History of War - Issue 120

In this issue

NORTHERN BARRAGE
The British conducted an extensive mining operation to deny the Kriegsmarine access to the Atlantic.

DAMBUSTERS 1943-2023
Dr Robert Owen reveals what happened next for the men of the Ruhr Dams raid.

HAITI’S POLISH REVOLUTIONARIES
When Napoleon sent his elite Polish units to put down a Caribbean uprising, they instead joined the rebels.

THE NORTHERN BARRAGE

Codenamed Operation SN, the Royal Navy laid a huge minefield in the North Atlantic that ultimately failed to prevent German naval activity against Allied vessels

3 mins

CLEARING THE COASTS

As an island nation, Britain's access to maritime trade routes was vital to its survival and they became a prime target for German mining efforts

3 mins

SWEEPING TO VICTORY

Amphibious invasions were tricky operations, and danger lurked for the Allied forces before they could even reach the shore

4 mins

DANGER IN THE DEPTHS

After WWII, thousands of high-explosives remained hidden beneath the waves, leading to a huge clean up operation that's still ongoing nearly 80 years later

3 mins

1943-2023: DAMBUSTERS

Seventy-seven returned-only 48 lived to tell the story Official Historian, No. 617 Squadron Association, Dr Robert Owen, recounts what happened next for the men who were immortalised by their role in the epic raid

10 mins

"WE'RE LOOKING AT THE PAST MORE TO FIND ANSWERS"

The historian and broadcaster discusses his new illustrated book, 2023's Chalke Valley History Festival and why studying WWII is more relevant than ever before

10 mins

CAPORETTO

In 1917 Italy suffered its worst military defeat, causing shockwaves that be would felt for decades to come

10+ mins

NAPOLEON'S POLISH LEGIONS & THE HAITIAN REVOLUTION

When the emperor sent his elite Polish fighters to put down an uprising, the Poles instead joined the rebels

10+ mins

SAMUEL I PARKER

At the Battle of Soissons, in July 1918, though badly wounded this lieutenant colonel led his command in silencing German machine guns, becoming the most highly decorated US infantryman of WWI

6 mins

ANCIENT ROME'S DARKEST HOUR

How a Roman citizen lured three of the empire's legions into a deadly trap

7 mins

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History of War Magazine Description:

Discover the politics, mechanics, strategies and machines 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.