“The convoys to the Soviet ports of Murmansk and Archangel were a lifeline—and a death trap.” By Roderick G. Maclean IN THE freezing waters of the Arctic Ocean during the Second World…
VE Day in Britain — How a Battered Nation Toasted a Hard-Won Victory
“The wider war was not yet over. Nevertheless, VE Day came as a beacon of hope and light for a nation wearied by war.” By Ronan Thomas IT WAS 7:40 p.m. on…
Shooting the Messenger — Meet the Journalist Who Was Fired for Breaking the Story of Germany’s Surrender
“Kennedy and his colleagues were flabbergasted when Allied commanders demanded the assembled newsies wait at least 36 hours before releasing the bombshell to the world.” JOURNALISTS ARE NORMALLY congratulated for breaking major news first….
Forged in Battle — How America’s Mexico Campaigns Shaped the Civil War’s Top Generals
“As the Civil War began in 1861, memories of the previous war served as the pivotal frame of reference for the rising new generals.” By Timothy D. Johnson ON APRIL 9, 1865…
Battlefield Medicine in the War of 1812 — Surgeons and Survivors Recall the Hellish Conditions of Frontier Field Hospitals
“The weather was intensely hot, the flies were in myriads, depositing their eggs, so that maggots were bred in a few hours, producing dreadful irritation.” By Martin Howard THE War of 1812…
The Battle of York — Inside the 1813 U.S. Raid on the Capital of Upper Canada
“Fierce skirmishing erupted as Pike’s forces landed. Supported by covering fire from Chauncey’s ships, the Americans gradually pushed the British and militia back.” IN THE SPRING OF 1813, the War of 1812…
Little Shots — Meet the Cold War’s Smallest Nukes
“In the event of a shooting war in Europe between NATO and the Warsaw Pact, allied commanders fully expected to use hundreds, even thousands, of the small 50-pound projectiles.” THE SOVIET TSAR Bomba is…
Operation Unthinkable – Inside Churchill’s Abortive Plan to Drive the Red Army From Eastern Europe
“If the Western Allies could inflict a rapid and crushing defeat on the Red Army, then Stalin would be forced to rethink his planned domination of Eastern Europe.” By Giles Milton AS…