History of War

The RAF raid on the dams in the Ruhr valley, 80 years ago this month, remains one of the most iconic British aerial operations – celebrated for the skill of the aircrew involved, as well as the innovation of Barnes Wallis’ ‘bouncing bomb’. The hugely popular 1955 movie solidified the legend of 617 Squadron, but after the credits rolled on Operation Chastise the men of the squadron returned to their regular, perilous raids over occupied Europe. This issue, Dr Robert Owen, 617 Squadron’s official historian, reveals what happened next for several of the aircrew who took part in Chastise – while for some, their war ended tragically early, others continued to distinguish themselves in Bomber Command and were able to share their incredible experiences with the world. SCAN TO GET…

DR ROBERT OWEN Dr Owen is 617 Squadron’s official historian and the author of several books on the history of the squadron. Starting on page 24 he uncovers what happened next for several of the Bomber Command aircrew who took part in Operation Chastise. JAMES HOLLAND The renowned WWII historian, podcaster, festival director and broadcaster spoke with History of War’s Tom Garner about his latest book, The Second World War: An Illustrated History, as well as the Chalke Valley History Festival 2023 (p40). NICK SOLDINGER In Great Battles Nick looks at the clash between the Italian 2nd Army and the Austro-Hungarian and German 14th Army, in the Battle of Caporetto. The devastating defeat pushed the Italian frontline back over 90 miles (145km), while the huge casualties haunted the nation for…

This dramatic painting by French artist Henri-Paul Motte depicts Cardinal Richelieu at the Siege of La Rochelle during 1627-28. The first minister of state for King Louis XIII of France, Richelieu was extremely powerful. He took personal command against the Protestant Huguenot garrison of La Rochelle on the western coast of France. Despite English relief efforts, Richelieu forced the Huguenots to unconditionally surrender. The siege formed the historical backdrop to Alexandre Dumas’ 1844 novel The Three Musketeers, with Richelieu portrayed as a Machiavellian antagonist.…

Starring Errol Flynn, Basil Rathbone and David Niven, The Dawn Patrol was set during the First World War, with its leading men playing Royal Flying Corps fighter pilots. Of the three actors only Rathbone (left) was a First World War veteran, although Niven (centre) served with distinction during the Second World War. Rathbone served in the Liverpool Scottish Regiment as a British Army officer and fought on the Western Front. He was awarded the Military Cross for bravery in September 1918.…

Here, German artist Carl Rochling depicts the Battle of Zorndorf. Fought on 25 August 1758 during the Seven Years’ War in what is now northwest Poland, Zorndorf was a clash between King Frederick the Great of Prussia and Russian commander General William Fermor. With combined casualties of 28,000, Zorndorf was a bloody engagement, with Frederick personally leading an attack while holding a regimental standard. Despite the triumphal tone of Rochling’s painting, the battle was tactically inconclusive and both sides claimed victory.…

1939-45 01 BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC 3 September 1939 – 8 May 1945 The longest continuous campaign of WWII sees Allied and Axis naval forces lay thousands of mines in the Atlantic Ocean. The Allies use mines to blockade Germany, while German and Italian forces use them to disrupt Allied merchant shipping. 21 November 1939 HMS BELFAST DAMAGE British light cruiser HMS Belfast strikes a German mine only a few months after being commissioned. The mine breaks Belfast’s keel and wrecks an engine and boiler room. She is not recommissioned for active service until November 1942. 7-9 January 1940 02 HELIGOLAND BIGHT SINKINGS British submarines HMS Seahorse, HMS Undine and HMS Starfish are sunk by German minesweepers off the northwest coast of Germany. Royal Navy submarine operations in Heligoland Bight…