“Although the Americans were an army of amateurs, French forces furnished them every possible opportunity to capture the formidable fortress of Louisbourg.” By George Yagi Jr. THE CAPTURE OF the seemingly impregnable…
Iron Cross – A Brief History of Germany’s Best-Known Military Medal
“To this day, the Iron Cross remains one of the most recognizable medals in military history.” THE BLOODBATH THAT was the First Ypres is remembered in Germany as Kindermord bei Ypern or simply…
The Real-World Weaponry of Star Wars – Vintage Armaments Abound in Original Trilogy
“George Lucas created the original Star Wars on a meagre $11 million budget — modifying antique firearms was far cheaper than designing and building space-aged looking guns from scratch. THE WORLD IS in the grip…
Dashing Through the Snow – The Unbelievable Reindeer Corps of World War Two
“Of the 800 herders who went to the northern front in 1941, 200 never returned. By the end of the war, almost half the herders and their reindeer had perished.” By David…
Invasion Mania – Britain’s Curious Pre-WW1 Obsession With Novels About Foreign Occupation
(Originally published in MilitaryHistoryNow.com on Sept. 14, 2014) “In 1870, Britons watched with disquiet as Prussia’s military poured into France and put Paris under their guns. Could such a foe cross the English…
Six Rapid-Fire Facts About Germany’s MP-38/40 Maschinenpistole
“Allied troops fighting in close quarters in places like Monte Cassino and Stalingrad quickly learned to fear the unmistakable staccato sound of the MP-40’s bursts.” By GermanWarMachine.com THE MP-38/40 Maschinenpistole was the standard Wehrmacht…
You’re Free To Go — Military Paroles in the 18th and 19th Centuries
“Feeding and guarding so many captives was often beyond the logistical means of even the largest armies in the New World, so commanders routinely freed these captured amateurs, often within hours of the end…
Baby You Can Drive My Car – Author Explores Eisenhower’s Rumoured Romance with Kay Summersby
“She often slept at Eisenhower’s country house in England, known as Telegraph Cottage, and according to local folklore, the two even shared ‘love nests.’” By Kieron Wood EVERYONE WAS TALKING about them…