Secret Alliances
It is one of the great ‘what ifs?’ of World War II. What would have happened had the Nazis acquired a nuclear weapon? The consequences are unthinkable. The sabotaging of the Nazi nuclear programme was therefore one of the most…
MHM
Philip and Alexander: Kings and Conquerors
The story of Alexander the Great, the dashing young prince who conquered vast swathes of the world before his mysterious death at the age of just 32, is a familiar one. It has fascinated historians for over two millennia, but…
Gladius: living, fighting, and dying in the Roman Army
The author is a renowned scholar of the Roman Army and has written many books, both on this topic and related Roman subjects. The present work will be an absolute delight for those who are fascinated by the life and…
The International Brigades: Fascism, Freedom, and the Spanish Civil War
The precise number is uncertain, but around 35,000 foreign fighters may have served in the International Brigades during the Spanish Civil War. Of these, perhaps one in five died, becoming, in the words of Ernest Hemingway, ‘part of the earth…
Korean Air War
The Korean War was the first serious clash of the Cold War, but it also witnessed a small and often-overlooked revolution in airpower. During the conflict, the last generation of piston-engined fighters gave way to new state-of-the-art jet- powered replacements.…
Mission France
Despite the deserved praise for Special Operations Executive members Violette Szabo and Noor Inayat Khan, many of its other agents are forgotten. Kate Vigurs here attempts to redress the balance, looking at the widely varying experiences of all 39 women…
The Western Front
In this authoritative new history, WWI historian Nick Lloyd goes against the widespread myth of the war of 1914-1918 as one of stupidity and pointlessness. Amid the mud and mire of the trenches, he argues, there was extensive innovation and…
Operation Pedestal: the fleet that battled
Malta’s strategic significance to the Allied war effort was not lost on the Luftwaffe: in the spring of 1942 alone, they dropped more bombs on the island than they did on London during the entire Blitz. In his latest book,…
The Compleat Victory
In the summer of 1777, British forces were waging a campaign to finally crush the American rebellion. Kevin Weddle here analyses how Continental Army and Militia forces under Major General Horatio Gates turned the situation around, inflicting a stunning defeat…
Barbarossa and the Bloodiest War in History
On a fateful Sunday in late June 1941, millions of German soldiers poured into the Soviet Union, beginning Operation Barbarossa: the Nazis’ war of annihilation in the East. Stewart Binns here explores the struggle of the Russian army to defend…
War on Film: Western Approaches
In 1941, the Admiralty agreed to support the making of a propaganda film about the Battle of the Atlantic.
Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome
Proudly claiming to be ‘Europe’s largest surviving World War I aerodrome’, the museum welcomes visitors to an impressive, hundred-acre site.
Letters from MHM 121
Japan in WWII, Zulu & Societ Propaganda images
A39 Tortoise Heavy Assault Tank
The Tortoise was to be a well-armoured assault vehicle that could break through heavily defended areas. But Its sheer bulk and weight meant that rail transportation was impossible, and it far exceeded the capacity of any landing craft or standard Bailey bridges.
Spanish Armada maps saved ‘for the nation’
They depict one of the most significant events in English history. Now a collection of incredibly rare maps representing the defeat of the Spanish Armada will remain in the country, following the success of a last-ditch fundraising appeal. After a…
Nelson urged mistress to vaccinate their daughter against smallpox
The victor of the Battle of Trafalgar may have been a naval genius. But it has now emerged that Admiral Lord Nelson was also uncommonly wise when it came to another subject: vaccination. In a letter to his mistress, model…
Lost wartime letter reaches family after 75 years
The family of a schoolgirl who knitted clothes for troops has received a letter written by a grateful soldier.
Former Cold War missile facility converted into Airbnb
It was once the launch centre for nuclear missiles capable of immense destruction. Now, a former military complex has found new life as an Airbnb guest house.
New Welsh home confirmed for military medical museum
A new home in Cardiff Bay for the Museum of Military Medicine has been given the green light by the local council. Currently based in the village of Mytchett, Surrey, where it was long known as the Army Medical Services…
Hitler’s V-Weapons: The Battle against the V-1 and V-2 Written at the Time – an official history
Review of John Grehan's latest release 'Hitler’s V-Weapons: The Battle against the V-1 and V-2 Written at the Time – an official history'.
War on Film: Malta Story
Taylor Downing reviews a classic war movie.
SAS: Band of Brothers
Review of 'SAS: Band of Brothers' by Damien Lewis.
The English Civil War
Review of 'The English Civil War:
An Atlas and Concise History of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, 1639–51' and 'English Civil War: Operations Manual'.
Sicily ’43: the assault on Fortress Europe
Review of James Holland's 'Sicily ’43: the assault on Fortress Europe'.
Smuts: guerrilla, politician, warlord
Stephen Roberts reports on the extraordinary career of Jan Smuts, who went from Boer commander to Commonwealth statesman.
In View
MHM’s round-up of the latest military history titles.
HMS Glatton
Sometimes poor quality-control can be as lethal as bad design – this was certainly true in the case of HMS Glatton. On the outbreak of war in August 1914, the Admiralty began buying warships that British shipyards were building for…
Restoring HMS Victory
MHM'S Assistant Editor Calum Henderson delves into the history of HMS Victory.
The Battle of Kircholm, 1605 – Sweden’s Greatest Defeat
Poltava is more famous, but, explains historian Magnus Olofsson, Kircholm was probably the greatest defeat in Swedish history.
War Athletes – Wyndham Halswelle
The life of Wyndham Halswelle - Olympic athlete and soldier in the Second Boer War and Second World War.
Inside the fortress
The ‘Flying Fortress’ became legendary for its ability to stay in the air even after taking a severe battering.
War of Words – ‘Kamikaze’
Marc DeSantis delves into the history and meaning of the word 'kamikaze.'
Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Culloden battle hoard found
It remained buried for two and a half centuries. Now a hoard believed to have been part of a supply of weapons for Bonnie Prince Charlie has been found in the Highlands of Scotland. A group of amateur archaeologists made…
Falkland Islands cleared of mines nearly 40 years since war
A campaign has finally cleared the Falkland Islands of thousands of mines laid during the war there almost 40 years ago. The project removed the estimated 13,000 lethal devices that were still buried on the islands. The war began in…
English Civil War massacre ‘cover-up’ revealed
New research has attempted to establish why a brutal massacre during the English Civil War has been largely forgotten by history. The site of a Royalist garrison in Nottinghamshire, Shelford Manor was besieged by Parliamentary forces on 3 November 1645.…
American Air Museum at Duxford granted listed status
It is the largest museum of its kind in Europe. Now the American Air Museum at IWM Duxford has been granted Grade II-listed status by English Heritage. The impressive building, which was designed by award-winning architect Norman Foster, was purpose-built…