Seven Reasons Why 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…
A Soldier’s Noble Quest to Return a War Medal to its Rightful Owner
This is the story of how a young soldier’s passion for collecting antiques led to a quest to reunite lost war medals with their owners…
Born to Fight – The Only Non-Commonwealth Recipient of the Victoria Cross
People say that some men were born at the right time in history for their gallantry to shine. For Dane Anders Lassen, WWII was his…
Terrible Punishments, Desperate Men – Desertion in the American Civil War
It is the American Civil War. You have been walking hundreds – perhaps thousands of miles – in tattered clothes and worn out shoes. You…
Vistula-Oder Offensive: The Offensive That Brought The Soviets To 70km From Berlin
In the 2004 film Downfall, depicting the last few days in Adolf Hitler’s bunker under Berlin before the city finally fell to Soviet troops on…
The Battle of Edgehill, October 1642 – Both commanders hoped to force battle
War History Online presents this Guest Article by Jemahl Evans Everyone thought it would all be over by Christmas. Everyone expected a single sharp engagement and…
Britain’s Sacrifice of Crete Preserved North Africa For The Allies In World War Two
In May 1941, German paratroopers invaded and overran the island of Crete. A British force, which included New Zealanders and supported by the local resistance,…
Saving Sara Matuson: How 10 POWs Risked Their Lives to Save One Woman
Life in a prisoner of war camp could be hard and dangerous during the Second World War. It was even more so for ten British…
At the Chosin Reservoir, Robert Kennemore Stepped On Two Grenades to Save His Marines
War is full of the actions of brave men launching themselves onto explosives to save their fellow soldiers. A grenade thrown into a trench could…
The One-Armed Warrior Who Was Awarded The Victoria Cross
Some soldiers are so pig-headedly persistent that they go down in legend; including one who did so with only one arm. George Albert Cairns was…
Against All The Odds – Battles Where The Underdogs Won The Day
Outnumbered and outgunned, the underdogs that defeat their enemies through strategy, cunning or pure luck often give us the most compelling stories. Although numerical strength…
Canadian Aircrew Memorial in Brecon Beacons National Park
The Brecon Beacons on a hot, bright summer’s day provides one of the most fantastic views in Britain. However on a dark rainy night in…