The Duke Of Marlborough Was A Very Successful General – He Was Adaptable, Courageous, And He Took Care Of His Men
John Churchill, the First Duke of Marlborough (1650-1722) is perhaps the greatest commander in British military history. Leading British troops on the continent in the…
He Started As An Artillery Officer And Became An Emperor – The Spectacular Rise Of Napoleon
Napoleon Bonaparte began life as the son of relatively minor Corsican nobility. Through talent, perseverance, and charisma, he forged a path that took him to…
Nine Game-Changing Stages In The Development Of Armor – From Ancient Times To Modern Warfare
Early Armor Throughout history, soldiers have sought new ways to protect their bodies from the weapons of war. As armament technology was developed, so to…
The Bayonet Has Been A Part Of Warfare For Over 400 Years – Here Are 8 Essential Stages In Its History
The bayonet, capable of turning a gun into a stabbing weapon, has been a feature of warfare since the 17th century. It has gone through…
Why the US Coast Guard Goes To (Mock) War With American Citizens Every Year
The United States Coast Guard is, as the name implies, tasked with protecting and guarding Americans. Every year, however, this small branch of the military…
Fast Facts – History of the Hand Grenade – An Essential Infantry Weapon In Modern Warfare
Hand grenades play an important part in modern war as lightweight and hard-hitting infantry weapons. But their development hasn’t been a steady one, and for…
When Napoleon Invaded Russia, Freezing Weather And Determined Defenders Drove Him Back
Napoleon’s 1812 invasion of Russia is one of the most famous campaigns of his career. It was extraordinary for many reasons. The Size of the…
The Fokker Scourge: Imperial Germany’s Secret Weapon in the First World War
When World War 1 Broke out in 1914, most nations were ill-equipped for a sustained aerial war. The Treaty of Madrid, in 1911, outlined aircraft…
Why the World’s Greatest Naval Power Opposed the Use of Steam Ships
From the start of the 19th century, the race was on to create steam-powered navies. This would eventually take the world’s fleets from wooden sailing…
How The Spanish Armada Failed To Conquer Against The English
The defeat of a Spanish invasion force in 1588 was a moment of great patriotic pride for Elizabethan England. The nation’s sailors had driven off…
When One Man Attacked The USA With His Militia at His Back – Pancho Villa
In 1916 WWI was ravaging Europe. Neutral countries were on edge, striving to stay out of the conflict. Then the southern border of the United…
This Royal Marine Threw Himself on a Grenade, He Walked Away With a Bloody Nose and the George Cross
He shouldn’t have lived. And in fact, if you were to ask him, he would tell you that at the time he thought for sure…