Category: Weapons and Technology
The Higgins Boat – 9 Things You Might Not Know About the Landing Craft That Changed History
“They served everywhere — from the wind-swept coastlines of Northern France to the far-flung tropical shores of the Pacific — ultimately changing the very nature of amphibious warfare.” ONE WOULD BE hard-pressed to come up…
Unkindest Cuts – The Three Most Famous British Sabres of the Napoleonic Era
“The three sword patterns of 1796 all played important roles in Napoleonic history: one distinguished, one solid, and one unimpressive.” By John Danielski “TROOPER DAWKINS of the 11th [Hussars] raised himself in his stirrups and…
Brown Bess – The Story of History’s Most Famous Musket
“Soldiers knew its shortcomings, but considered it a sturdy and reliable friend. One veteran corporal said as much to his mess mate on the rainy eve of Waterloo. ‘You can pray to Jesus all you…
The Avro Arrow – 10 Surprising Facts About Canada’s Legendary Lost Fighter Jet
“On Feb. 20, 1959, on the day that became known as Black Friday in Canada, the Avro Arrow project was cancelled.” Just about every Canadian knows the story of the Avro Arrow. The space-aged, twin-engine…
The War Over Walls – Five Famous Battles Involving Fortifications, Bulwarks and Barriers
“Some of history’s greatest conquerors spent the better part of their careers going about the unromantic work of reducing city walls, one after another.” DO WALLS WORK? It’s a question torn right from today’s headlines,…
The Carronade – Meet the Stout Little Deck Gun That Struck Terror into the Hearts of Britain’s Enemies
“Carronades could throw astonishingly heavy ship-wrecking solid shot or oversize loads of man-annihilating canister.” By John Danielski IT WAS JUST after midday on Oct. 21, 1805 and the Battle of Trafalgar was in full swing….
