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

In 1945, a Japanese Balloon Bomb Killed Six Americans, Five of Them Children, in Oregon

During WW2, the Japanese released 9,000 balloons, each carrying a bomb—1,000 balloons reached the USA—apart from the party from Oregon, there were no other casualties.

Military History

Stalingrad 80th Anniversary: The Battle That Decided World War II In Europe?

The author argues there were three WW2 turning points—Stalingrad (Eastern Front), Battle of Britain (Western Europe) and Midway (Pacific). The German loss at Stalingrad put Germany on the defensive for the remainder of the war leading to its eventual unconditional surrender.

Military History

Hannibal

The Carthaginian General Hannibal won many battles against Rome—Rome, however, had the economic resources to replace its losses and eventually managed to drive Hannibal out of the Italian peninsular.

Military History

How The Battle Of Cambrai Changed Fighting Tactics On The Western Front

This 1917 WW1 battle saw the first use of massed tanks (476) and utilised combined arms (artillery, infantry and tanks); although tanks broke through the German lines, the allies were unable to follow up this breakthrough—however, this battle was a precursor to more sophisticated combined arms tactics and ultimately allied victory in 1918.

Military History

The Outcome of the Crimean War

The Crimean war of 1853-56 was fought by Britain, France, and the Ottoman Empire (Turkey) and prevented Russia from using Crimea to expand its empire at the expense of the Ottomans.

Military History

Future Proofing the Profession: The Importance of Military History

Military professionals get few opportunities to practice their profession—however, military history can fill the gap by giving context about what has worked in the past and why it worked.

Military History

Drawing a Straight Line?: The Normandy Campaign and U.S. Air Force Culture since the Second World War

The US Army Air Force made a major contribution to the allies' invasion of Nazi Europe in 1944 by providing very effective close air support—while also continuing the strategic bombing of German industry.

Military History

B-26 Marauder: The Bomber That “Separated The Men From The Boys”

The B-26 was a US WW2 medium bomber initially nick-named the ‘widow maker’ due to its high training accident rate. However, with training, it developed into a highly successful aircraft with one of the war’s lowest loss rates.

Military History

Japan had little chance of victory—so why did it attack Pearl Harbour?

Before WW2, US sanctions prevented Japan from obtaining vital raw resources—Japan thought a pre-emptive strike against the USA followed by an invasion of the Philippines would force the US to make peace—they were wrong.

Military History

Anglo-Nepalese War

Gurkha (from Nepal) troops demonstrated such impressive fighting qualities in the 1814-16 War that despite losing to the British, the British have employed them as members of the British Army ever since.