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As the snow melted in the spring of 1942, Leningraders emerged from the worst winter experienced by a population under siege. Amid a mounting death toll driven by starvation, cold, [...]

The Second World War saw grand military strategy play out on the largest scale ever seen, stretching across most of the globe. Shaping this complex strategic situation were what historian [...]

As the Great War was coming to a close, a new perceived threat faced Europe: Bolshevism. Standing in the way of the 'Reds' were the 'White' Russians: a jumbled amalgamation [...]

Lieutenant-Colonel Arvo Roininen, the Finnish 26th Heavy Battery commander, jumped as his radio crackled to life. The date was 30 June, 1944, and reports were coming in that the elite [...]

For three long years, Austria's best field commander, Archduke Charles, sat on the sidelines, humiliated by his defeat at the Battle of Caldiero (30 October 1805) and furious that he [...]

Saul David tells the story of the legendary British airborne troops in his latest book, Sky Warriors: British Airborne Forces in the Second World War. Nicknamed the 'Red Devils', they [...]

Historian Taylor Downing's latest book, The Army That Never Was: D-Day and the Great Deception, covers the audacious schemes of Operation Fortitude, the misdirection and misinformation mission to confuse German [...]

William 'Bill' Gladden was just 20 when he dropped into France on the evening of 6 June 1944. Packed into an enormous Hamilcar glider, he had shared the journey across [...]

Marie Scott was just 13 at the outbreak of the Second World War, and four years later she decided it was time to play her part on the home front. [...]

The Eastern Front is the second book in Professor Nick Lloyd's First World War trilogy, which began with The Western Front, published in 2021. In this second volume, Lloyd uncovers [...]

On a cold night in January 1917, German infantry launched a raid at Main de Massiges, east of Reims, and came across plans to attack the Aisne River. General Erich [...]

With enemy fire pummelling the American camp, First Class Sergeant Bennie G Adkins burst into his rudimentary headquarters and hastily gathered together any papers or files he could find. The [...]

July 1936, and chaos reigned in the streets of Madrid. The Republican government, for so long attempting to avoid open war, was on the verge of destruction at the hands [...]

For decades, Father Patrick Ryan had denied allegations relating to his involvement in IRA activities and outmanoeuvred multiple extradition attempts. This mask only slipped after a source told BBC journalist [...]

The afternoon of 7 May 1917 would prove to be a fateful date for the Royal Flying Corps (RFC). Edward 'Mick' Mannock, a rookie pilot, was rocketing along in his [...]

It was still early in the morning on 6 June 1944, but Staff Sergeant Walter Ehlers sensed something had gone terribly wrong. Glancing up from his overloaded headquarters LCI (Landing [...]

Angus Konstam's latest book The Convoy tells the story of the merchant ship convoy HG-76, which in December 1941 faced a 2,000-mile (3,220km) journey across the Atlantic, shadowed by U-boats. [...]

This text explores the Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War during World War I and its implications for the current Ukraine War. The Allies, concerned about the spread of Bolshevism, supported the White Russians against the Reds. However, the intervention faced challenges and ultimately failed. British troops had mixed reactions to being sent to Russia, forming relationships with locals but also spreading diseases. Anti-Semitism was prevalent, with Jewish civilians targeted in pogroms. The text discusses Winston Churchill's role in the intervention and the Hands off Russia movement. It concludes by emphasizing the need to support Ukraine and criticizing Vladimir Putin's ambitions. [Extracted from the article]

The Battle of Tali-Ihantala, which occurred during World War II on the Karelian Isthmus, is the focus of this article. The Finnish Army, despite being outnumbered and outgunned, successfully defended a strategic location against the Soviet Red Army. This battle was crucial in determining Finland's independence and the Soviet Union's ability to advance towards Berlin. The Finnish forces, with the aid of reinforcements and innovative artillery tactics, repelled multiple Soviet attacks and held their ground. The battle demonstrated the resilience and determination of the Finnish soldiers in the face of overwhelming odds. [Extracted from the article]

The Battle of Aspern-Essling, which occurred in 1809, was a major defeat for Napoleon and the French army at the hands of the Austrians. The battle took place on the Danube River, where the French attempted to establish a bridgehead on the north bank. However, the flooding river damaged the bridge, making it challenging for the French to cross. Despite some initial successes, the French were ultimately forced to retreat. The battle resulted in significant casualties for both sides and marked a significant victory for the Austrians over the French. [Extracted from the article]

This article from History of War tells the story of Marie Scott, a D-Day veteran and radio operator for the Women's Royal Naval Service (Wrens). Scott joined the Wrens at the age of 17 and was stationed at Fort Southwick in Portsmouth, where she played a vital role in Operation Overlord. She transcribed encoded messages between the beaches and high-ranking officers, experiencing the sounds of war firsthand. Scott and her fellow Wrens worked tirelessly to ensure accurate communication during the critical D-Day operations. After the war, Scott received recognition for her service, including the Légion d’honneur. She plans to travel to Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-Day to pay her respects. [Extracted from the article]

The Nivelle Offensive, launched by the French in January 1917, was an unsuccessful attempt to break through Germany's new defensive system. Despite leaks of the offensive plans, French General Robert Nivelle proceeded with the attack, resulting in heavy casualties and a failed tank assault. In April 1917, a second offensive was launched, resulting in some gains for the French but at a high cost. The offensive led to mutinies within the French Army, which were eventually suppressed. The fighting on the Chemin des Dames continued throughout the summer, with the sector eventually being reclaimed by the Germans. [Extracted from the article]

This article features an interview with Professor Michael Kimmage, an expert in US-Russian relations and Cold War history, discussing the conflict in Ukraine. Prior to the annexation of Crimea, Ukraine had an ambiguous status, with a compliant president who was comfortable with Russia's presence in the region. The Ukrainian military was unprepared for Russia's actions in 2014 due to a lack of military planning and a state of disarray. Kimmage compares the Russo-Ukraine war to the Peloponnesian War and discusses the success of Russia's "hybrid war" tactics. The EU and the US failed to respond strongly to the annexation of Crimea due to a lack of understanding and underestimation of Russia's seriousness. The article concludes by highlighting the lessons the West can learn from re-examining the annexation of Crimea and the early conflict in the Donbas. [Extracted from the article]

This article from History of War recounts the heroic actions of Sergeant Bennie G Adkins during the Vietnam War. Adkins, a Special Forces soldier, defended his training camp near the Ho Chi Minh trail against a surprise attack by the North Vietnamese Army. Despite being outnumbered, Adkins fought back, even surviving a bullet to his rifle's magazine. He eventually escaped the camp with fellow soldiers and evaded the enemy while waiting for extraction. Adkins displayed incredible bravery and resourcefulness throughout the intense battle. After years of effort, he was finally awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions. [Extracted from the article]

The article provides a historical account of the Siege of Madrid during the Spanish Civil War. It discusses the efforts of the Nationalist rebels, led by Francisco Franco, to capture the capital city, and the united resistance of the Madrileños, including communists, democrats, and anarchists. The article highlights key battles and events, such as the Battle of Guadalajara and the Battle of Brunete, and discusses the dire situation in Madrid. It also provides information on the opposing forces and international involvement in the conflict, and includes photographs and maps for further understanding. [Extracted from the article]

Father Patrick Ryan, an Irish priest, has admitted to his involvement in multiple IRA attacks, including the attempted assassination of Margaret Thatcher in 1984. Jennifer O'Leary, a BBC journalist, conducted interviews with Father Ryan, which were transformed into a book called The Padre. The book reveals Father Ryan's involvement in the IRA's financial, military, and logistical dealings in Ireland, Libya, and beyond. Father Ryan established a network in Libya and had a relationship with Muammar Gaddafi, collecting money and bomb components for the IRA. He also played a role in developing the Memo Park bomb timer, which increased the effectiveness of IRA bombings. Despite attempts by the British authorities, Father Ryan evaded extradition and was never apprehended. The book explores Father Ryan's complex character and his lack of remorse for his actions. [Extracted from the article]

Edward 'Mick' Mannock, a young Irishman, became the first recipient of the Victoria Cross in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during World War I. Despite being a rookie pilot and facing discrimination for his working-class background, Mannock achieved 61 aerial victories, including shooting down enemy observation balloons. He overcame initial challenges and gained respect as a skilled pilot, training other pilots and leading successful missions. Mannock tragically died in a plane crash, but his bravery and contributions to the RAF are remembered and honored. [Extracted from the article]

This article from History of War recounts the heroic actions of Staff Sergeant Walter Ehlers during the Normandy Campaign in 1944. Ehlers led a squad of 12 inexperienced infantrymen and took multiple enemy positions, despite suffering serious injuries. He displayed bravery and self-sacrifice, earning him the Medal of Honor. Ehlers continued to serve in the military after the war and worked with the Veterans Administration to assist other soldiers. He passed away in 2014 as the last surviving Normandy Campaign Medal of Honor recipient. [Extracted from the article]