Military History | The Runway

Military history is a field that studies warfare and its societal impacts, including battle strategies, weaponry progression, and military technology evolution. It's crucial for understanding societal evolution and informing military strategies. Strategists can learn from victories and defeats by analysing past wars to inform future decisions. Military history also reveals societal responses to conflict, guiding efforts to prevent future wars and promote peace. Additionally, it fosters national identity by allowing societies to remember and honour their past. In essence, military history provides valuable insights into the past, present, and human nature.

Military History

They Flew for Franco: German Condor Legion’s Tactical Air Power

This article covers Nazi Germany air operations supporting Franco during the Spanish Civil War (1936–39) and how that involvement helped Nazi Germany prepare for WW2.

Military History

Whirlwind: The Air War Against Japan, 1942–1945

Williamson Murray reviews the book 'Whirlwind the Air War against Japan, 1942–1945'.

Military History

Air Power Played a Major Part in Winning the War in the West

Allied operations in the Mediterranean Theatre from 1942 on proved the importance of airpower in supporting ground troops.

Military History

The War Between the Wars

This article examines the performance of aircrew deployed during the Spanish Civil War.

Military History

Frank Whittle: The underrated British hero who built a jet engine

Eighty years ago, world-changing technology emerged - the first viable jet engine. Had the project been neglected, and was it too late to change the shape of World War Two?

Military History

Meet the HMS Rodney Battleship That Took out the Bismarck

This article outlines the role of HMS Rodney in the sinking of famous WW2 German battleship the Bismarck and other naval operations.

Military History

The Battle at Leyte Gulf: The Biggest Naval Battle Ever Broke Japan

This article argues that although the WW2 Battle at Leyte Gulf effectively ended the Japanese Navy’s ability to influence the course of the war, lessons shouldn’t be carved in stone but rather be subject to time, technology and warmaking methods.

Military History

Stories of the Battle of Britain 1940 – Constant-Speed Propellers

In early 1940 the Spitfire appeared to be no match for the German Messerschmitt Bf-109 during aerial combat; however, switching the Spitfire's variable speed propellor to a constant speed propellor—dramatically improved the Spitfire's performance and more than made it a match for the Bf-109.

Military History

Why Revolutionary HMS Dreadnought Never Used Its Big Guns

In 1906 when the UK launched HMS Dreadnought, she was the most powerful battleship globally, but she was soon superseded by newer and better battleships.

Military History

Battle of Jutland

The Battle of Jutland was a tactical victory for Imperial Germany over the United Kingdom, but a strategic victory for the UK as the German fleet was still blocked from reaching the Atlantic.