Alexander the Great’s soldiers are shown attacking Tyre in a modern illustration. Simultaneous attacks by Alexander’s fleet on both of the city’s harbors after six months of fighting put an impossible strain on the Tyrians’ resources.

May 2015

Volume 16, No. 6

Cover: Private John P. Alldredge of Company A, 48th Alabama Infantry Regiment. Major General D.H. Hill commanded a division of troops from Alabama and North Carolina at the Battle of Antietam.
Photo: Library of Congress.

Union troops charge through D.R. Miller’s cornfield against the Confederate left flank at Antietam in a modern painting by Keith Rocco. The Union II Corps attack through William Roulette’s farm against the Confederate center held by Maj. Gen. Daniel Harvey Hill’s troops had the same intensity.

Military Heritage

Lee’s Hard Fighter

By William E. Welsh

Two men rode forward from Sharpsburg, Maryland, on the morning of September 17, 1862. The one in front was of slight build with a scraggly beard, scrawny neck, sunken cheeks, and a high forehead. Read more

U.S. helicopters not only transported South Vietnamese troops to firebases inside Laos, but also carried them to Tchepone when the armored column stalled on Route 9. The March 6 air assault by elements of the South Vietnamese 1st Infantry Division was the largest helicopter assault of the war.

Military Heritage

Mauled in Laos

By John Walker

The South Vietnamese rangers huddled in their trenches and bunkers at landing zone Ranger North throughout the day of February 19, 1971, as mortar shells crashed inside the perimeter. Read more

Military Heritage

The Fall of Tyre

By Alexander Zakrzewski

As Alexander the Great marched his army south along the Levantine coast in January 332 bc, he must have felt as if the fates were unquestionably on his side. Read more

The Bismarck had tremendous firepower. She is shown firing her four double 15-inch guns in a modern painting.

Military Heritage

Trapping the Bismarck

By John Protasio

Baron Burkhard von Mullenheim-Rechberg’s life was in danger. An officer aboard the German battleship Bismarck, Mullenheim-Rechberg was at his station as his ship was trading salvos with several British warships. Read more

British Captain Henry Evatt lies mortally wounded at the Battle of Ballynahinch, which was fought nine days before the clash at Vinegar Hill. The United Irishmen Rebellion erupted in isolated locations that allowed the British to systematically crush it.

Military Heritage

Massacre at Vinegar Hill

By David A. Norris

An army of redcoat regulars and militia gazed up the contours of Vinegar Hill in County Wexford, Ireland. Read more

U.S. strategic and tactical bombers pulverized the Ho Chi Minh Trail in the Laotian panhandle before the mission got under way.

Military Heritage, Editorial

The Nightmare Mission Into Laos: Operation Lam Son 719

By William E. Welsh

The South Vietnamese raid into the Laotian panhandle in February 1971 only confirmed what everyone already knew. Read more

Military Heritage, Soldiers

Anders’ Army: Wladyslaw Anders & the Polish II Corps

By John E. Spindler

On April 21 1945, the Polish 2nd Corps captured the Italian city of Bologna and from the city’s highest tower flew the flag of Poland. Read more

Military Heritage, Weapons

Learning from David and Goliath: The True Origin of the Sling Weapon

By Erich B. Anderson

More than 3,000 years ago, an army of Israelites led by King Saul confronted a force of Philistine invaders in the valley of Elah. Read more

Military Heritage, Intelligence

Cracking the Enigma Codes at Bletchley Park

By William F. Floyd Jr.

The small craft from the British destroyer HMS Bulldog launched into the choppy, frigid waters of the North Atlantic. Read more

General Louis Faidherbe leads a marche regiment at a review at Bapaume on January 3, 1871. Faidherbe’s marche battalions comprised roughly 40 percent of the French Army of the North at the Battle of St. Quentin.

Military Heritage, Militaria

St. Quentin Miniature

By Bruce Weigle

Miniature wargames have been played by hobbyists for decades, both for pure entertainment and as part of legitimate research. Read more

Military Heritage, Books

Collision of Empires

By Christopher Miskimon

World War I was only days old when German General of the Infantry Hermann von François went forward to view his soldiers engaged in combat south of Stalluponen in East Prussia. Read more

Military Heritage, Games

May 2015 Military Games

By Joseph Luster

This War of Mine is unlike any war game I’ve ever played. Part strategy game, part The Sims, 11 bit studios’ bleak wartime experience is something that’s tough to play but important. Read more

May 2015

From Around the Network

The USS Buchanan achieved lasting fame with another navy and under another name.

Another of Adolf Hitler’s Photo Albums Donated to National Archives

Patton’s Fateful Verdun Meeting

Italian, Japanese and Nazi POWs in America: Strangers Within our Gates