian, Rommel – Three Great Tank Commanders of WWII
The Second World War saw tanks dominate the battlefield for the first time. Gifted commanders seized this way of fighting, becoming legends. Heinz Guderian As…
The Valley Campaign: Stonewall Jackson Defeats Four Union Armies
Stonewall Jackson was one of the most daring and eccentric commanders in American history. Nowhere was his leadership and tactical greatness better displayed than in…
Heinz Guderian: A Great German Commander of WWII – He Stood Up To Hitler
General Heinz Wilhelm Guderian was one of the most innovative military commanders of the 20th century. He helped to develop modern tank warfare, bringing success…
Stonewall Jackson – A Flawed but Brilliant Commander
One of the greatest commanders of the American Civil War, Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson was also one of the most difficult to work with. Fierce, secretive,…
Thinking Outside the Box – 14 Of The Greatest Mavericks Of Military History
Some commanders achieve exceptional results by following the rules and sticking with the normal approach. Others achieve greatness through innovation and outlandishness. These are some…
WWI in East Africa, and the Legendary Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck
The East African campaigns of the First World War were quite unlike the fighting that dominated Europe. Instead of the four years of trench-on-trench stalemate…
Giuseppe Garibaldi, the Guerrilla Commander Who United Italy
Giuseppe Garibaldi is one of the most outlandish figures of 19th-century history. A passionate Italian nationalist, he was constantly at odds with the politicians who…
Operation Longcloth: The Burma Campaign of WWII – “The greatest guerrilla operation ever undertaken”
Reuters described Operation Longcloth as “the greatest guerrilla operation ever undertaken.” Louis Allen wrote that it “had panache, it had glamor, it had cheek.” It…