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

The RAN Bridging Train at Suvla Bay

An overlooked unit of Australian naval reservists proved vital in a failed campaign—solving critical logistical problems under fire and enabling a smooth retreat against all odds. Instrumental in getting water supplies ashore and building wharves.

Military History

By VE Day in 1945, Stalin had got what he wanted in Poland – now Putin may get what he wants in Ukraine

Drawing parallels between Stalin's post-WWII Polish gains and Putin's current ambitions in Ukraine, the article examines how historical narratives influence the present. Poland's independence was compromised despite Allied promises. Putin uses WWII to justify Ukraine actions.

Military History

When Americans, Germans and POWs fought the SS from the walls of a castle

In May 1945, American soldiers and Wehrmacht (united German armed forces) troops became unlikely allies in a battle against the SS, in what could be considered the strangest fight of World War II.

Military History

Why Air Force pilots honored an air show pilot by burning a piano

The origins of pilots burning pianos isn’t entirely clear. Mostly undisputed, however, is that the tradition traces to early Royal Air Force pilots as a way of honouring aircrew who didn’t return from missions.

Military History

Teenager Who Hunted Japanese Submarines

During WW2, wireless operator Gwenda Moulton helped locate enemy submarines using intercepted Morse code—part of a secretive effort that quietly shaped Australia’s wartime response and broke long-held assumptions about gender roles. Later shifted to tracking Russian signals.

Military History

Australians Returned to Saigon for Humanitarian Missions in 1975

More than 200 RAAF personnel were involved. In the chaos of Saigon’s collapse, Australian crews risked everything—facing gunfire, sabotage, and tragedy—to evacuate orphans, nurses, nuns, vehicles, refugees, and staff in a race against time.

Military History

Documenting the Australian experience of World War I

The words and images of war correspondents had an influential role in World War I—as they do today. Working in war zones, close to the action, they reported what they saw and heard.

Military History

Intelligence Gathering in Geraldton 80 Years On from WWII

Geraldton’s history of intelligence gathering remains vital today—its evolving role in monitoring global events highlights the continued need for vigilance and strategic information collection. Signals intelligence underpins security but, debate continues over transparency.

Military History

The origin story of the Anzac biscuit is largely myth – but that shouldn’t obscure the history of women during the war

Anzac biscuits hold strong cultural significance today despite the current recipe emerging after the war. Women managed canteens near the frontline and the Australian Comforts Fund coordinated volunteer support. Fundraising cookbooks contributed to war financing.

Military History

80 years ago, American soldiers captured the center of Nazi Germany

In April 1945, U.S. soldiers raised the American flag in the centre of Nuremberg. Berlin was Germany’s capital, but Nuremberg was considered the Nazi’s political centre due to its importance in generating Nazi propaganda.