History of War Google Group

Update to 11 December 2009 at HistoryofWar.org: Heinkel and Henschel Aircraft and Second Samnite War

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Fri, 12 Dec 2009 15:59:39 UT

This week we continue our series of articles on the Second Samnite
War, on Heinkel Aircraft and on RAF Squadrons of the Second World War,
and begin a look at Henschel aircraft and guided-missiles of the
Second World War. We also add six new book reviews.

SECOND SAMNITE WAR

The siege of Saticula (316-315 BC) was a Roman success that marked the

Update to 27 November 2009 at HistoryofWar.org: Second Samnite War and Heinkel Aircraft

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Fri, 11 Nov 2009 16:38:08 UT

This week we start a series of articles on the Second Samnite War and
look at Heinkel aircraft of the Second World War, including the He
178, the first jet powered aircraft to fly.

BATTLES OF THE SECOND SAMNITE WAR

The Roman siege of Neapolis (Naples) of 327-326 BC was the first
fighting in what developed into the Second Samnite War (327-304 BC).

Update to 22 November 2009 at HistoryofWar.org: Latin and First Samnite Wars, Indian Air Force squadrons, Junkers and Heinkel aircraft

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Mon, 11 Nov 2009 17:55:46 UT

Quite a wide range of articles this week. We start with a look at the
First Samnite War of 343-341 BC and the Latin War of 340-338, two
early steps towards the Roman conquest of Italy, before returning to
our air war theme to look at the Junkers Ju 86 and a series of less
well known Junkers and Heinkel aircraft, and at the history of Indian

Update to 7 November 2009 at HistoryofWar.org: South African Air Force squadrons of the Second World War

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Sat, 11 Nov 2009 15:36:43 UT

This week we focus on South Africa Air Force squadrons of the Second
World War,

SOUTH AFRICAN AIR FORCE SQUADRONS
No.1 Squadron (S.A.A.F.) took part in the campaigns in East Africa,
North Africa, Sicily and Italy, most of the time providing escorts for
Allied bombers.
[link]

Update to 9 October 2009 at HistoryofWar.org: The early Roman Republic

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Sun, 10 Oct 2009 15:28:08 UT

This week we focus on the early history of the Roman Republic, a
difficult period where legend and history are intertwined. Here we
look at the three wars with Veii and the Gallic invasion of Italy and
sack of Rome.

We also add six new book reviews

EARLY ROMAN HISTORY

The battle of Lake Regillus (499 or 496 BC) was a narrow Roman victory

Update to 4 October 2009 at HistoryofWar.org: Second World War French Bombers and book reviews

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Tue, 10 Oct 2009 21:55:04 UT

This week we add a series of articles on French bombers of the Second
World War, and catch up on some of our recent book reviews.

FRENCH BOMBERS

Breguet 693/ 695 family

The Breguet 690 was a three-seat twin-engined fighter produced in
response to a French Air Ministry specification of 1934 but that

Two upcoming Military History Weekends

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Sat, 09 Sep 2009 07:32:06 UT

A second mailing this week, to bring you information about two
Military History Weekends coming up over the next few weeks.

In Britain there is to be a World War II themed weekend at Compton
Verney (Warwickshire) on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September,
featuring a singalong to wartime favourites, live music from the era

Update to 11 September 2009 at HistoryofWar.org: British Light Tanks

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Fri, 09 Sep 2009 22:06:35 UT

This week we look at the series of machine gun armed British light
tanks of the 1930s, and add two new book reviews

LIGHT TANKS

The Light Tank Mark I of 1930 was the first light tank to be ordered
into production for the British Army, although only a very small
number were produced, and the type was used for experiments and trials

Update to 4 September 2009 at HistoryofWar.org

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Fri, 09 Sep 2009 15:27:49 UT

This week we finish our series of articles on the naval battles of the
Anglo-Dutch Wars, look at the SA80 family of small arms, begin a
series of articles on the Second World War in Burma and add eight more
book reviews.

JAPANESE INVASION OF BURMA

The Japanese invasion of Burma (December 1941-May 1942) was one of

Update to 22 August 2009 at HistoryofWar.org: Anglo Dutch Wars and RAF squadron histories

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 09:26:27 UT

We return after a month-long break (I've just moved house), with a
series of articles on the First and Second Anglo-Dutch Wars, more RAF
squadron histories, a look at the EM-2 (Rifle No.9 Mk 1), eight book
reviews and two new picture galleries.

FIRST ANGLO DUTCH WAR

The battle of Goodwin Sands (or Dover) of 19 May 1652 developed from a

Update to 17 July 2009 at HistoryofWar.org: Pacific naval battles and cruisers

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Fri, 07 July 2009 20:08:44 UT

This week we start with two naval battles of the Pacific War, and then
start a series of articles on the Cleveland class of light cruisers.

The battle of Rennell Island (29-30 January 1943) was a clash between
Japanese aircraft and a US Navy task force escorting reinforcements to
Guadalcanal that ended as a clear Japanese victory after they sank the

Update to 2 July 2009 at HistoryofWar.org: P-61 Black Widow

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Sat, 07 July 2009 18:08:44 UT

After a quiet spell we return with a look at the Northrop P-61 Black
Widow, the Northrop XFT, and three RAF squadron histories.

NORTHROP P-61 BLACK WIDOW

The Northrop P-61 Black Widow was the only American-built purpose
build night fighter to enter service during the Second World War, and
was one of the largest and most sophisticated fighter aircraft of its

Update to 9 June 2009 at HistoryofWar.org: Operation Overlord, A-26 and RAF Squadrons

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Tue, 06 June 2009 20:05:28 UT

This week we move on from D-Day to look at some of the battles within
Operation Overlord, starting with the battle for Carentan, the
campaign in the Cotentin, the capture of Cherbourg and Operation
Epsom. We then move to look at the Douglas A-26 Invader, the best
American medium bomber of the Second World War, and finish with

Update to 29 May 2009 at HistoryofWar.org: D-Day part three

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Sun, 05 May 2009 16:56:38 UT

This week we complete our main article on the D-Day landings, add a
series of biographies of American and German officers involved in the
landings, and start a series of articles on the British 'funnies' –
the unusual armoured vehicles designed to break the beach defences.

The D-Day landings of 6 June 1944 were one of the most significant

Update to 15 May 2009 at HistoryofWar.org: D-Day part two

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Wed, 05 May 2009 07:49:58 UT

This week we continue our series of articles on the D-Day landings,
completing our series on the battles on the beaches on D-Day. We also
look at the first day of the British and American airborne operations,
begin a series of D-Day related biographies and open our biggest
picture gallery yet, devoted to Overlord and D-Day.

Update to 10 May 2009 at HistoryofWar.org: D-Day (part 1), B-26 Marauder, USAAF Generals

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Sun, 05 May 2009 15:30:59 UT

This week we start with a request for help from Andrew Green, a print
and radio journalist who is anxious to make contact with anyone who
has memories of being in any way involved in Operation Cycle or
Operation Aerial in 1940. All memories, of whatever kind will interest
him. Andrew's interest is in how troops did, or didn't, get home after

Update to 17 April at HistoryofWar.org: British Aircraft of the First World War, Mosquito Picture Gallery

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Fri, 04 Apr 2009 20:42:03 UT

This week we post part four of our series on Operation Downfall, the
planned invasion of Japan, add a picture gallery devoted to the de
Havilland Mosquito and continue our series on British aircraft of the
First World War with the R.E. series and the B.E.8 to B.E.12.

SECOND WORLD WAR

Part four of our series on Operation Downfall, the planned invasion of

Update to 6 April 2009 at HistoryofWar.org: British aircraft of the First World War

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Mon, 04 Apr 2009 18:36:40 UT

This week we look at British Aircraft of the First World War, starting
with the aircraft designed by Geoffrey de Havilland for Airco and
continuing with the Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 family of
reconnaissance aircraft.

Airco D.H. Aircraft of the First World War

The Airco D.H.1 was the first production aircraft designed by Geoffrey

Update to 27 March 2009 at HistoryofWar.org: The Gallic War part two

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Mon, 03 Mar 2009 12:04:20 UT

This week we complete our series of articles on the Gallic War (58-51
BC) with an article on the war itself, three biographies of Gallic
leaders and the events of 52-51 BC.

The Gallic War (58-51 B.C.) was the conflict in which Julius Caesar
first emerged as a great military leader, after an earlier career as

Update to 22 March 2009 at HistoryofWar.org: The Gallic War

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Sun, 03 Mar 2009 12:51:15 UT

This week we begin to close one of our biggest gaps with a series of
articles on Caesar's Gallic Wars, taking events from the outbreak of
the war in 58 B.C. to the second Gallic Revolt in 54-53 B.C.

Gallic War, 58 B.C.

The battle of the Arar (June 58 BC) was the first significant victory
won by Julius Caesar, and marked the unusually late start of his

Update to 27 February 2009 at HistoryofWar.org

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Fri, 02 Feb 2009 21:12:57 UT

This week we complete our series of articles on the War of the First
Coalition on the Rhine and in Germany, and turn to look at the Spanish
part of the war, also known as the War of the Convention.

We also post our 3000th article, a look at the battle of Truillas of
22 September 1793.
[link]

Update to 19 February 2009 at HistoryofWar.org

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Sun, 02 Feb 2009 20:52:21 UT

This week we start with a look at the battle of Adwa, a victory won by
Ethiopian forces over an invading Italian army in 1896. We then
continue our look at the War of the First Coalition in Germany,
following General Moreau on his advance and retreat in Germany, and
General Jourdan on his second advance across the Rhine

Update to 14 February 2009 at HistoryofWar.org

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Sun, 02 Feb 2009 16:59:17 UT

This week we start with a biography of Jean-Charles Pichegru, one of
the most important French generals of the War of the First Coalition,
and then begin a series of articles on the fighting on the Rhine front
and in Germany during that war.

Jean-Charles Pichegru (1761-1804) was a French general of humble

Update to 6 February at HistoryofWar.org

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Sun, 02 Feb 2009 15:33:05 UT

This week we start with a biography of Gjergi Skanderbeg, the Dragon
of Albania, and then continue our series of articles on the Wars of
the French Revolution, completing our look at Napoleon's campaign in
Italy in 1796-97 and starting on the War of the Second Coalition.

Gjergi Skanderbeg, the Dragon of Albania

Update to 30 January 2009 at HistoryofWar.org

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Sun, 02 Feb 2009 19:39:02 UT

This week we concentrate on Napoleon's campaign in Italy in 1796-97.

BIOGRAPHIES

Marshal Jean Mathiue Philibert Sérurier (1742-1819) was an
aristocratic general and survivor of the ancien regime who supported
the French Revolution (and survived the experience), before playing an
important part in both Napoleon's first victorious campaign in Italy

Update to 23 January 2009 at HistoryofWar.org

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Sat, 01 Jan 2009 11:56:27 UT

We continue our look at the French Revolutionary Wars with three more
biographies and the battles of 1794 in and around the Austrian
Netherlands.

BIOGRAPHIES

Adam Philippe, comte de Custine (1704-1793) was one of a number of
early French commanders during the War of the First Coalition to be

Update to 16 January 2009 at HistoryofWar.org

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Wed, 01 Jan 2009 19:16:34 UT

We return for 2009 with a week dedicated to the War of the First
Coalition, the start of nearly twenty five years of near constant
warfare.

BIOGRAPHIES

Charles François Dumouriez was an important French military commander
and politician in the early phases of the French Revolution and the

Update to 17 December at HistoryofWar.org

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Wed, 12 Dec 2008 22:10:42 UT

This week we look at the three Mithridatic Wars between Mithridates VI
of Pontus and the Roman Republic, and continue our series of articles
on Japanese aircraft.

BIOGRAPHIES

Mithridates VI Eupator 'the Great', king of Pontus, is remembered as
one of the Roman Republic's most persistent enemies, despite only

Update to 5 December at Historyofwar.org

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Mon, 12 Dec 2008 19:32:00 UT

This week we look at Japanese military aircraft, beginning with a look
at the Army and Navy aircraft designation systems in use during the
Second World War

The Japanese Navy used two main and two subsidiary aircraft
designation systems during the Second World War, causing so much
confusion on the Allied side that a fifth codename system was

Update to 29 November at HistoryofWar.org

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Sun, 11 Nov 2008 21:26:59 UT

We start this week with a look at the Battle of the Coral Sea, before
moving on to look at the aircraft carriers of the Imperial Japanese
Navy

The battle of the Coral Sea (3-8 May 1942) ended with the first major
Japanese setback of the Second World War, and marked the end of the
period of rapid Japanese expansion across the Pacific that began after

Update for 21 November at HistoryofWar.org

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Sun, 11 Nov 2008 14:32:23 UT

This week we begin a series of articles looking at the fighting on New
Guinea during the Second World War. We also include another request
for help.

NEW GUINEA

We support our series of articles with our largest picture gallery
yet, including a series of map
[link]

Update to 16 November at HistoryofWar.org

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Mon, 11 Nov 2008 19:46:29 UT

We start this week with a request for assistance, on behalf of George
Barker:

John Cooke and I were in the 29th Entry of Aircraft Apprentices, for
which I have made and service a website [link]
We were also in 26(AC) Squadron together as fitter-rigger corporals.
He was killed on 05 07 1944 serving as Gunnery Leader in 35 Squadron,

Update to 9 November at HistoryofWar.org

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Sun, 11 Nov 2008 14:54:34 UT

This week we begin with a look at the Vickers Virginia, one of the
mainstays of the interwar RAF, and the transports that were developed
alongside it. We then move back in time to look at the wars that first
saw the Roman Republic become involved in the Greek world.

VICKERS AIRCRAFT

The Vickers Virginia biplane bomber was one of the mainstays of the

Update to 2 November at HistoryofWar.org

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Sun, 11 Nov 2008 23:54:20 UT

This week we start with a biography of the most recent winner of the
Victoria Cross, and a look at the Amistad Mutiny, before moving on to
concentrate on British military aircraft of the interwar and Second
World War period.

Private Johnson Gideon Beharry is the first British serviceman to be

Update to 9 October at HistoryofWar.org

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Thu, 10 Oct 2008 19:41:43 UT

This week we add two new picture galleries and look at the Keystone
bomber, which appeared in numerous different versions in the 1920s and
early 1930s, and at early entries in the American A-attack series.
PICTURE GALLERIES

Today we add two picture galleries with items contributed by our
readers. The first is dedicated to the StuG and StuH armoured

Update to 3 October at HistoryofWar.org

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:41:58 UT

This week we look at the Sopwith Strutter, a number of British
Aircraft Companies and add more squadron histories.

Sopwith 1 ½ Strutter

The Sopwith 1 ½ Strutter was the first Sopwith aircraft to be produced
in large numbers during the First World War, and performed as a scout,
a bomber and a fighter for the RAF, the RNAS and for the French.

Update to 19 September at HistoryofWar.org

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Fri, 09 Sep 2008 16:03:22 UT

This week we focus on the T-34 Medium Tank and the weapons developed
from it, as well as continuing our series of RAF squadron histories

T-34 Medium Tank and related weapons

The T-34 Medium Tank is by far the most famous Soviet weapon of the
Second World War, and has become a symbol of the Red Army’s desperate

Update to 12 September at HistoryofWar.org

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Sat, 09 Sep 2008 18:32:07 UT

This week we look at two very different tanks – the German Panther
Medium Tank, one of the best of the Second World War, and the pre-war
Soviet T-26, destroyed in huge numbers after the German invasion of
the Soviet Union.

PANZER V PANTHER MEDIUM TANK

The Panzer V or Panther medium tank was developed at high speed to

Update to 7 September at HistoryofWar.org

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Sun, 09 Sep 2008 13:44:00 UT

This week we look at the Douglas A-20 Havoc/ Boston/ DB-7, the Martin
Maryland and the Martin Baltimore, three American bombers used in
large numbers by the RAF during the Second World War.

PICTURE GALLERIES

We add new picture galleries for the Douglas A-20 Havoc/ Boston/ DB-7,
the Martin Mary and Baltimore and the Martin B-26 Marauder

Update to 31 August at HistoryofWar.org

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Mon, 09 Sep 2008 10:14:34 UT

This week we continue our series of articles on Japanese tanks, and
also look at the Consolidated PBY Catalina.

CONSOLIDATED PBY CATALINA

The Consolidated PBY Catalina was the main long range reconnaissance
aircraft in use with the US Navy in the first half of the Second World
War. We now add articles on the development of the PBY Catalina, the

Update to 22 August at Historyofwar.org

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Sun, 08 Aug 2008 16:35:26 UT

We return from a short break with a look at Japanese tanks of the
Second World War

The Dai-chi Osaka Sensha (First Osaka Tank), or Number 1 Chi-I, was
the first tank to be designed in Japan. Developed in 1925-27 it did
not enter service.
[link]

Update to 8 August 2008 at HistoryofWar.org

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 15:55:55 UT

In this update we focus on the StuG assault gun and a number of other
German armoured vehicles, as well as creating fourteen new picture
galleries.

When it first appeared the Sturmgeschütz, or as it is more commonly
known the StuG III, was a unique weapon – a powerful artillery gun
mounted on a fully armoured, tracked, low slung chassis based on the

Update to 25 July 2008 at HistoryofWar.org

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Fri, 07 July 2008 19:59:50 UT

We start with a look at Admiral Philip Vian and two of the battles
that made his name, before moving on to the Panzer IV, the only German
tank to stay in production for the entire Second World War.

Admiral Philip Vian made his name as one of the most daring British
naval commanders of the Second World War early in 1940 as the captain

Update to 18 July 2008 at HistoryofWar.org

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Sun, 07 July 2008 19:38:35 UT

Picture Galleries

This week we add picture galleries for the Avro Lancaster, Bristol
Beaufighter, North American B-25 Mitchell and the Supermarine
Spitfire
[link]
[link]
[link]

Update to 11 July 2008 at HistoryofWar.org

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Fri, 07 July 2008 15:31:09 UT

We return after a short break with a look at the Bell P-39 Airacobra,
the P-59 Airacomet and a number of less succesful Bell aircraft
designs of the Second World War

We start with a look at the development of the P-39 Airacobra
[link]

Update to 6 June 2008 at HistoryofWar.org

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Fri, 06 June 2008 18:29:40 UT

AIRCRAFT
We start with a look at the often confusing system of aircraft
designations used by the US Navy during the Second World War.
[link]

The Lockheed Ventura was a medium bomber ordered for the RAF after the
early success of the Lockheed Hudson, but was not as successful as the

Update to 25 May 2008 at HistoryofWar.org

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Sun, 05 May 2008 18:49:52 UT

LOCKHEED HUDSON
The Lockheed Hudson was one of the most important American produced
aircraft during the early years of the Second World War, serving as
the backbone of RAF Coastal Command well into 1942.
[link]

The RAAF was the second service to order the Lockheed Hudson, and the

Update to 16 May at HistoryofWar.org

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Mon, 05 May 2008 18:41:36 UT

We start this week with a biography of Admiral “Black Jack” Fletcher,
one of the most important American admirals at the start of the war in
the Pacific, before continuing our series of RAF squadron histories
and our series of articles on the Peninsular War

Frank Jack 'Black Jack' Fletcher, 1885-1973, was an American admiral

Update to 8 May at Historyofwar.org

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Thu, 05 May 2008 17:45:49 UT

American Admirals of the Second World War, Missile Systems and RAF and
RCAF squadron histories this week

Raymond Spruance was one of the most important American naval
commanders of the Second World War, taking command of the American
carriers part of the way through the battle of Midway and then going

Update to 25 April at HistoryofWar.org

j...@rickard.karoo.co.uk (John Rickard) — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:35:27 UT

This week we look at the Panzer III Medium Tank, and a series of
Spanish battles of the Peninsular War

Panzer III Medium Tank

The Panzer III Medium Tank was the main German battle tank for the
first two and a half years of the Second World War, only beginning to
lose that status after the appearance of the Panzer IV Ausf F2 in