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.

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WAR in FOCUS

MUSSOLINI’S ARMY • During the fascist dictator’s rule over Italy, the Royal Italian Army fights extensively across Africa and Europe in many conflicts, before being defeated during WWII

STRIKE AT AFRICA • Mussolini envisaged building an empire to rival Ancient Rome. Once he’d established his grip on Italy, he set his sights on Abyssinia as the place to begin

CORPO TRUPPE VOLONTARIE • During the Spanish Civil War, tens of thousands of Italian soldiers fought in Spain to support the fascist Nationalist forces of Francisco Franco

SHOWDOWN IN THE DESERT • The Italian campaigns in Africa sought to end British rule over Egypt and control of the Suez Canal, strengthening Mussolini’s dominance over the Mediterranean

ITALIANS IN THE EAST • Reeling from his setbacks in North Africa, and eager to prove his forces’ worth against the communist foe, Il Duce sent a large expeditionary force to join the Nazi invasion of the USSR

AIR BATTLE FOR KURSK • On the eve of Operation Citadel, the Red Air Force sought to pre-empt the attack by smashing the Luftwaffe. The risky spoiling operation failed spectacularly

PROKHOROVKA AND THE FIGHT FOR HILL 252.2 • The Battle of Prokhorovka, on 12 July 1943, was the culmination point of the southern pincer of Operation Citadel. The Soviets ultimately emerged victorious, despite suffering extremely heavy losses to their armour. Here, Dr Ben Wheatley recounts the struggle for one critical position during the battle: Hill 252.2

SUPER SPREADERS IN THE TRENCHES • During the latter period of WWI, infection and disease were a universal enemy on both sides of no man’s land. Vaccination and prevention methods became essential for survival, never mind victory, on the frontline

VACCINATE FOR VICTORY

TRENCH FEVER

1918 INFLUENZA PANDEMIC

JOHNSON BEHARRY • Two acts of valour from this young private saved the lives of his comrades in the narrow streets of Al Amarah, Iraq

KAP’YONG • During the Korean War, in April 1951, amid a renewed Chinese offensive, a UN force consisting largely of Australian and Canadian troops fought off repeated enemy assaults

Battle of Kap’yong

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‘HATRED IS NOT THE WAY’ • Speaking to mark the publication of his new memoir, Ivor Perl describes how he survived both Auschwitz and Dachau concentration camps during the Holocaust

CHICKEN SOUP UNDER THE TREE • Ivor Perl recalls the difficulty he had in putting pen to paper to write his memoir about the Holocaust

AMX-10 RC • This French armoured fighting vehicle, in service for decades, provides flexible infantry support with high-calibre firepower

THE IRA’S WAR IN COUNTY TYRONE • The IRA’s East Tyrone Brigade was one of its deadliest units. This is the inside story of how one of its attacks triggered a retaliatory ambush by the SAS

HITLER’S DREAM OF POWER REQUIRED LOYAL COMMANDERS AND KILLER MACHINES • If Hitler's fantasy of a Germanic empire was to be realised he would need to rely on the courage and competence of military leaders and highly trained units and their cutting-edge equipment. Discover the troops and tools that made Nazi Germany such a formidable foe.

Strike Hard, Strike Sure • Marking the 80th anniversary of the famous ‘Dambusters’ raid, the Royal Air Force Museum London has unveiled a new permanent exhibition...