Category: History of Warfare

Britain’s secret World War Heroines: Female Espionage in World War II

21/08/2017

              Espionage is not always the first topic that comes to mind when thinking about World War Two. In fact, most World War espionage stories are most likely still untold. Yet, espionage was massively signifcant when referring to the successes of the British Army. Britain’s Special Operations Executive (S.O.E), active between 1940 and … More Britain’s secret World War Heroines: Female Espionage in World War II

THE ELEVENTH BATTLE OF THE ISONZO: A FORGOTTEN SACRIFICE?

18/08/2017

In A Farewell to Arms, Ernest Hemingway described the desolate environment of the Soča Valley: “There was fighting for that mountain too … the branches were bare and the trunks black with rain. The vineyards were thin and bare-branched too and all the country wet and brown and dead with autumn.” It is hard to … More THE ELEVENTH BATTLE OF THE ISONZO: A FORGOTTEN SACRIFICE?

Siege Warfare Through the Ages – Which Siege Tactics Are Right For You?

13/08/2017

Since before 3500 BC people have been putting defensive walls around their settlements. As I’m sure you all know, these pesky walls and fortifications can be a real pain when you want to get inside somewhere for whatever reason. Maybe you’re at war with the occupants, maybe they have something of yours, like some loot … More Siege Warfare Through the Ages – Which Siege Tactics Are Right For You?

Winchester at War: the Battle of Passchendaele

31/07/2017

‘I died in hell – (They called it Passchendaele)’ – Siegfried Sassoon, Memorial Tablet. On this day, exactly one hundred years ago, the Battle of Passchendaele began. Today, the conflict has become infamous, remembered across the world as one of the major battles of the First World War. Tragically, over 500,000 allied and German soldiers … More Winchester at War: the Battle of Passchendaele

Peasants on Crusade

22/07/2017

When we think about the Crusades, our normal thought is of armoured Christian knights fighting on horseback against the Muslim Turks. It is often forgotten that there were masses of ordinary people, including women and children, who went on these journeys and fought alongside the soldiers and upper classes. In the First Crusade, the military … More Peasants on Crusade

How did the Crusaders ever make it to the Holy Land?

17/07/2017

The Crusades are arguably known for their brutality and violence during the middle ages, however this violence is usually pictured during the horrendous battles and sieges. Whereas, the Crusaders actually faced many of their difficulties whilst travelling to Jerusalem, whether they travelling to the Holy Land by foot or by ship. These issues included controlling … More How did the Crusaders ever make it to the Holy Land?

First World War and Conscription: The Conscientious Objector

09/06/2017

The First World War was the first use of compulsory military service in Britain, when in January 1916 the Military Service Bill was passed, and all men aged 18-41, later increased to 50 – apart from those in certain professions such as ministers of a religion, or medically unfit – were expected to be involved in … More First World War and Conscription: The Conscientious Objector

The Livonian Crusade – The Beginning of The End of Paganism in Europe

06/06/2017

The Northern Crusades, otherwise known as the Baltic Crusades, were religious wars that took place in the 12th and 13th centuries in order to subjugate and forcibly baptize the indigenous peoples of various parts of Northern Europe such as Finland and North and Eastern Germany, but most significantly the areas of modern day Estonia, Latvia … More The Livonian Crusade – The Beginning of The End of Paganism in Europe