Cover Story
The USSR at 100 There were two revolutions in Russia in 1917. In March, tens of thousands of striking workers, peasants, and soldiers -- exhausted by the privations of the First World War -- took to the streets of Petrograd (St Petersburg) in protest.… Features
Was Dunkirk really a miracle? In a new book, Robert Kershaw argues that the lack of a German perspective means we have only a partial understanding of the events of May-June 1940. Here, he explains… 
The Mosquito Men: the unsung heroes of 627 Squadron The elite Pathfinders of 627 Squadron may not have achieved the renown of their Dambusting comrades in 617 Squadron but, as David Price explains in a new book, their Second… 
The fight for Sweden: the battle of Brunkeberg, 10 October 1471 As part of Sweden’s long struggle for independence, its army of peasant militia won a crucial battle against a Danish invasion force camped outside Stockholm. William E Welsh describes the… 
Born in blood: the Irish Free State After years of unrest and escalating violence, the Irish Free State came into being on 6 December 1922. To mark its centenary, Patrick Mercer looks at the grisly events that… News
Historic bridge across Rhine to be reconstructed The bridge will be reserved for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as serving as a monument to victims of the war. 
Wreck of WWI-era German submarine identified in US waters A team of specialist divers secretly traced the final resting place of U-111. 
Memorial to significant Anglo-Scots battle unveiled Fought at Sutton Bank in North Yorkshire, near Harrogate, on 14 October 1322, Byland saw Scottish forces led by King Robert the Bruce inflict on the English a defeat as… 
Reopening of museum ship HMS Caroline postponed until 2023 In 1916, she was involved in the Battle of Jutland, the most significant naval battle of the First World War, and the only main fleet action between the German and… 
Collection of Nelson’s unseen letters goes on display for first time The collection forms part of a new exhibition, Nelson in His Own Words, which opened recently at the National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN) in Portsmouth. Views
Military History Competition: win a copy Max Hastings’ Bomber Command Competitions This issue, we’re giving away two copies of Max Hastings’ classic book Bomber Command, courtesy of The Folio Society. 
Military History Matters 131 Letters – November 2022 Letters Your thoughts on issues raised by the magazine. 
The Brewster F2A Buffalo Ideas The Buffalo originated with a 1935 requirement for a carrier-based fighter to replace the US Navy’s Grumman F3F biplanes. Brewster’s XF2A-1 prototype was selected in June 1938 and the first… 
Military History Crossword 131 Competitions Battle in which the Duke of Monmouth was defeated by the troops of James II? Put your military history knowledge to the test! 
Military history exhibitions and events in Winter 2022 – Spring 2023 Museum, What's on A round-up of some of the best military history events, exhibitions, and galleries in the UK and the US. 
War on Film – All Quiet on the Western Front Comment, TV & Film The new All Quiet on the Western Front will, I’m sure, be popular and, like the British feature film 1917 (directed by Sam Mendes), will bring the horror and futility… 
Alexander the Great: the making of a myth Culture, The Picture Desk Alexander the Great: the making of a myth is at the British Library in London until 19 February 2023. 
War Classic: Zola’s ‘The Debacle’ Comment La Débâcle prefigures both the changing nature of warfare, and the ongoing struggle of France’s national identity. Within 22 years, another generation would be sacrificed defending their homeland. 
Equestrian armour at the Wallace Collection Museum, The Picture Desk, What's on This magnificent equestrian armour from the 16th century is unique in that it has survived completely preserved to this day. The armour was acquired by the Wallace Collection in 1867… 
War of Words – ‘Britannia’ Ideas Ancient Britain was known to the Mediterranean world. The Greeks called the island Pretannia, but the Romans named it Britannia, and made it part of their empire. The term ‘Britannia’… Reviews
Campaigns of the Eastern Association: the rise of Oliver Cromwell, 1642-1645 REVIEW BY DAVID FLINTHAM At the outbreak of the English Civil War, Parliament organised much of its fighting strength geographically; in the case of East Anglia (eventually including Huntingdonshire and… Military history exhibitions and events in Winter 2022 – Spring 2023 A round-up of some of the best military history events, exhibitions, and galleries in the UK and the US. 
Iron and Blood: a military history of the German-speaking peoples since 1500 REVIEW BY DAVID PORTER This is a hefty (913 pages!) study, which is not restricted to ‘modern’ Germany but extends to cover the military history of Switzerland and the Holy… War on Film – All Quiet on the Western Front The new All Quiet on the Western Front will, I’m sure, be popular and, like the British feature film 1917 (directed by Sam Mendes), will bring the horror and futility… 
Colditz: prisoners of the castle REVIEW BY TAYLOR DOWNING Ben Macintyre is well known for his books on spies and espionage, like Agent Zigzag, Double Cross, and Philby. Earlier this year, one of his other… 
Devil Dogs: First In, Last Out – King Company from Guadalcanal to the shores of Japan REVIEW BY TOBY CLARK Anyone who enjoyed the HBO television series The Pacific or Eugene Sledge’s memoir With the Old Breed will want to read Saul David’s new book, Devil… Alexander the Great: the making of a myth Alexander the Great: the making of a myth is at the British Library in London until 19 February 2023. 
Review: Scapa Flow Museum Scapa Flow is a vast natural harbour in the Orkneys, to the north of mainland Scotland. In the First World War, it was where the Grand Fleet was based. And… Equestrian armour at the Wallace Collection This magnificent equestrian armour from the 16th century is unique in that it has survived completely preserved to this day. The armour was acquired by the Wallace Collection in 1867… 
Conquer We Must: a military history of Britain 1914-1945 REVIEW BY ANDREW MULHOLLAND Strategic history may seem dry or even daunting to some, but Robin Prior has broken new ground here. Not only has he tackled a huge subject… 
From the editor
At its birth, the Red Army was envisaged as the ‘people’s militia’, a volunteer force with commanders selected by workers’ committees. Between 1939 and 1945, it grew to become one of history’s most formidable fighting machines, capable eventually of driving back Operation Barbarossa, the largest invasion force ever assembled, and playing a decisive role in the defeat of Nazi Germany.
During the decades that followed, its main function was to sustain Soviet control over the satellite states of Eastern Europe, exemplified by its repression of popular uprisings in Hungary (1956) and Czechoslovakia (1968). By the 1980s, however, it was in terminal decline, unable to deal effectively with new threats as its forces were reduced in number amid the collapse of the Soviet regime.
In our cover story, timed to mark the 100th anniversary of the creation of the USSR, Graham Goodlad traces the rise and fall of the Red Army (later known as the Soviet Army), and analyses the five key battles that shaped a communist superpower.
Also in this issue, you will find two more features linked to the Second World War: Robert Kershaw questions the patriotic British idea of the ‘miracle of Dunkirk’; while David Price records the valour of 627 Squadron, unsung heroes of the RAF.
Elsewhere, Patrick Mercer recalls the birth of the Irish Free State, and peers into the labyrinth of spies, assassins, and undercover agents that played a role in its creation.
And finally, William E Welsh tells the story of the Battle of Brunkeberg, the epic victory of 1471 that proved crucial in Sweden’s struggle against Danish domination.
We hope you enjoy the issue!
