October 2016

The Glider Regiment took part in some of the most hazardous operations of World War II.

Off to War in a Plywood Box: Glidermen of WWII

By Robert Barr Smith

On June 22, 1940, the British prime minister, the formidable Winston Churchill, directed that an airborne force of at least 5,000 men was to be formed. Read more

The Bulgarian Legion

Anticipating the inevitable war with the Ottoman Empire, the Russian government approved creation of a military formation recruited from native Bulgarian volunteers. Read more

During the “Great Escape” a group of Allied prisoners from Stalag Luft III paid a terrible price.

The Real “Great Escape”

By Jeffrey A. Denman

In early 1942, the air war over Germany was taking its toll on the Royal Air Force. Read more

Behind the Scenes on Hacksaw Ridge: An Interview With Producer Terry Benedict

By Nicholas Varangis

Warfare History Network sat down with Terry Benedict, one of the Producers of the new Mel Gibson film Hacksaw Ridge to ask some questions about the film and its subject, Desmond Doss. Read more

Combat divisions fielded by the U.S. Army and Marine Corps comprised regulars, recruits, and draftees.

U.S. Divisions of World War II

By Colonel James W. Hammond

The definitive combat unit of comparable strength among the forces of the world during the 20th century was the division. Read more

Tank Killers on the Western Front

By Arnold Blumberg

The Somme offensive, which began on July 1, 1916, had by late that month deteriorated into a series of small, costly actions. Read more

The Red Ball Express kept the Allies rolling during the arduous campaign in Western Europe.

Red Ball Express: The Legendary Lifeline

By Michael D. Hull

August 1944 saw a rosy mood of optimism and self-deception sweep through the Allied high command in France as a result of the sudden, dramatic end to the campaign in Normandy. Read more

Charles II’s Great Escape from the Battle of Worcester

By Roy Morris jr.

Knowing that Puritan pursuers would be hot on his trail as soon as they realized he was not in Worcester, the king and his advisers stopped briefly at an inn in Ombersley (inevitably renamed the King’s Arms) to discuss their plans. Read more

STC358074 The Battle of Aquae Sextiae, 102 B.C. (litho) by Valda, John Harris (d.1941); Private Collection; (add.info.: On their march to join the Cimbri, the Teutoni were met by a Roman army under Marius near Aquae Sextiae (Aix-en-Provence) and completely destroyed; Mont Sainte-Victoire in the background;); The Stapleton Collection; English, it is possible that some works by this artist may be protected by third party rights in some territories

Roman Legion: The Reforms of Marius

By Lindsay Powell

The basic unit of the Roman army of the late Republic was the legion, derived from the Latin word legio, meaning “military levy.” Read more

Brian G. Horrocks survived a grievous wound and led the British forces in North Africa and Western Europe.

Brian G. Horrocks: Bernard Montgomery’s Frontline General

By Michael D. Hull

A big challenge faced Maj. Gen. Brian G. Horrocks, an infantryman, when he was cross-posted to take command of the British Army’s 9th Armored Division in March 1942. Read more

Airborne Close Encounter

By Chris Blenheim

At midnight, the jumpers of 2nd Battalion, 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team, as well as the 596th Parachute Combat Engineer Company, still dripping from the paint-spray line, shuffled across Ombrone Airfield to the waiting C-47s of Serial 6 and climbed aboard. Read more