Military History Archives

France concluded World War I's Triple Entente with Great Britain and Russia in response to the threat of German imperialism across the continent.

Military History

France & World War I’s Triple Entente

by Michael Haskew

The French nation was stunned by the catastrophic defeat its army suffered at the hands of a Prussian-led German coalition in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71. Read more

During the Battle of Roncesvalles, Charlemagne's Franks were frustrated at their inability to punish the Basques for robbing their baggage train.

Military History

Charlemagne’s Shame: The Battle of Roncesvalles

by William E. Welsh

Lost to history is what really occurred at the Battle of Roncesvalles in 778 when Christian Basques, thirsting for the loot in the Frankish baggage train, attacked the rearguard as it withdrew following Charlemagne’s short invasion of northern Iberia. Read more

The Vikings worshiped a pantheon of Gods, and a body of Norse mythology and lore developed around them prior to their conversion to Christianity.

Military History

Norse Mythology & Viking Gods

by Michael Haskew

The warlike pagan Vikings were introduced to Christianity on many occasions as they raided and settled Western Europe during an era that spanned more than 300 years. Read more

The Triple Alliance brought Germany into World War I following Austria-Hungary’s declaration of war against Serbia, an ally of Imperial Russia.

Military History

Austria-Hungary and the Triple Alliance

by Michael Haskew

The emergence of Germany as the dominant power in Central Europe in the 1870s and the unification of Italy in the mid-19th century despite Austrian efforts to prevent it combined to quell the immediate territorial aspirations of the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary on the Italian peninsula and in the Balkans. Read more

Despite its participation in the Triple Alliance, Italy declined to support Germany and Austria-Hungary during World War I.

Military History

The Kingdom of Italy & the Triple Entente

by Michael Haskew

When the Triple Alliance was concluded between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy in the spring of 1882, Italy was, like Germany, a young nation recently unified after years of military conflicts and occupation by various European powers. Read more

The descendants of the Viking raider Rollo, the first Duke of Normandy, settled in Northern France and later conquered England.

Military History

Rollo the Viking, First Ruler of Normandy

by Michael Haskew

Roving bands of Viking seafarers raided extensively in Western Europe from the Eighth to the 11th centuries, looting and sacking settlements and population centers including London, Paris, and Hamburg. Read more

Viking wood and metalworkers fashioned durable weapons of high quality steel for their warriors, including spears, battleaxes, and swords.

Military History

The Spear, Axe & Sword: Viking Weapons

by Michael Haskew

The fearsome Vikings who pillaged and colonized throughout Western Europe and much of the known world from the Eighth to the 11th centuries were armed with weaponry that served them well in combat. Read more

Russia, Great Britain, and France formed the Triple Entente as their common interests were threatened by the emergence of the Triple Alliance.

Military History

Russia in WWI’s Triple Entente

by Michael Haskew

By the time Imperial Russia and Great Britain concluded the Anglo-Russian Convention on August 31, 1907, effectively establishing the alliance known as the Triple Entente, the Russian Empire was in the midst of decades of upheaval. Read more

The German zeppelin night raids of WW1 inflicted terror on London and presented stiff challenges for RAF pilots.

Military History

German Zeppelins: Terrorizing The British And RAF During WW1

By Eric Niderost

Lieutenant William Leefe Robinson was not a happy man, and his sour mood was made worse by the weather. Read more

At the Battle of Gisors in 1198, French King Philip II was made to drink from the River Ethe when a bridge collapsed beneath him and his knights.

Military History

The Battle of Gisors: Richard the Lionheart Chases His Prey

by William E. Welsh

King Richard I of England, known as “The Lionheart,” was imprisoned in spring 1193 in Germany on his return from the Third Crusade by Duke Leopold V of Austria for alleged crimes and insults that occurred when they were participating together in the crusade. Read more

After being driven into the swamps by King Guthrun, Saxon King Alfred the Great led his Saxons to victory at the Battle of Edington in May 877.

Military History

King Alfred the Great: Smiting the Pagans at the Battle of Edington

by William E. Welsh

The winter of 876-877 was a dreadful one for the West Saxons. The Viking Great Army, which was reinforced annually in the summer or fall, ravaged nearly all of England. Read more

Military History

Teutonic Knights Under Ulrich Fight The Strategic Battle of Tannenberg

By Michael D. Greaney

On the morning of July 15, 1410 two heralds approached the enormous host of Poles, Bohemians, Hungarians, Czechs, Cossacks, Tartars, Livonians—any and all who felt they had a grudge against the opposing force of Teutonic Knights and their allies, also gathered from all over Europe. Read more

The huts of the Americans spread across sloping ground below the crest of Jockey Hollow, divided into eight infantry brigades. At lower right a regiment is formed in two ranks on the parade ground, while oxen drag timber for firewood at lower left.

Military History

General Washington: Keeping the Continental Army Intact At Morristown

By David Michlovitz

Despite never having gained the mythological fame of Valley Forge, the encampment of the Continental Army at Morristown, New Jersey, over the winter of 1779-80 was a horrendous trial, worse for the men than that at the Pennsylvania hollow, and dire for the revolutionary cause. Read more

Joseph Plumb Martin penned a detailed diary of his service in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.

Military History

Joseph Plumb Martin: Revolutionary War Soldier In The Continental Army

by David Michlovitz

Much has been written about the great figures of the American Revolution, and many notable personalities of the era have left extensive writings recording their respective roles. Read more

Elements of the First Marine Division move inland through Inchon in their drive to cut the supply and communications of the North Korean armies pressing on the United Nations forces to the south.

Military History

Douglas MacArthur Masterminds The Korean War’s Inchon Invasion

By Blaine Taylor

Late in the evening of June 25, 1950 U.S. Secretary of State Dean Acheson was at his Maryland farmhouse reading when a call arrived to inform him of a serious situation in the Far East. Read more

During WWI, Great Britain, France, and Imperial Russia sought to contain the threat of German expansion around the world with the Triple Entente.

Military History

Great Britain & WWI’s Triple Entente

by Michael Haskew

The old proverb that states, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend,” gained significant meaning for the government and people of Great Britain at the turn of the 20th century. Read more

Fierce seafaring warriors from Scandinavia, the Vikings raided across the known world and explored regions from the Middle East to North America.

Military History

Who Were the Vikings?

by Michael Haskew

The word “Viking” conjures up images of fierce, seafaring warriors, armed to the teeth and wearing horned helmets, descending upon defenseless villages in Western Europe and the British Isles to rape, murder, and pillage. Read more

On a damp day in October 1780, well-led, highly motivated backwoods Patriots crushed Major Patrick Ferguson’s Tory army.

Military History

Walking in the Steps of the Overmountain Men at Kings Mountain

by William E. Welsh

The Patriot riflemen slowly crept uphill through thick growth and large boulders toward the enemy position atop the low ridge in the backwoods of South Carolina on the afternoon of October 7, 1780. Read more

Its destroyers and other warships being too large, the U.S. Navy developed the Swift Boat to patrol coastal areas and rivers during the Vietnam War.

Military History

The Vietnam War: The Swift Boat vs. the Destroyer

by Michael Haskew

In addition to standard aircraft carrier and warship patrol operations in the open sea, naval action during the Vietnam War developed a character of its own. Read more

The Triple Alliance served the purposes of Kaiser Wilhelm II in his pursuit of a colonial empire and political and military influence for Germany.

Military History

Germany, Kaiser Wilhelm & the Triple Alliance

by Michael Haskew

When Kaiser Wilhelm II acceded to the throne of the German Empire in 1888, the young nation was already an economic and military force with which to be reckoned on the European continent. Read more

Military History

From Around the Network

Liberating Slaves in the U.S. Sloop of War Constellation

Defeat of the Spanish Armada

David Ingalls, U.S. Navy Ace of World War I

U.S. Divisions of World War II