History of War

From the conquering legions of Ancient Rome to the thunderous tank battles of World War II and beyond, History of War takes you deeper inside the minds of history’s fighting men, further under the bonnets of some of the world’s most devastating war machines, and higher above the battlefield to see the broad sweep of conflict as it happened.

Welcome

CONTRIBUTORS

RICHELIEU AT LA ROCHELLE • Painted: 1881

THE DAWN PATROL • Released: 1938

BATTLE OF ZORNDORF • Painted: 1911

WWII SEA MINES • During the Second World War, the Allies and Axis Powers both use naval mines to disrupt and destroy enemy shipping

THE NORTHERN BARRAGE • Codenamed Operation SN, the Royal Navy laid a huge minefield in the North Atlantic that ultimately failed to prevent German naval activity against Allied vessels

CLEARING THE COASTS • As an island nation, Britain’s access to maritime trade routes was vital to its survival and they became a prime target for German mining efforts

SWEEPING TO VICTORY • Amphibious invasions were tricky operations, and danger lurked for the Allied forces before they could even reach the shore

DANGER IN THE DEPTHS • After WWII, thousands of high-explosives remained hidden beneath the waves, leading to a huge clean up operation that’s still ongoing nearly 80 years later

DAMBUSTERS • Seventy-seven returned – only 48 lived to tell the story Official Historian, No. 617 Squadron Association, Dr Robert Owen, recounts what happened next for the men who were immortalised by their role in the epic raid

BIII SPECIAL AVRO LANCASTER • Inside the modified aircraft that ‘busted’ the German dams in May 1943

WIN AN AIRFIX 617 SQN DAMBUSTERS 80TH ANNIVERSARY GIFT SET • History of War readers have the chance to win one of two model sets in tribute to the anniversary of RAF No. 617 Squadron

“WE’RE LOOKING AT THE PAST MORE TO FIND ANSWERS” INTERVIEW WITH JAMES HOLLAND • The historian and broadcaster discusses his new illustrated book, 2023’s Chalke Valley History Festival and why studying WWII is more relevant than ever before

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CAPORETTO • In 1917 Italy suffered its worst military defeat, causing shockwaves that be would felt for decades to come

NAPOLEON’S POLISH LEGIONS & THE HAITIAN REVOLUTION • When the emperor sent his elite Polish fighters to put down an uprising, the Poles instead joined the rebels

SAMUEL I PARKER • At the Battle of Soissons, in July 1918, though badly wounded this lieutenant colonel led his command in silencing German machine guns, becoming the most highly decorated US infantryman of WWI

ANCIENT ROME’S DARKEST HOUR • How a Roman citizen lured three of the empire’s legions into a deadly trap

THE FIERCE STRUGGLE FOR ITALY’S MOUNTAINOUS SLOPES • Explore this complete guide to the Battle of Monte Cassino, one of World War II’s bloodiest battles, from the Anzio beach assault to the controversial Allied bombing campaign

HOMEFRONT

THE LAST DAMBUSTER • Aviation historian and consultant Andy Saunders pays tribute to George ‘Johnny’ Johnson, who passed away in 2022 just short of the 80th anniversary of Operation Chastise

MUSEUMS & EVENTS • Discover Bristol’s rich military aviation history, Lincoln Castle’s connection with Magna Carta and the WWI museum in Ypres that is dedicated to peace

CLEAN SWEEP • A THOROUGH OVERVIEW OF VIII FIGHTER COMMAND AND ITS CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE LUFTWAFFE

HOW TO FIGHT A WAR • AN EXAMINATION OF HOW TO ORCHESTRATE MILITARY FORCES, FROM INFANTRY AND INFORMATION TO STRATEGY AND TACTICS, IN THE ART OF USING VIOLENCE TO ACHIEVE A GOAL

THE FORGOTTEN CRISIS IN THE YEAR OF HITLER’S COUP • A SUPERB...