Sieges, Castles, Trenches and Fortresses – Great Moments in Military Engineering
The career of the military engineer may not have the glamor of the fighter pilot or samurai warrior, but throughout the history of warfare, battlefields…
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…
Six Times Hitler Refused to Face the Reality of his Military Situation
As Fuhrer of the Third Reich, Adolf Hitler was Nazi Germany’s supreme military and political commander. Unfortunately, he could also be obstinate to the point…
Desperate Measures – Two Massive Lies That Shaped the Last Days of WWII
Propaganda played a huge part in WWII. Lies, distortions, and half-truths were spread by all sides to motivate the people and deceive the enemy. In…
The Equipment of the Samurai – Fearsome Warriors Armed to the Teeth
Samurai were the elite warriors of feudal Japan; as dominant as knights were in Europe. Their equipment was as much a display of their status…
Manned Torpedoes and Massive Ships – The Alexandria Raid Of WW2
Italy’s part in WWII is usually remembered as one of failure and embarrassment. Italian forces were repeatedly rescued from defeat by their German allies. However, the…
Battles Where the Terrain was Decisive
Whether used well by a skilled commander or ignored by a disastrous one, terrain can play a huge part in deciding the outcome of battles,…
Reasons World War I Became Inevitable
The First World War was a conflict of unprecedented scale and destructiveness. Though its impact was unexpected, the arrival of war itself was not. Though…
Some of the Reasons for the French Military Disaster at Dien Bien Phu
Arrogance. Ignorance. Poor planning. These were the weapons with which French commanders fought the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, and with which they ensured their…
The Roman Army never wanted to be forgotten – here are some legacies they left behind
Given the circumstances, we know an amazing amount about the ancient Roman army. Over 1500 years after the fall of the Roman Empire fell, we…
The Red Baron: Manfred von Richthofen, Famed WW1 Flying Ace
The greatest fighter ace of the First World War, Manfred von Richthofen, was born on the 2nd of May 1892. Becoming an officer cadet at…
General Hyazinth von Strachwitz, The Panzer Count
General Hyazinth von Strachwitz, known as the Panzer Count, earned a reputation for boldness as a cavalry officer in WWI. Then, during WWII he obtained…