History of War

From the conquering legions of Ancient Rome to the thunderous tank battles of World War II and beyond, History of War takes you deeper inside the minds of history’s fighting men, further under the bonnets of some of the world’s most devastating war machines, and higher above the battlefield to see the broad sweep of conflict as it happened.

Welcome

CONTRIBUTORS

WAR IN FOCUS

THE BLITZ • Cities across the United Kingdom suffer intense bombing raids by the Luftwaffe during 1940-41, destroying buildings and lives, but not morale

HOMEFRONT SHELTERS • While German bombs threatened widespread death and destruction across major UK cities, ordinary life was suspended, and back gardens were converted into life-saving shelters

BLITZ SPIRIT • Heroism took many forms during the Blitz with courage being displayed by powerful figures, firefighters, teenagers and even a dog

GERMANY’S LONG-RANGE BOMBER CONUNDRUM • Prevailing German military doctrine and the death of a visionary air officer contributed to the defeat of the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain

BLITZ AIRCRAFT • German bombers rained destruction during the campaign over Britain, but took heavy losses in combat with the RAF

COVENTRY CITY ON FIRE • Eighty years ago one devastating air raid came to symbolise the unprecedented destruction of the Blitz. Here, two eyewitnesses share their incredible stories of survival and endurance

“IT WAS TERRIFYING” • Mary Lock’s family home was destroyed by a landmine – an event that prompted her to join the Civil Defence Service

A LOST MEDIEVAL CITY • Coventry’s historic buildings were not just destroyed by the Blitz but also by interwar and post-war redevelopers

A CHILD’S PERSPECTIVE • Dorothy Day was only six years old in 1940 and she endured not just the Blitz but subsequent bombings across the United Kingdom as her parents tried to evacuate her to safety

POLICE AT WAR • Britain’s police forces were bolstered by large numbers of volunteers during WWII although they had an unenviable task of maintaining law and order in extreme circumstances

RAF NIGHT FIGHTERS • Eighty years ago, the Blitz was in full swing, but the RAF was initially all but impotent in efforts to effectively counter nocturnal attacks. However, skilled piloting and technological innovation soon saw the nighttime defenders gain significant victories over the Luftwaffe

SALAMIS • Despite being vastly outnumbered, the Greeks managed to defeat their Persian enemies at sea

SEPT 48OBCE • How the heavily outnumbered Greeks defeated their Persian enemies at sea

JOHN L. CANLEY • In an embattled Hue City at the height of the Tet Offensive, this Marine gunnery sergeant risked his life repeatedly to rescue wounded comrades

THE DEATH OF CHIVALRY • A code of honour both on and off the battlefield, many knights of the Middle Ages were defined by their strict adherence to, or flouting of, this warrior etiquette. Here Chris Gravett, assistant curator of armour at the Tower Armouries and author of new book The Medieval Knight, explains the real origins of chivalry, and how it changed over the centuries

BRISTOL F.2B FIGHTER • Britain’s superb all-round two-seater that arrived in the wake of Bloody April

HOME FRONT

WWII THIS MONTH… DECEMBER 1940 9 • To commemorate 80 years since the Second World War, History of War will be taking a look at some of the key events taking place during each month of the conflict

MUSEUMS & EVENTS • Discover an amazing piece of Medieval equestrian armour, Saint Helena’s bicentenary commemorations for Napoleon and the Battle of Shrewsbury’s unlikely farm shop

CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE • Take a look at this year’s...