History of War

The RAF raid on the dams in the Ruhr valley, 80 years ago this month, remains one of the most iconic British aerial operations – celebrated for the skill of the aircrew involved, as well as the innovation of Barnes Wallis’ ‘bouncing bomb’. The hugely

Here, German artist Carl Rochling depicts the Battle of Zorndorf. Fought on 25 August 1758 during the Seven Years’ War in what is now northwest Poland, Zorndorf was a clash between King Frederick the Great of Prussia and Russian commander General Wil

This dramatic painting by French artist Henri-Paul Motte depicts Cardinal Richelieu at the Siege of La Rochelle during 1627-28. The first minister of state for King Louis XIII of France, Richelieu was extremely powerful. He took personal command agai

Shortly before the Second World War broke out, the United Kingdom began to look to its naval defences. Haunted by the German U-boat campaigns against Allied shipping during the First World War, many in the British establishment (including Winston Chu

Starring Errol Flynn, Basil Rathbone and David Niven, The Dawn Patrol was set during the First World War, with its leading men playing Royal Flying Corps fighter pilots. Of the three actors only Rathbone (left) was a First World War veteran, although

3 September 1939 – 8 May 1945 The longest continuous campaign of WWII sees Allied and Axis naval forces lay thousands of mines in the Atlantic Ocean. The Allies use mines to blockade Germany, while German and Italian forces use them to disrupt Allied

During the Second World War, particularly the early years, there were several threats to Britain’s vital mercantile traffic: enemy aircraft, ships and submarines. And in the coastal waters surrounding the country lurked another danger – mines. During

Victory against Germany hinged on the ability to liberate the European continent. Unlike Russia on the Eastern Front, the Western Allies were faced with the challenge of a hostile shore; Germany could not be defeated until Allied armies were back on

WORTH £54.99 Marking 80 years since the raid on the Ruhr dams in May 1943, Airfix has released this special anniversary gift set. Inside you’ll find an Avro Lancaster BIII (Special) and F-35B model kit, instruction sheets, paint layout, decals, paint

The end of hostilities in 1945 was not accompanied by a sudden disappearance of the threat posed by the sea mine. It is estimated that around 300,000 of these deadly devices continued to lurk in the depths at the war’s conclusion. Oblivious to VE Day

The Avro Lancaster is perhaps the most iconic aircraft of the Second World War. The mainstay of RAF Bomber Command, it symbolises all of the contradictions that their campaign encompassed – the horrors of war and terrible decisions needed, sacrifice,

A groundbreaking collaboration between bestselling historian James Holland and award-winning artist Keith Burns, The Second World War: An Illustrated History is a new account of the key battles and critical turning points in the conflict. Most books

Visit www.magazinesdirect.com/WAR120 or call 0330 333 1113 & quote B79H ⍟ Never miss an issue ⍟ Delivered direct to your door ⍟ Brilliant value – save on the cover price £8.93 EVERY 3 MONTHS £12.68 EVERY 3 MONTHS Terms and conditions: Offer closes 15

At 2am on 24 October 1917, Austro-German forces unleashed a devastating artillery attack against Italian troops defending land they’d captured in a long series of brutal and costly offensives. It was the opening salvo in a battle that would lead to o

In 1802, Napoleon sent a Polish legion of about 5,200 men to join the French forces in Saint-Domingue to put down the Haitian slave rebellion, having actually been told there was a revolt of prisoners there. The Poles had initially fought with Napole

The enemy fire was ferocious, but the attack of the combined 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the US 28th Infantry Regiment had made its way forward in the oppressive heat of 18 July 1918. Second Lieutenant Samuel I Parker, commanding one of the weary plato

As we edge ever further into the 21st century, it is inevitable that our tangible connections to the Second World War slip away from us with the passing of the last remaining veterans of that conflict. They are now mostly centenarians, and we are fas

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Author: Thomas McKelvey Cleaver Publisher: Osprey Publishing Price: £30 On Sale: Out now VIII Fighter Command of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) was formed in the US in February 1942 and began to move to the UK in May. There, they were to t

Containing aircraft from WWI to the early 21st century, Aerospace Bristol commemorates the many military and civil aeroplanes and helicopters that were named after the city Located six miles (10km) north of Bristol in the town of Filton, Aerospace Br

Author: Mike Martin Publisher: Hurst Price: £22 On sale: Out now Military historian Mike Martin analyses the hard logic behind fighting a conclusive interstate war that resolves geopolitical problems and reduces the risk of future conflict. His narra

Author: Susan Ronald Publisher: Amberley Publishing Price: £25 Released: Out now Given Adolf Hitler’s humble origins, there is a grotesque irony in the fact that this son of a small-town Austrian customs official would one day bask in the adulation o

Author: Prit Buttar Publisher: Amberley Publishing Price: £25 Released: Out now As an author, Prit Buttar has a commendable track record of trudging through the deepest and darkest mud of the Eastern Front of the Second World War to bring its stories

Author: Mark Jones Publisher: Basic Books Price: £25 On Sale: 25 May 2023 There is a popular perception that Adolf Hitler first appeared in 1933 when he became the German chancellor. In reality his rise to dominance commenced a decade earlier when he

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- Combined arms tactics of the Allied invasion - Rogue Heroes in Italy: SAS ops behind Axis lines - How amphibious & airborne assaults sealed victory ON SALE 8 JUNE ■

Active during 1940-48, the Tuskegee Airmen were a group of African American fighter and bomber pilots who fought during the Second World War. Serving in the United States Army Air Forces’ (USAAF) 332nd Fighter Group and 477th (Medium) Bombardment Gro