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Go to updates from: January 2017 onwards201620152014201320122011July-December 2010January-June 2010June-December 2009 January-June 20092008October-December 2007 July-September 2007January-June 200720062005

18 March 2024

The Machine Gun Carrier was a light tracked vehicle designed to carry the Vickers machine gun to the battlefield, and which became the basis of the more famous Bren Gun Carrier and Universal Carrier.

14 March 2024

HMS Onslow (1916) was a repeat M class destroyer that fought at the battle of Jutland, where she suffered minor damage, served with the Grand Fleet until October 1917, then with the 4th Destroyer Flotilla at Devonport, taking part in the battle against the U-boats.

13 March 2024

USS Corry (DD-463) was a Gleaves class destroyer that took part in Operation Torch, served with the British Home Fleet in 1943, and helped sink U-801 in 1944 before becoming the largest US warship sunk on D-Day.

12 March 2024

The Blackburn Blackcock or Turcock was a single seat interceptor of the late 1920s of which one example was built for the Turkish government.

11 March 2024

The Scout Carrier was a reconnaissance version of the Bren Gun Carrier, produced for use by mechanized cavalry regiments, and with more space in the rear compartment to allow a radio to be carried.

7 March 2024

USS Fitch (DD-462) was a Gleaves class destroyer that served in the Atlantic, with the British Home Fleet in 1943 and took part in the D-Day invasion and Operation Dragoon, before her war was ended by damage suffered during training exercises in the Pacific.

6 March 2024

The Blackburn Triplane was an anti-Zeppelin fighter designed to carry a Davis two-pounder quick-fire recoilless gun, but which only reached the prototype stage.

5 March 2024

The Cavalry Carrier was an early version of a personnel carrier, designed to turn cavalry regiments into a version of mechanized mounted infantry. The idea was that each vehicle would be able to carry eight men and their rifles, allowing them to get into combat quickly.

4 March 2024

HMS Onslaught (1915) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Grand Fleet from 1916 to the end of the First World War, fighting at Jutland,

29 February 2024

USS Forrest (DD-461) was a Gleaves class destroyer that served in the Atlantic in 1943 taking part in Operation Torch, with the British Home Fleet off Norway in 1944, took part in the D-Day landings and Operation Dragoon, then moved to the Pacific where she was damaged by a Kamikaze attack off Okinawa, ending her war.

28 February 2024

The Blackburn Beverley was a large four engined transport aircraft that served with the RAF from 1956 to 1967, and was the largest aircraft to enter RAF service to that date.

22 February 2024

The Otter Light Reconnaissance Car was a Canadian version of the Humber Mk III light reconnaissance car, and saw extensive use with the Canadian forces fighting in Italy.

21 February 2024

USS Macomb (DD-458/ DMS-23) was a Gleaves class destroyer that took part in Operation Torch, worked on escort duty in the Atlantic, helped sink U-616, took part in the invasion of the South of France and of Okinawa.

20 February 2024

HMS Offa (1916) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Grand Fleet from August 1916 to August 1918, then with the 1st Flotilla at Portsmouth, although she was detached back to the Grand Fleet at the end of the First World War.

19 February 2024

The Blackburn Perth was the largest biplane flying boat to see service with the RAF, and replaced the Blackburn Iris with No.209 Squadron, but wasn’t as successful as the Iris and had a very short service life.

16 February 2024

The Humber Light Reconnaissance Car was originally produced in response to the crisis of 1940, but evolved into a useful reconnaissance vehicle that remained in use with British infantry units to the end of the Second World War.

15 February 2024

USS Emmons (DD-457) was a Gleaves class destroyer that took part in Operation Torch, served with the British Home Fleet, took part in the D-Day landings and the invasion of the South of France before being hit by five kamikaze aircraft off Okinawa leaving her so damaged she had to be sunk by US gunfire.

14 February 2024

HMS Octavia (1916) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Grand Fleet from late in 1917 to the end of the First World War.

13 February 2024

The Blackburn Kangaroo was a land based maritime reconnaissance aircraft that entered service in small numbers in 1918.

5 February 2024

The AEC Armoured Command Vehicle was a purpose built armoured command vehicle, designed to provide enough space for unit commanders and all of their equipment, and saw service with the British Army from 1941 onwards.

1 February 2024

USS Rodman (DD-456) was a Gleaves class destroyer that served with the Royal Navy, took part in Operation Torch, the Normandy invasion, the invasion of the South of France and at Okinawa, where she was hit by several kamikazes, requiring repairs that ended her war. She remained in US service for ten years after the end of the war, and then served with Taiwan for another twenty years.

31 January 2024

HMS Observer (1916) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Grand Fleet from 1916 to August 1918, then with the 1st Flotilla at Portsmouth, although she was detached back to the Grand Fleet at the end of the First World War.

30 January 2024

The Blackburn G.P. was a general purpose seaplane designed in 1915 and which didn’t enter production, but which did lead to the land based Blackburn Kangaroo.

29 January 2024

The Morris CS9 Light Armoured Car was produced in the late 1930s to carry out long range road based reconnaissance duties, but proved to be under armed and armoured and poor off road and was soon replaced in British service by a mix of light reconnaissance cars and more capable armoured cars.

25 January 2024

USS Hambleton (DD-455) was a Gleaves class destroyer that took part in Operation Torch, where she suffered damage that kept her out of action until 1944, then took part in the D-Day invasion and the invasion of the South of France. She was then converted into a high speed minesweeper and served at Okinawa.

24 January 2024

HMS Oberon (1916) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Grand Fleet from December 1916 to October 1917 then at Devonport for the rest of the First World War.

23 January 2024

The Blackburn T.B. was an unusual twin fuselage aircraft designed as an anti-Zeppelin interceptor, and which saw limited service in 1916.

22 January 2024

The Morris Light Reconnaissance Car was produced in response to the loss of the BEF’s armoured vehicles in France in 1940 but remained in production to 1944 and in service to the end of the Second World War

18 January 2024

USS Ellyson (DD-454) was a Gleaves class destroyer that served on convoy escort duties and took part in Operation Torch, briefly served with the Royal Navy, sank U-616, took part in the D-Day landings and the invasion of the South of France, before being converted into a high speed minesweeper and serving at Okinawa.

17 January 2024

HMS Obedient (1915) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Grand Fleet from 1916 to April 1918, fighting at Jutland, then serving from Devonport for the rest of the war.

16 January 2024

The Blackburn Nautilus was a two seat carrier-borne fleet spotter and interceptor produced in 1929, but which only reached the prototype stage.

15 January 2024

The Fox Armoured Car was a Canadian version of the British Humber Armoured car, armed with Browning machine guns instead of the BESA guns of the British vehicle.

11 January 2024

USS Bristol (DD-453) was a Gleaves class destroyer that served on convoy escort duty and took part in Operation Torch and the invasion of Sicily before being sunk by a torpedo in October 1943.

10 January 2024

HMS Obdurate (1916) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Grand Fleet from 1916 to March 1918, fighting at Jutland, then at Devonport for the rest of the war. 

9 January 2024

The Blackburn Cubaroo was a very large torpedo bomber designed in the 1920s for coastal defence but that only reached the prototype stage.

8 January 2024

The Lynx Scout Car was a Canadian version of the Daimler Dingo Scout Car, and was built in sizable numbers, with over 3,000 completed during the Second World War.

4 January 2024

USS Ingraham (DD-444) was a Gleaves class destroyer that served on convoy escort duties and was sunk in a collision in August 1942.

3 January 2024

HMS Nugent (1917) was a repeat M class destroyer that served at Dover from 1917 to August 1918 then with the Grand Fleet for the rest of the First World War.

2 January 2024

The Blackburn Iris was a large flying boat that served in small numbers with the RAF in the early 1930s, carrying out some impressive long range flights.

1 January 2024

HMS Northesk (1916) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Grand Fleet from 1916 to June 1917, helping escort the first east coast convoy, then at Gibraltar for a year, working with the US Navy, before moving into the Mediterranean for the last months of the First World War.

28 December 2023

The Humber Scout Car was produced to make up for the shortage of Daimler Scout Cars, and was produced in large numbers despite not being quite as capable as the earlier vehicle.

27 December 2023

USS Swanson (DD-433) was a Gleaves class destroyer that served on convoy escort duties, and took part in Operation Torch and the invasion of Sicily before moving to the Pacific in 1944 where she took part in the fighting in western New Guinea, the Philippines, including the battle of Leyte Gulf, then served on patrol duties between Iwo Jima and Saipan.

21 December 2023

HMS North Star (1916) was a repeat M class destroyer that served at Harwich in 1916-17, then at Dover from August 1917 until she was sunk during the Zeebrugge Raid of 23 April 1918.

20 December 2023

The Beaverette armoured car was one of a number of emergency armoured vehicles produced in 1940 in response to the loss of the vast majority of British tanks and armoured cars in France.

19 December 2023

The Blackburn Lincock was a light weight fighter produced as a private venture by Blackburn and which attracted some interest but no orders.

18 December 2023

USS Nicholson (DD-442) was a Gleaves class destroyer that served on convoy escort duty, then took part in Operation Torch and the landings at Salerno, before moving to the Pacific, where she took part in the fighting in the Bismarck Archipelago, at Hollandia and western New Guinea, in the Caroline Islands, Leyte and Okinawa, and supported the carrier raids on Japan.

15 December 2023

HMS Norseman (1916) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Grand Fleet from November 1916 to late in 1918, then with the 4th Destroyer Flotilla at Devonport.

14 December 2023

The AEC Armoured Car was the largest British armoured car of the Second World War to be produced in large numbers, and was often used to provide fire support for lighter armoured cars.

13 December 2023

The Blackburn Sydney was the first large monoplane flying boat to be produced in Britain, but only one prototype of the military version and one of the similar civilian Blackburn Nile were ever built.

12 December 2023

USS Wilkes (DD-441) was a Gleaves class destroyer that served on convoy escort duty, took part in Operation Torch, then moved to the Pacific theatre in 1944, taking part in the fighting in the Admiralty Islands, at Hollandia and western New Guinea, the Caroline Islands, Leyte and Okinawa, and supported the carrier raids on Japan.

11 December 2023

HMS Norman (1916) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Grand Fleet from July 1916 to the end of the First World War, taking part in experiments with kite balloons in 1917 as well as spending some time detached with the Harwich Force.

7 December 2023

The Blackburn Beagle was a day bomber, torpedo bomber and long range reconnaissance aircraft that only reached the prototype stage.

6 December 2023

USS Ericsson (DD-440) was a Gleaves class destroyer that served on convoy escort duty, then took part in Operation Torch, the fighting at Anzio, the invasion of the South of France, helped sink U-853, and was on her way to the Pacific when the war ended.

5 December 2023

HMS Nonsuch (1915) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Grand Fleet from 1916 to the end of the First World War, fighting at Jutland and on the fringes of the action in the Heligoland Bight of 1917.

4 December 2023

The Coventry Armoured Car was designed to replace the Humber and Daimler armoured cars, but by the summer of 1944 interest in it had faded, the numbers ordered was massively cut, and it never saw combat during the Second World War.

2 December 2023

USS Edison (DD-439) was a Gleaves class destroyer that served on convoy escort duty, and took part in Operation Torch, the invasion of Sicily, helped sink U-73, supported the landings at Anzio and the South of France and reached the Pacific after the surrender of Japan.

29 November 2023

The Blackburn B-48 was an improved version of the Blackburn Firebrand single seat torpedo bomber, but only reached the prototype stage.

28 November 2023

HMS Nonpariel (1915) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Grand Fleet from July 1916 to almost the end of the war, when she was officially moved to the 1st Flotilla at Portsmouth although was then detached back to the Grand Fleet.

27 November 2023

The Guy Armoured Car was a turret armed armour car produced in Britain just before the outbreak of the Second World War, and which became the basis of the more successful Humber Armoured Car.

20 November 2023

USS Ludlow (DD-438) was a Gleaves class destroyer that served on convoy escort duty and took part in Operation Torch, the invasion of Sicily, the landings at Salerno, Anzio and in the South of France, before ending the war on her way to the Pacific theatre.

16 November 2023

The Blackburn Blackburd was a torpedo bomber designed to be able to carry heavier torpedoes than the Sopwith Cuckoo, but that only reached the prototype stage and eventually lost out to the production of more Cuckoos.

15 November 2023

HMS Nomad (1915) was a repeat M class destroyer that joined the Grand Fleet just in time to be sunk at the battle of Jutland.

14 November 2023

USS Woolsey (DD-437) was a Gleaves class destroyer that served on convoy escort duty, then took part in Operation Torch, where she helped sink U-173) , the landings on Sicily, at Salerno, Anzio and the South of France.

13 November 2023

The Blackburn Sprat was a small two seat biplane designed as an advanced trainer, but that never progressed beyond the prototype stage.

9 November 2023

HMS Noble (1915) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Grand Fleet from February 1916 to the end of the First World War, fighting at Jutland,

8 November 2023

USS Monssen (DD-424) was a Gleaves class destroyer that took part in the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo, the invasion of Guadalcanal and the battle of the Eastern Solomons before being sunk during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal.

7 November 2023

The Blackburn Airedale was a high wing monoplane designed to replace the almost new Blackburn R.1 Blackburn and Avro 555 Bison, but that only reached the  prototype stage.

6 November 2023

HMS Nizam (1915) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the 14th Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet from July 1916 to August  1918 then with the 4th Flotilla at Devonport for the rest of the war.

2 November 2023

USS Grayson (DD-435) was a Gleaves class destroyer that took part in the Doolittle raid, the invasion of Guadalcanal, the invasion of the Admiralty Islands, the landings at Tanahmerah Bay, Biak and Nosmfoor in the Dutch East Indies, supported the fast carrier raids during 1944 and took part in the invasion of Saipan

1 November 2023

The Blackburn Blackburn was a reconnaissance and gunnery fire control aircraft that served with the Fleet Air Arm from the mid 1920s to the early 1930s, and was a generally successful design despite being a rather ugly aircraft.

31 October 2023

HMS Nicator (1915) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Grand Fleet from 1916 to July 1917, fighting at Jutland, then on the Coast of Ireland Station for the rest of the war.

30 October 2023

The Daimler Scout Car or Daimler Dingo was a fast, inconspicuous reconnaissance vehicle that despite being relative unheralded was one of the most effective British military vehicles of the Second World War.

25 October 2023

USS Meredith (DD-434) was a Gleaves class destroyer that took part in the Doolittle Raid and the invasion of Guadalcanal before being sunk while attempting to escort desperately needed fuel to the besieged Marines on that island.

24 October 2023

The Blackburn B-88 (Y.B.1) was a turbo-prop powered version of the B-54 anti-submarine aircraft, but it lost out to the Fairey Gannet and never entered production.

23 October 2023

HMS Nestor (1915) was a repeat M class destroyer that was sunk by German battleships during the battle of Jutland, after taking damage in an early attack on the German battlecruisers.

19 October 2023

USS Gwin (DD-433) was a Gleaves class destroyer that took part in the Doolittle Raid on Japan, the invasion of Guadalcanal and New Georgia, and was the only US destroyer to survive her part of the naval battle of Guadalcanal, before being sunk at the battle of Kolombangara.

18 October 2023

The Blackburn B-54 (Y.A.5/ Y.A.7/ Y.A.8) was an anti-submarine aircraft that was superseded by the turbine powered Blackburn B-88 (Y.B.1).

17 October 2023

HMS Nessus (1915) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Grand Fleet from 1915, fighting at Jutland, before sinking after a collision in the North Sea in September 1918.

16 October 2023

The Marmon Herrington Armoured Car was the first major military vehicle to be produced in South Africa, and played a significant role in the early fighting in the Western Desert, where they were the most numerous type of armoured car available to the Allies.

12 October 2023

USS Kearny (DD-432) was a Gleaves class destroyer most famous as the first US warship to be torpedoed by a U-boat during the Second World War, but that survived to take part in the invasion of North Africa, Anzio and the invasion of the South of France.

11 October 2023

The Blackburn B-20 was an inventive design for a flying boat where the planing bottom was carried below the main hull on the water and pulled up into it when in the air, giving it good performance on the water and in the air.

10 October 2023

HMS Nereus (1916) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Grand Fleet from 1916 to March 1918, then with the 4th Destroyer Flotilla at Devonport for the rest of the war.

9 October 2023

The Humber armoured car was the most numerous type of armoured car produced in Britain during the Second World War, and which saw service in North Africa from 1941 and throughout the later campaigns in Europe.

5 October 2023

USS Plunkett (DD-431) was a Gleaves class destroyer that served with the Neutrality Patrol, on escort duty in the Atlantic and Mediterraean, and supported the landings on Sicily, at Salerno and Anzio (where she was hit by a German bomb), the D-Day landings and the invasion of the South of France.

4 October 2023

The Blackburn B-7 was a general purpose army co-operation aircraft that was designed to a 1931 specification that didn’t result in any production aircraft.

3 October 2023

HMS Nepean (1916) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Grand Fleet from 1916 to March 1918, then with the 4th Destroyer Flotilla at Devonport for the rest of the war.

2 October 2023

The Daimler Armoured Car was one of the best British Armoured Cars of the Second World War, and was the standard equipment of most reconnaissance regiments, serving in every theatre from North Africa onwards.

28 September 2023

USS Eberle (DD-430) was a Gleaves class destroyer that served on the neutrality patrol, on escort duty in the Atlantic and Mediterranean and supporting the landings in North Africa, at Anzion and in the South of France.

27 September 2023

HMS Negro (1916) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Grand Fleet during 1916, but was sunk after colliding with HMS Hoste during exercises on 21 December.

25 September 2023

The Medium D Tank was a fast tank designed for the planned campaign of 1919, and which was eventually cancelled after the war in favour of the more advanced Vickers Medium Tank Mark I.

21 September 2023

The Blackburn M.1/30 (B-3) was a two man carrier torpedo bomber that reached the prototype stage, and helped test out some of the features of the Blackburn Shark, which was ordered into production in significant numbers.

20 September 2023

USS Livermore (DD-429) was a Gleaves class destroyer that served on escort duty in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, and took part in Operation Torch, the fighting at Anzio and the invasion of the South of France.

19 September 2023

HMS Narwhal (1915) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Grand Fleet in 1916-1917, fighting at Jutland, on the Coast of Ireland station during the first half of 1917 then with the Grand Fleet for the rest of the war.

18 September 2023

The Medium Mark C Hornet was designed as a replacement for the Medium Mark A Whippet but arrived too late for service in the First World War.

14 September 2023

HMS Narborough (1915) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Grand Fleet from 1916-1918, fighting at Jutland, but was lost early in 1918 with her entire crew after running aground off South Ronaldsay.

13 September 2023

USS Niblack (DD-424) was a Gleaves class destroyer that served on convoy escort duty, taking part in what might have been the first action between US and German forces and supported the invasions of Sicily, Salernio, Anzio and the South of France and help sink U-960.

12 September 2023

The Pfalz D.XV was the last, and probably the best, fighter design produced by Pfalz, but was about to reach the front when the war ended and thus never got a chance to prove itself.

11 September 2023

The Medium Mark B Whippet was designed to replace the Medium Mark A Whippet but arrived too late for service in the First World War and saw limited service after the war. 

7 September 2023

HMS Napier (1915) was a Repeat M class destroyer that served with the Grand Fleet in 1916-1918, taking part in the search for Lord Kitchener, briefly serving at Harwich early in 1917 before returning to the Grand Fleet for the rest of the war.

6 September 2023

USS Gleaves (DD-423) was the name class of the Gleaves class of destroyers, and served on convoy escort missions and supported the landings on Sicily, at Salerno and Anzio and in the South of France.

5 September 2023

The Pfalz D.XIV was a version of the Pfalz D.XII using a 200hp Benz engine, but offered little improvement over the earlier aircraft, so production was cancelled after only a handful had been completed.

4 September 2023

The Medium Mark A Whippet was a light tank designed to take advantage of any breakthroughs in the German lines created by the heavy tanks, although it wasn’t actually much faster than them.

31 August 2023

The Pfalz D.XII was the last Pfalz fighter to enter production, and was similar in appearance to the more successful Fokker D.VII, but as with earlier Pfalz aircraft appeared later than its Fokker rival and was less effective.

30 August 2023

The Mark IX Tank was the first purpose built armoured troop carrier, but only three had been completed before the end of the First World War and it didn’t reach combat.

29 August 2023

USS Ordronaux (DD-617) was a Benson class destroyer that supported the invasion of Sicily, helped sink U-856, supported the fighting around Anzio and the invasion of the south of France, before moving to the Pacific where she supported a bombardment of Wake Island.  

28 August 2023

HMS Mystic (1915) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Eleventh then Third Destroyer flotillas of the Grand Fleet from November 1915 to April 1918 then on the Coast of Ireland station for the rest of the war.

24 August 2023

The Pfalz D.VIII was one of a pair of Pfalz biplane fighters powered by the same Seimens-Halske engine, and was produced in small numbers during 1918.

23 August 2023

The Mark VII tank was a development of the Mark V that used a Williams-Janney hydraulic steering system, but only a handful were built in 1918 and it never entered service.

22 August 2023

USS Nields (DD-616) was a Benson class destroyer that served on Atlantic convoy duty, supported the invasions of Sicily and the south of France, sank the Italian submarine Gorgo and helped sink U-616 then reached the Pacific just in time to take part in the post-war occupation of former Japanese territory.

21 August 2023

HMS Musketeer (1915) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Eleventh Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet from January 1916 to April 1918 then on the Coast of Ireland Station for the rest of the war.

17 August 2023

The Pfalz D.VII was one of a pair of Pfalz biplane fighters powered by the same Seimens-Halske engine, and entered service in small numbers during 1918.

16 August 2023

The Mark V Tank saw the first big change in the design of British tanks, with a new engine, transmission and steering system that allowed it to be controlled by one man for the first time, although conditions inside the tank were still terrible. It played a major role in the fighting in 1918, operating alongside the more numerous Mark IV.

15 August 2023

USS McLanahan (DD-615) was a Benson class destroyer that served on Atlantic convoy duty, and supported the invasion of Sicily, the fighting at Anzio and the invasion of the South of France.

14 August 2023

HMS Munster (1915) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Twelfth then Third Destroyer Flotillas of the Grand Fleet from February 1916 to the end of the First World War, fighting at Jutland.

9 August 2023

The Pfalz D.VI was a rotary powered biplane fighter that was approved for service in 1917 but never entered production.

8 August 2023

USS MacKenzie (DD-614) was a Benson class destroyer that served as a transatlantic convoy escort and took part in the invasion of Sicily, the fighting at Anzio, the invasion of the South of France and probably sank U-182.

7 August 2023

HMS Mounsey (1915) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Eleventh then Third Destroyer Flotillas of the Grand Fleet from November 1915 to April 1918, fighting at Jutland, then on the Coast of Ireland station for the rest of the war.

3 August 2023

The Pfalz D.III was the most successful Pfalz fighter of the First World War, and saw the Bavarian company move from being a minor manufacturer to producing aircraft that were normally only second to Fokker’s best designs.

2 August 2023

USS Laub (DD-613) was a Benson class destroyer that served on convoy escort duty, supported the invasion of Sicily, the campaign in Italy, the fighting at Anzio and the invasion of the South of France.

1 August 2023

HMS Morning Star (1915) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Eleventh Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet from September 1915 to March 1918, fighting at Jutland, then with the Fourth Destroyer Flotilla at Devonport.

31 July 2023

USS Kendrick (DD-612) was a Benson class destroyer that served on convoy escort duty, supported the invasion of Sicily, the campaign in Italy, the landings at Anzio, and the invasion of the South of France. 

26 July 2023

The Pfalz Dr.I was a triplane fighter with a very impressive rate of climb, but it used an unreliable engine and by the time the first evaluation versions were ready in 1918 was slower than contemporary fighters, so never entered production.

25 July 2023

The Mark IV was the last in the series of British tanks that were directly based on the original Mother prototype, and was the main tank used at the battle of Cambrai, the first major success for the new weapon.

24 July 2023

HMS Moresby (1915) was a repeat M class destroyer that  served with the Thirteenth Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet from May 1916 to September 1917, fighting at Jutland, then on the Coast of Ireland station for the rest of the war.

20 July 2023

USS Kalk (DD-611) was a Benson class destroyer that served in the Aleutians, on Atlantic escort duties, during the campaign in New Guinea, the return to the Philippines and the invasion of Okinawa.

19 July 2023

The Pfalz E.VI was the final Pfalz monoplane to enter production, but it was probably only built to keep the Pfalz factory busy, and was only used as a training aircraft.

18 July 2023

The Mark III Tank was a training tank that introduced some new features that were being developed for the Mark IV, and that was used to train tank crews at Bovington.

17 July 2023

HMS Moon (1915) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Second then Eleventh Flotillas of the Grand Fleet from June 1915 to March 1918, fighting at Jutland, then with the Eleventh Submarine Flotilla from April 1918 onwards.

13 July 2023

USS Hobby (DD-610) was a Benson class destroyer that served in the Atlantic and Mediterranean in 1943, then in the Pacific, then supported the fighting on New Guinea, the invasions of the Admiralties, Peleliu, Iwo Jima and Okinawa and the fast carrier raids on the Japanese Home Islands.

12 July 2023

The Pfalz E.V was the only version of the series of Pfalz monoplanes to use an inline engine, but by the time it entered production in 1916 it was already obsolete, and only 20 were ever built.

11 July 2023

The Mark II Tank was originally built as a training vehicle, but a number were rushed into action at Arras in 1917, despite lacking proper armour.

10 July 2023

HMS Mons (1915) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Second then Eleventh then Third Flotillas of the Grand Fleet from August 1915 to March 1918, fighting at Jutland, then on the Coast of Ireland station for the rest of the war.

6 July 2023

USS Gillespie (DD-609) was a Benson class destroyer that served in the Aleutians, on Atlantic convoy escort duties, in New Guinea, New Britain, the Admiralty Islands and at Peleliu, Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

5 July 2023

The Pfalz E.IV was the third in a series of Pfalz monoplane fighters, but although it carried the most powerful engine it was outdated by the time it entered service in 1916 and was only produced in small numbers.

4 July 2023

The Mark I Tank was the first tank to enter combat, on the Somme late in 1916. Although it was a primitive design, difficult to control and unreliable, it demonstrated that the idea had great potential, and was the basis of the improved Mark IV Tank, which played a major role in the battles of late 1917 and 1918.

3 July 2023

HMS Mischief (1915) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Twelfth Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet from January 1916 to August 1918, fighting at Jutland, then with the Third Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet.

29 June 2023

USS Gansevoort (DD-608) was a Benson class destroyer that served in the Aleutians, the Gilbert Islands, the Marshalls, and the invasion of Leyte before being badly damaged by a kamikaze attack at Mindoro on 30 December 1944. Although she survived, the repairs took so long that the war was over before she was ready to return to action, and she went straight into the reserve.

28 June 2023

The Pfalz E.III was an armed version of the parasol wing Pfalz A.II, itself a licence built copy of the Morane-Saulnier Type L. Only a handful were produced and their time at the front was limited.

27 June 2023

Little Willie or the Lincoln Machine No.1 was the first prototype tank to be completed, but it was soon superseded by Mother, which became the prototype for most British tanks of the First World War.

26 June 2023

HMS Minion (1915) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Eleventh Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet from December 1915 to March 1918, fighting at Jutland, then with the Fourth Destroyer Flotilla at Devonport for the rest of the war.

22 June 2023

USS Frazier (DD-607) was a Benson class destroyer that served in the Pacific, taking part in the campaigns in the Aleutians, the Gilbert Islands, the Marshalls and the Philippines, sinking three Japanese submarines during the war.

21 June 2023

The Pfalz E.II was the second of their monoplane fighters, and was powered by a more powerful engine that the original Pfalz E.I.

20 June 2023

Big Willie or Mother was the second British tank prototype, and became the basis of the Mark I Tank, the Mark II and Mark III training tanks and the Mark IV Tank.

19 June 2023

HMS Mindful (1915) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Twelfth Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet from November 1915 to April 1918, fighting at Jutland, then on the Coast of Ireland station for the rest of the war.

15 June 2023

USS Coghlan (DD-606) was a Benson class destroyer that served in the Aleutians, the invasion of the Gilberts, Marshalls, Mariannas and Philippines.

14 June 2023

The Pfalz E.I was the company’s first fighter aircraft, and was an armed version of the Morane-Saulnier Type H. However it entered service after the Fokker E.I, and wasn’t as good as that aircraft, so was only produced in small numbers.

13 June 2023

The Mark VI Tank was a British design for a tank that would have been lighter and faster than earlier tanks, and with a centrally mounted main gun, but an order for 600 machines was soon cancelled and it only reached the prototype stage.

12 June 2023

HMS Milbrook (1915) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the 11th Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet from October 1915 to August 1917, fighting at Jutland, then on the Coast of Ireland station for the rest of the war.

8 June 2023

USS Caldwell (DD-605) was a Benson class destroyer that served in the Aleutians, supported Pacific carrier raids, the invasion of the Gilberts, Marshalls, Philippines and Brunei.

7 June 2023

HMS Michael (1915) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the 11th Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet from September 1915 to August 1917, fighting at Jutland, then on the Coast of Ireland station for the rest of the war.

6 June 2023

The Pfalz Parasol was the first military aircraft to be produced by the Bavarian Pfalz company, and saw use as reconnaissance aircraft and improvised bombers early in the First World War, before becoming training aircraft. 

1 June 2023

USS Parker (DD-604) was a Benson class destroyer that took part in Operation Torch, the invasion of Sicily, supported the fighting Anzio and took part in the invasion of the South of France before ended the war in the Pacific.

31 May 2023

USS Murphy (DD-603) was a Benson class destroyer that took part in Operation Torch, the invasion of Sicily, trans-Atlantic convoy escort duties, the D-Day landings and Operation Dragoon before reaching the Pacific theatre just in time to take part in the occupation of Japan.

30 May 2023

USS Meade (DD-602) was a Benson class destroyer that fought at the naval battle of Guadalcanal, in the Aleutians, the invasion of the Gilbert Islands, helping sinking I-35, the invasion of the Marshall Islands, fast carrier raids and the invasion of the Philippines

29 May 2023

The Leichter Panzerspahwagen Tp 4 was a design for a light armoured car to replace the Sd.KFz 221 family, but although it reached the prototype stage it wasn’t placed into production

25 May 2023

HMS Menace (1915) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Twelfth Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet from May 1916 to June 1918, fighting at Jutland, then with the Third Flotilla of the Grand Fleet for the rest of the war. 

24 May 2023

USS Champlin (DD-601) was a Benson class destroyer that served on convoy escort duty in the Atlantic, sinking U-130 and U-856, supported the invasion of Sicily, the fighting at Anzio, the invasion of the South of France, before ending the war in the Pacific.

23 May 2023

The Polizei-Panzerkampfwagen ADGZ was an Austrian designed heavy armoured car that was used German police in Danzig in 1939 and then by the SS on the Eastern Front from 1942.

22 May 2023

HMS Medway (1916) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Thirteenth then Third Flotillas of the Grand Fleet in 1916-1918 then with the Northern Division on the Irish Station.

18 May 2023

The Grumman F11F Tiger was the first fighter capable of level supersonic flight to enter service with the US Navy, but suffered from an underpowered engine and was soon replaced by the Vought F8U-1 Crusader.

17 May 2023

USS Boyle (DD-600) was a Benson class destroyer that took part in the invasions of North Africa, Sicily, Anzio and the South of France and briefly operated off Okinawa.

16 May 2023

The Schwerer Panzerspahwagen (7.5cm) Sd.Kfz 233 was a close support vehicle based on the Schwerer Panzerspahwangen Sd.Krz 231 (8-rad) and which was used to provide more firepower for reconnaissance vehicles.

15 May 2023

HMS Medina (1916) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Fourteenth Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet from July 1916 to the end of the First World War, apart a period at Plymouth in the first half of 1917 and two months on the Irish Station in the summer of 1917.

11 May 2023

The Grumman JRF Goose was originally developed as a civil transport aircraft, but saw service in the US Navy, Coast Guard and in Britain and Canada as a utility transport, coastal patrol aircraft and navigation trainer.

10 May 2023

USS Barton (DD-599) was a Benson class destroyer that took part in the Guadalcanal campaign, before being sunk by Japanese torpedoes at the naval battle of Guadalcanal in November 1942.

9 May 2023

The Schwerer Panzerfunkwagen Sd.Kfz 263 (8-Rad) was a radio car based on the Sd. Kfz 231 (8-rad) armoured car, and which saw service throughout the Second World War.

8 May 2023

HMS Mary Rose (1915) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Twelfth Flotilla of the Grand Fleet, fought at Jutland and was sunk by German cruisers during a convoy battle in October 1917.

4 May 2023

The Grumman J4F Widgeon was a twin engine amphibian originally developed for the civilian market, but that was used as a patrol, anti-submarine and transport aircraft by the US Coast Guard and US Navy.

3 May 2023

USS Bancroft (DD-598) was a Benson class destroyer that served in the Aleutians, the invasion of the Gilbert, Marshall and Mariana Islands, the invasion of the Philippines, and the landings at Hollandia and on Borneo.

2 May 2023

The Schwerer Panzerspahwagen (Fu) Sd.Kfz 232 (8-rad) was a radio car based on the Schwerer Panzerspahwagen  Sd. Kfz 231 (8-rad).

1 May 2023

The Grumman J2F Duck was an amphibian aircraft that performed a wide range of rolls for the US Navy during the Second World War.

27 April 2023

HMS Marvel (1915) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Twelfth then Third Flotillas of the Grand Fleet, fighting at Jutland.

26 April 2023

USS Bailey (DD-492) was a Benson class destroyer that served in the Aleutians, taking part in the battle of the Komandorski Islands, then the invasion of the Marshalls, Gilberts, Marianas, Philippines and Borneo.

25 April 2023

The Schwerer Panzerspahwagen Sd.Kfz 231 (8-rad) was an eight wheeled armoured car that replaced the earlier six wheel models and which had much better cross country capability. It remained in service throughout the Second World War.

24 April 2023

The Grumman JF was the company’s first amphibian aircraft, and served in a wide range of roles from shore bases and aircraft carriers during the Second World War.

20 April 2023

HMS Martial (1915) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Eleventh Flotilla of the Grand Fleet from 1915-1917, fighting at Jutland, then on the Northern Division of the Irish Station.

19 April 2023

The Farenholt (DD-491) was a Benson class destroyer that took part in the invasion of Guadalcanal, the fighting in the Solomon Islands, the invasions of Guam, the Palaus, Morotai, Angaur, Leyte and Okinawa.

18 April 2023

The Schwerer Panzerspahwagen  Sd. Kfz 263 (6-rad) was an armoured command car based on the standard Sd.Kfz 231 (6-rad) armoured car, and which saw service in the invasions of Poland and France.

14 April 2023

The Grumman WF/ E-1 Tracer was an airborne early warning aircraft based on the S-2 Tracker and operated on US aircraft carriers from 1960 until it was replaced by the E-2 Hawkeye in 1976.

13 April 2023

HMS Marne (1915) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the 11th Flotilla of the Grand Fleet from 1915-17, fighting at Jutland, then with the Northern Division on the Irish Station.

12 April 2023

Operation Causeway: The Planned Invasion of Formosa 1944 - Part Two - American debates and the decision to invade Luzon and bypass Formosa

11 April 2023

Operation Causeway: The Planned Invasion of Formosa 1944 - Part One - background to the plan for an invasion of Formosa, Allied and Japanese strategy for 1944 and 1945.

10 April 2023

USS Woodworth (DD-460) was a Benson class destroyer that served on escort duties in the South-West Pacific, the fighting in the Solomon Islands, the battle of Kolombangara, supported carrier raids on Formosa, the invasions of Leyte and Okinawa, and the carrier raids on Japan, before serving in the Italian Navy until the early 1970s.

6 April 2023

The Schwerer Panzerspahwagen (Fu) Sd.Kfz 232 was a radio version of the Schwerer Panzerspahwagen Sd.Kfz 231 (6-rad) and saw service during the invasions of Poland and France.

5 April 2023

The Grumman TF/ C-1 Trader was a Carrier On-Board Delivery transport that served with the US Navy from 1955 until 1988, carrying small but important cargoes between US aircraft carriers.

4 April 2023

HMS Marmion (1915) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Eleventh Flotilla of the Grand Fleet from 1915 until she was sunk in a collision while escorting a convoy to Bergen in October 1917.

3 April 2023

USS Charles F Hughes (DD-428) was a Benson class destroyer that served with the neutrality patrol, then on escort duties in the Atlantic, and fought in the invasion of North Africa, at Anzio and the invasion of the South of France, ending the war on escort duties in the Pacific.

31 March 2023

The Schwerer Panzerspahwagen Sd.Kfz 231 (6-rad) was a six wheeled heavy armoured car produced from 1932-35 and that took part in the invasions of Poland and France before most were withdrawn from front line service.

30 March 2023

The Grumman S2F/ S-2 Tracker was a carrier borne anti-submarine aircraft that served with the US Navy from 1954 until 1977, replacing a series of paired hunter/ killer aircraft.

29 March 2023

HMS Manners (1915) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Eleventh Flotilla of the Grand Fleet in 1915-1918, fighting at Jutland, then with the Northern Division of the Coast of Ireland station.

28 March 2023

USS Hilary P Jones (DD-427) was a Benson class destroyer that served with the neutrality patrol, on escort duties in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, fought at Anzio and during the invasion of the South of France, before moving to the Pacific in mid 1945. She ended her career with the navy of Taiwan, serving into the 1970s.

27 March 2023

The Schwerer Panzerspahwagen Sd.Kfz 234/4 (7.5 cm PaK 40) was an eight wheeled heavy armoured car armed with a 7.5cm anti-tank gun, and which served with the German Army and Waffen SS during 1945, giving their reconnaissance units an effective anti-tank weapon.

23 March 2023

The Grumman XP-50 Skyrocket was a land based version of the Grumman XF5F-1, a twin engined single seat naval fighter, both of which only reached the prototype stage.

22 March 2023

HMS Mandate (1915) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Eleventh Flotilla of the Grand Fleet from 1915-17, fighting at Jutland, then with the Northern Division of the Irish Station.

21 March 2023

USS Lansdale (DD-426) was a Benson class destroyer that served on the neutrality patrol, escort duty and at Anzio before being sunk during a German air attack on Convoy UGS-38 on 20 April 1944

20 March 2023

The Schwerer Panzerspahwagen Sd.Kfz 234/3 (7.5 cm) was an eight wheeled heavy armoured car that served with eight divisions of the German Army and Waffen SS from the summer of 1944 onwards, giving their reconnaissance units the ability to take on lighter tanks. 

16 March 2023

The Grumman XP-65 was a twin engine fighter that was developed alongside the Navy’s F8F Tigercat, but that was cancelled early in 1942 before reaching the prototype stage.

15 March 2023

HMS Mameluke (1915) was an M class destroyer that served with the Twelfth then Third Flotillas of the Grand Fleet, but that missed Jutland as she was undergoing a refit.

14 March 2023

USS Laffey (DD-459) was a Benson class destroyer that fought in the Pacific and was sunk at the naval battle of Guadalcanal in November 1942.

13 March 2023

The Schwerer Panzerspahwagen Sd.Kfz 234/2 (5 cm) was an eight wheeled heavy armoured car armed with a 5cm gun in a turret, and that served with the German Army and Waffen SS from late in 1943 until the end of the war, providing extra firepower to reconnaissance units. It was used to counter the increased use of light tanks in Soviet reconnaissance units.

9 March 2023

The Grumman XF5F Skyrocket was a twin engined single seat naval fighter that only reached the prototype stage.

8 March 2023

HMS Magic (1915) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Eleventh Flotilla of the Grand Fleet, fighting at Jutland, then was detached to the Coast of Ireland station in early 1917, before returning to the Grand Fleet, then moving back to the Irish station in the spring of 1918.

7 March 2023

USS Madison (DD-425) was a Benson class destroyer that spent most of 1941-44 on escort duty, as well as serving with the British Home Fleet briefly in 1942 and supporting Operation Torch, the fighting at Anzio and the invasion of the South of France. She then moved to the Pacific for more escort duties and the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay.

6 March 2023

The Schwerer Panzerspahwagen Sd.Kfz 234/1 (2 cm) was an eight wheeled heavy armoured car armed with a 20mm cannon, and saw service with the German Army and the Waffen SS from June 1944 until the end of the Second World War.

2 March 2023

The Grumman XF10F-1 Jaguar was a swing wing aircraft which reached the prototype stage and underwent a year of tests but that never entered production.

1 March 2023

HMS Maenad (1915) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Twelfth Flotilla of the Grand Fleet from November 1915 to August 1918, fighting at Jutland and taking part in anti-submarine operations in 1917.

28 February 2023

USS Mayo (DD-422) was a Benson class destroyer that served with the neutrality patrol, on convoy escort duties, supported the invasions of North Africa, Salerno and Anzio and ended the war on escort duties in the Pacific.

27 February 2023

The Leichter Panzerfunkwagen Sd.Kfz 261 was a long range radio car based on the same basic design as the Panzerspahwagen (FU) Sd.Kfz 223, but without a turret.

23 February 2023

The Grumman F9F/ F-9 Cougar was a swept wing version of Grumman’s first jet fighter, the straight winged F9F Panther, and entered service too late to see combat in Korea.

22 February 2023

HMS Murray (1914) was an Admiralty type M class destroyer that served with the 10th Flotilla at Harwich in 1915-17, the 6th Flotilla at Dover in 1917-18 and ended the war with a newly formed 21st Destroyer Flotilla in the Grand Fleet.

21 February 2023

USS Benson (DD-421) was the name ship of the Benson class of destroyers and served with the Neutrality Patrol, on convoy escort duty in the Atlantic, supported the invasions of North Africa, Sicily, Italy and the South of France, then finished the war on escort duty in the Pacific. She then served with the Taiwanese Navy before being scrapped in the 1970s.

20 February 2023

The Leichter Panzerfunkwagen Sd.Kfz 260 was a medium range radio car based on the same basic design as the Panzerspahwagen (FU) Sd.Kfz 223, but without a turret.

16 February 2023

The Grumman F9F/ F-9 Panther was Grumman’s first jet fighter, and the US Navy’s main fighter aircraft during the Korean War.

15 February 2023

HMS Morris (1914) was an Admiralty type M class destroyer that served with the 10th Flotilla at Harwich from 1915-1917, fighting at Dogger Bank and Jutland, then the 6th Flotilla at Dover for the rest of the war, taking part in the Zeebrugge raid.

14 February 2023

USS Buck (DD-420) was a Sims class destroyer that served in the Pacific in 1940-41 then joined the Neutrality Patrol in the Atlantic in July 1941. After the US entry into the war she served as an escort vessel in the Atlantic, and was badly damaged in a collision on 22 August. Convoy escort duties resumed in November, before she moved to the Mediterranean to support the invasion of Sicily. In September 1943 she supported the landings at Anzio, but on 9 October she was torpedoed and sank quickly.

13 February 2023

The Leichter Panzerspahwagen (FU) Sd.Kfz 223 was a radio car based on the Leichter Panzerspahwagen (2cm) Sd.Kfz 222 armoured car, and which remained in production for longer and in service to the end of the war.

9 February 2023

The Grumman AF Guardian was an anti-submarine warfare aircraft that was originally designed as a replacement for the Grumman Avenger and which served in small numbers in  the Korean War.

8 February 2023

HMS Moorsom (1914) was an Admiralty type M class destroyer that served with the 10th Flotilla at Harwich from 1915-1917, fighting at the battle of Jutland, then the 6th Flotilla at Dover in 1917-1918 before ending the war with a newly formed 21st Flotilla, part of the Grand Fleet.

7 February 2023

USS Wainwright (DD-419) was a Sims class destroyer that served with the Neutrality Patrol in 1939-1941, and continued to operate in the Atlantic in 1942. She joined the British Home Fleet on the Russian convoys from April, then served on convoy escort duties until November, when she supported Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa. She began 1943 on convoy escort duties, then supported the invasions of Sicily and mainland Italy. In 1944 she supported the Anzio landings, then returned to the US, where she spent 13 months operating on the east coast. In April 1945 she moved to the Pacific, where she operated between American bases. She was used as a target ship for the Bikini Atoll tests and decommissioned on 29 August 1946.

3 February 2023

The Leichter Panzerspahwagen (2cm) Sd.Kfz 222 was the second in a family of similar armoured cars based on the same Horch chassis, and was armed with a 20mm cannon alongside the machine gun carried on the earlier Sd.Kfz 221.

2 February 2023

HMS Miranda (1914) was a Yarrow special M class destroyer that served as second in command of the 3rd Flotilla after entering service, fighting at Dogger Bank, then served with the 10th Flotilla from the summer of 1915-1917, the 6th Flotilla at Dover from 1917-1918 and ended the war with a newly formed 21st Flotilla, part of the Grand Fleet.

1 February 2023

USS Roe (DD-418) was a Sims class destroyer that served with the Neutrality Patrol in 1941. After the US entry into the Second World War she remained in the Atlantic throughout 1942, before taking part in Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa. In 1943 she supported the invasion of Sicily, where she was badly damaged in a collision with the Swanson (DD-443). After repairs she escorted two transatlantic convoys, before moving to the Pacific early in 1944. She supported the advance along the north coast of New Guinea, then served on support roles in the Marshalls and Marianas. This duty lasted for most of the rest of the war, apart from a number of attacks on Iwo Jima. In April 1945 she moved up to support the air attacks on the Japanese Home Islands. She returned to the US to a refit before the end of the war and was decommissioned in October 1945.

31 January 2023

The Leichter Panzerspahwagen (2.8cm) Sd.Kfz 221 was an up-gunned version of the Leichter Panzerspahwagen (MG) Sd.Kfz 221, which had been the first in a series of light armoured cars based on the same Horch chassis.

30 January 2023

The Grumman F3F was the company’s last biplane fighter produced for the US Navy and was the result of Grumman’s efforts to improving the flying characteristics of the F2F.

26 January 2023

HMS Minos (1914) was a Yarrow special M class destroyer that briefly served with the 1st then 3rd Flotillas after entering service, fighting at the battle of Dogger Bank, then with the 10th Flotilla at Harwich in 1915-1917, the 6th Flotilla at Dover in 1917 before moving to the Second Destroyer Flotilla at Londonderry for the rest of the war.

25 January 2023

USS Morris (DD-417) was a Sims class destroyer that served with the Neutrality Patrol in 1941 then moved to the Pacific early in 1942. She fought at the battles of the Coral Sea and Midway and took part in the invasion of Guadalcanal and the battle of the Santa Cruz Islands. In 1943 she took part in the liberation of Attu and Kiska in the Aleutian Islands and the invasion of the Gilbert Islands. In 1944 she supported the invasion of the Marshalls and the landings at Hollandia. She then stayed off New Guinea and supported the operations at Wakde-Sarmi, Naik, Noemfoor and Cape Sansapor, then the invasion of Morotai in the Dutch East Indies. She took part in the invasion of Leyte in late 1943 and of Luzon in early 1944. On 6 April, while supporting the invasion of Okinawa, she was hit by a kamikaze and although she survived and returned to the US it was decided not to repair her.  

24 January 2023

The Leichter Panzerspahwagen (MG) Sd.Kfz 221 was the first in a series of light armoured cars based on the same Auto-Union chassis design, but although it was an improvement over existing armoured cars, early combat experience proved that it was too lightly armed.

23 January 2023

The Grumman F2F was the company’s first single seater, and was developed from the two-seat FF, which had been its first successful aircraft design.

19 January 2023

The M Class destroyers (1914) were entering service at the outbreak of the First World War, and their design became the basis of many of the war emergency destroyers, starting with the Repeat M class boats. The original M class boats spent 1915-1917 operating with the Harwich Force, before joining the Dover Patrol, where most of them spent the rest of the war.

18 January 2023

USS Walke (DD-416) was a Sims class destroyer that served with the Neutrality Patrol in 1940-41, then moved to the Pacific after Pearl Harbor. In 1942 she took part in the early carrier strikes, the battle of the Coral Sea and the invasion of Guadalcanal. She fought at the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal in November 1942 where she was hit by a torpedo and heavy gunfire and sank with the loss of 82 men.

17 January 2023

The Funkkraftwagen (Kfz 14) was an armoured communication car produced for the increasingly motorised German army from 1932, but that had been relegated to service with non-motorised divisions by the outbreak of the Second World War.

16 January 2023

The Grumman SF was a two man scout aircraft based on the similar Grumman FF-1 two seat fighter, and that was ordered in slightly larger numbers.

12 January 2023

HMS Milne (1914) was an Admiralty type M class destroyer that entered service with the 3rd Flotilla, but served with the 10th Flotilla in 1915-1917, then the 6th Flotilla at Dover, before ending the war as part of a newly formed 21st Flotilla in the Grand Fleet. She fought at the battle of Dogger Bank, and in 1917 rammed and sank UC-26.

11 January 2023

USS O'Brien (DD-415) was a Sims class destroyer that served on the US east coast in 1940-41 then moved to the Pacific after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. In 1942 she operated in the Central and South Pacific. On 15 September, while escorting a convoy to Guadalcanal, she was hit by a torpedo. At first the damage didn't seem too bad, but on 19 October, while on her way to San Francisco for repairs she broke up and sank.

10 January 2023

The Maschinengewehrkraftwagn (Kfz 13) was an armoured car produced for the increasingly motorised German army from 1932, but that had been relegated to service with non-motorised divisions by the outbreak of the Second World War.

9 January 2023

The Grumman FF was a two-man fighter that was the first in the series of Grumman fighters to serve with the US Navy, and that featured retractable landing gear and an enclosed cockpit, making it an advanced design for the time.

5 January 2023

The T69 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage combined the body of a M8 light armoured car with a Maxson turret carrying four .50in machine guns, but only one pilot vehicle was produced.

4 January 2023

HMS Meteor (1914) was a Thornycroft special M class destroyer that served with the 1st Flotilla after entering service, fighting at the battle of Dogger Bank, then served with the 10th Flotilla at Harwich from 1915-1917 and the 6th Flotilla at Dover for the rest of the war, operating in the North Sea, Channel and Western Approaches. 

3 January 2023

USS Russell (DD-414) was a Sims class destroyer that served with the Neutrality Patrol in 1940-41, then moved to the Pacific after the attack on Pearl Harbor. She took part in the early carrier raids, fought at the battles of the Coral Sea and Midway, the invasion of Guadalcanal and the battle of the Santz Cruz Islands. In 1943 she took part in the invasion of Kiska in the Aleutians, then supported the invasion of the Gilberts. In 1944 she took part in the invasion of the Marshalls, then was committed to the New Guinea campaign, where she took part in the fighting at Wakde-Sarmi, Noemfoor, Sansapor and Morotai in the Dutch East Indies. She took part in the invasions of Leyte, Luzon and Okinawa. She then went for a refit that was still under way at the end of the war. She was decommissioned in November 1945.

2 January 2023

The T30 Armored Chemical Car would have been a rocket launcher based on the M8 light armored car, but it never got beyond the design stage.

29 December 2022

HMS Mentor (1914) was a Hawthorn Leslie special M class destroyer that served with the 10th Flotilla at Harwich in 1915-17, fighting at the battle of Dogger Bank, then with the 6th Flotilla at Dover for the rest of the war, taking part in the Ostend raid.

28 December 2022

USS Mustin (DD-413) was a Sims class destroyer that served with the Neutrality Patrol in 1940-41, before moving to the Pacific after Pearl Harbor. She took part in the invasion of Guadalcanal, the battle of Santa Cruz, the naval battle of Guadalcanal, then moved to the Aleutians in 1943, covering the invasions of Attu and Kiska. She then covered the invasion of the Gilberts in 1943 and the Marshalls in 1944, before joining the fast carriers for their raids and the invasion of Hollandia on New Guinea. She then remained off New Guinea and took part in the series of invasions that left west along that island, ending with the invasion of Morotai in the Dutch East Indies. Late in 1944 she supported the invasion of Leyte, then Luzon in 1945. She supported the invasion of Koinawa, then returned to the US for a refit that lasted to the end of the war. She was used as a target at the Bikini atoll tests and was decommissioned in August 1946.

22 December 2022

The M20 Armored Utility Car was a combined command car and personal and cargo carrier based on the M8 light armored car, but with the turret removed and replacing with an open topped crew compartment.

21 December 2022

HMS Matchless (1914) was an Admiralty type M class destroyer that served with the 10th Flotilla at Harwich from 1915-1917, operating in the North Sea, Channel and Western Approaches, then the 6th Flotilla at Dover for the rest of the war, taking part in the Ostend Raid.

20 December 2022

USS Hammann (DD-412) was a Sims class destroyer that moved to the Pacific in the aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor, where she took part in the battles of the Coral Sea and Midway. In the aftermath of Midway she was hit by a torpedo aimed at the damaged carrier Yorktown and sank with the loss of over 80 of her crew.

19 December 2022

The battle near Mutina (218 BC) saw a Roman army attempt to rescue Romans who were besieged at Mutina, only to suffer heavy loses when attacked by Gallic forces while passing through a forest, eventually escaping to safely at a Roman settlement on the Po.

15 December 2022

The M8 Light Armored Car was the only armoured car used in combat by the United States during the Second World War, but suffered from poor cross country mobility, making it a poor reconnaissance vehicle. It performed at its best during Patton’s advance across France after Operation Cobra, where its high speed and reasonable firepower allowed it to protect his flanks, but its poor mobility led it down in Italy and during the winter of 1944-45.

14 December 2022

HMS Mastiff (1914) was a Thornycroft special M class destroyer that briefly served with the 1st then 3rd Flotillas after entering service, then with the 10th Flotilla at Harwich from 1915-1917 (apart from a brief spell with the 11th Submarine Flotilla), then the 6th Flotilla at Dover for the rest of the war. She fought at the battle of Dogger Bank and took part in the Ostend raid in 1918.

13 December 2022

USS Anderson (DD-411) was a Sims class destroyer that was based in the Pacific in 1940-41, then joined the neutrality patrol in the Atlantic. Early in 1942 she returned to the Pacific, fighting in the battle of the Coral Sea, the battle of Midway, the invasion of Guadalcanal, the battle of the Santa Cruz Islands and the naval battle of Guadalcanal. In 1943 she briefly served in the Aleutians then took part in the invasion of Tawawa. In 1944 she took part in the invasion of the Marshall Islands, the New Guinea campaign and the invasion of Leyte, where she was hit by a kamikaze. She returned to action in May 1945 when she was posted to the Aleutians, where she remained for the rest of the war. She was used as a target in the Bikini Atoll tests, where she was sunk in Test 'Able'.

12 December 2022

The battle of Mediolanum (222 BC) saw a Gallic attempt to defeat a Roman army retiring from Mediolanum end in defeat, and was soon followed by the fall of Mediolanum and the surrender of the Insubres (Telamon War).

8 December 2022

The T23E1 Light Armored Car was a Fargo design for a four wheeled armoured car built to the specifications that produced the M8 light armoured car, but that lost out to Ford’s six wheeled T22 and that may never have been built.

7 December 2022

HMS Mansfield (1914) was a Hawthorn Leslie special M class destroyer that served with the Tenth Flotilla at Harwich from 1915-1917, operating in the North Sea, English Channel and Western Approaches, then the Sixth Flotilla at Dover for the rest of the war, where she took part in the Zeebrugge raid.

6 December 2022

USS Hughes (DD-410) was a Sims class destroyer that served with the Neutrality Patrol in 1949-41. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor she joined the Yorktown task force, and was with her during the early carrier raids and at Midway. She then took part in the invasion of Guadalcanal, the battle of Santa Cruz and the naval battle of Guadalcanal. In 1943 she operated in the Aleutians, taking part in the liberation of Kiska, then support the invasion of the Gilbert Islands. In 1944 she supported the invasion of the Marshalls, the fast carrier raids, the landings at Hollandia, and the invasion of the Philippines. She was hit by a kamikaze off Leyte on 10 December 1944, and didn't return to service until June 1945. She spent the rest of the war in the Aleutians and was decommissioned in August 1946.

5 December 2022

The battle of Clastidium (222 BC) saw the Romans defeat a Gallic army that had been sent to attack the city in an attempt to force the Romans to abandon their own siege of Acerrae (Telamon War). Instead the Gallic defeat left their capital of Mediolanum vulnerable to attack, and the Insubres were forced to surrender.

1 December 2022

The T23 Light Armored Car was a Fargo built six wheeled prototype for an armoured car built to the specifications that produced the M8 light armoured car, but that lost out to Ford’s six wheeled T22.

30 November 2022

HMS Manly (1914) was a Yarrow special M class destroyer that served with the Harwich Force from 1915 to June 1917, mainly operating in the Channel and Western Approaches, then with the Dover Patrol for the rest of the war, taking part in the Zeebrugge Raid.

29 November 2022

USS Wilson (DD-408) was a Benham class destroyer that served in the Pacific in 1940-May 1941 then joined the Neutrality Patrol in the Atlantic. She joined the British Home Fleet from April-May 1942, covering the Russia convoys. She then moved to the Pacific, where she took part in the invasion of Guadalcanal, the battle of Savo Island, and operated in that area into the summer of 1943. She supported the invasion of the Gilbert Islands late in 1943 and the Marshall Islands early in 1944. She joined the fast carrier task force in June and supported the carriers during the invasion of the Marianas. After a refit in the US she escorted a convoy to Mindoro, which came under very heavy Japanese attack. In 1945 she took part in the invasion of Okinawa, where she suffered minor damage in a kamikaze attack. She carried out escort and patrol duties for the rest of the war. After the war she was a target at the Bikini Atoll atomic bomb tests and was decommissioned in August 1946.

28 November 2022

The Telamon War (225-222 BC) saw the Romans defeat the last major independent Gallic attack on Rome at Telamon in 235 then go on to establish their dominance over the Gauls of northern Italy, only to have all of their achievements collapse when Hannibal crossed the Alps at the start of the Second Punic War.

24 November 2022

The T22E1 Light Armored Car was a Ford built four wheeled prototype for an armoured car built to the specifications that produced the M8 light armoured car, but that lost out to Ford’s six wheeled T22.

23 November 2022

HMS Lysander (1913) was a Laforey class destroyer that served with the 3rd then 9th Flotillas at Harwich from 1914 to March 1917, fighting at Heligoland and Dogger Bank, then with the 7th Flotilla on the East Coast until September 1917 and the 4th Flotilla at Devonport for the rest of the war.

21 November 2022

USS Sims (DD-409) was the name ship of the Sims class destroyers. She served with the Neutrality Patrol in 1940-41, then joined the Yorktown task force after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. She took part in the early carrier raids, then moved south to defend New Guinea. During the battle of the Coral Sea she was mistaken for a cruiser by the Japanese and sunk by very heavy air attacks.

14 November 2022

The siege of Acerrae (222 BC) was the first stage in a Roman attack on the Insubres of north-western Italy, and triggered a Gallic counter-attack on Clastidium which ended with a Gallic defeat, leaving the Insubres’ capital of Mediolanum vulnerable to attack.

10 November 2022

The T22 Light Armored Car was a prototype of a design for a six wheeled armoured car which entered production as the M8, the main American armoured car of the Second World War.

9 November 2022

HMS Lydiard (1914) was a Laforey class destroyer that served with the 3rd then 9th Flotillas at Harwich from 1914 to 1917, fighting at Heligoland, Dogger Bank and Jutland, briefly visited the Mediterranean to take part in the evacuation from Gallipoli, then with the 6th Flotilla at Dover in April-May 1917, the 1st Flotilla at Portsmouth to January 1918 before spending the rest of the war on convoy escort duty from the Firth of Forth.

8 November 2022

USS Sterett (DD-407) was a Benham class destroyer that served in the Pacific from 1940 to June 1941, then moved to the Atlantic to join the Neutrality Patrol. She operated in the Atlantic early in 1942 then joined the British Home Fleet for training, before supporting the carrier Wasp's second run to Malta. In June she moved to the Pacific, where she spent the next year and a half operating in the Solomon Islands. She supported the invasion of Guadalcanal, fought at the naval battle of Guadalcanal, where she suffered heavy damage. She returned to the war zone in March 1943 and fought at the battle of Vella Gulf (August 1943). Finally she supported the invasion of Bougainville. In 1944 she supported the invasion of the Marshalls and the Marianas, and was on the edge of the battle of the Philippine Sea. In December she briefly joined the campaign in the Philippines. 1945 began with a spell of escort duty in the Solomons. She then took part in the invasion of Okinawa, where on 9 April she was hit by a kamikaze. Although she was repaired by June, she didn't return to the war zone and was decommissioned in November 1945.

7 November 2022

The battle of the River Clusius (223 BC) was a Roman victory over the Insubres of northern Italy that was squandered by political infighting in Rome.

3 November 2022

The T21 light armored car was a Studabaker design produced to the same specifications that produced the Ford M8 light armored car, but only one pilot vehicle was constructed before the project was cancelled.

2 November 2022

HMS Lucifer (1913) was a Laforey class destroyer that served with the 3rd then 9th Flotillas at Harwich from 1914 to March 1917, fighting at Heligoland and Dogger Bank, then with the 6th Flotilla at Dover to June 1917 and the 1st Flotilla at Portsmouth to January 1918 before spending the rest of the war on convoy escort duty from the Firth of Forth.

1 November 2022

USS Stack (DD-406) was a Benham class destroyer that served in the Pacific from 1940-June 1941 then joined the Atlantic Neutrality Patrol. She operated in the Atlantic and off the US East Coast until June 1942 when she moved to the Pacific to take part in the invasion of Guadalcanal. In 1943 she operated in the Solomons, fighting in the battle of Vella Gulf (6-7 August) and took part in the invasion of the Gilberts. In 1944 she took part in the invasion of the Marshalls, then underwent a refit. On her return she operated off New Guinea in July-September, then took part in the invasion of Leyte in October and Luzon in December. In 1945 she took part in the invasion of Okinawa. She was used as a target for the Bikini Atoll atomic bomb tests and was decommissioned in August 1946.

31 October 2022

The battle of Telamon (225 BC) was a crushing Roman victory over an invading Gallic army that was attempting to retreat north with booty seized during its advance south through Etruria, but that was instead trapped between two Consular armies.

27 October 2022

The Sopwith Buffalo was an armoured aircraft designed for ‘contact patrols’, low level reconnaissance missions over the enemy lines,  that would probably have entered production if the First World War had continued into 1919.

26 October 2022

HMS Loyal (1913) was a Laforey class destroyer that served with the 3rd then 9th Flotillas at Harwich from 1914 to March 1917, then the 7th Flotilla on the East Coast to September 1917 and the 4th Flotilla at Devonport for the rest of the war, spending much of her time taking part in the battle against the U-boats.

25 October 2022

USS Rowan (DD-405) was a Benham class destroyer that served in the Pacific in 1940-41 before joining the Atlantic Neutrality Patrol in May 1941. 1942 started with a spell of convoy escort duty, followed by a spell with the British Home Fleet on the Russian convoy route. In October-November she escorted one of the invasion convoys across the Atlantic and then took part in Operation Torch. From then to May 1943 she escorted convoys across the Altantic, before in July she supported the invasion of Sicily. In September she supported the landings at Salerno, where early on 11 September she was hit by a torpedo and sank with the loss of 202 men.

24 October 2022

The battle of Faesulae (225 BC) was a Gallic victory over a Roman army that had been following them as the Gauls advanced towards Rome. However the arrival of a second Roman army late in the day convinced the Gauls to retreat north with their booty, and during the retreat they were trapped between this and a third Roman army and destroyed at the battle of Telamon.

20 October 2022

The Sopwith Swallow was a parasol wing monoplane fighter designed for use on aircraft carriers, but it emerged just before the end of the First World War and only a single prototype was built

19 October 2022

HMS Louis (1913) was a Laforey class destroyer that served with the 3rd Flotilla at Harwich from 1914 until September 1915. She was then sent to the Mediterranean, but ran aground in a winter storm at Suvla Bay and was totally wrecked.

18 October 2022

USS Rhind (DD-404) was a Benham class destroyer that served with the Neutrality Patrol in 1941. In 1942 she operated in the North Atlantic, before joining the Briitsh Home Fleet for operations on the Russian convoy route. At the end of the year she supported Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa. 1943 began with a period escorting convoys from the US to North Africa. She then took par tin the invasions of Sicily and the Italian mainland. Late in 1943 she returned to the US and began a period of convoy escort work and anti-submarine warfare that lasted into 1945. In May 1945 she transferred to the Pacific, where she took part in an attack on Wake, then resumed convoy escort duties. She was a target during the Bikini Atoll tests and was decommissioned in August 1946.

17 October 2022

The Ligurian War (238-233 BC) saw the Romans win a series of victories over the tribes of the mountainous north-west of Italy, but fail to establish any lasting control over the area.

13 October 2022

The Sopwith Scooter was a parasol wing monoplane that was used as a runabout by Harry Hawker, and was developed into the military Sopwith Swallow.

12 October 2022

HMS Lookout (1914) was a Laforey class destroyer that served with the 3rd and 9th Flotillas at Harwich from 1914 to September 1915, fighting at Heligoland and Dogger Bank, then with the 4th Flotilla at Devonport for the rest of the war, taking part in the battle against the U-boats.

11 October 2022

USS Trippe (DD-403) was a Benham class destroyer that served with the Caribbean Neutrality Patrol in 1940-early 41 then in the North Atlantic from 1941-May 1943. She then moved to North Africa, and took part in the invasions of Sicily and the Italian mainland. She remained in the Mediterranean until the start of 1944, then escorted convoys beween the US and Italy, mixed in with training duties. This continued into 1945, before in May she moved to the Pacific, where she escorted convoys in the central Pacific. She was used as a target during the Bikini Atoll atomic bomb tests, and was decommissioned later in 1946.

10 October 2022

The Boian War (238-236 BC) was a clash between Roman and a Gallic alliance led by the Boii that ended when the Gallic alliance fell apart.

6 October 2022

The Sopwith 8F.1 Snail was a small fighter developed in 1917-1918, with conventional and monocoque fuselages, but it was led down by its engine, and only two prototypes were built.

5 October 2022

HMS Lochinvar (1915) was a repeat Laforey class destroyer that served with the 9th Flotilla at Harwich from 1916 to March 1917, then the 6th Flotilla at Dover until June 1917 and with the 4th Flotilla at Devonport for the rest of the war, spending most of her time engaged in the battle against the U-boats.

4 October 2022

USS Mayrant (DD-402) was a Benham class destroyer that served in the Atlantic from 1939-41, joining the neutrality patrol. She was near Cape Town when the Japanese attacked Pearl Habor, and spent the first five months of 1942 on convoy escort duty in the North Atlantic. She then joined the British Home Fleet and took part in operations against the Tirpitz and escorted convoys to Murmansk. In October-November she escorted the trans-Atlantic convoys to North Africa to take par tin Operation Torch, and then supported the invasions. 1943 began with a spell of convoy escort work off the US East Coast, followed by a similar role off North Africa. From July-November she operated around Sicily, before suffering damage that took her out until May 1944. She spent the next year operating off the US east coast, before moving to the Pacific in May 1945, where she served as a convoy escort. After the end of the war she helped accept the surrender of Marcus Island. She was later used as a test ship in the Bikini Atoll atomic bomb tests and was decommissioned soon afterwards. 

3 October 2022

The battle of Lake Vadimon (283 BC) was a Roman victory over a Gallic and Etruscan army fought only forty miles to the north of Rome and that marked the start of Rome’s rivalry with the Boii while also coming towards the end of their wars with the Etruscans (Gallic War of 284-283 BC).

29 September 2022

The Sopwith 5F.1 Dolphin was a heavily armed and generally successful single seat fighter that was in service throughout 1918, but that was partly let down by an unreliable engine and as a result only equipped four squadrons on the Western Front.

28 September 2022

HMS Llewellyn (1913) was a Laforey class destroyer that served with the 3rd then 9th Flotilla at Harwich from 1914-1917, fighting at Heligoland, then at Dover and Portsmouth during 1917 before spending most of 1918 on convoy escort duties from the Firth of Forth.

27 September 2022

USS Lang (DD-399) was a Benham class destroyer that served with with the neutrality patrol in 1939-40 and the Pacific in 1940-41, but that was in the Carribean training with carriers when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. In 1942 she operated with the Royal Navy for the first half of the year, then moved to the Pacific, where she supported the invasion of Guadalcanal. In 1943 she supported the invasion of New Georgia, fighting at the battle of Vella Gulf, and later the invasion of the Gilberts. In 1944 she supported the invasion of the Marshalls and the Marianas, and fought at the battle of the Philippine Sea, before moving to the New Guinea theatre. Late in the year she took part in the invasions of Leyte and Luzon. In 1945 she took part in the invasion of Okinawa, then left the war zone for repairs which lasted to the end of the war. She was decommissioned in 1945.

26 September 2022

The battle of Arretium (283 BC) was a Roman defeat at the hands of a Gallic army that was besieging the city of Arretium in Tuscany, and that triggered a Roman response that destroyed the power of the Senones (Gallic War of 284-283 BC).  

22 September 2022

The Sopwith 3F.2 Hippo was an unsuccessful design for a two seat fighter that only reached the prototype stage.

21 September 2022

HMS Linnet (1913) was a Laforey class destroyer that served with the 3rd then 9th Flotillas at Harwich in 1914-1917, fighting at Heligoland, then at Dover and Portsmouth before moving to the Firth of Forth where she spent the rest of the war on convoy escort duties.

20 September 2022

USS Ellet (DD-398) was a Benham class destroyer that served with the neutrality patrol in 1939-40 before moving to the Pacific. She was at sea when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. In 1942 she supported the Doolittle Raid, fought at the battle of Midway and took part in the invasion of Guadalcanal. 1943 was split between operations in the Solomons and an overhaul. In 1944 she took part in the invasion of the Marshalls, the landings at Hollandia, the invasion of the Marianas and was then based in the Marianas until July 1945. She was decommissioned in October 1945.

19 September 2022

The Gallic War of c.284-283 was an obscure conflict which saw the Romans defeat the both the Gallic Senones and an alliance between the Gallic Boii and the Etruscans.

15 September 2022

The Sopwith 2F.1 Camel or Ship’s Camel was a naval version of the Sopwith F.1 Camel, that was intended for ship-borne use, but that was also used as a land based fighter by the RNAS and later by the RAF.

14 September 2022

HMS Liberty (1913) was a Laforey class destroyer that served with the 3rd then 9th Flotillas at Harwich from 1914 to 1917, fighting at Heligoland, Dogger Bank and Jutland, then with the 4th Flotilla at Devonport until the end of the war.

13 September 2022

USS Jarvis (DD-393) was a Bagley class destroyer that was present when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, took part in the invasion of Guadalcanal and was sunk by Japanese aircraft on 9 August 1942.

12 September 2022

The T-80 was the last Soviet light tank to enter production during the Second World War, but only 120 were built before it was cancelled, and the factory used to built the SU-76 self propelled gun instead.

8 September 2022

The Sopwith F.1 Camel was probably the most famous British aircraft of the First World War and was an extremely agile if difficult to fly dogfighter that helped the British overcome a period of German dominance over the Western Front in 1917 then fought on to the end of the war, still holding its own against newer German designs.

7 September 2022

HMS Leonidas (1913) was a Laforey class destroyer that served with the 3rd then 9th Flotillas at Harwich from 1914 to March 1917 then with the 4th Flotilla at Devonport until the end of the war. She fought at Heligoland, but spent most of her war fighting the U-boats.

6 September 2022

USS Patterson (DD-392) was a Bagley class destroyer that fought at Pearl Harbor, during the invasions of Guadalcanal, New Georgia, the Eastern Solomons, the Marianas, the Western Caroline Islands, Leyte, Luzon, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. 

5 September 2022

The T-70 Light Tank was the last light tank to be produced in significant numbers in the Soviet Union during the Second World War, but although it was an improvement on the T-60 was still too lightly armed and armoured and struggled to operate alongside the T-34.

1 September 2022

The Sopwith 2FR.2 Bulldog was a design for a two-man fighter-reconnaissance aircraft that was produced in one bay and two bay versions, but that didn’t enter production.

31 August 2022

HMS Lennox (1914) was a Laforey class destroyer that served with the 3rd then 9th Flotillas at Harwich from 1914 to March 1917, fighting at the battle of Heligoland, then with the 4th Flotilla at Devonport from April 1917 onwards. She spent most of her time taking part in the battle against the U-boats.

30 August 2022

USS Benham (DD-397) was the name ship of the Benham class of destroyers. She served with the neutrality patrol from 1939-1940 then moved to the Pacific. She was at sea when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. In 1942 she supported the Doolittle raid, fought at the battle of Midway, took part in the invasion of Guadalcanal, the battles of the Eastern Solomons, the Santa Cruz Islands and the naval battle of Guadalcanal. In the last battle she was hit by a torpedo and eventually split in two, sinking on 14 November.

29 August 2022

The T-60 Scout tank was a simplified land version of the T-40 amphibious tank which entered production after the German invasion of the Soviet Union, with just over 6,000 produced by the time productions ended in September 1942.

25 August 2022

The Sopwith T.1 Cuckoo was a potentially promising torpedo bomber that was left down by its Sunbeam Arab engine, and was only just entering service at the end of the First World War.

24 August 2022

HMS Legion (1914) was a Laforey class destroyer that served with the 3rd then 9th Flotilla at Harwich, fighting at Heligoland and Dogger Bank, then became a minelayer in 1917, serving at the Nore, Dover and Immingham over the remaining months of the war.

23 August 2022

USS Henley (DD-391) was a Bagley class destroyer that fought at Pearl Harbor and during the invasion of Guadalcanal, before being sunk by torpedoes off Finschhafen, New Guinea, on 3 October 1943.

22 August 2022

The T-40 amphibious tank was produced in small numbers in 1940-41, but was replaced by the non-amphibious T-60 after the German invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941.

18 August 2022

The Sopwith B.1 was a failed design for a single seat bomber that appears to be have been produced because of a misunderstanding about what type of aircraft the French wanted, and that performed too poorly to be considered for production.

11 August 2022

HMS Lawford (1913) was a  Laforey class destroyer that served with the Third then Ninth Flotillas at Harwich from 1914-March 1917, apart from a brief period in the Mediterranean where she helped cover the retreat from Gallipoli, then as a mine layer on the East Coast and at Devonport, before ending the war on detached service with the Grand Fleet. She fought at Heligoland and Dogger Bank, but spent most of her time engaged in the battle against the U-boats.

10 August 2022

USS Ralph Talbot (DD-390) was a Bagley class destroyer that fought at Pearl Harbor, during the invasion of Guadalcanal, the invasion of New Georgia and the battle of Kolombangara, the fighting on New Guinea and New Britain, the Marianas Islands, Leyte, Luzon, Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

9 August 2022

The T-24 medium tank was an improved version of the unreliable T-12, but wasn’t much of an improvement, and production stopped after only 25 had been built.

8 August 2022

The RWD 25 Sokol (Falcon) was a design for a light weight fighter which was to act as an operational trainer and an interceptor in emergencies.

4 August 2022

HMS Laverock (1913) was a Laforey class destroyer that served with the Third then Ninth Flotillas at Harwich from 1914-March 1917, then briefly with the Sixth Flotilla at Dover, before spending the rest of the war with the Fourth Flotilla at Devonport. She spent most of the war engaged in the  long battle against the U-boats, on anti-submarine patrols and escort duties.   

3 August 2022

USS Mugford (DD-389) was a Bagley class destroyer that was present at Pearl Harbor, and then took part in the invasion of Guadalcanal, the fighting on New Guinea and New Britain, the invasion of the Marianas Islands, the battle of Leyte Gulf, and the invasion of the Philippines, where she suffered damage that effectively ended her front line career, although she returned to duty in the Pacific in 1945.

2 August 2022

The T-22 was an advanced design for a medium tank that was produced by the OKMO bureau at Leningrad, but rejected in favour of the less complex T-28.

1 August 2022

The Bartel M.6 was a fighter trainer that had reached the prototype stage when the Samolot company went into insolvency, so never entered production.

28 July 2022

HMS Laurel (1913) was a Laforey class destroyer that served at Harwich from 1914-March 1917 then at Devonport from April 1917 to the end of the war, fighting at Heligoland, Dogger Bank and Jutland.

27 July 2022

USS Helm (DD-388) was a Bagley class destroyer that fought at Pearl Harbor, during the invasions of Guadalcanal and New Guinea, the invasion of the Marianas, the battle of Leyte Gulf, the invasion of Luzon, Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

26 July 2022

The T-18 light tank was the first Soviet designed tank to enter mass production, and played a major role in the development of the Red Army’s armoured forces.

25 July 2022

The Bartel M.5 was a Polish intermediate trainer that was based on the earlier Bartel M.2, and entered production just before the Samolot company that had developed it went bankrupt.

21 July 2022

HMS Lassoo (1915) was a Laforey class destroyer ordered under the Second War Emergency Programme that served at Harwich from October 1915 until 13 August 1916 when she was sunk by a German torpedo fired by UB-10.

20 July 2022

USS Blue (DD-387) was a Bagley class destroyer that was present at Pearl Harbor, took part in the invasion of Guadalcanal and was sunk there by a Japanese destroyer early on 22 August 1942.

19 July 2022

The T-16 was the prototype of the T-18 light tank, and was an improved version of the Renault FT, with significantly better suspension (USSR).

18 July 2022

The Bartel M.4 was a primary trainer designed to use a war surplus Le Rhone engine and which was produced in significant numbers, outliving the Samolot company that had developed it.

14 July 2022

HMS Lark (1913) was a Laforey class destroyer that served at Harwich in 1914-16, fighting at Heligoland and Dogger Bank, then briefly at Dover in April 1917, at Portsmouth into 1918 and on the Firth of Forth from February 1918 onwards.

13 July 2022

USS Bagley (DD-386) was the name ship of the Bagley class of destroyers and fought at Pearl Harbor, Guadalcanal, the campaign on New Guinea and New Britain, the invasion of the Marianas, the battle of the Philippine Sea, the invasions of Peleliu and Angaur, the battle of Leyte Gulf, and the invasions of Luzon, Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

12 July 2022

The T-12 was the first Soviet designed medium tank, and was an enlarged development of the T-18 light tank, which was itself developed from the Renault FT-17.

11 July 2022

The Bartel M.2 (BM 2) was a biplane trainer that only reached the prototype stage, but that was followed by a series of related Bartel trainers that did enter production.

7 July 2022

HMS Landrail (1914) was a Laforey class destroyer that was based at Harwich from 1914-March 1917, fighting at Heligoland, Dogger Bank and Jutland, then at Dover in 1917, Portsmouth in 1917-January 1918 and in the Firth of Forth from March-December 1918.

6 July 2022

USS Jouett (DD-396) was a Somers class destroyer that served in the South Atlantic for most of the Second World War, helping to intercept German blockade runners and playing a part in the sinking of U-128. She also supported the Normandy landings and Operation Dragoon, the invasion of the South of France.

5 July 2022

The T-38 amphibious tank was designed to replace the T-37, and was wider and lower than the earlier vehicle and performed better in the water.

4 July 2022

The RWD 22 was a twin float observation aircraft that was under development for the Polish Navy when the Germans invaded.

30 June 2022

HMS Lance (1914) was a Laforey class destroyer that served with the Third Flotilla at Harwich in 1914-1915, becoming the first British warship to open fire on a German target on 4 August 1914. She then fought at Heligoland Bight, served with the Ninth Flotilla at Harwich in 1915-1917, the Sixth Flotilla at Dover briefly in 1917 then spent the rest of the war with the Fourth Flotilla at Devonport.

29 June 2022

USS Davis (DD-395) was a Somers class destroyer that took part in the neutrality patrol in 1939-40, briefly served in the Pacific in 1940-41, then served in the Atlantic for most of the rest of the war, apart from a brief break to support the D-Day landings. 

28 June 2022

The T-37 amphibious tank was a light amphibious tank that entered production in 1933, and was produced in large numbers before being replaced by the improved T-38.

27 June 2022

The RWD 17 was an aerobatic training aircraft that was ordered by both the Polish Navy and Army, but that hadn’t entered service when the Germans invaded in 1939.

23 June 2022

HMS Laforey (1913) was the name ship of the Laforey class of destroyers, and served with the Third Flotilla at Harwich in 1914-1915, fighting at Heligoland Bight and Dogger Bank, then briefly served in the Mediterranean, before spending 1916-1917 back at Harwich. She was sunk by a mine on 23 March 1917.

22 June 2022

USS Sampson (DD-394) was a Somers class destroyer that served with the Neutrality Patrol in 1940-41, in the Southeast Pacific in 1942-43, supported the occupation of Emirau and the invasion of Biak and then spent the last few months of the war on trans-Atlantic convoy escort duties.

21 June 2022

The T-33 amphibious tank was the first in a series of Soviet light amphibious tanks inspired by the Carden-Loyd amphibious tankette, but only reached the prototype stage.

20 June 2022

The RWD 14 Czapla (Heron) was an observation aircraft that fought during the German invasion of Poland in 1939, suffering heavy losses, mainly from ground fire.

16 June 2022

HMS Laertes (1913) was a Laforey class destroyer that served with the Harwich Force from 1914-1917, fighting at the battles of Heligoland and Dogger Bank, then briefly with the Dover Force in 1917 before moving to Devonport in July 1917, where she was based for the rest of the war.

15 June 2022

USS Warrington (DD-383) was a Somers class destroyer that took part in the Neutrality Patrol in 1941, in the south Atlantic in 1942 and the first half of 1943, and in the Pacific in the second half of the year, taking part in the invasion of Bougainville and the New Guinea campaign. She then returned to the US for repairs, but was lost in a hurricane off the coast of Florida soon after they had been completed.

14 June 2022

The RWD 8 was a parasol wing monoplane that was used both as a military trainer and by civilian flying clubs and was produced in larger numbers than any other Polish aircraft of the interwar period.

13 June 2022

Part four of our four part series on the battle of Stalingrad looks at the Soviet Counterattack, from the initial attacks on the German flanks to the final surrender in Stalingrad.

31 May 2022

The Sims Class Destroyers were the first built after the 1,500t limit of the 1930 London Naval Treaty was lifted, and reverted to the five 5in gun armament used on the Farragut, Mahan and Dunlap classes rather than the four guns and sixteen torpedo tube layouts of the more recent Gridley, Bagley and Benham classes

30 May 2022

Today we add part three of a four part series on the battle of Stalingrad, looking at the German offensive, from the start of Operation Blue to the last major German offensive inside Stalingrad

26 May 2022

USS Somers (DD-381) was the name ship of the Somers class of destroyers, and served in the Atlantic from 1939 onwards, at first with the Neutrality Patrol and then on patrol duty in the south Atlantic, as well as supporting the Normandy invasion and the invasion of the south of France in 1944, where she sank two small German vessels in one of the few battles between US and German surface vessels.

25 May 2022

Today we add part two of a four part series of articles on the battle of Stalingrad, looking at the German and Soviet commanders, forces and plans for Operation Blue

18 May 2022

USS Maury (DD-401) was a Gridley class destroyer that served at Midway, the invasion of Guadalcanal, the battles of the Eastern Solomons, Santa Cruz and Vella Gulf, the invasion of Tarawa and Makin, the Marianas, the battle of the Philippine Sea and the invasion of the Philippines.

17 May 2022

Today we add part one of a four part series of articles on the battle of Stalingrad, looking at the background to the campaign on the southern front in 1942 from the start of the invasion of the Soviet Union to the failure outside Moscow, supported by a timeline of the entire campaign.

16 May 2022

No.467 Squadron (RAAF) was a bomber squadron that served with Bomber Command from the start of 1943 to the end of the war.

12 May 2022

HMS Victor  (1913) was an Acasta class destroyer that served with the 4th Destroyer Flotilla but missed Jutland, then moved to the Humber and then the South Coast to take part in the battle against the U-boats. 

11 May 2022

The Benham class ships were the last of the officially 1,500t 16 torpedo destroyers. They shared the same basic armament as the Gridley class, which had introduced the sixteen torpedo layout, with four 5in/ 38 guns and sixteen torpedoes carried in four quad mounts.

10 May 2022

The P.W.S.35 Ogar (Hound) was a training aircraft loosely based on the Bucker Bu 131 Jungmann but which had only reached the prototype stage when the Germans invaded Poland in 1939.

9 May 2022

No.463 Squadron (RAAF) was a Lancaster squadron that served with Bomber Command from 1943 to 1945.

5 May 2022

HMS Unity (1913) was an Acasta class destroyer that served with the 4th Destroyer Flotilla, fighting against the Yorkshire Coast raid of 1914 and at Jutland, before moving to the Humber then the South Coast to take part in the battle against the U-boats.

4 May 2022

USS McCall (DD-400) was a Gridley class destroyer that took part in the carrier raids of 1942, served in the Aleutians, took part in the battle for Guadalcanal, the carrier raids of 1944, the invasion of Hollandia, the invasion of the Marianas and the battle of the Philippine Sea, the invasion of the Philippines and the battle of Leyte Gulf and the invasion of Iwo Jima.

3 May 2022

The P.W.S.33 Wyzel (Pointer) was a twin engined trainer produced to help Polish pilots train to use the advanced P.Z.L. P.38 Wilk.

2 May 2022

No.461 Squadron (RAAF) was a maritime patrol squadron in Coastal Command that carried out patrols over the Western Approaches and Bay of Biscay from 1942 to the end of the war.

28 April 2022

HMS Spitfire (1913) was an Acasta class destroyer that served with the 4th Destroyer Flotilla, fighting against the Yorkshire Coast raid of 1914 and at Jutland, before moving to the Humber then the South Coast to take part in the battle against the U-boats.

27 April 2022

USS Craven (DD-382) was a Gridley class destroyer that took part in the battle for Guadalcanal, the invasion of the Marshall Islands, Hollandia, and the Marianas (including the battle of the Philippine Sea) before spending 1945 in the Atlantic and Mediterrenean theatres.

26 April 2022

The P.W.S.26 was a basic and intermediate training aircraft that was produced in significant numbers in the late 1930s for the Polish air force, and that was the last member of a family descended from the P.W.S.12

25 April 2022

No.459 Squadron (RAAF) was a maritime patrol and anti-shipping squadron that was based in the Mediterranean from 1942 until the end of the war.

21 April 2022

HMS Sparrowhawk (1913) was an Acasta class destroyer that served with the 4th Destroyer Flotilla, fighting at Jutland where she sank after a collision with other British destroyers.

20 April 2022

The Bagley Class Destroyers used the high speed turbines introduced on the Mahan class, but carried one less 5in gun and sixteen torpedo tubes, up from twelve.

19 April 2022

The P.W.S.16 was an aerobatic and intermediate trainer based on the earlier P.W.S.12 and P.W.S.14 and that was produced after the company had gone bankrupt and been taken over by the Polish government.

18 April 2022

No.458 Squadron (RAAF) was a bomber squadron that entered service with Bomber Command in October 1941, but soon moved to the Middle East, where it switched to maritime operations, carrying out anti-shipping patrols, anti-submarine patrols and attacks on coastal shipping and enemy ports.

14 April 2022

HMS Shark (1912) was an Acasta class destroyer that served with the 4th Destroyer Flotilla, fighting against the Yorkshire coast raid of 1914 and at Jutland where she was sunk with the loss of all but six of her crew.

13 April 2022

The Somers Class Destroyers were similar to the earlier Porter Class of large destroyers, but used more advanced machinery that had been introduced on the Mahan Class destroyers.

12 April 2022

The P.W.S.14 was an intermediate trainer that was produced in small numbers before work moved onto the improved P.W.S.16.

11 April 2022

No.456 Squadron (RAAF) was a night fighter squadron that began as a defensive squadron over the Irish Sea, then flew intruder missions over France, defended the D-Day armies in the months before the invasion, took on the V-1 flying bombs, and ended the war supporting Bomber Command.

7 April 2022

HMS Porpoise (1913) was an Acasta class destroyer that served with the 4th Destroyer Flotilla, fighting at Jutland, before moving to the Humber then the South Coast. After the war she was sold to Brazil, where she served until 1945, taking part in the Second World War battle of the Atlantic as the only member of her class still in existence.

6 April 2022

USS Gridley (DD-380) was the name ship of the Gridley class of destroyers, and served in Alaska, New Georgia, the Gilbert Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Marianas and the battle of the Philippine Sea, Peleliu, and the invasion of the Philippines.

5 April 2022

The P.W.S.12 was a Polish intermediate trainer that entered production in 1931, but that was completed as the improved P.W.S.14.

4 April 2022

No.455 Squadron (RAAF) was formed as a night bomber squadron in RAF Bomber Command, but moved to Coastal Command in 1942 where it remained for the rest of the war, mainly operating as a strike squadron.

30 March 2022

USS Fanning (DD-385) was a Dunlap class destroyer that took part in the Doolittle Raid on Japan, the campaign in the Solomons and the Marshalls, operated with the British Eastern Fleet, took part in raids on Luzon and the occupation of Leyte, and the invasion of Iwo Jima, ended the war on patrol duties

29 March 2022

The P.W.S. 19 was a two-seat army reconnaissance aircraft based on the earlier P.W.S.1, and that came close to being ordered for the Polish Air Force before the prototype was destroyed in dive tests.

28 March 2022

No.490 Squadron, RNZAF, was a flying boat squadron that was based at Jui, Sierra Leone from 1943 until the end of the Second World War.

24 March 2022

HMS Paragon (1913) was an Acasta class destroyer that served with the 4th Destroyer Flotilla, but missed Jutland, before moving to the Humber then the South Coast, where she was sunk by German destroyers during the raid into the Dover Straits of 17-18 March 1917.

23 March 2022

USS Dunlap (DD-384) was the name ship of the Dunlap class of destroyers and fought at the battle of Vella Gulf, took part in the British raid on Surabaya in 1944, was on the fringe of the battle of Leyte Gulf, took part in the invasion of Iwo Jima, and was the site of the Japanese surrender of the Bonin Islands at the end of the war.

22 March 2022

The P.W.S.15 was a biplane version of the P.S.W.10 parasol fighter, but despite having superior performance it was never submitted for official examination, and the sole example was soon converted back into a P.S.W.10.

21 March 2022

No.489 Squadron, RNZAF, was a UK based anti-shipping squadron that served with Coastal Command

17 March 2022

HMS Owl (1913) was an Acasta class destroyer that served with the 4th Destroyer Flotilla, fighting at Jutland, before moving to the Humber then the South Coast to take part in the fight against the U-boats.

16 March 2022

USS Preston (DD-379) was a Mahan class destroyer that fought at the battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, before being sunk by Japanese gunfire on 14 November 1942, during the naval battle of Guadalcanal.

15 March 2022

The P.W.S.11 was a training aircraft similar in design to the P.W.S.10 fighter, but that didn’t enter production as the P.W.S.10 itself was only seen as an interim design which would soon be free to go to training units.

14 March 2022

No.488 Squadron went through two incarnations during the Second World War. The first was as a fighter squadron that was caught up the fall of Singapore and had to retreat to Sumatra, then Java and finally to Australia. The second incarnation was as a UK based night fighter squadron, focusing mainly on defensive missions.

10 March 2022

HMS Midge (1913) was an Acasta class destroyer that served with the 4th Destroyer Flotilla, fighting at Jutland, before moving to the Humber then to the south coast to take part in the battle against the U-boats.

9 March 2022

USS Smith (DD-378) was a Mahan class destroyer that served on escort duty early in 1942, then took part in the Guadalcanal campaign where she was badly damaged on 26 October 1942, She returned to action early in 1943 and supported the campaign on New Guinea and New Britain, and the invasions of the Admiralty Islands, the Marianas, Leyte, Luzon and Borneo.

8 March 2022

The P.W.S.10 was the first Polish designed fighter to enter production, but was always intended to be an interim design before the P.Z.L. P.7 could enter service.

7 March 2022

No.487 Squadron, RNZAF, began as a day bomber squadron but spent most of the war flying night intruder missions.

3 March 2022

HMS Lynx (1913) was an Acasta class destroyer that served with the 4th Destroyer Flotilla, fighting against the Yorkshire coast raid of 1914 before being sunk by a mine off the Moray Firth on 9 August 1915.

2 March 2022

USS Perkins (DD-377) was a Mahan class destroyer that served on the approaches to Australia in 1942, fighting at the battle of the Coral Sea, before moving to Guadalcanal, fighting at the battle of Tassafaronga, She then took part in the campaign on New Guinea, before she was sunk in a collision with the Australian troopship Duntroon on 29 November 1943.

1 March 2022

The P.W.S.6 was an improved version of the earlier P.W.S.5, equipped with Handley Page leading edge slots, but despite being a promising design it only reached the prototype stage.

28 February 2022

No.486 Squadron, RNZAF, began its existence as a night-fighter unit, but after the failure of the Turbinlite experiment it became a standard fighter squadron, taking part in offensive sweeps and the campaign against the V-1 Flying Bomb.

25 February 2022

No.485 Squadron, RNZAF, was a UK based fighter squadron that took part in the offensive sweeps over France, supported the D-Day Landings and spent most of the rest of the war based on the Continent.

24 February 2022

HMS Hardy (1913) was an Acasta class destroyer that served with the 4th Destroyer Flotilla, and fought against the Yorkshire coast raid of 1914 and at Jutland, before moving to the Humber then the south coast to take part in the fight against the U-boats.

23 February 2022

USS Cushing (DD-376) was a Mahan class destroyer that served on escort duties during the first half of 1942 then took part in the invasion of Guadalcanal, where she was sunk by Japanese destroyers during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on 13 November 1942.

22 February 2022

The P.W.S.5 was originally designed as a two-seat observation and liaison aircraft, but entered service in small numbers as a two-seat trainer, the first in a line of P.W.S. training aircraft.

21 February 2022

No.41 Transport Squadron (RNZAF) was the second transport squadron formed with the RNZAF. It was used to provide a regular link between New Zealand and Guadalcanal, originally using aircraft inherited from No.40 Squadron.

19 February 2022

Today we look at the German invasion of Poland of September 1939, the opening shots of the Second World War in Europe.

17 February 2022

HMS Garland (1913) was an Acasta class destroyer that served with the 4th Destroyer Flotilla, fighting at Jutland, before moving to the Humber and then the south coast to join the battle against the U-boats.

16 February 2022

USS Downes (DD-375) was a Mahan class destroyer that was badly damaged at Pearl Harbor, but was rebuilt using her old machinery and a new hull and returned to action in time to support the invasions of the Marianas and Leyte, before ending the war on patrol duty around Iwo Jima.

15 February 2022

The P.W.S.1 was a design for a two seat reconnaissance fighter that never got past the prototype stage.

14 February 2022

No.40 Squadron (RNZAF) was the first transport squadron formed in the RNZAF and provided regular transport links between New Zealand and the RNZAF's bases out as far as Guadalcanal.

10 February 2022

HMS Fortune (1913) was an Acasta class destroyer that served with the 4th Destroyer Flotilla, before being sunk by German gunfire at Jutland in 1916.

9 February 2022

USS Tucker (DD-374) was a Mahan class destroyer that fought at Pearl Harbor, and on escort duties for most of 1942 before sinking after hitting a mine on her way to Espiritu Santo on 3 August 1942.

8 February 2022

The L.W.S.5 Zubr was a floatplane version of the disastrous L.W.S.4, and had to be cancelled while the prototype was under construction after an investigation into the crash of the original prototype of the L.W.S.4 meant that the structure had to be strengthened, making the floatplane version too heavy to carry a useful payload.

7 February 2022

No.31 Dive-Bomber Squadron, RNZAF, was a short-lived squadron that spent two months fighting on Bougainville in May-July 1944 before being disbanded as the role of the RNZAF changed.

4 February 2022

No.30 Dive Bomber Squadron, RNZAF, was a short-lived unit that took part in the fighting on Bougainville in March 1944 and the campaign against Rabaul, before being disbanded in May 1944.

31 January 2022

No.26 Fighter Squadron, RNZAF, was a short-lived unit that took part in the Australian offensive on Bougainville during its only tour of duty in the combat zone.

29 January 2022

No.25 Squadron, RNZAF, went through two incarnations during the Second World War. The first was as a dive-bomber squadron that took part in the fighting on Bougainville in March 1944 and the campaign against Rabaul. The second was as a fighter squadron that operated out of the New Zealand bases at Emirau and Los Negros, watching the last few Japanese strongholds in New Ireland and the surrounding area.

27 January 2022

HMS Contest (1913) was an Acasta class destroyer that served with the 4th Flotilla, fighting at Jutland, before moving to the Humber, then to the south coast, before being torpedoed and sunk by U-106 on 18 September 1917.

26 January 2022

USS Shaw (DD-373) was a Mahan class destroyer that had her bows blown off during the attack on Pearl Harbor, but that was rebuilt and took part in the fighting off Guadalcanal late in 1942, the campaign on New Guinea and New Britain, and the invasions of the Marianas, Leyte and Luzon,

25 January 2022

The L.W.S.4/ L.W.S.6 Zubr (Bison) was an unsuccessful design for a medium bomber that was produced in limited numbers as an operational trainer and as backup in case the more advanced P.Z.L P.37 Los failed, but that was unable to operate from temporary airfields and thus made no contribution to the fighting in 1939. 

24 January 2022

No.24 Fighter Squadron, RNZAF, took part in the Australian offensive on Bougainville late in 1944 and in the last few months of the war as well as taking part in the long campaign to neutralise Rabaul.

20 January 2022

HMS Cockatrice (1912) was a Acasta class destroyer that served with the 4th Destroyer Flotilla, but missed Jutland, then moved to the Humber Force, then the south coast, before ending the war with the Northern Force at Dundee.

19 January 2022

USS Cassin (DD-372) was a Mahan class destroyer that was one of the worst damaged ships at Pearl Harbor, but was rebuilt using her original machinery in a new hull and went on to take part in the occupation of the Mariannas Islands, the invasion of Leyte and the battle of Leyte Gulf and the invasion of Iwo Jima.

18 January 2022

The Lublin R-XX was a large twin engined floatplane that was about to enter production for the Polish Navy when the Lublin company went bankrupt, and thus never got past the prototype stage.

17 January 2022

No.23 Fighter Squadron, RNZAF, took part in the later stages of the campaign on Bougainville, was the first New Zealand squadron to move to Los Negros (the most westerly Pacific base used by the RNZAF) and took part in the campaign to neutralise Rabaul.

13 January 2022

HMS Christopher (1912) was an Acasta class destroyer that served with the 4th Destroyer Flotilla, fighting at Jutland, before moving to the Humber then the South Coast, before ending the war with the  Northern Patrol at Dundee.

12 January 2022

USS Conyngham (DD-371) was a Mahan class destroyer that fought at Pearl Harbor, at Midway, the battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, supported the campaign on New Guinea and New Britain, the invasion of the Marianas Islands and the Philippines.

11 January 2022

The Lublin R-XVIII was the designation for a series of multi-engined bomber designs of the early 1930s, none of which entered production.

10 January 2022

No.22 Fighter Squadron, RNZAF, took part in the campaign to neutralise Kavieng and the Australian offensive on Bougainville in late 1944 and 1945.

6 January 2022

HMS Ardent (1913) was an Acasta class destroyer that served with the 4th Destroyer Flotilla and was sunk by four German battleships at Jutland.

5 January 2022

USS Case (DD-370) was a Mahan class destroyer that fought at Pearl Harbor, in the Aleutians and supported the invasions of the Marshalls, the Palau Islands, the Marianas, fighting at the battle of the Philippine Sea, the invasions of Leyte and Iwo Jima, before spending most of 1945 on anti-submarine and air-sea rescue duty between Saipan and Iwo Jima.

4 January 2022

The Lublin R-XVI was an air ambulance that was produced in small numbers in the mid 1930s and that was still in Polish service when the Germans invaded in 1939.

3 January 2022

No.443 Squadron (RCAF) was a Canadian fighter squadron that served with 2nd Tactical Air Force from 13 April 1944 until the end of the war in Europe, supporting the Allied campaign in north-western Europe.

30 December 2021

The Acasta class destroyers were a development of the previous Acheron class, but with a big increase in power and armed entirely with 4in guns. They served with the 4th Flotilla of the Grand Fleet from 1914-16, suffering heavy losses at Jutland, then moved to the Humber and the south coast to take part in the struggle against the U-boats.

29 December 2021

USS Reid (DD-369) was a Mahan class destroyer that fought at Pearl Harbor, Guadalcanal, New Guinea and during the invasion of Leyte, before being sunk by kamikaze attacks on 11 December 1944.

28 December 2021

The Lublin R-XIX was an experimental aircraft that saw a ‘V’ tail installed on a R-XIII liaison aircraft with successful but unappreciated results.

27 December 2021

No.442 Squadron (RCAF) was a Canadian fighter squadron that served with 2nd Tactical Air Force during the campaign in north-western Europe, before ending the war on escort duty for Bomber Command's renewed daylight raids.

23 December 2021

The Acheron class destroyers were built for the 1910-11 programme, and were similar to the previous Acorn class ships. Most served with the Grand Fleet until the autumn of 1916, before being replaced by more modern destroyers and moving to the South Coast and eventually the Mediterranean.

22 December 2021

USS Flusser (DD-368) was a Mahan class destroyer that served on escort duties in 1942 and the first half of 1943, then supported the campaign in New Guinea and New Britain, then took part in the campaigns in the Marshalls and the Philippines .

21 December 2021

The Lublin R-XIV was a training aircraft that was developed from the earlier R-X observation and liaison aircraft.

20 December 2021

No.441 Squadron (RCAF) was a Canadian fighter squadron that had a varied career, supporting the D-Day landings, escorting Bomber Command's daylight raids over Germany and providing fighter defences for Scapa Flow.

16 December 2021

HMS Ambuscade (1913) was an Acasta class destroyer that served with the 4th Destroyer Flotilla, initially with the Grand Fleet, fighting during the raid on the Yorkshire coast in 1914 and at Jutland, before moving to the Humber, then the south coast before ending the war with the northern patrol at Dundee.

15 December 2021

USS Lamson (DD-367) was a Mahan class destroyer that supported the fighting around Guadalcanal, fighting at the battle of Tassafaronga, supported the campaign on New Guinea and New Britain and the invasion of Leyte, where she was badly damaged by a kamikaze attack. After her repairs she spent the rest of the war on patrol and air-sea rescue duties off Iwo Jima.

14 December 2021

The Lublin R-XIII was the main observation aircraft in Polish service at the start of the Second World War, but only because its replacements had failed to enter service when planned.

13 December 2021

No.440 Squadron (RCAF) was a Canadian fighter squadron that served with the 2nd Tactical Air Force, supporting the D-Day landings and the campaign in north-western Europe, ending the war in Germany.

9 December 2021

HMS Achates (1912) was an Acasta class destroyer that served with the 4th Destroyer Flotilla, fighting with the Grand Fleet at Jutland before moving to the Humber then the South Coast to take part in the battle against the U-boats.

8 December 2021

USS Drayton (DD-366) was a Mahan class destroyer that fought at the battle of Tassafaronga, supported the campaign on New Guinea, and the invasions of the Marshall Islands, the Philippines and Borneo.

7 December 2021

The Lublin R-XXII was a design for a medium sized coastal protection, sea patrol and torpedo bomber aircraft, based on the earlier Lublin R-VIIIbis and which reached quite an advanced stage before the project was abandoned.

6 December 2021

No.439 Squadron (RCAF) was a Canadian fighter squadron that served with 2nd Tactical Air Force, and supported the D-Day landings and the campaign in north-western Europe, ending the war in Germany.

2 December 2021

HMS Acasta (1912) was an Acasta class destroyer that served with the 4th Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet, fighting during the Yorkshire raid of December 1914 and at Jutland, then moved to the Humber and the South Coast to take part in the battle against the U-boats, ending the war attached to the torpedo school, HMS Vernon.

1 December 2021

USS Cummings (DD-365) was a Mahan class destroyer that fought at Pearl Harbor and Guadalcanal, served off Alaska, took part in the invasion of the Marshall Islands, joined with the British Far Eastern Fleet for raids on Sumatra and Java, hosted President Roosevelt for a broadcast from Seattle, fought at the battle of Leyte Gulf, and supported the invasion of Iwo Jima

30 November 2021

The Lublin R-X was a observation and liaison aircraft that reached the pre-production stage, and which was the basis of the later R-XIII, which was produced in large numbers.

29 November 2021

No.438 Squadron (RCAF) was a Canadian fighter squadron that served with the 2nd Tactical Air Force, supporting the Allied campaign in north-western Europe, ending the war in Germany.

25 November 2021

HMS Oak was a member of the Firedrake group of Yarrow specials in the Acheron class of destroyers, and served as the tender to the flagship of the Grand Fleet during the First World War.

24 November 2021

USS Mahan (DD-364) was the name ship of the Mahan class of destroyers, and fought at the battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, supported the fighting on New Guinea and New Britain, the invasion of Los Negros and Leyte, where she was hit by three kamikazes and had to be scuttled.

23 November 2021

The Lublin R-VIII was a reconnaissance bomber that was one of the first military aircraft designed by the Polish aircraft industry, and which entered service in small numbers with the Polish Navy as a floatplane.

22 November 2021

No.437 Squadron (RCAF) was a Canadian transport squadron that took part in Operation Market Garden and the airborne crossing of the Rhine as well as flying supplies and troops to Europe.

18 November 2021

HMS Lurcher (1912) was part of the Firedrake group of Yarrow specials in the Acheron class of destroyers, and spent the First World War operating with the submarine forces working in the North Sea, first with the Eighth and then Ninth Submarine Flotilla.

17 November 2021

USS Balch (DD-363) was a Porter class destroyer that took part in the early raids on Japanese bases in 1942, the battle of Midway, the Guadalcanal invasion, the battle of the Eastern Solomons, the occupation of Attu, and the Wakde and Biak operations on New Guinea.

16 November 2021

The P.Z.L. P.50 Jastrzab (Hawk) was a radial engine powered fighter that was let down by the lack of a suitable engine, and that had been cancelled a few months before the German invasion of Poland.

15 November 2021

No.436 Squadron (RCAF) was a Canadian transport squadron that flew supplies to the Fourteenth Army during the reconquest of Burma, then operated with Transport Command in the UK after the end of the war.

11 November 2021

HMS Firedrake was the name ship of the Firedrake group of Yarrow specials in the Acheron class of destroyers, and spent the First World War operating with the submarine forces working in the North Sea, first with the Eighth and then Ninth Submarine Flotilla.

10 November 2021

USS Moffett (DD-362) was a Porter Class destroyer that served in the Atlantic throughout the Second World War, taking part in the sinkings of U-128 and U-604.

9 November 2021

The P.Z.L. P.49 Mis (Teddy Bear) was a more advanced version of the P.37 twin engined bomber, but the prototype hadn’t been completed when the Germans invaded and all work on the type was destroyed before it could fall into their hands.

8 November 2021

No.435 Squadron (RCAF) was a Canadian transport squadron that operated over Burma, supporting the 14th Army during the reconquest of Burma.

4 November 2021

HMS Beaver (1911) was a Parsons special Acheron class destroyer that served with the First Destroyer Flotilla in 1914-, fighting at the battle of Heligoland, then with the 3rd Battle Squadron from June 1916-March 1917, then the First Destroyer Flotilla at Portsmouth before moving to the Mediterranean in April 1918.

3 November 2021

USS Clark (DD-361) was a Porter class destroyer that served in the Pacific for the first year after Pearl Harbor, taking part in the battles of Midway and the naval battle of Guadalcanal, then served in the south-east Pacific until the summer of 1944, ending the war on escort duty across the Atlantic.

2 November 2021

The P.Z.L. P.48 Lampart (Leopard) was a more advanced version of the P.38 Wilk multi-purpose ground attack and escort fighter, but the prototypes hadn’t been completed when the Germans invaded Poland in September 1939.

1 November 2021

No.430 Squadron (RCAF) was a Canadian fighter squadron that was used for ground attack and tactical reconnaissance missions from 1943 to the end of the war.

28 October 2021

HMS Badger (1911) was a Parsons special Acheron class destroyer, and served with the First Flotilla in 1914-1916, fighting at Heligoland and Jutland, then the Escort Flotilla at Portsmouth in 1916-17, the Second Flotilla at Devonport in the summer of 1917, on the Coast of Ireland station in 1917-18 before moving the Mediterranean in April 1918 where she spent the rest of the war.

27 October 2021

USS Phelps (DD-360) was a Porter class destroyer that fought at the battles of the Coral Sea and Midway, the invasion of Guadalcanal, the invasion of Attu in the Aleutians, the invasion of the Marshall Islands and Saipan, before ending the war on escort duty in the Atlantic. 

26 October 2021

The P.Z.L. P.38 Wilk (Wolf) was a design for a combined fighter, attack aircraft, and dive bomber that only reached the prototype stage before the German invasion of Poland in 1939.

25 October 2021

No.423 Squadron (RCAF) was a Canadian squadron that carried out anti-submarine patrols for most of its existence, before briefly becoming a transport unit at the end of the war.

21 October 2021

HMS Ariel (1911) was a Thornycroft special Acheron class destroyer that served with the First Destroyer Flotilla in 1914-16, fighting at the battle of Heligoland, Dogger Bank and Jutland and sinking U-12. She then moved to the 2nd Flotilla at Devonport in 1916-17, possibly sinking another U-boat, then the 4th Flotilla at Devonport before becoming a mine laying destroyer on the East Coast from October 1917 to the end of the war.

20 October 2021

USS Winslow (DD-359) was a Porter class destroyer that served in the South Atlantic from 1942-44 then on the North Atlantic convoy routes in 1944-45.

19 October 2021

The P.Z.L. P.37 Los (Elk) was a modern twin engined medium bomber that was the most advanced aircraft in Polish service in 1939, but that was only produced in tiny numbers and equipped four squadrons during the German invasion of 1939.

18 October 2021

No.422 Squadron, RCAF, was a Canadian squadron that served with Coastal Command and mainly operated the Short Sunderland over the western approaches, sinking U-625 in 1944 as well as briefly using the Catalina to fly supplies to the Soviet Union.

14 October 2021

The P.Z.L. P.45 Sokol (Falcon) was a lightweight fighter designed to replace or supplement the increasingly outdated P.Z.L. P.11 that had almost reached the prototype stage when the Germans invaded Poland in 1939.

13 October 2021

HMS Acheron (1911) was the name ship of the Acheron class of destroyers, and served with the First Flotilla at Heligoland, Dogger Bank and Jutland, before moving to the 2nd Flotilla at Devonport in November 1916, then to the 5th Flotilla in the Mediterranean in September 1917 where she remained for the rest of the war.

12 October 2021

USS McDougal (DD-358) was a Porter class destroyer that carried President Roosevelt to the Prince of Wales during the Placentia Bay conference, then spent most of 1942-44 serving in the south-eastern Pacific, before she ended the war on convoy escort duty in the Atlantic. 

11 October 2021

No.421 Squadron, RCAF, was a Canadian fighter squadron that began operations on defensive patrols over South Wales and the south-west, then moved to the south-east to escort bomber missions over France. It then joined 2nd Tactical Air Force and spent the rest of the war operating over the Continent.

7 October 2021

HMS Attack (1911) was a Yarrow type Acheron class destroyer that served with the First Flotilla, fighting at Heligoland, Dogger Bank and Jutland, then moving to Devonport in 1916-17 and the Mediterranean in December 1917, where she was sunk by UC-34 off Alexandria on 30 December 1917

6 October 2021

USS Selfridge (DD-357) was a Porter class destroyer that fought at Pearl Harbor, Guadalcanal, Vella Lavella and the invasion of the Marianas before moving to the Atlantic to escort convoys heading to Tunisia.

5 October 2021

The P.Z.L. P.46 Sum (Sheat-fish) was to have been a more advanced version of the P.23 light bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, but it hadn’t entered production by the time the Germans invaded Poland in 1939.

4 October 2021

No.418 Squadron (RCAF) was a Canadian squadron that operated the Boston as a night intruder, then the Mosquito on day intruder, bomber escort and anti V-1 duties, ending the war with 2nd Tactical Air Force.

30 September 2021

HMS Archer (1911) was a Yarrow type Acheron class destroyer that was part of the 1st Destroyer Flotilla from 1914-16, fighting at Heligoland, but missing Jutland. At the end of 1916 she moved to the 2nd Flotilla at Devonport, then in September 1917 to the Mediterranean where she spent the rest of the war.

29 September 2021

USS Porter (DD-356) was the name ship of the Porter class of destroyers, and fought at the battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, where she was accidently sunk by a torpedo dislodged from a crashed American aircraft.

28 September 2021

The P.Z.L. P.43 Karas (Crucian-carp) was a more powerful version of the Polish P.23 light bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, developed in response to a Bulgarian order.

27 September 2021

No.417 Squadron (RCAF) was a Canadian fighter squadron that served in North Africa from 1942-43, the took part in the invasions of Sicily and Italy, ending the war as a ground attack unit.

23 September 2021

HMS Tigress (1911) was an Acheron class destroyer that served with the First Destroyer Flotilla and fought at Dogger Bank, then with the Second then Fourth Flotilla at Devonport in 1916-1917 before spending 1918 in the Mediterranean, where she helped oppose the last sortie of the Goeben and Breslau.

22 September 2021

USS Aylwin (DD-355) was a Farragut class destroyer that fought at Pearl Harbor, the battles of the Coral Sea, Midway, Guadalcanal, the Aleutians, the Gilbert Islands, the Marshall Islands, Hollandia, the Marianas, the Philippines, Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

21 September 2021

The P.Z.L. P.42 was a single development aircraft used to help with the design of the P.46 Sum (Sheat-fish), the planned replacement for the P.23 Karas.

20 September 2021

No.416 Squadron (RCAF) was a Canadian fighter squadron that was initially used to protect coastal shipping before taking part in offensive sweeps over France, ground attack and escort missions. It supported the D-Day landings then moved to Normandy, from where it carried out armed reconnaissance sweeps, finding and attacking German targets.

16 September 2021

HMS Sandfly was an Acheron class destroyer that was part of the Harwich Force and fought at Heligoland Bight and Dogger Bank, then under the 3rd Battle Squadron, before moving to Portsmouth in 1917, then to Devonport, before being converted to a minelayer and operating from Immingham throughout most of 1918.

15 September 2021

USS Monaghan (DD-354) was a Farragut class destroyer that fought at Pearl Harbor, the Coral Sea, Midway, in the Aleutians, the invasion of the Gilbert Islands, Marshall Islands, Mariannas Islands and the invasion of the Philippines, before she was sunk by Typhoon Cobra on 18 December 1944

14 September 2021

The P.Z.L. P.23 Karas (Crucian-carp) was a reconnaissance aircraft and light bomber that performed well in the bomber role after the German invasion in 1939, before heavy losses reduced its effectiveness.

13 September 2021

No.414 Squadron (RCAF) was a Canadian squadron that operated the Mustang then the Spitfire, mainly in the reconnaissance and ground attack roles, eventually operating as far afield as over Germany.

9 September 2021

HMS Phoenix (1911) was an Acheron class destroyer that fought at Heliogoland and Dogger Bank, before serving from Dover and Devonport. In September 1917 she moved to Malta, and she still officially based there when she was sunk by an Austrian submarine in the Adriatic on 14 May 1918.

8 September 2021

USS Dale (DD-353) was a Farragut class destroyer that fought at Pearl Harbor, Midway, Guadalcanal, Aleutia, and during the invasions of the Marshall Islands, the Marianas and the Philippines.

7 September 2021

The P.Z.L. P.24 was a refined version of the P.11 designed to use engines other than Bristol radials, so they could be exported without causing problems with the licensing agreement for those engines.

6 September 2021

No.413 Squadron, RCAF, was a Canadian Catalina squadron that operated from Scotland for part of 1941 before moving to Ceylon in 1942, entering service there just before the Japanese raid into the Indian ocean. It spent most of the rest of the war on anti-submarine duties across the Indian ocean before its crews moved back to the UK to reform as a short lived bomber squadron

2 September 2021

HMS Lizard (1911) was an Acheron class destroyer that fought at Heligoland Bight and Jutland, then served at Devonport and on the Coast of Ireland Station, before ending the war in the Mediterranean.

1 September 2021

USS Worden (DD-352) was a Farragut class destroyer that fought at Pearl Harbor, Midway and Guadalcanal before sinking after she ran aground in the Aleutians early in 1943.

31 August 2021

The P.Z.L. P.11 was the most important Polish fighter aircraft when the Germans invaded in 1939, but although it had been an advanced design when it was first introduced, by then it was outdated and outclassed.

30 August 2021

No.412 Squadron (RCAF) was a Canadian fighter squadron that took part in the failed attack on Dieppe, then joined Second Tactical Air Force and supported the D-Day landings and the campaign in north-western Europe.

24 August 2021

USS MacDonough (DD-351) was a Farragut class destroyer that fought at Pearl Harbor, Guadalcanal, the Marshals Islands, Marianas Islands, Leyte, Luzon and Hollandia as well as sinking the submarine RO-45

23 August 2021

No.411 Squadron (RCAF) was a Canadian Spitfire squadron that served with Fighter Command then the Second Tactical Air Force, and spent most of its time carrying out offensive sweeps, either over occupied Europe or during the campaign in North-Western Europe in 1944-45.

19 August 2021

HMS Lapwing (1911) was an Acheron class destroyer that fought at Heligoland Bight, Dogger Bank and Jutland, then was based at Dover, Devonport and the north of Ireland, before ending the war in the Mediterranean. 

18 August 2021

USS Hull (DD-350) was a Farragut class destroyer that fought at Pearl Harbor, supported the invasion of Guadalcanal, then took part in the campaigns in the Aleutians, Gilberts, Marshalls and Marianas, before she was lost during the great typhoon of 18 December 1944.

12 August 2021

USS Dewey (DD-349) was a Farragut class destroyer that was present at Pearl Harbor, fought at the battles of the Coral Sea and Midway, the invasion of Guadalcanal, the battles of Savo Island and the Eastern Solomans, the Aleutians, the invasions of the Gilbert, Marshall and Mariana Islands, the invasion of Okinawa and the landings at Hollandia on New Guinea.

10 August 2021

The P.Z.L. 18 was a design for a heavy torpedo-bomber that never got beyond the design stage.

5 August 2021

HMS Jackal (1911) was an Acheron class destroyer that served with the First Destroyer Flotilla, fighting at Heligoland and Dogger Bank, then with flotillas based at Portsmouth, Devonport and Ireland from late 1916 to the summer of 1918, before ending the war in the Mediterranean. 

4 August 2021

USS Farragut (DD-348) was the name ship of the Farragut class destroyers, and fought in the Pacific, taking part in the battle of the Coral Sea, the Guadalcanal campaign, the Aleutian campaign, the invasion of the Gilbert and Marshall Islands, the landings at Hollandia, the Mariannas and the battle of the Philippine Sea, the Philippines, Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

3 August 2021

The P.Z.L. P.8 was a design for an improved inline engine powered of Zygmunt Pulawski’s gull wing fighters, but which never progressed beyond the prototype stage, and was abandoned in favour of the inline powered P.11.  

2 August 2021

No.409 Squadron (RCAF) was a Canadian night fighter squadron that took part in the defence of Britain in 1941-44, then supported the D-Day landings, flew intruder missions over France and took part in the campaign against the V-1 flying bomb.

31 July 2021

HMS Hydra (1912) was an Acheron class destroyer that served with the Harwich Force in 1914, fighting at Dogger Bank, at Rosyth in 1915-16, fighting at Jutland, at Devonport from late 1916-1917 and in the Mediterranean from September 1917 onwards.

28 July 2021

USS Pruitt (DD-347) was a Clemson class destroyer that served in the Aleutians and off Bougainville during 1943, but spent most of the rest of the war on training or escort duties.

27 July 2021

The P.Z.L. 3 was a Polish design for a heavy bomber that never got past the design stage, but that influenced the very similar Potez 41 in France, which did reach the prototype stage.

22 July 2021

HMS Hornet (1911) was an Acheron class destroyer that served with the Harwich Force, fighting at the battle of Dogger Bank, then supported the 3rd Battle Squadron into 1917, before being officially based at Portsmouth for the rest of the year, then moving to the Mediterranean during 1918.

21 July 2021

USS Sicard (DD-346) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Asiatic Squadron in 1920s, in the Aleutians in 1942-43, Bougainville in 1943, on patrol and minelaying duties in South Pacific in the first half of 1944, then helped train submarines for the rest of the war.

20 July 2021

The P.Z.L. L.2 was an observation and liaison aircraft designed for the Polish Air Force but that was only produced in small numbers after losing out to a Lublin design.

15 July 2021

HMS Hind (1911) was an Acheron class destroyer that took part in the battle of Heligoland Bight, then served with the 3rd Battle Squadron, before officially moving to Portsmouth then Devonport during 1917, before ending the war in the Mediterranean.

14 July 2021

USS Preble (DD-345) was a Clemson class destroyer that served as a mine layer in 1941-44, as a minesweeper during the invasions of Peleliu and Leyte and as a plane guard for aircraft carriers undergoing training in 1945. 

13 July 2021

The P.Z.L. P.7 was the first domestically designed fighter to enter Polish service and allowed the Polish air force to be the first to convert to an all metal monoplane fighter.

8 July 2021

HMS Goshawk (1911) was an Acheron destroyer that served with the Harwich Force until late in 1916, fighting at Heligoland, Dogger Bank and Jutland, then with the 2nd then 4th Flotillas at Devonport, ending the war in the Mediterranean.

7 July 2021

USS William B. Preston (DD-344) was a Clemson class destroyer that was caught up in the Japanese invasion of the Philipinnes in 1941-42, and badly damaging during the bombing of Darwin. She spent the rest of 1942-43 supporting Catalina patrols along the west coast of Australia, most of 1944 as a target vessel for submarine exercises, and the rest of the war acting as a plane guard for naval aviators in training in the United States.

6 July 2021

The P.Z.L. P.6 was one of two radial powered developments of the P.1 fighter that were produced at the same time in 1929-30, but lost out to the second model, the high altitude P.Z.L. P.7

5 July 2021

No.404 Squadron, RCAF, was a long range fighter and anti shipping squadron that served with RAF Coastal Command from 1941-45.

1 July 2021

HMS Forester was an Acheron class destroyer that served with the Harwich Force, fighting at Heligoland and Dogger Bank, then supported the 3rd Battle Squadron, before taking on more anti-submarine duties. She ended the war in the Mediterranean, along with the other surviving members of her class.

30 June 2021

USS Noa (DD-343) was a Clemson class destroyer that was converted into a high speed transport and took part in a series of amphibious landings in the South Pacific, before being rammed and sunk by another US warship on her way to the Palau Islands.

29 June 2021

The P.Z.L. P.1 of 1929 was the first Polish designed fighter aircraft, and was the first in a line of fighters that would still be in front line service a decade later, at the outbreak of the Second World War.

28 June 2021

No.403 Squadron, RCAF, was a fighter squadron that was the first Canadian squadron to be formed overseas during the Second World War, and that took part in the air offensive over France, joined Second Air Force and supported the D-Day landings then moved to Europe to support the campaign in North-western Europe.

23 June 2021

HMS Ferret was an Acheron class destroyer that served with the First Flotilla at Harwich in 1914-16, fighting at the battle of Heligoland Bight, then with the 3rd Battle Squadron in 1916-17 before becoming a minelayer, ending the war as part of the slow division of the 20th Destroyer Flotilla of Minelayers based on the East Coast.

22 June 2021

USS Hulbert (DD-342/ AVD-6) was a Clemson class destroyer that served as a seaplane tender in the Aleutians in 1942-43, then as a plane guard for new aircraft carriers for most of the rest of the war.

21 June 2021

No.402 Squadron, RCAF, was a fighter squadron that was mainly used on offensive duties, including the raid on Dieppe and supporting the D-Day lands, as well as taking part in the campaign against the V-1 Flying Bomb.

17 June 2021

HMS Druid (1911) was an Acheron class destroyer that took part in the battles of Heligoland and Dogger Bank, then served with the 3rd Battle Squadron, and with destroyer flotillas on the south coast, before spending most of 1918 in the Mediterranean.

16 June 2021

USS Decatur (DD-341) was a Clemson class destroyer that spend most of the Second World War on escort duty in the Atlantic and Caribbean, as well as one tour with the hunter-killer group built around USS Card late in 1943.

15 June 2021

The Curtiss SC Seahawk was the last fixed wing scouting aircraft produced for service on the US Navy’s battleships and cruisers, and entered service late in 1944.

14 June 2021

No.401 Squadron, RCAF, was a fighter squadron that took part in bomber escort and fighter sweeps before joining 2nd Tactical Air Force to support the D-Day landings and the campaign in north-western Europe.

10 June 2021

HMS Defender was an Acheron class destroyer that started the First World War with the Harwich Force, and took part in the battles of Heligoland Bight, Dogger Bank and Jutland. From June 1916-March 1917 she was attached to the 3rd Battle Squadron, a force of older battleships posted on the Thames, then spent time based at Portsmouth and Devonport, before ending the war based at Gibraltar.

9 June 2021

USS Perry (DD-340) was a Clemson class destroyer that fought at Pearl Harbor, then served in the Aleutians, the Marshals, the Marianas, New Guinea and the invasion of Pelelieu, where she was sunk on 13 September 1944, probably by a mine.

8 June 2021

The Curtiss SO3C Seamew/ Seagull was an unsuccessful attempt to replace the Curtiss SOC Seagull biplane spotter plane, and after a brief period of front line service in 1942-43 was withdrawn, and in some cases replaced with its predecessor.

7 June 2021

No.400 Squadron, RCAF, began the war as am army co-operation squadron, before becoming a reconnaissance squadron, supporting the D-Day landings and the campaign in north-western Europe

3 June 2021

HMS Staunch (1910) was an Acorn class destroyer that served with the Second Destroyer Flotilla with the Grand Fleet in 1914-15 and at Devonport late in 1915, before moving to join the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla in the Mediterranean in December 1915. She was torpedoed and sunk by UC-38 on 11 November 1917 while supporting the British troops during the fighting in Palestine.

2 June 2021

USS Trever (DD-339) was a Clemson class destroyer that was present at Pearl Harbor and took part in the invasion of Guadalcanal, New Georgia and Bougainville before ending the war on escort duties.

1 June 2021

The Curtiss SOC Seagull was a biplane scout-observation aircraft that operated from US battleships and cruisers throughout the Second World War, actually outliving two newer aircraft that had been designed to replace it.

31 May 2021

No.162 Squadron (RCAF) was a Canadian flying boat squadron that was formed on the Canadian east coast in 1942 as a long range anti-submarine warfare squadron, and that spent most of 1944 and the first half of 1945 operating with RAF Coastal Command in Iceland and Scotland, where it was credited with sinking five U-boats and a share in a sixth.

27 May 2021

HMS Sheldrake (1911) was an Acorn class destroyer that served with the Second Destroyer Flotilla with the Grand Fleet in 1914-15 and at Devonport late in 1915, before moving the Mediterranean, where she was based at Malta from December 1915-June 1918 then with the main Fifth Destroyer Flotilla for the rest of the war.

26 May 2021

USS Wasmuth (DD-338) was a Clemson class destroyer that was converted into a minesweeper in 1940, but was lost late in 1942 after two of her own depth charges were swept overboard and detonated close to her stern.

25 May 2021

The Curtiss XBT2C was a one or two seat torpedo and dive bomber developed from the SB2C Helldiver, but which only reached the prototype stage.

24 May 2021

No.112 Squadron, RCAF, was an army co-operation squadron that moved to Britain in the summer of 1940 and was largely engaged in training, before becoming No.2 Squadron, RCAF in December 1940.

13 May 2021

HMS Ruby (1910) was an Acorn class destroyer that served with the Second Destroyer Flotilla with the Grand Fleet in 1914-15 and at Devonport from late 1915 to late 1917, then on the Coast of Ireland Station in September-October 1917 before moving to the Mediterranean in December 1917, serving with the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla for the rest of the war.

12 May 2021

USS Zane (DD-337) was a Clemson class destroyer that was converted into a fast minesweeper in 1940, and that fought at Pearl Harbor, Guadalcanal, New Georgia, the Marshalls and Guam.

11 May 2021

The Curtiss XBTC was a single seat torpedo and dive bomber that entered development in 1942 but didn’t make its maiden flight until 1945, and that lost out to more modern Douglas and Martin designs.

10 May 2021

No.2 Squadron, RCAF, was an army co-operation squadron in the pre-war Permanent Force of the RCAF that was used to reinforce No.110 Squadron, the first Canadian squadron to move to Britain after the outbreak of the Second World War. In December 1940 No.112 Squadron, which was also in Britain, was renumbered as No.2, and flew convoy escort duties along the east coast. It was renumbered as No.402 Squadron in March 1941.

6 May 2021

HMS Rifleman (1910) was an Acorn class destroyer that served with the Second Destroyer Flotilla with the Grand Fleet in 1914-15 and at Devonport late in 1915, before moving to Malta at the start of 1916. She served there until June 1918 then joined the main Fifth Destroyer Flotilla for the rest of the war.

5 May 2021

USS Litchfield (DD-336) was a Clemson class destroyer that served in the Mediterranean and with the Pacific Fleet before the Second World War, and that carried out escort duties from Pearl Harbor after the American entry into the war.

4 May 2021

The Curtiss CT was a twin engined torpedo bomber, produced by Curtiss to a Navy design but that never progressed beyond the prototype stage.

3 May 2021

No.110 Squadron, RCAF, was a Canadian army co-operation squadron that moved to Britain in 1939 and spent the next year training in army co-operation duties, before being renumbered as No.400 Squadron in March 1941.

29 April 2021

No.1 Squadron, RCAF, was part of Canada's pre-war Permanant Force, and moved to Britain early in the Second World War, where it fought in the Battle of Britain, before being renumbered as No.401 Squadron in March 1941.

28 April 2021

HMS Redpole (1910) was an Acorn class destroyer that served with the Second Destroyer Flotilla with the Grand Fleet in 1914-15 and at Devonport later in 1915, then moved to the Mediterranean and served with the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla from December 1915 to the end of the war.

27 April 2021

USS Melvin (DD-335) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet during the 1290s before being scrapped because of her badly worn boilers.

26 April 2021

The Curtis-Wright C-113 Commando was an unsuccessful test bed for a new General Electric turbo-prop engine, and was written off after an ground accident early in its test career.

22 April 2021

HMS Nymphe (1911) was an Acorn class destroyer that served with the Second Destroyer Flotilla with the Grand Fleet in 1914-15 and at Devonport in late 1915-early 1916, then with the Paravane Department at Portsmouth in 1917 before moving to the Mediterranean to join the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla in May 1918.

21 April 2021

USS Corry (DD-334) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet during the 1920s before being scrapped because of her badly worn boilers.

20 April 2021

The Curtiss R5C Commando was the US Navy designation for the C-46A Commando, and was used by the US Marine Corps in the Pacific.

15 April 2021

HMS Nereide (1910) was an Acorn class destroyer that served with the Second Destroyer Flotilla with the Grand Fleet in 1914-15 and at Devonport from late 1915 to late 1916. She then moved to the British Adriatic Squadron attached to the Italian Fleet, but was based at Malta from March 1917 until July 1918 when she joined the main Fifth Destroyer Flotilla at Brindisi.

14 April 2021

USS Sumner (DD-333) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet during the 1920s then as a barracks ship and test ship in the early 1930s before being sold for scrap in 1934.

13 April 2021

The Curtiss NC (Navy-Curtiss) was a flying boat originally designed in 1917 to be able to cross the Atlantic to reach the war zone, but that became most famous for making the first successful trans-Atlantic flight in May 1919, a few months before Alcock and Brown’s more famous first non-stop flight.

12 April 2021

Operation Bodenplatte (1 January 1945) was a large Luftwaffe attack on Allied airfields in Belgium, Holland and France in which a large number of Allied aircraft were destroyed on the ground, but the Luftwaffe lost a large number of irreplaceable veteran pilots, a blow from which its fighter force never recovered.

8 April 2021

HMS Nemesis (1910) was an Acorn class destroyer that served with the Second Destroyer Flotilla with the Grand Fleet in 1914-15 and at Devonport later in 1915 and for most of 1916. At the end of 1916 she joined the British Adriatic Squadron, attached to the Italian fleet, before moving to Malta. From September 1917 she was in Japanese hands, as the Kanran, but was still based at Malta.  

7 April 2021

USS Farenholt (DD-332) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet during the 1920s, before being scrapped because of her badly worn boilers.

6 April 2021

The Curtiss HS-3 was an improved version of the HS-1 and HS-2 patrol flying boats, but only six were built before development stopped after the end of the First World War.

5 April 2021

Operation Stosser (17-23 December 1944) was the last German airborne operation of the Second World War, and was a failed attempt to capture and defend a key road junction just behind the American front line.

1 April 2021

HMS Minstrel (1911) was an Acorn class destroyer that served with the Second Destroyer Flotilla with the Grand Fleet in 1914-15 and at Devonport in late 1915. She moved to the Mediterranean at the start of 1916 and was based at Malta, at first in British hands, but from September 1917 onwards as the Japanese manned Sendan.  

31 March 2021

USS Macdonough (DD-331) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet during the 1920s, before being scrapped because of her badly worn boilers.

30 March 2021

The Curtiss HS-2L  was an improved version of the HS-1 coastal patrol flying boat that could carry a heavier payload, making it more suitable for use against submarines.

29 March 2021

Operation Greif (16 December 1944 onwards) was a German special mission during the Battle of the Bulge that failed in its main objective of capturing the Meuse bridges, but partly achieved its secondary objective of spreading confusion behind American lines.

25 March 2021

HMS Martin (1910) was an Acorn class destroyer that served with the Second Destroyer Flotilla with the Grand Fleet in 1914-15, at Devonport from late 1915 to late 1917 and then on the Irish Station, before moving to the Mediterranean where she spent all of 1918.

24 March 2021

USS Hull (DD-330) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet in the 1920s before being scrapped because of her badly worn boilers.

23 March 2021

The Curtiss HS-1 was a single engined flying boat that was used as a coastal patrol aircraft in American and French waters, and was one of the most significant American designed combat aircraft of the First World War.

22 March 2021

The siege of Bastogne (18-26 December 1944) was one of the most famous parts of the battle of the Bulge, and saw a US garrison hold off repeated German attacks, badly disrupting the German plans.

18 March 2021

HMS Lyra (1910) was an Acorn class destroyer that served with the Second Destroyer Flotilla with the Grand Fleet in 1914-15 and at Devonport from late 1915 to late 1917. She was with the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla in the Mediterranean from January-July 1918 then based at Gibraltar from August to the end of the war.

17 March 2021

USS Bruce (DD-329) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet in 1921 then with the Scouting Fleet in the Atlantic as well as spending a year in European waters.

16 March 2021

The Felixstowe/ Porte Baby was a three engined flying boat  that was developed as an alternative to the Curtiss H-4 ‘Small America’, but that was only produced in small numbers after the success of the Felixstowe F.2A.

15 March 2021

The battle of St Vith (18-23 December 1944) was a delaying action early in the battle of the Bulge that denied the Germans access to a key part of the road network in the Ardennes, and prevented them from moving the Sixth Panzer Army south once their own attack on the Elsenborn Ridge had failed.

11 March 2021

HMS Larne (1910) was an Acorn class destroyer that served with the Second Destroyer Flotilla with the Grand Fleet in 1914-15 and at Devonport later in 1915, with the British Adriatic Squadron attached to the Italian fleet in late 1916-early 1917, the Malta Flotilla for most of the rest of the war and the main Fifth Destroyer Flotilla from July 1918 onwards.

10 March 2021

USS Lamson (DD-328) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Atlantic Fleet during the 1920s, and spent a year in European waters, before being scrapped because of her badly worn boilers.

9 March 2021

The Naval Aircraft Factory PN was the designation for a series of closely related flying boats that were developed from the Curtiss F-5L, an American version of the British Felixstowe F.5, which was in turn the final member of a series of flying boats developed from the earlier Curtiss H-4. The last members of the PN family didn’t retire from US service until 1944, extending the life of the Curtiss H and Felixstowe F families across both World Wars!

8 March 2021

The battle of the Elsenborn Ridge (16-23 December 1944) was a key American victory early in the battle of the Bulge that denied the Germans access to two of the four roads they required for their main attack towards the Meuse.

4 March 2021

HMS Hope (1910) was an Acorn class destroyer that served with the Second Destroyer Flotilla with the Grand Fleet in 1914-15 and at Devonport later in 1915, then with the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla in the Mediterranean in 1916-18.

3 March 2021

USS Preston (DD-327) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Atlantic Fleet in the 1920s, and in European waters in 1925-26, before being scrapped because of her badly worn boilers.

2 March 2021

The Navy Aircraft Factory/ Curtiss F-5L was an American version of the Felixstowe F.5, which was the final member of a family of Felixstowe boats developed from the Curtiss H-4, and which became the standard US Navy patrol flying boat during the 1920s.

1 March 2021

The battle of the Bulge (16 December 1944-25 January 1945) was Hitler’s last major offensive in the west, and the largest American battle of the Second World War. Although the Germans managed to gather a sizable army in secret and attacked a weakly held part of the American lines, their attack hardly achieved any of its first day objectives, and as a result by the time they were able to get their panzer divisions into actions, the Americans had moved reinforcements into the area, eliminating any chance that the Germans might have achieved a significant breakthrough.

25 February 2021

HMS Goldfinch (1910) was an Acorn class destroyer that served with the Second Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet in 1914-15, before being wrecked in the Orkneys on 18-19 February 1915.

24 February 2021

USS Coghlan (DD-326) was a Clemson class destroyer that served in the Pacific during the 1920s, apart from one year in European waters in 1925-26, before being scrapped because of her badly worn boilers.

23 February 2021

The Felixstowe F.5 was the last in a series of flying boats developed by John Porte based on earlier Curtiss boats, and served with the RAF after the First World war and entered production in American as the Curtiss F-5L.

22 February 2021

Operation Infatuate or the battle of Walcheran (1-8 November 1944) was the last stage of the campaign to clear the Scheldt Estuary and with it allow work to begin on clearing the approaches to Antwerp.

18 February 2021

HMS Fury (1911) was an Acorn class destroyer that served with the 2nd Destroyer Flotilla in the Grand Fleet in 1914-15 and at Devonport in 1915, then with the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla in the Mediterranean in 1916-18.

17 February 2021

USS Mullany (DD-325) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet during the 1920s before being scrapped because of her badly worn boilers.

16 February 2021

The Felixstowe F.4 Fury was the last flying boat designed by John Porte, and was a massive triplane flying boat that only reached the prototype stage.

15 February 2021

Operation Vitality or the battle of South Beveland (16 October-1 November 1944) saw a mainly Canadian force clear the Germans off the South Beveland peninsula, opening the way for an attack on Walcheran Island, which in turn would allow the Allies to open the port of Antwerp.

11 February 2021

HMS Comet (1910) was an Acorn class destroyer that served with the Second Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet in 1914-15 and at Devonport in 1915 then with the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla in the Mediterranean before she was torpedoed and sunk on 6 August 1918, while being towed back to port after suffering damage in a collision two days earlier.

10 February 2021

USS Robert Smith (DD-324) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet in the 1920s, before being scrapped because of her badly worn boilers.

9 February 2021

The Felixstowe F.3 was the most numerous of the British Felixstowe flying boats, and had a wider wingspan and could carry a heavier payload than the earlier F.2A, although at the cost of reduced agility.

8 February 2021

Operation Switchback, or the battle of the Breskens Pocket (6 October-3 November 1944) saw a mainly Canadian force clear the Germans off the southern bank of the Scheldt, at the start of the campaign to open up the port of Antwerp.

4 February 2021

HMS Cameleon (1910) was an Acorn class destroyer that served with the Second Destroyer of the Grand Fleet in 1914-15 and at Devonport in 1916, the British Adriatic Squadron briefly at the end of 1916, the Malta Flotilla for most of 1917-1918 and the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla at Brindisi then the Aegean later in 1918.

3 February 2021

USS Chase (DD-323) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet during the 1920s before being scrapped because of her badly worn boilers.

2 February 2021

The Felixstowe F.2 was an improved version of the Curtiss H-12 ‘Large America’, produced in Britain by fitting the Curtiss wings to a new hull that had been developed in an attempt to improve the earlier Curtiss H-4 ‘Small America’.

1 February 2021

The battle for Antwerp and the Scheldt Estuary (4 September-8 November 1944) saw the Allies capture the great port of Antwerp intact on 4 September, but fail to give clearing the approaches a high enough priority, eventually forcing them fight three difficult battles starting in early October to clear the Scheldt

28 January 2021

HMS Brisk (1910) was an Acorn class destroyer that served with the Second Flotilla of the Grand Fleet in 1914-15 at Devonport in 1915-17, and on the Coast of Ireland Station late in 1917 where she hit a mine. This delayed her move to the Mediterranean and she didn’t join the rest of the class there until June 1918.

27 January 2021

USS Mervine (DD-322) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet in the 1920s before being scrapped because of her badly worn boilers.

26 February 2021

The Felixstowe F.1 was the first in a series of flying boats created by Commander John Porte of the RNAS, and was produced by fitting the wings from a Curtiss H-4 flying boat to a new hull, and was considered to be a great improvement over the original.

25 January 2021

The liberation of the Channel Ports of Le Havre, Boulogne and Calais (5-30 September 1944) saw the Allies finally gain control of the French coast opposite Kent, ending the long artillery bombardment of that part of the English coast, and eventually provided the Allies with ports closer to the front.

21 January 2021

HMS Alarm (1910) was an Acorn class destroyer that served with the Second Flotilla of the Grand Fleet in 1914-15 and at Devonport in 1916-17, the Coast of Ireland Station briefly late in 1917, then with the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla in the Mediterranean for the rest of the war.

20 January 2021

The Curtiss H-16 'Large America' was a biplane flying boat that was probably the Curtiss version of the Felixstowe F.2A, and was definitely an improved version of the H-12, which was itself an enlarged version of the H-4 ‘Small America’

19 January 2021

USS Marcus (DD-321) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet during the 1920s, before probably becoming a bombing target in 1930 and being sunk by gunfire in 1935.

18 January 2021

General Miles Dempsey (1896-1969) was the commander of the British and Canadian troops on D-Day, and led the 2nd Army for the rest of the campaign.

14 January 2021

HMS Acorn (1910) was the name ship of the Acorn class of destroyers, and served with the Second Flotilla with the Grand Fleet in 1914-15 and at Devonport in 1915, then with the Malta Patrol in 1916-1918, before ending the war with the Aegean squadron.

13 January 2021

USS Selfridge (DD-320) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet in the 1920s before being scrapped because of her badly worn boilers.

12 January 2021

The Curtiss H-12 ‘Large America’ was a larger development of the Curtiss H-4 that was developed in response to RNAS experience with the H-4, and that served with the US Navy and RNAS.

11 January 2021

Air Vice Marshal Arthur 'Mary' Coningham (1895-1948) commanded the Desert Air Force, 1st Allied Tactical Air Force and 2nd Tactical Air Force, and helped develop the system of army-air force cooperation that made the Allied air forces so deadly in the later years of the Second World War.

7 January 2021

The Acorn or H class destroyers were produced for the 1909-10 programme, and were the first class of British destroyers to be built to a standard Navy design, giving them a far more uniform appearance than earlier classes

6 January 2021

USS Kidder (DD-319) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet during the 1920s, before being scrapped because of her badly worn boilers.

5 January 2020

The Curtiss H-4 ‘Small America’ was the production version of the earlier H-1 America, and was produced for the British RNAS after the outbreak of the First World War.

4 January 2021

Courtney Hicks Hodges (1887-1966) was commander of the US First Army after the breakout from Normandy, and his army was the first into Paris, first into Germany, first across the Rhine, and first to join up with the Soviets. 

30 December 2020

USS Shirk (DD-318) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet during the 1920s, taking part in many of the early Fleet Problems, before being scrapped because of her badly worn boilers.

23 December 2020

USS Wood (DD-317) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet in the 1920s before being scrapped because of her badly worn boilers.

17 December 2020

HMS Bonetta (1907) was a B class destroyer that served with submarine flotillas during the First World War, supporting the Ninth Submarine Flotilla on the Clyde until the end of 1915, then the Sixth and Second Flotillas at Blyth (near the Tyne) for the rest of the war.

16 December 2020

USS Sloat (DD-316) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet during the 1920s, and was used as a target ship in the early 1930s, before being sunk in 1935.

15 December 2020

The Curtiss H-1 'America' was a long range biplane seaplane, originally designed to fly across the Atlantic, and that became the basis of the wartime H-4, H-12 and H-16 in the US and the British Felixstowe F boats.

14 December 2020

Jacob Loucks Devers (1887-1979) was the commander of the 6th Army Group during the final battles on the southern front in France and Germany in 1944-45. 

10 December 2020

HMS Albacore (1906) was a B class destroyer that was attached to the Grand Fleet from 1914 until the spring of 1918, then joined the Irish Sea Flotillas, part of the battle against the final period of unrestricted U-boat warfare.  

9 December 2020

USS La Vallette (DD-315) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet during the 1920s before being scrapped in 1931.

8 December 2020

The Curtiss MF was a single seat flying boat introduced to replace the older Model F, and that saw some service after the end of the First World War.

7 December 2020

Lesley James McNair (1883-1944) was largely responsible for creating and training the US army that fought in Europe and the Pacific during the Second World War, but is perhaps best known for being the highest ranked US general to be killed in action during the war.

3 December 2020

HMS Swift (1907) was one of Admiral Fisher’s less successful ideas. She was meant to be the first of a new class of large high speed destroyers that would replace the River class and be able to work with Fisher’s battlecruisers, but she ended up far too large and expensive for the role, and wasn’t repeated

2 December 2020

USS Yarborough (DD-314) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet during the 1920s, before being scrapped because her Yarrow boilers were badly worn.

1 December 2020

The Curtiss Model F was an early single engine flying boat that saw extensive service as a US training aircraft during the First World War.

30 November 2020

General Alexander Patch (1889-1945) was one of the few US commanders to fight in both the Pacific and European theatres, commanding on Guadalcanal and during Operation Dragoon.

26 November 2020

HMS Wolverine (1910) was a Beagle class destroyer that spent most of the First World War in the Mediterranean, where she took part in the Dardanelles and Gallipoli campaigns. She returned to home waters late in 1917, where she sank after a collision with a minesweeper on 12 December 1917.

25 November 2020

USS Zeilin (DD-313) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Battle Force in the Pacific during the 1920s, before being decommissioned on 22 January 1930.

24 November 2020

The Curtiss R-9 was a twin float plane bomber that was based on the earlier Curtiss R-6, but with the pilot and observer’s positions reversed.

23 November 2020

Josef 'Sepp' Dietrich (1892-1966) was one of Hitler’s favourite SS commanders, but his military record was mixed, and included successes in Normandy and failures during the battle of the Bulge. He was also implicated in a series of war crimes, and convicted for his part in the Malmedy Massacre.

19 November 2020

HMS Scourge (1910) was a Beagle class destroyer that spent most of the First World War in the Mediterranean, where she took part in the Gallipoli. She returned to home waters briefly over the winter of 1914-15 to escort troops ships to France, and permanently late in 1917 to carry out anti-submarine patrols and convoy escort duties.

18 November 2020

USS Young (DD-312) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet, before being lost during the Honda Point disaster of 8 September 1923.

17 November 2020

The Curtiss R-6 was a twin float observation plane that was a more powerful version of the earlier R-3, and that was the first US Navy aircraft to see service overseas.

16 November 2020

Omar Nelson Bradley (1893-1981) rose to command the US 12th Army Group during the campaign in Europe in 1944-45, putting him in charge of more American combat troops than any other officer. He was famous for his concern for the GIs, but also made a number of controversial decisions.

12 November 2020

HMS Scorpion (1910) was a Beagle class destroyer that spent most of the First World War in the Mediterranean, where she took part in the Dardanelles and Gallipoli campaigns. She returned to home waters early in 1918 to take part in anti-submarine and convoy escort duties

11 November 2020

USS Nicholas (DD-311) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet, before being lost during the Honda Point disaster of 8 September 1923.

10 November 2020

The Curtiss R-4 was an improved version of the Curtiss R-2 observation aircraft, and was ordered in larger numbers by the US Army in 1916.

9 November 2020

General Troy Houston Middleton (1889-1976) was one of the most able corps commanders in the US army, taking part in the invasion of Sicily, the landings at Salerno, the Brittany campaign, and most famously the battle of the Bulge, where he played a major role in the successful defence of Bastogne.

7 November 2020

USS S P Lee (DD-310) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet before being lost in the Honda Point disaster of 8 September 1923.

29 October 2020

HMS Savage (1910) was a Beagle class destroyer that spent most of the First World War in the Mediterranean, where she took part in the Gallipoli. She returned to home waters briefly over the winter of 1914-15 to escort troop ships across the Channel and permanently in 1917 to carry out anti-submarine warfare and convoy escort duties.

28 October 2020

USS Woodbury (DD-309) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet before being lost in the Honda Point disaster of September 1923

27 October 2020

The Curtiss R-3 was a twin float version of the Curtiss R-2 observation aircraft, and although only two were completed, it was followed by the more numerous R-6 and R-9.

26 October 2020

General George Patton (1885-1945) was one of the most controversial, and most able, American generals of the Second World War, and played a major role in the breakout from Normandy and the defeat of the German Ardennes offensive, despite the occasion outburst that on occasion almost cost him his career.

22 October 2020

HMS Renard (1909) was a Beagle class destroyer that spent most of the First World War in the Mediterranean, where she took part in the Dardanelles and Gallipoli campaigns. She returned to home waters late in 1918 and joined the Second Destroyer Flotilla in Ireland.

21 October 2020

USS William Jones (DD-308) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet during the 1920s before being sold for scrap in 1932.

20 October 2020

The Curtiss R-2 was a two seat observation aircraft that served with the US Army, and in larger numbers with the RFC, and that was essentially an enlarged version of the Curtiss Model N.

19 October 2020

Operation Tractable (14-21 August 1944) was a Canadian and Polish attack that finally helped close the Falaise Gap, although not after some fierce battles in the mouth of the gap.

15 October 2020

HMS Rattlesnake (1910) was a Beagle class destroyer that spent most of the First World War in the Mediterranean, where she took part in the Gallipoli campaign. She returned to home waters briefly over the winter of 1914-15 to escort troop ships to France, and was the last member of the class to return home in 1918, arriving not long before the Armistice. 

14 October 2020

USS Paul Hamilton (DD-307) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet during the 1920s before being scrapped because of her badly worn boilers.

13 October 2020

The Curtiss-Wright C-76 Caravan was a wooden cargo aircraft designed in case the United States ran short of light alloys as military production accelerated after the US entry into the war.

12 October 2020

The battle of the Falaise Gap (8-20 August 1944) was the final stage of the wider battle of Normandy, and saw the Allies exploit the breakthrough achieved in Operation Cobra to destroy the German position in France. In its aftermath the Allies were able to sweep onto to Paris, across the Seine and liberate most of France ahead of their original schedule.

8 October 2020

HMS Racoon (1910) was a Beagle class destroyer that spent most of the First World War in the Mediterranean, where she took part in the Dardanelles and Gallipoli campaigns. She returned to home waters late in 1917 to take part in anti-submarine patrols and convoy escort duties, but she was lost with all hands on 9 January 1918 after hitting rocks on a dangerous part of the coast.

7 October 2020

USS Kennedy (DD-306) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet during 1920s before being sold for scrap in 1931.

6 October 2020

The Curtiss C-55 was the designation given to the prototype of the Curtiss Model CW-20/ C-46, after it was given a new tail and purchased by the USAAF.

5 October 2020

Operation Totalize (8-11 August 1944) was the first Canadian attempt to break through to Falaise to close the Falaise Gap, and began with an over complex night attack that still made good progress, before coming to a stop after moving halfway to Falaise. The next attack, Operation Tractable, would finally see the gap closed.

1 October 2020

HMS Pincher (1910) was a Beagle class destroyer that spent most of the First World War in the Mediterranean, where she took part in the Gallipoli campaign. She returned to home waters briefly over the winter of 1914-15 to escort troop ships to France, and permanently in 1917, but she was wrecked after hitting rocks between Cornwall and Scilly on 24 July 1918.

30 September 2020

USS Thompson (DD-305) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet in the 1920s, as a floating restaurant in the 1930s and as a target for trainee bombers during the 1940s.

29 September 2020

The Curtiss C-46 Commando was one of the most important US transport aircraft of the Second World War, and survived to see service in Korea and Vietnam.

28 September 2020

The siege of St. Malo (4-17 August 1944) was an unexpectedly costly battle during the American liberation of Brittany that ended with the port in American hands, but with its facilities totally destroyed by the Germans.

24 September 2020

HMS Mosquito (1910) was a Beagle class destroyer that spent most of the First World War in the Mediterranean, where she took part in the Dardanelles and Gallipoli campaigns. She returned to home waters late in 1917 to carry out anti-submarine and convoy escort duties.

23 September 2020

USS Farquhar (DD-304) was a Clemson class destroyer that served in the Pacific during the 1920s, taking part in several of the early Fleet Problems, before being scrapped because of her badly worn boilers. 

22 September 2020

The Curtiss C-30/ R4C-1 was a transport version of the Curtiss Condor II biplane transport aircraft, a rather outdated aircraft when it first appeared in 1933.

21 September 2020

The siege of Brest (6 August-18 September 1944) was originally carried out in an attempt to give the Americans a good port in Brittany, but by the time it ended any hopes of using the Breton ports had ended, and the main purpose of the battle was to eliminate a potentially dangerous German garrison.

17 September 2020

HMS Harpy (1909) was a Beagle class destroyer that spent most of the First World War in the Mediterranean, where she took part in the Gallipoli campaign.

16 September 2020

USS Reno (DD-303) was a Clemson class destroyer that spent most of the 1920s serving along the US West Coast, before being scrapped in 1931.

15 September 2020

The Curtiss XC-10 was a modified version of the Curtiss Robin three seat cabin monoplane that was used for experiments with radio controlled aircraft.

14 September 2020

The Brittany Campaign of August 1944 saw the Allies rapidly conquer most of the Breton peninsula in the aftermath of the American breakout during Operation Cobra, but the key ports either remained in German hands, or in the case of St. Malo, were so badly damaged that they were unusable. 

10 September 2020

HMS Grasshopper (1909) was a Beagle class destroyer that spent most of the First World War in the Mediterranean, where she took part in the Dardanelles and Gallipoli campaigns. She returned to home waters in 1917 to serve on anti-submarine warfare and convoy escort duties.

9 September 2020

USS Stoddert (DD-302) was a Clemson class destroyer that served in the Pacific during the 1920s, before becoming a radio controlled target ship from 1930-33.

8 September 2020

The Curtiss PN-1 was an experimental night fighter of 1921 that didn’t live up to expectations.

7 September 2020

Operation Cobra (25-31 July 1944) saw the decisive breakthrough in Normandy, after more than a month of attritional fighting and slow progress, and saw Bradley’s US 1st Army break the western end of the German line, allowing the Allied armour to break out and dash east towards the Seine, trapping a large part of the Germany army in the Falaise pocket.

3 September 2020

HMS Nautilus/ Grampus (1910) was a Beagle class destroyer that served in the Mediterranean for most of her career, taking part in the Dardanelles and Gallipoli campaigns. She returned to home waters during 1918 to carry out anti-submarine patrols and convoy escort duties from Ireland.

2 September 2020

USS Somers (DD-301) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet in the 1920s, taking part in many of the early Fleet Problems, and surviving the Honda Point disaster.

1 September 2020

The Curtiss Twin JN was a twin engined aircraft based on the famous JN-4 Jenny, produced in small numbers as an observation type.

31 August 2020

Operation Spring (25-27 July 1944) was one of the most costly Canadian operations of the Second World War, but although it failed to capture any of its targets, it did achieve its main purpose of pinning German troops down on the Caen front.

27 August 2020

HMS Foxhound (1909) was a Beagle class destroyer that served in the Mediterranean for most of the First World War, taking part in the Gallipoli campaign. She briefly returned to home waters over the winter of 1914-15 to escort troop ships to France, and permanently late in 1917 to carry out anti-submarine warfare patrols and convoy escort duties.

26 August 2020

USS Farragut (DD-300) was a Clemson class destroyer that served in the Pacific during the 1920s, narrowly avoiding disaster at Honda Point, and taking part in many of the Fleet Problems of that period.

25 August 2020

The Curtiss JNS was the designation given to those JN-4Hs and JN-6Hs that were reconditioned after the First World War, eliminating the differences between the two types.

24 August 2020

Operation Atlantic (18-21 July 1944) was the Canadian counterpart to Operation Goodwood, and saw the newly activated Canadian II Corps attack on the right flank of the main Goodwood attack, finally clearing the south part of Caen and completing the liberation of the city.  

20 August 2020

HMS Bulldog (1909) was a Beagle class destroyer that spent most of the First World War in the Mediterranean, taking part in the Gallipoli campaign. She also briefly returned to home waters over the winter of 1914-15 to escort troop ships to France, and permanently late in 1917 to join the Second Destroyer Flotilla in Ireland.

19 August 2020

USS John Francis Burnes (DD-299) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet during the 1920s, before being decommissioned because her Yarrow boilers were badly worn.

18 August 2020

The Curtiss JN-6 was an improved version of the Curtiss JN-4H, mainly distinguished by the use of ailerons on both wings.

13 August 2020

HMS Beagle (1909) was the name ship of the Beagle class of destroyers, and spend most of the First World War in the Mediterranean, where it took part in the Gallipoli campaign. She also spent the winter of 1914-15 in home waters escorting troop ships to France, then moved to Ireland late in 1917 to join the large anti-submarine and convoy escort forces.

12 August 2020

USS Percival (DD-298) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet during the 1920s, surviving the Honda Point disaster.

11 August 2020

The designation Curtiss JN-5 was given to two different aircraft – first to what became known as the Twin JN and then to a single prototype of an improved model of the Jenny that never entered production.

10 August 2020

Operation Goodwood (18-20 July 1944) was one of the more controversial battles of the Overlord campaign, and involved a massive British armoured attack to the east of Caen that forced the Germans to move reinforcements to area and finally completed the liberation of Caen, but that failed to achieve the dramatic breakthrough that some had been expecting

6 August 2020

HMS Basilisk (1910) was a Beagle class destroyer that served in the Mediterranean for most of the First World War, taking part in the Gallipoli campaign. She was one of the last to remain in the Mediterranean, but was back in home waters by June 1918 to join the large convoy escort forces.

5 August 2020

USS Fuller (DD-297) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet in the early 1920s, before being lost in the Honda Point disaster.

4 August 2020

The Curtiss JN-4Can ‘Canuck’ was an improved version of the Curtiss JN-3 that was developed independently in Canada, and constructed at the same time as the American Curtiss JN-4.

3 August 2020

Operation Charnwood (8-9 July 1944) saw the British and Canadians finally capture the northern half of Caen, a month after the city was originally expected to have fallen on D-Day.

30 July 2020

The Beagle Class or G Class destroyers (1909) were developed from the earlier River class, and spent most of the First World War in the Mediterranean, where the entire class served in the Dardanelles and Gallipoli. Half of the class briefly returned to home waters over the winter of 1914-15 to escort troop ships to France, and late in 1917 the entire class began to move home to help escort convoys, at first from Buncrana in the north of Ireland and later from Devonport.

29 July 2020

USS Chauncey (DD-296) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet until her loss in the Honda Point disaster in 1923.

28 July 2020

The Curtiss JN-4 was the main production version of the Curtiss Jenny, and was the most important American primary trainer during the First World War, and one of the main aircraft used by the barnstormers of the early 1920s.

27 July 2020

The battle of Saint-Lo (7-19 July 1944) was an essential preliminary to the eventual American breakout from Normandy, and saw them struggle through the bocage country to reach the starting point for Operation Cobra.

23 July 2020

HMS Zubian (1917) was a Tribal class destroyer that was forced from the bow of HMS Zulu and the stern of HMS Nubian, and that served with the Dover Patrol from the summer of 1917 to the end of the war.

22 July 2020

USS Osborne (DD-295) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Atlantic Fleet for most of her career, as well as spending a year in European Waters and briefly taking part in a US intervention in Nicaragua. After her first military career she was sold for scrap, but instead turned into a banana boat, which was then chartered by the US Navy after the outbreak of the Second World War. She was then taken over by the Army as part of a plan to rush supplies to the Philippines, before finally being destroyed by fire at Sydney in 1942

21 July 2020

The Curtiss JN-3 was the first version of the famous Curtiss Jenny to be produced in large numbers, mainly as a trainer for the RNAS. Two were also purchased by the US Army, but both were lost during the expedition to Mexico in 1916.

20 July 2020

Operation Windsor (4-5 July 1944) was a Canadian attack on Carpiquet airfield that made some progress, but left the Germans in possession of part of the airfield.

16 July 2020

HMS Zulu (1909) was a Tribal class destroyer that served with the Dover Patrol during the First World War, until she was badly damaged by a mine late in 1916. Her bow was then combined with the stern of the Nubian to produce a new destroyer, HMS Zubian.

15 July 2020

USS Charles Ausburn (DD-294) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Atlantic Fleet for most of the 1920s, taking part in a year long cruise to European waters in 1925-26.

14 July 2020

The Curtiss JN-2 was the first version of the famous Curtiss Jenny, and was produced in small numbers for the US Army. It wasn’t a great success and within a year the surviving aircraft had been updated to the JN-3 standard.

13 July 2020

The Odon Counterattack (29-June-1 July 1944) saw the Germans attack both flanks of the British bridgehead created during Operation Epsom, in an attempt to cut it off at its base. The attacks failed, and forced the Germans to commit the newly arrived II SS Panzer Corps to the Caen front, ending any chance of a major counterattack towards the coast.

9 July 2020

HMS Viking (1909) was a Tribal class destroyer that served with the Dover Patrol during the First World War, taking part in the early bombardments of the Belgian coast, surviving very serious damage after hitting a  mine early in 1916 and taking part in the battle of the Dover Straits.

8 July 2020

USS Billingsley (DD-293) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Atlantic fleet for most of the 1920s, apart from a year spent in European waters.

7 July 2020

The Curtiss Jenny (Model JN) was the most important American primary trainer of the First World War, and played a major role in the development of civil aviation after the end of the war.

6 July 2020

Operation Epsom (26-30 June 1944) was the second major British attack on Caen, and the first major British offensive after D-Day, and was an attempt to reach the high ground south of the city and threaten the Caen-Falaise Road. The attack failed to meet those early Overlord objectives, but did force the Germans to move reinforcements to the Caen area.

2 July 2020

HMS Nubian (1909) was a Tribal class destroyer that served with the Dover Patrol until she was badly damaged during the battle of the Dover Straits in 1916. Her stern was then combined with the bow of HMS Zulu to produce a new destroyer, HMS Zubian.

1 July 2020

USS Reid (DD-292) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Atlantic and Scouting Fleets during the 1920s, as well as spending a year in Europe waters, before being decommissioned in 1930.

30 June 2020

The Curtiss Model N was the company’s second successful tractor land plane, and was later developed into the N-9 float plane trainer as well as providing some features for the famous Curtiss JN ‘Jenny’.

29 June 2020

Operation Martlet (25-27 June 1944) was a preliminary to Operation Epsom, the second in a series of major attacks around Caen, and was launched to capture high ground to the west of the main Epsom battlefield.

25 June 2020

HMS Maori (1909) was a Tribal class destroyer that served with the Dover Patrol during the First World War, and took part in the early bombardments of the Belgian coast, and helped to sink U-8 before she was sunk by a mine in May 1915.

24 June 2020

USS Converse (DD-291) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Atlantic Fleet for most of the 1920s, apart from a visit to European waters in 1924-25.

23 June 2020

The Curtiss Model J was the company’s first successful tractor land plane, and became the basis of the famous Curtiss JN ‘Jenny’, the main American training aircraft of the First World War.

22 June 2020

The battle of Villers-Bocage (13 June 1944) was one of the more infamous incidents of the Normandy campaign, and saw an advanced force of British armour almost destroyed by Michael Wittmann’s Tiger tanks, before a larger German counterattack forced the British to retreat.

18 June 2020

HMS Crusader (1909) was a Tribal class destroyer that served with the Dover Patrol during the First World War, and was used by Admiral Hood during the early bombardments of the Belgian coast.

17 June 2020

USS Dale (DD-290) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Atlantic Fleet for most of the 1920s, making one visit to European waters in 1924-25, when she was commanded by the future Admiral William Halsey.

16 June 2020

The Curtiss SNC Falcon/ Model CW-22 was basic trainer and light attack aircraft that saw combat against the Japanese with the Dutch, but that was only used as a trainer by the US Navy.

15 June 2020

Operation Aubrey (7-8 June 1944) saw a small force of Royal Marine Commandos capture Port-en-Bessin, a key port between the British and American sectors in Normandy.

11 June 2020

HMS Saracen (1908) was a Tribal class destroyer that served with the Dover Patrol during the First World War, taking part in the early bombardments of the Belgian coast, and was close by twice during German raids without encountering the enemy.

10 June 2020

USS Worden (DD-288) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Atlantic and Scouting Fleets during the 1920s, visited European waters in 1924-25 before being decommissioned in 1930. She was then turned into a banana boat, but was lost in 1933.

9 June 2020

The Curtiss-Wright CW-21 was a lightweight export fighter that was purchased in small numbers by the Chinese and Dutch, and that saw limited combat during the defence of the Dutch East Indies in 1942.

8 June 2020

Operation Perch (9-14 June 1944) was a British attempt to capture Caen with a pincers attack, launched after the city remained in German hands on D-Day.

4 June 2020

HMS Amazon (1907) was a Tribal class destroyer that served with the Dover Patrol during the First World War, and was used as Admiral Hood’s flagship during the early bombardments of the Belgian coast, and was at sea during three of the German destroyer raids into the Dover Straits, but only encountered the enemy once, during the battle of the Dover Straits.

3 June 2020

USS Putnam (DD-287) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Atlantic Fleet and Scouting Fleet in the 1920s before being decommissioned in 1929.

2 June 2020

The Curtiss-Wright CW-19 began life as a civilian cabin cruiser but soon became a light military aircraft , and the basis of the CW-21 Demon fighter and CW-22 / SNC-1 Falcon light attack and trainer.

1 June 2020

The battle of Caen (6 June-6 August 1944) was one of the key battles during Operation Overlord, and although the British and Canadians achieved their main aims, the failure to capture Caen quickly caused a great deal of controversy.

28 May 2020

HMS Tartar (1907) was a Tribal class destroyer that served with the Dover Patrol during the First World War, taking part in the early bombardments of the Belgian coast, the battle of the Dover Straits, and surviving being mined, before ending the war with the XI Submarine Flotilla of the Grand Fleet at Blyth

27 May 2020

USS Lardner (DD-286) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Atlantic and Scouting Fleets during the 1920s and spent a year in European waters before she was decommissioned in 1930.

26 May 2020

The Curtiss XP-87/ XF-87 Blackhawk was the company’s first all-jet aircraft, and was briefly ordered into production, before being cancelled in favour of the Northrop F-89 Scorpion.

25 May 2020

The battle of Cherbourg (19-30 June 1944) saw the Americans capture the first major port to fall into Allied hands after D-Day, but although Cherbourg fell fairly quickly, the Germans had still managed to almost cripple the port facilities.

21 May 2020

HMS Mohawk (1907) was a Tribal class destroyer that served with the Dover Patrol during the First World War, where she survived being mined and was damaged during the battle of the Dover Straits. She ended the war with the X Submarine Flotilla, on the Tees

20 May 2020

USS Case (DD-285) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Atlantic Fleet for most of the 1920s, as well as spending a year in European waters, before being decommissioned in 1930.

19 May 2020

The Curtiss XP-71 was a design for a very heavy escort fighter, designed to support long range bombers. Two prototypes were ordered, but the project was cancelled before either of them had been completed

18 May 2020

The campaign in the Cotentin Peninsula (6-20 June 1944) was the first major Allied advance after the D-Day landings, and ended with the capture of the port of Cherbourg, seen by the Allies as one of the most important objectives of Operation Overlord.

14 May 2020

HMS Ghurka (1907) was a Tribal class destroyer that served with the Dover Patrol during the First World War, helping to sink U-8 before she was sunk by a mine early in 1917.

13 May 2020

USS Isherwood (DD-284) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Atlantic and Scouting Fleets for most of the 1920s, as well as spending a year in European waters, before being decommissioned in 1930.

12 May 2020

The Curtiss XP-62 was the heaviest American single-seat fighter to fly during the Second World War, but was underpowered and never progressed beyond the prototype stage.

11 May 2020

The battle of Carentan (9-13 June 1944) saw the 101st Airborne capture the key town at the base of the Cotentin peninsula, finally establishing a link between the two American beachheads and helping to ensure the success of the Overlord landings.  

7 May 2020

HMS Cossack (1907) was a Tribal class destroyer that served with the Dover Patrol during the First World War, taking part in the early bombardments of the Belgian coast and surviving very serious damage after hitting a mine.

6 May 2020

USS Breck (DD-283) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Atlantic Fleet and Scouting Fleet for most of the 1920s, as well as spending one year in European waters, before being decommissioned in 1930.

5 May 2020

The Curtiss XP-55 Ascender was an unusual tail first fighter that reached the prototype stage, but that proved to be inferior to more conventional fighter designs.

4 May 2020

Operation Overlord or the battle of Normandy (6 June-25 August 1944) was the start of the Allied campaign to liberate Nazi-occupied north-western Europe, and began with the largest amphibious assault in history on D-Day, before developing into a costly struggle in Normandy that finally ended with the dramatic collapse of the German position in France leading to the ‘Great Swan’ towards the German border.

30 April 2020

HMS Afridi (1907) was a Tribal class destroyer that served with the Dover Patrol during the First World War, and had a number of possible clashes with U-boats, although no recorded successes.

29 April 2020

USS Toucey (DD-282) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Atlantic Fleet and the Scouting Force in the 1920s before being scrapped because of her badly worn boilers

28 April 2020

The Tribal class destroyers were a class of 33-knot destroyers that were significantly faster than the previous River class, but lacked their endurance and were used with the Dover Patrol during the First World War.

27 April 2020

USS Sharkey (DD-281) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Atlantic Fleet during the 1920s, taking part in many of the early Fleet Problems, before being scrapped because of her badly worn boilers.

23 April 2020

HMS Nith was a River class destroyer that served with the Ninth Destroyer Flotilla in 1914-15 and the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla from 1915-19, spending the entire First World War operating along the East Coast

22 April 2020

USS Doyen (DD-280) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet in the 1920s before being scrapped because of badly worn boilers.

21 April 2020

HMS Ness (1905) was a River class destroyer that served with the Ninth Destroyer Flotilla in 1914-15 and the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla from 1915-19, spending the entire First World War operating along the East Coast

20 April 2020

USS Meyer (DD-279) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet during the 1920s before being scrapped because of badly worn boilers.

16 April 2020

HMS Colne (1905) was a River class destroyer that was on the China station at the outbreak of war in 1914, but moved to the Mediterranean late in the year. She took part in the Gallipoli campaign, and spent the rest of the war in the Mediterranean.

15 April 2020

USS Henshaw (DD-278) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet in the 1920s, before being decommissioned because of badly worn Yarrow boilers.

14 April 2020

HMS Chelmer (1904) was a River class destroyer that was on the China station at the outbreak of war in 1914, but moved to the Mediterranean late in the year. She took part in the Gallipoli campaign, and spent the rest of the war in the Mediterranean.

13 April 2020

USS Moody (DD-277) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet for most of the 1920s, before being struck off in 1930 because of her worn Yarrow boilers.

9 April 2020

HMS Jed (1904) was a River class destroyer that was on the China station at the outbreak of war in 1914, but moved to the Mediterranean late in the year. She took part in the Gallipoli campaign, and spent the rest of the war in the Mediterranean.

8 April 2020

USS McCawley (DD-276) was a Clemson class destroyer that served two periods in commission with the Pacific Fleet during the 1920s, before being struck off in 1930.

7 April 2020

HMS Kennet (1903) was a River class destroyer that was on the China station at the outbreak of war in 1914, but moved to the Mediterranean late in the year. She took part in the Gallipoli campaign, and spent the rest of the war in the Mediterranean.

6 April 2020

USS Sinclair (DD-275) was a Clemson class destroyer that had a fairly active career with the Pacific Fleet during the 1920s, before faulty boilers prevented her conversion into a target ship

2 April 2020

HMS Test (1905) was a River class destroyer that served with the Ninth Destroyer Flotilla in 1914-15, taking part in the attempt to stop the Hartlepool raid, and the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla in 1915-1918.

1 April 2020

USS Meade (DD-274) was a Clemson class destroyer that had a very brief career in the US Navy before going to Britain as part of the Destroyers for Bases deal, where she became HMS Ramsey. In British service she served on convoy escort duties, but her turbines proved to be unreliable and in August 1943 she was chosen for use as an air target ship

31 March 2020

HMS Stour was a River class destroyer that served with the Ninth Destroyer Flotilla in 1914-15 and the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla in 1915-1918.

30 March 2020

USS Swasey (DD-273) was a Clemson class destroyer that had a limited US career, but went to Britain as part of the Destroyers for Bases deal as HMS Rockingham. In British service she served as an Atlantic convoy escort ship and troops convoy escort, before being converted into an air target ship in 1943. She sank after hitting a British mine on 27 September 1944

26 March 2020

HMS Ouse (1905) was a River class destroyer that served with the Ninth Destroyer Flotilla in 1914-1915 and the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla in 1915-19, sinking UC-70 and helping to sink UB-115

25 March 2020

USS Tingey (DD-272) was a Clemson class destroyer that had a brief career after the First World War, before being decommissioned in 1922 and sold for scrap in 1936.

24 March 2020

HMS Moy (1904) was a River class destroyer that served with the Ninth Destroyer Flotilla in 1914-15, taking part in the defence of Hartlepool then with the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla from 1915 to the end of the war.

23 March 2020

USS Morris (DD-271) was a Clemson class destroyer that had a very brief career in the immediate aftermath of the First World War, but was decommissioned in 1922 and sold for scrap in 1936.

19 March 2020

HMS Liffey (1904) was a River class destroyer that served with the Ninth Flotilla in 1914, with the Grand Fleet early in 1915, the Portsmouth Escort and Local Defence Flotillas from 1915 to 1917, the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla on the East Coast in 1917-18 and the First Destroyer Flotilla at Portsmouth for the rest of 1918.

18 March 2020

USS Thornton (DD-270/ AVD-11) was a Clemson class destroyer that was at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked, then served in the Aleutians and the South Pacific, taking part in the battles for Guadalcanal and Okinawa before being badly damaged in a collision and abandoned as not worth repairing.

17 March 2020

HMS Arun (1903) was a River class destroyer that served with the Grand Fleet in 1914-15, the Portsmouth Local Defence and Escort Flotillas in 1915-1917, the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla in 1917-18 and the First Destroyer Flotilla in 1918.

16 March 2020

USS Bailey (DD-269) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Neutrality Patrol in 1939-40, before joining the Royal Navy as HMS Reading. In British hands she was used on convoy escort duties, briefly with the 8th Escort Group, before she joined the Newfoundland Escort Force

12 March 2020

HMS Itchen (1903) was a River class destroyer that served with the Ninth Destroyer Flotilla in 1914-15 and the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla from 1915 until she was sunk by UC-44 on 6 July 1917.

11 March 2020

USS Shubrick (DD-268) was a Clemson class destroyer that had a brief US career before joining the Royal Navy as HMS Ripley. In British service she was used on convoy escort duties, first in the Atlantic and later in British coastal waters, as well as taking part in the hunt for the Bismarckand a diversionary sweep along the Norwegian coast in 1943.

10 March 2020

HMS Foyle (1903) was a River class destroyer that served with the Ninth Flotilla in 1914, with the Grand Fleet early in 1915 and with the Devonport Local Defence Flotilla from 1915 until she was sunk by a mine on 15 March 1917.

9 March 2020

USS Ballard (DD-267/ AVD-10) was a Clemson class destroyer that served as a seaplane tender in the Pacific from 1942 to 1944, taking part in the invasion of Saipan and the battle of the Philippines Sea.

5 March 2020

HMS Kale was a River class destroyer that served with the Ninth Destroyer Flotilla in 1914-1915 and the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla until she was sunk by a mine on 27 March 1918

4 March 2020

USS Greene ((DD-266/ AVD-13/ APD-36) was a Clemson class destroyer that began the war as a seaplane tender, took part in several successful anti-submarine patrols in 1943 and then became a fast transport, taking part in Operation Dragoon and supporting the invasion of Okinawa.

3 March 2020

HMS Doon was a River class destroyer that served with the Ninth and Seventh Flotillas on the East Coast during the First World War, and was the only one of the four destroyers involved in the Hartlepool raid to suffer casualties.

2 March 2020

USS Edwards (DD-265) was a Clemson class destroyer that had a limited career in US service before going to Britain, where she became HMS Buxton. In British and Canadian service she was used on Atlantic convoy escort duties from 1941-43 but needed constant repairs and was eventually turned into a static training ship.

27 February 2020

HMS Boyne (1904) was a River class destroyer that served with the Grand Fleet in 1914-15, as an escort ship based at Plymouth in 1915 and with the Devonport Local Defence Flotilla for the rest of the war.

26 February 2020

USS McLanahan (DD-264)/ HMS Bradford was a Clemson class destroyer that went to Britain as part of the destroyers for bases deal. In British service she was used on convoy escort duties in 1941-43, and took part in Operation Torch

25 February 2020

HMS Waveney (1903) was a River class destroyer that served with the Ninth Destroyer Flotilla on the Tyne in 1914-15, coming under fire during the German raid on Hartlepool, and the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla on the Humber for the rest of the war.

24 February 2020

USS Laub (DD-263) was a Clemson class destroyer that went to Britain under the terms of the Destroyers for Bases deal and became HMS Burwell.

20 February 2020

HMS Eden (1903) was a River class destroyer that served with the Ninth Flotilla on the Tyne in 1914-15 and with the local Defence Flotilla at Portsmouth from 1915 until she was sunk in a collision with a merchant ship on 18 June 1916.

19 February 2020

USS McDermut (DD-262) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet for most of the 1920s, before being scrapped in 1932 under the terms of the London Naval Treaty.

18 February 2020

HMS Derwent (1903) was a River class destroyer that served with the Ninth Flotilla in 1914-15, then at Portsmouth from 1915 until she hit a mine and sank on 2 May 1917 while escorting a convoy.

17 February 2020

USS Delphy (DD-261) was a Clemson class destroyer that was most famous for being one of the seven destroyers lost in the Honda Point disaster of 1923.

10 February 2020

HMS Garry (1905) was a River class destroyer that was attached to the Grand Fleet at the outbreak of the First World War, then served with the North Channel Patrol in 1915-1917 then escorted the Scandinavian Convoys in 1917-18.

6 February 2020

USS Gillis (DD-260) was a Clemson class destroyer that was converted into a seaplane tender and served in Alaskan waters in 1941-44, then as a plane guard before taking part in the invasion of Okinawa.

5 February 2020

HMS Welland (1904) was a River class destroyer that was on the China station at the outbreak of the First World War, before moving to the Mediterranean at the end of 1914, where she remained for the rest of the war.

4 February 2020

The Beechcraft L-23/ U-8 Seminole was a general utility aircraft that remained in US Army service for four decades, from the early 1950s to the early 1990s.

3 February 2020

USS Turner (DD-259)/ Moosehead (IX-98) was a Clemson class destroyer that had a very varied later career. After a very brief time as a destroyer in the early 1920s she was turned into a water barge in 1936, but was then turned back into an active warship at the Moosehead, serving as a ferry in the San Diego, and then as an advancing training ship for the staff of the advanced Combat Information Centers being installed on more modern warships

30 January 2020

HMS Usk (1903) was a River class destroyer that was on the China station at the outbreak of war and took part in the siege of Tsingtau. Late in the year she moved to the Mediterranean, where she spent the rest of the war. She took part in the Gallipoli campaign, supporting the landings at Anzac cove.

29 January 2020

The Aeronca L-16 Champion was a post-war development of the L-3 Grasshopper, originally intended for use with the National Guard but forced into front line service during the Korean War.

28 January 2020

USS Aulick (DD-258)/ HMS Burnham was a Clemson class destroyer that was transferred to the Royal Navy under the terms of the destroyers for bases deal. In British and Canadian service she operated on Atlantic convoy escort duties in 1941-43 and as an Air Target Ship in 1944.

27 January 2020

HMS Teviot (1903) was a River class destroyer that was attached to the Grand Fleet in 1914, the Portsmouth Escort Flotilla in 1915-17 (escorting troop ships to France), the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla in the autumn and winter of 1917-18 and the First Destroyer Flotilla at Portsmouth for most of 1918.

23 January 2020

The Boeing L-15 Scout was an advanced liaison aircraft that used the same basic layout as the wartime ‘Grasshopper’ liaison aircraft, but in a much more radical form.

22 January 2020

USS Welles (DD-257)/ HMS Cameron was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the neutrality patrols after the outbreak of war in 1939 before going to Britain under the Destroyers for Bases deal.

21 January 2020

HMS Ribble (1904) was a River class destroyer that was on the China station at the outbreak of war, but moved to the Mediterranean late in 1914, taking part in the Gallipoli campaign. She remained in the Mediterranean for the rest of the war as part of the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla.

15 January 2020

The Stinson/ Convair L-13 was a post-war liaison aircraft that was designed to replace the L-5 Sentinel and that entered service just after the end of the Second World War.

14 January 2020

USS Bancroft (DD-256)/ HMCS St. Francis was a Clemson class destroyer that went to Britain under the terms of the destroyers for bases deal. In British service she served on escort duties from 1941-1944, although spent much of her time under repair

13 January 2020

HMS Rother (1904) was a River class destroyer that served with the Ninth Flotilla on the Tyne in 1914, then with the Portsmouth Local Defence Flotilla in 1915-1917, the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla in 1917-18 and the First Destroyer Flotilla at Portsmouth for most of 1918.

5 December 2019

The Interstate O-63/ L-6 Grasshopper was a potentially promising light liaison aircraft that failed to live up to expectations, and was produced in significantly smaller numbers than the similar Taylorcraft L-2, Aeronca L-3 or Piper L-4.

4 December 2019

USS Osmond Ingram (DD-255) was a Clemson class destroyer that served as a seaplane tender in 1940-42, with the Bogue’s hunter killer group in 1943, sinking U-172, and as a fast transport in the Mediterranean and Pacific in 1944-45.

3 December 2019

HMS Wear (1905) was a River class destroyer that served with the Ninth Flotilla on the Tyne in 1914, at the Dardanelles in 1915 where she supported both the naval and land phases of the battle, then remained in the Mediterranean as part of the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla for the rest of the war.

2 December 2019

The Stinson O-54 was the designation given to six Stinson Voyagers ordered for evaluation by the USAAC. More aircraft were ordered during the Second World War, and others taken over from civilian owners, becoming the L-9, and the basic design became the basis of the very successful Stinson L-5 Sentinel.

28 November 2019

USS Rodgers (DD-254)/ HMS Sherwood was a Clemson class destroyer that was transferred to the Royal Navy as part of the destroyers for bases deal. In British service she took part in the search for the survivors from the AMC Jervis Bay and the hunt for the Bismarck, but was mainly used on convoy escort duties.

27 November 2019

HMS Ure (1904) was a River class destroyer that served with the Grand Fleet in 1914, with the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla at Dover in 1915-16 when she helped sink U-8, the Portsmouth Escort Flotilla then the Seventh Flotilla on the Humber in 1917 and the First Destroyer Flotilla at Portsmouth in 1918.

26 November 2019

The Curtiss O-52 Owl was a large, advanced two-man observation aircraft that had been made obsolete by the nature of the fighting in the Low Countries and France in 1940, and mainly saw use as a trainer.

25 November 2019

USS McCalla (DD-253)/ HMS Stanley was a Clemson class destroyer that went to Britain in 1940 and served on escort duties in the Atlantic during 1941 before being sunk by U-574 on 19 December 1941.

22 November 2019

HMS Swale (1905) was a River class destroyer that served with the Grand Fleet in 1914, at Portsmouth in 1915-1917, escorting troop ships across the Channel, the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla on the Humber in 1917-1918 before moving back to Portsmouth for most of 1918.

21 November 2019

The Ryan O-51 Dragonfly was an observation aircraft developed alongside the Stinson O-49/ L-1 Vigilant, but that only ever reached the prototype stage.

20 November 2019

USS McCook (DD-252)/ HMCS St. Croix was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Royal Canadian Navy in the Atlantic and sank U-90 and helped sink U-89 before being sunk herself by U-305.

19 November 2019

HMS Dee (1903) was a River class destroyer that served with the Grand Fleet in 1914, the North Channel Patrol in 1915, at Liverpool in 1915-17, and with the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla on the Humber in 1917-18, escorting convoys in the North Sea.

15 November 2019

The Bellanca O-50 was an observation aircraft developed alongside the Stinson O-49/ L-1 Vigilant, but that only ever reached the prototype stage.

14 November 2019

USS Belknap (DD-251/ AVD-8/ APD-34) was a Clemson class destroyer that serving as a seaplane tender in 1940-42, with hunter-killer anti-submarine groups in 1942-43 and as a high speed transport in 1944-45, where she was badly damaged by a kamikaze attack.

13 November 2019

HMS Cherwell (1903) was a River class destroyer that served with the Grand Fleet in 1914, at Portsmouth in 1915-17 and the second half of 1918 and the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla on the Humber early in 1918.

12 November 2019

The North American O-47 was designed as a corps and division observation aircraft, but ended up serving as a trainer and target tug during the Second World War.

11 November 2019

USS Lawrence (DD-250) was a Clemson class destroyer that spent most of the Second World War operationg on convoy escort and patrol duties from San Francisco, as well as taking part in the occupation of Adak.

7 November 2019

HMS Exe (1903) was a River class destroyer that served with the Grand Fleet in 1914, the Portsmouth Escort Flotilla in 1915-17 and the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla on the Humber in 1918.

6 November 2019

The Martin YO-45 was a temporary designation given to a Martin YB-10 while it was being evaluated as a high speed reconnaissance aircraft.

5 November 2019

USS Hopkins (DD-249/ DMS-13) was a Clemson class destroyer that took part in the invasion of Guadalcanal, the Solomon Islands campaign, the invasions of Saipan, Guam, the Philippines, Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

4 November 2019

HMS Ettrick (1903) was a River class destroyer that began the war with the Ninth Destroyer Flotilla based on the Tyne, but soon moved south to join the Portsmouth Escort Flotilla, where she helped protect troop ships crossing the channel. In July 1917 she was hit by a torpedo, losing her bows. She many not have been fully repaired, but from December 1917 she was listed as an active warship in the Navy List, serving on the Humber and at Portsmouth

31 October 2019

The Fokker O-27 was a two engine observation that was produced in small numbers and saw front line service with the USAAC in the early 1930s.

30 October 2019

USS Barry (DD-248/ APD-29) was a Clemson class destroyer that served on escort duties early in the Second World War, with a hunter-killer anti-submarine group in 1943 and then as a fast transport, taking part in the invasion of the South of France and Okinawa, where she was so badly damaged by a kamikaze attack that she wasn’t worth repairing.

29 October 2019

HMS Erne (1903) was a River class destroyer that was under the direct command of the C-in-C of the Grand Fleet early in the First World War, before being lost when she ran aground near Rattray Head on 6 February 1915

28 October 2019

The Thomas-Morse O-41 was a version of the successful O-19 observation aircraft that was given sesquiplane wings and a Curtiss Conqueror engine, but failed in two attempts to win a USAAC contract, and was eventually sold to Republican Spain, although probably got no further than Mexico.

24 October 2019

USS Goff (DD-247) was a Clemson class destroyer that spent most of the Second World War on escort duties in the Caribbean and Atlantic, apart from spell in 1943 when she was part of the successful submarine hunting group built around the carrier USS Card.

23 October 2019

The River Class Destroyers (E class) saw a significant change in the design of British destroyers, with a greater emphasis on seaworthiness and robustness at the cost of a reduction in the theoretical top speed.

22 October 2019

The Thomas-Morse O-23 was a version of the successful O-19 observation aircraft that was powered by a Curtiss Conqueror engine, making it the first member of the O-19 family to be powered by an inline engine since the original O-6 prototypes.

21 October 2019

USS Bainbridge (DD-246) was a Clemson class destroyer that escorted convoys to Iceland in 1941, served on escort duty along the US coast in 1942, trans-Atlantic convoys and one spell with a hunter-killer group in 1943 and helped training up new warships in 1944-45.

17 October 2019

HMS Taku (1898) was originally built in Germany for China, where it entered service as the Hai Nju, but she was captured by the British in 1900 and taken into the Royal Navy.

16 October 2019

The Thomas-Morse O-33 was a version of the successful O-19 observation aircraft that was powered by a Curtiss Conqueror engine and given a revised tail.

15 October 2019

USS Reuben James (DD-245) was a Clemson class destroyer that became famous as the first US warship to be sunk by enemy action during the Second World War, several weeks before the official US entry into the war.

14 October 2019

HMS Stag (1899) was a D class destroyer that served with the Eighth Destroyer Flotilla on the Firth of Forth, the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla on the Humber and the Irish Sea Hunting Flotilla during the First World War.

10 October 2019

The Thomas-Morse O-21 was a version of the successful Thomas Morse O-19 observation aircraft that was powered by a Curtiss Chieftain engine then by a Wright Cyclone.

9 October 2019

USS Williamson (DD-244/ AVP-15/ AVD-2) was a Clemson class destroyer that served as seaplane tender in the Aleutians, and was then used to refuel spotter aircraft to support the battleships and cruisers during the later stages of the island hopping campaign.

8 October 2019

HMS Cynthia (1898) was a D class destroyer that served with the Nore Local Defence Flotilla throughout the First World War.

7 October 2019

The Thomas-Morse O-20 was a version of the successful O-19 observation aircraft that was powered by a Pratt & Whitney Hornet engine.

4 October 2019

History of Panzergrenadier-Division Kurmark, also known as Panzer Division Kurmark, and formed on 30 January 1945 on the Eastern Front

3 October 2019

USS Sands (DD-243/ APD-13) was a Clemson class destroyer that took part in the early fighting in the Aleutians, supporting the fighting in the Solomons and on New Guinea, the invasion of the Palau Islands, Leyte, Lingayen Gulf, Iwo Jima and Okinawa

1 October 2019

HMS Cygnet (1898) was a D class destroyer that served in the Mediterranean early in her career and with the Nore Local Defence Flotilla throughout the First World War.

30 September 2019

The Thomas-Morse O-19 was a two-man observation biplane loosely based on the Douglas O-2, but with an all metal structure. 171 production aircraft were ordered, and it became one of the standard US observation types at the start of the 1930s.

27 September 2019

History of the short-lived Führer-Grenadier Division, created as a battalion in April 1943 as the Führer Grenadier Battalion when the Führer Begleit Battalion was split into two.

26 September 2019

USS King (DD-242) was a Clemson class destroyer that took part in the fighting in the Aleutians in 1942-43 then served off the US West Coast for the rest of the war.

25 September 2019

HMS Coquette (1897) was a D class destroyer that served with the Nore Local Defence Flotilla, before being sunk by a German mine on 7 March 1916

24 September 2019

The Thomas Morse O-6 was an all-metal version of the Douglas O-2, one of the main American observation aircraft of the mid 1920s.

23 September 2019

History of the Führer-Begleit Division and its predecessor units

19 September 2019

USS Childs (DD-241/ AVP-14/ AVD-1) was a Clemson class destroyer that survived the initial Japanese onslaught in the Pacific, and served as an aircraft tender in Australian waters for most of the rest of the war.

18 September 2019

D Class Destroyer was the designation given to all of the early generation of 30 knotter destroyers with two funnels in 1912, and contained the Thornycroft built ships.

17 September 2019

The Stinson O-62/ L-5 Sentinel was a larger and more capable liaison aircraft, which operated alongside the L-2/ L-3 and L-4 Grasshoppers, although needed more complex support than the lighter aircraft.

16 September 2019

History of Grossdeutschland: From Ceremonial Guard to Panzer Corps

12 September 2019

USS Sturtevant (DD-240) was a Clemson class destroyer that served on escort duties in the Atlantic after the US entry in the Second World War, before being sunk by a mine on 26 April 1942.

11 September 2019

HMS Angler (1897) was a D class destroyer that served in the Mediterranean in the pre-war period and with the Portsmouth Local Defence Flotilla throughout the First World War.

10 September 2019

The Piper O-59/ L-4 Grasshopper was the most successful of three models of commercial light aircraft that served as liaison and artillery spotter aircraft for the USAAF, filling a gap left by the slow development of the Stinson O-49/L-1 Vigilant

9 September 2019

History of the The Hermann Göring Formation: From Police Detachment to Panzer Corps

5 September 2019

USS Overton (DD-239/ APD-23) was a Clemson class destroyer that served on escort duties in the Atlantic in 1942 and on the route to North Africa early in 1943 before being converted into a fast transport and taking part in the invasion of the Marshal Islands, Saipan, Taipan, the Philippines and Okinawa

4 September 2019

HMS Mallard (1896) was a D class destroyer that spent much of the pre-war period in the Mediterranean, then served with the Eighth Destroyer Flotilla on the Firth of Forth, the Scapa Local Defence Flotilla and finally with the Irish Sea Hunting Flotilla during the First World War.

3 September 2019

The Aeronca O-58/ L-3 Grasshopper was one of three models of commercial light aircraft that served as liaison and artillery spotter aircraft for the USAAF, filling a gap left by the slow development of the Stinson O-49/L-1 Vigilant

2 September 2019

A history of the Panzer Lehr Division, which fought in most of the battles from Normandy to the fall of Germany

29 August 2019

USS James K Paulding (DD-238) was a Clemson class destroyer that had a short career, mainly serving in US home waters during the 1920s, before being decommissioned on 31 October 1930.

28 August 2019

HMS Fame (1896) was a D class destroyer that spent almost her entire career on the China station, from 1897 to 1921 when she was broken up.

22 August 2019

The Taylorcraft O-57/ L-2 Grasshopper was one of three models of commercial light aircraft that served as liaison and artillery spotter aircraft for the USAAF, filling a gap left by the slow development of the Stinson O-49/L-1 Vigilant

21 August 2019

USS McFarland (DD-237/ AVD-14) was a Clemson class destroyer that was converted into an aircraft tender, taking part in the fighting at Guadalcanal where she was damaged by Japanese bombing.

20 August 2019

HMS Desperate (1896) was a D class destroyer that spent the entire First World War with the Portsmouth Local Defence Flotilla.

19 August 2019

The Stinson O-49/ L1 Vigilant was the first slow flying liaison aircraft to be ordered by the USAAC, but turned out to be too large and too expensive for the role, which was eventually carried out by a variety of military versions of civilian light aircraft

15 August 2019

USS Humphreys (DD-236) was a Clemson class destroyer that took part in the campaign in the Aleutains, New Guinea, New Britain, the Admiralty Islands, the return to the Philippines and Okinawa.

14 August 2019

HMS Velox (1902) was the Navy’s third turbine destroyer, and although her turbines were a success she wasn’t terribly sea-worthy.

13 August 2019

USS Kane (DD-235/ APD-18) was a Clemson class destroyer that took part in US reconquest of the western Aleutians, and the invasions of New Guinea, the Admiraly Islands, Saipan, Guam, Leyte and Okinawa

12 August 2019

The Focke-Wulf Fw 190S was the designation given to a small number of dedicated two-man trainers produced to help convert pilots from two-seat bombers to the single seater Fw 190.

31 July 2019

HMS Albatross (1898) was a C class destroyer that was originally ordered as a 33-knot special, but that failed to achieve her target speed in normal service. During the First World War she served with the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla on the Humber from 1914-1918 and the Lowestoft Local Flotilla in 1918.

30 July 2019

USS Fox (DD-234) was a Clemson class destroyer that served in Alaskan waters for most of the Second World War, mainly on escort and patrol duties.

25 July 2019

The Focke Wulf Fw 190G was a long range fighter bomber, based on the Fw 190A and originally produced with dedicated racks for fuel drop tanks under the wings.

24 July 2019

HMS Vigilant (1900) was a C class destroyer that served with the Eighth Destroyer Flotilla in 1914-1918 before becoming the only destroyer in the Portland Local Flotilla during 1918. After the war she remained in use into 1919, when she was used to ferry a British diplomat home from Copenhagen.

23 July 2019

USS Gilmer (DD-233/ APD-11) was a Clemson class destroyer that served as a fast transport, taking part in the New Guinea campaign, the invasions of Saipan and Taipan, Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

22 July 2019

The Focke Wulf Fw 190F was an armoured ground attack version of the aircraft, produced to replace the obsolete Ju 87 Stuka.

18 July 2019

HMS Thorn (1900) was a C class destroyer that began the First World War with the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla on the Humber, before moving to Scapa Flow at the end of 1914. In February 1915 she was used to found the North Channel Patrol, based at Larne, where she spent the rest of the war.

17 July 2019

USS Brooks (DD-232/ APD-10) was a Clemson class destroyer that was converted into a fast transport, and took part in the New Guinea campaign and the invasion of the Philippines, before being badly damaged by a kamikaze attack and never repaired.

16 July 2019

The Focke-Wulf Fw 190E may have been a designation for a dedicated reconnaissance version of the aircraft, but none were produced under that designation.

15 July 2019

HMS Ostrich (1900) was a C class destroyer that served with the Eighth Destroyer Flotilla on the Firth of Forth in 1914-1918 and the Lowestoft Local Flotilla in 1918.

11 July 2019

USS Hatfield (DD-231) was a Clemson class destroyer that spent most of the Second World War on escort duties in Alaskan waters, before being used as an auxiliary.

10 July 2019

The Focke-Wulf Fw 190D was a high altitude version of the aircraft, powered by an inline engine hidden behind an extended version of the normal fuselage, making it look like a radial powered aircraft.

9 July 2019

HMS Falcon (1899) was a C class destroyer that served with the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla based at Dover throughout the First World War before being sunk in a collision with the naval trawler John Fitzgerald in 1918.

8 July 2019

USS Paul Jones (DD-230) was a Clemson class destroyer that survived the disastrous campaign in the Dutch East Indies in 1941-42, and spent most of the rest of the war on escort duties or working with hunter-killer anti-submarine groups.

4 July 2019

The Focke Wulf Fw 190C would have been powered by the Daimler-Benz DB 603 engine, but it never got past the development stage.

2 July 2019

HMS Vixen (1900) was a C class destroyer that served with the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla on the Humber from 1914 to 1917, with the East Coast Convoys formation in 1917 and the Nore Local Defence Flotilla in 1918.

1 July 2019

USS Truxtun (DD-229) was a Clemson class destroyer that served in Pacific waters for ten years then in home waters, before being lost when she ran aground early in 1942.

27 June 2019

The Focke-Wulf Fw 190B was one of three attempts to improve the high altitude performance of the aircraft, in this case by giving it a longer wing, GM-1 engine boost and a pressurized cabin.

26 June 2019

HMS Roebuck (1901) was a C class destroyer that began the First World War as par of the Portsmouth Local Defence Flotilla, but spent most of the war with the Devonport Local Defence Flotilla.

20 June 2019

USS John D. Ford (DD-228) was a Clemson class destroyer that began the Second World War in the Pacific, and survived the disastrous battle of the Java Sea, before spending most of the rest of the war on convoy escort or anti-submarine duties.

19 June 2019

The Focke-Wulf Fw 190A was the most important fighter version of the aircraft, and was one of the best fighters in the world when it first entered service in 1941-42.

18 June 2019

HMS Racehorse (1900) was a C class destroyer that served with the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla at Dover throughout the First World War, and that was at sea during several German raids into the area, without coming into contact with them.

17 June 2019

USS Pillsbury (DD-227) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Asiatic Fleet from 1922, and was sunk by Japanese surface ships on 2 March 1942, after apparently attacking a much larger Japanese force.

13 June 2019

A look at the combat record of the Focke-Wulf Fw 190, the best German fighter for much of the Second World War.

12 June 2019

HMS Greyhound (1900) was a C class destroyer that served with the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla at Dover from 1914-1918 and the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla on the Humber in 1918.

11 June 2019

USS Peary (DD-226) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Asiatic Fleet from 1922 and was sunk by Japanese aircraft at Darwin on 19 February 1942.

10 June 2019

The Focke-Wulf Fw 190 was designed in response for a request for a ‘back-up’ to the Messerschmitt Bf 109, and went on to be one of the most important German military aircraft of the Second World War, with around 20,000 produced.

6 June 2019

USS Pope (DD-225) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Asiatic Fleet from 1922 until she was sunk by Japanese aircraft on 1 March 1942.

5 June 2019

HMS Leven (1898) was a C class destroyer that served with the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla at Dover during the First World War, and that sank UB-35 off Calais on 26 January 1918.

4 June 2019

The Focke-Wulf Ta 152S was a planned two-man tandem trainer version of the Ta 152, which was ordered into production but never delivered.

The Focke-Wulf Ta 153 was one of Kurt Tank’s early designs for a replacement for the Fw 190, and a partial prototype was constructed late in 1943, before the entire programme was cancelled for the second time.

3 June 2019

HMS Leopard (1897) was a C class destroyer that began the First World War with the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla on the Humber, but was soon moved north to Scapa Flow. From 1917 she served as a convoy escort, taking part in the first Norwegian convoy. She ended the war with the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla on the Humber.

30 May 2019

USS Stewart (DD-224) was a Clemson class destroyer that was deliberately sunk in the floating drydock at Surabaya during the disasterous defence of the Dutch East Indies in 1942 but later raised by the Japanese and pressed into their service as a patrol boat.

29 May 2019

HMS Fawn (1897) was a C class destroyer that served with the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla at Dover in 1914-1918 and the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla on the Humber in 1918.

28 May 2019

Operation Craftsman or the battle of Bologna (14 April-2 May 1945) was the Fifth Army's part of the final Allied offensive in Italy and saw the army break out into the Po valley to the west of Bologna then advance rapidly to the Po before occupying the central and western parts of the Po valley.

27 May 2019

HMS Flirt (1897) was a C class destroyer that served with the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla at Dover during the First World War, and that was sunk by German destroyers during their raid into the Dover Straits on 26 October 1916.

24 May 2019

The Focke-Wulf Ta 152H was designed as a high altitude version of the standard Ta 152, but as a result of a series of poor decisions by the German Air Ministry it became the only version of the aircraft to actually enter combat, and only in tiny numbers and too late to have any impact on the course of the war.

23 May 2019

HMS Kestrel (1898) was a C class destroyer that served with the Nore Local Defence Flotilla in 1914-1918 and the Irish Sea Hunting Flotilla for most of 1918.

22 May 2019

USS McCormick (DD-223) was a Clemson class destroyer that served in the eastern Mediterranean in 1922-24, the Asiatic Fleet in 1925-38 and the Atlantic from 1939 onwards, mainly as a convoy escort.  

21 May 2019

HMS Bullfinch (1898) was a C class destroyer that suffered a disastrous boiler explosion in 1899, then served with the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla on the Humber in 1914 and the Scapa Local Defence Flotilla in 1914-1918.

20 May 2019

Operation Buckland or the battle of the Argenta Gap (12-19 April 1945) was the Eighth Army’s contribution to the Allied Spring Offensive in Italy, and saw them bypass the last series of river defences facing them and break out into the Po plains.

16 May 2019

HMS Dove (1898) was a C class destroyer that served with the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla on the Humber in 1914, briefly at Scapa in 1914-15 then helped form the North Channel Patrol in February 1915. She was officially part of that force for the rest of the war, but was taken over by the senior naval officer at Liverpool in February 1915 and never returned to Larne.

15 May 2019

The Focke-Wulf Ta 152E was a reconnaissance version of the Ta 152, and was on the verge of entering production at the end of the war.

14 May 2019

HMS Osprey (1897) was a C class destroyer that served with the Eighth Destroyer Flotilla on Firth of Forth in 1914-1917, was part of the East Coast Convoys organisation in 1917 and ended the war with the North Channel Patrol based at Larne.

13 May 2019

USS Bulmer (DD-222) was a Clemson class destroyer that served in the Eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea in 1922-24, and with the Asiatic Fleet from 1925 onwards. She survived the disasterous campaign in the Dutch East Indies in 1942, and went on to serve with anti-submarine hunter-killer groups in the Atlantic in 1943-44.

9 May 2019

HMS Gipsy (1897) was a C class destroyer that served with the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla at Dover throughout the First World War, playing a role in sinking U-48 in November 1917. She survived into the 1970s after being used as a pontoon at Dartmouth.

8 May 2019

Operation Blimey (6-24 April 1945) was the final SAS operation in the north-west of Italy, and was an attempt to repeat the success of Operation Galia, but the area was overrun by the advancing Allies before it could achieve much

7 May 2019

HMS Fairy (1897) was a C class destroyer that served with the Cromarty Local Defence Flotilla in 1914-1917, then the East Coast Convoys in 1917. She sank after ramming and sinking UC-75 on 31 May 1918.

6 May 2019

The Focke-Wulf Ta 152C was the third attempt to produce a standard version of the Ta 152, and reached the prototype stage but too late in the war to actually enter production.

2 May 2019

HMS Cheerful (1897) was a C class destroyer that served with the Eighth Destroyer Flotilla on the Firth of Forth in 1914-1917, then moved to the East Coast Convoys organisation, but was sunk by a mine off the Shetlands on 30 June 1917.

1 May 2019

USS Simpson (DD-221) was a Clemson class destroyer that served in the Mediterranean in 1922-4, the Asiatic Fleet in 1925-1932 and on convoy escort duties and anti-submarine duties in the Atlantic during the Second World War

29 April 2019

HMS Mermaid (1898) was a C class destroyer that served with the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla at Dover in 1914-1918, taking part in a series of bombardments of the Belgian coast, but ended the war with the Seventh Flotilla on the Humber.

25 April 2019

Operation Impact Royal (14-15 April 1945) was the second of two amphibious assaults carried out to support the right flank of the Eighth Army’s advance towards Argenta, and the narrow ‘Argenta Gap’ leading out onto the Po plains.

24 April 2019

HMS Sylvia (1897) was a C class destroyer that served with the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla on the Humber in 1914, then with the Scapa Local Defence Flotilla for most of the rest of the war, often serving on convoy escort duties. She ended the war with the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla on the Humber.

23 April 2019

The Focke-Wulf Ta 152B was the original design for a version of the Ta 152 optimised for higher altitudes, but suffered from problems with its Jumo 213E engine, and never got beyond the prototype stage. However a modified ‘Destroyer’ version, the B-5, did reach the prototype stage late in the war.

22 April 2019

HMS Violet (1897) was a C class destroyer that served with the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla on the Humber in 1914-1917, East Coast Convoys in 1917, briefly with the Nore Local Defence Flotilla and then with the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla at Dover in 1918.

18 April 2019

USS MacLeish (DD-220) was a Clemson class destroyer that served in the eastern Mediterranean in 1922-24, with the Asiatic Fleet in 1925-31 and on convoy escort duties in the Atlantic and US Home Waters for much of the Second World War.

17 April 2019

HMS Vulture (1898) was a C Class destroyer that served with the Nore Local Defence Flotilla from 1914 to early in 1917, and was present when the Lighting was sunk by a mine in 1915.

16 April 2019

Operation Impact Plain (11 April 1945) was the first of two amphibious operations carried out to support the right flank of the British advance into the Argenta Gap, the final battle for the Eighth Army in Italy.

15 April 2019

HMS Recruit (1896) was a C Class destroyer that was part of the Nore Local Defence Flotilla at the start of the First World War, but was sunk by UB-6 near the Galloper Light Vessel on 1 May 1915.

12 April 2019

The Focke-Wulf Ta 152A was the original design for the standard version of the Ta 152, but the project was cancelled just as it was about to go into production.

11 April 2019

HMS Electra (1896) was a C Class destroyer that served with the Nore Local Defence Flotilla throughout the First World War.

10 April 2019

USS Edsall (DD-219) was a Clemson class destroyer that served in the Middle East and Far East in the interwar period, then took part in the disasterous attempt to defend the Dutch East Indies before being sunk by overwhelming Japanese naval forces on 1 March 1942.

9 April 2019

HMS Brazen (1896) was a C class destroyer that served with the Nore Local Defence Flotilla in 1914-1917 and the Portsmouth Local Defence Flotilla in 1917-1918, supporting the torpedo school HMS Vernon.

8 April 2019

Operation Fry (4-5 April 1945) was a minor SBS operation that saw them capture a series of undefended islands in Lake Commachio.

4 April 2019

HMS Flying Fish (1897) was a C class destroyer that served with the Cromarty Patrol of the Grand Fleet for most of the First World War, before joining East Coast Convoys on the Humber in 1917 and then the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla.

3 April 2019

The Focke-Wulf Ta 152 was the final evolution of the Fw 190, and entered combat very late in the war as the high altitude Ta 152H, which was only available in tiny numbers and proved to be an impressive but unreliable fighter.

2 April 2019

Operation Roast (1-3 April 1945) saw the 2nd Commando Brigade clear the narrow spit of land between Lake Commachio and the Adriatic in a preliminary operation before the start of the Eighth Army’s spring offensive in Italy, Operation Buckland.

1 April 2019

HMS Crane (1896) was a C class destroyer that served in the Mediterranean in 1902-5, and with the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla at Dover from 1914-18 then the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla on the Humber in 1918.

28 March 2019

USS Parrott (DD-218) was a Clemson class destroyer that served in the Mediterranean and Black Sea in 1922-25 and with the Asiatic Fleet from 1925 onwards. She survived the disastrous attempt to defend the Malay Barrier early in 1942, and returned to the US, from where she carried out escort duties and took part in anti-submarine hunter killer operations, before being decommissioned after she was badly damaged in a collision in 1944.

27 March 2019

HMS Bat (1896) was a C class destroyer that served in the Mediterranean in 1902-5 and in home waters for the rest of her career. During the First World War she was attached to the Grand Fleet from 1914-1917, mainly serving with the Cromarty Patrol. In 1917 she formed part of the East Coast Convoys organisation, before joining the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla on the Humber in 1918

26 March 2019

Operation Second Wind (5-19 April 1945) was a diversionary attack on the far left of the Allied front line in Italy that saw the US 92nd Division capture the town of Massa, forcing the Germans to move precious reinforcements west to try and hold their line.

25 March 2019

HMS Whiting (1896) was a C class destroyer that was allocated to the China Station soon after being commissioned, and that spent the rest of her career in eastern waters, remaining on active duty throughout the First World War.

21 March 2019

The 14in Gun on Railway Mount Model E was a coastal defence weapon that was being designed before the US entry into the First World War, and that could be used either as a sliding type gun or from a fixed firing emplacement.

20 March 2019

HMS Star (1896) was a C class destroyer that was part of the Shetlands Patrol at the start of the First World War, served with the Cromarty Patrol from 1915-1917 and then with the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla on the Humber in 1918.

19 March 2019

USS Whipple (DD-217) was a Clemson class destroyer that served in the Eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea in 1920-21, with the Asiatic Fleet in 1921-25 and again from 1929. She survived the disasterous battles in the Dutch East Indies early in 1942, and escaped to Australian waters. She was then withdraw to the United States, where she was converted into an escort. She spent the rest of the war on a mix of convoy escort and anti-submarine duties, playing a part in the sinking of U-544.

18 March 2019

HMS Otter (1986) was a C class destroyer that spent most of her career on the China station, briefly returning to active service after the outbreak of the First World War, before being sold off in 1916.

14 March 2019

Operation Grapeshot, or the Allied Spring Offensive in Italy (9 April-2 May 1945) saw the Allied armies in Italy finally break their German opponents, leading to the first large scale German capitulation in Europe, signed only 20 days after the start of the offensive.

13 March 2019

Operation Encore (19 February-5 March 1945) was a limited offensive carried out by the US Fifth Army in an attempt to improve its position in the Apennines and prepare for the upcoming spring offensive.

12 March 2019

HMS Avon (1896) was a C class destroyer that served with the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla on the Humber in 1914-1917, before moving to the North Channel Patrol at the northern entrance to the Irish Sea in 1918. However she was soon ‘borrowed’ by the Senior Naval Officer at Liverpool, where she spent most of 1918

11 March 2019

The 12in Howitzer on Railway Mount was one of the more advanced designs of railway artillery produced for the US Army, but like most American designs didn’t arrive in time to see service in the First World War.

8 March 2019

HMS Bittern (1897) was a C class destroyer that served in home waters for her entire career. She was part of the Devonport Local Defence Flotilla in 1914-1918, and was lost with her entire crew after she collided with SS Kenilworth in thick fog on 4 April 1918.

7 March 2019

The Gridley class destroyers marked a victory for those in the US Navy who saw the destroyer as primarily an offensive ship, and the torpedo as its main weapon.

6 March 2019

‘C Class destroyer’ was the designation given to those pre-First World War 30-knot destroyers that had three funnels in the general reorganisation of destroyer classes in 1912.

5 March 2019

Operation Tombola (4 March-24 April 1945) was a successful SAS operation in northern Italy that saw them form a battle group along with Italian partisans and escaped Russian POWS, causing a great deal of disruption before the start of the Allied spring offensive of 1945.

4 March 2019

HMS Arab (1901) was the third of three 33-knot ‘specials’ that all failed to reach their target speed. She became a standard B class destroyer, and served with the Seventh Flotilla on the Humber in 1914, the Scapa Patrol in 1915-17 before returning to the Seventh Flotilla in 1918.

28 February 2019

The Martin T4M was a version of the earlier T3M torpedo bomber, powered by a Pratt & Whitney Hornet engine.

27 February 2019

HMS Express (1897) was ordered as a 33-knot ‘special’, but never achieved her target speed and became a ‘B class destroyer’, serving with the Eighth Flotilla on the Firth of Forth in 1914-1917, the East Coast Convoys in 1917 and the North Channel Patrol at the top of the Irish Sea in 1918.

25 February 2019

The 12in 50 calibre gun on railway mount combined American guns originally built for export with French sliding railway gun mounts. Three had been completed by the end of the war in 1918, but none reached France and the type was soon scrapped after the war.

21 February 2019

HMS Lively (1900) was a B class destroyer that served in the Mediterranean in 1904-6, but spend the rest of her career in home waters. At the start of the First World War she was part of the Seventh Flotilla on the East Coast, but late in 1914 she was moved to Scapa, where she was based until 1918, when she joined the Irish Sea Hunting Flotilla.

20 February 2019

The two Dunlap Class destroyers were similar to the earlier Mahan class destroyers, but with experimental enclosed mounts for two of their 5in guns.

19 February 2019

HMS Sprightly (1900) was a B class destroyer that served in the Mediterranean in 1905-6, but spend the rest of her career in home waters. At the start of the First World War she was part of the Seventh Flotilla on the East Coast, but late in 1914 she was moved to Scapa, where she was based until 1918, when she joined the Irish Sea Hunting Flotilla.

18 February 2019

Operation Cold Comfort/ Zombie (17 February-March 1945) was an unsuccessful SAS attempt to block the railway through the Brenner Pass, to prevent German troops moving in or out of Italy during the upcoming Allied spring offensive.

14 February 2019

The Martin RM-1/ C-3 was the designation given to two Martin 4-0-4 airliners that served with the US Coast Guard and then the US Navy.

The Martin P6M SeaMaster was an advanced jet powered flying boat that was ordered into production, but only appeared in small numbers before the project was cancelled.

13 February 2019

HMS Kangaroo (1900) was a B class destroyer that served in the Mediterranean early in her career, then in home waters. She spent the entire First World War serving with the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla, part of the very active Dover Command.  

12 February 2019

The Canon de 75 mle 1897, or the ‘French 75’, was the most famous artillery weapon of the First World War, and when it first appeared was a revolutionary design that made most existing artillery obsolete.

11 February 2019

The Mahan Class Destroyers were similar to the Farragut class, but with high speed turbines and high pressure boilers, a more advanced power plant that was later used on the the Dunlap and Bagley classes

31 January 2019

HMS Success (1901) was a B class destroyer that served in home waters for her entire career, and that served with the Seventh Patrol Flotilla on east coast during 1914, before being wrecked off Fife Ness on 27 December 1914.

30 January 2019

Amyntas III (r.393-369 BC) of Macedon was the father of Philip II, and had a long but unstable reign, dominated by wars with the Illyrians and the Olynthians.

29 January 2019

Jean-Baptiste Kléber (1753-1800) was one of the most able of the French revolutionary generals, and is most famous for his short period in command of the French army in Egypt.

28 January 2019

The Porter Class Destroyers were the first destroyer leaders built by the US Navy, and were armed with eight 5in single purpose guns that made them less useful during the Second World War than the smaller destroyers of the Farragut and similar classes

24 January 2019

HMS Myrmidon (1900) was a B class destroyer that served in the Mediterranean and Home Waters before the First World War and the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla, part of the Dover Patrol, during the First World War. She was sunk in a collision in the channel on on 26 March 1917.

HMS Spiteful (1899) was a B class destroyer that became the first British destroyer to be entirely oil powered, and spent the entire First World War as part of the Portsmouth Local Defence Flotilla.

23 January 2019

Operation Wintergewitter or the battle of Garfagnana (26-28 December 1944) was the last German counterattack in Italy, and pushed back one Allied division before being stopped by a second.

Operation Fourth Term (8-11 February 1945) was an unsuccessful American offensive on the western flank of the Italian front, carried out in an attempt to capture the town of Massa.

22 January 2019

HMS Orwell (1898) was a B class destroyer that served in the Mediterranean and Home Waters before the First World War, then with the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla on the Humber in 1914, the Scapa Defensive Flotilla in 1915-17 and the Irish Sea Hunting Flotilla in 1918.

HMS Peterel (1899) was a B class destroyer that served in home waters for her entire career, serving with the Eighth Destroyer Flotilla on the Firth of Forth from 1914-17, then moving to the Humber in 1917, spending the rest of the war with the Seventh Flotilla.

21 January 2019

The Martin AM Mauler was a single seat carrier based attack aircraft, designed to replace the multi-seat SB and TB types that dominated during the Second World War.

The Martin XB-33 was the designation given to two different designs for high altitude bombers, neither of which entered production.

17 January 2019

HMS Syren (1900) was a B class destroyer that served with the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla of the Dover Patrol during the First World War, and helped sink U-8 in March 1915.

HMS Wolf (1897) was a B class destroyer that served in home waters for her entire career. She was part of the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla based on the Humber in 1914-17, the Nore Local Defence Flotilla in 1917 and the North Channel Patrol at Larne in 1918.

16 January 2019

The 12in Gun on Batignolles Railway Mount combined American guns with a French designed firing platform that could be constructed from a purpose built railway car.

The 12in Mortar on Railway Mount Model 1918 carried a 12in mortar on a fully traversing barbette. Several were almost completed by the end of the First World War, and it remained in use between the wars, before the carriage was used to carry surplus 8in naval guns.

15 January 2019

HMS Seal (1897) was a B class destroyer that served in the Mediterranean and Home Waters before the First World War, then with the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla on the Humber from 1914-17, the Nore Local Defence Flotilla in 1917-18 and the Irish Sea Hunting Flotilla in 1918.

HMS Panther (1897) was a B class destroyer that served in the Mediterranean and Home Waters before the First World War, and with the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla on the Humber from 1914-17, then the Nore Local Defence Flotilla and finally the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla at Dover.

14 January 2019

The Farragut Class Destroyers were the first new American destroyers to be ordered after the First World War, and was a major improvement on the flushdecker destroyers, with a raised forecastle, 5in dual purpose guns, an increase in speed and a new stern that improved their turning circle.

11 January 2019

The A Class Destroyers of 1912 was the designation given to the surviving ‘27 knotters’, the second generation of British destroyers, in 1912. By the outbreak of the First World War they were almost obsolete, but many served for most of the war, normally with the various defensive flotillas scattered around the British coast.

The B Class Destroyers was the designation given to all surviving 30-knot destroyers that had four funnels in 1912, in an attempt to rationalise the rather confusing mass of early destroyer types in service. Twenty were still in service at the start of the First World War, and served with a variety of patrol formations around the British Coast.

10 January 2019

The battle of the Romagna or of the Rivers (22 September-21 December 1944) was the final Eighth Army offensive of 1944 and saw them narrowly fail to break out onto the Po Plain before the winter weather forced an end to the fighting.

Operation Galia (27 December 1944-10 February 1945) was an SAS operation in the north-west of Italy designed to prevent the Germans moving troops from the western end of the Gothic Line to the area around Bologna, and to reduce the German pressure on the western end of the line.

9 January 2019

HMS Locust (1896) was a B class destroyer that served in the Mediterranean from 1902-6, and with the Seventh Patrol Flotilla on the East Coast at the start of the First World War, before moving to the Scapa local defence forces late in 1914. She remained there until 1918, when she returned to the Seventh Flotilla on the East Coast.

HMS Earnest (1896) was a B class destroyer that served in the Mediterranean until 1906 and then in home waters, serving with the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla on the east coast in 1914-17, the Nore Local Defence Flotilla at the start of 1918 and the Irish Sea Hunting Flotilla for most of 1918.

8 January 2019

The Martin PB2M/ JRM Mars was the largest flying boat to enter service with the US Navy, although only a handful were completed for use as a transport aircraft.

The Martin M-130 was a massive flying boat produced for the trans-Pacific route. Only three were built, and two were taken into US Naval service in 1942.

7 January 2019

HMS Griffon (1896) was a B class destroyer that served in the Mediterranean in 1900-6 and then in home waters, forming part of the Seventh Flotilla on the east coast at the start of the First World War, before spending most of the war in the local patrol force at Scapa Flow. She ended the war with the Irish Sea Hunting Flotilla.

HMS Quail (1895) was a B class destroyer that served on the North American and West Indies Station in 1897-1903, the Mediterranean in 1905-6 and in Home waters from 1906, and with the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla on the Humber during the First World War.

4 January 2019

The 8in Gun on Railway Mount Model 1918 saw US coastal defence guns and their barbettes mounted on a low loading railway carriage. Three actually made it to France in 1918, but none saw action.

The 10in Gun on Sliding Railway Mount was produced using US guns on French railway mounts in an attempt to speed up production, but none were ready before the end of the First World War.

3 January 2019

HMS Thrasher was a B class destroyer that served with the Seventh Patrol Flotilla on the Umber and the Nore Local Defence Flotilla during the First World War, sinking UC-39 in 1917.

HMS Virago was an B class destroyer that served on the Pacific Station in 1897-1903 and then on the China Station from 1903 until she was sold in 1919.

2 January 2019

The battle of Rimini (13-21 September 1944) saw the Eighth Army attempt to break though the last hilly barriers before the Romagna Plains, part of an attempt to break out into the Po valley, but the advance took longer than expected, and by the time the army reached the Romagna winter rains had turned it into ideal defensive territory.  

The battle of San Marino (17-20 September 1944) was a short battle that saw the 4th Indian Division of the Eighth Army clear out a German force that had moved into neutral San Marino to take advantage of its position overlooking the right flank of the Allied advance up the Adriatic.

1 January 2019

HMS Surly was an A class destroyer that served with the Portsmouth Local Defence Flotilla during the First World War.

HMS Sunfish was an A class destroyer that served with the Devonport Local Defence Flotilla during the First World War.

31 December 2018

The Martin XB-48 was an early American jet bomber that reached the prototype stage, but didn’t enter production.

The Martin XB-51 was a three engine jet ground attack aircraft that reached the prototype stage but didn’t enter production.

28 December 2018

HMS Ranger was an A class destroyer that served with the Portsmouth Local Defence Flotilla during the First World War, before being withdrawn from service in 1917.

HMS Opossum was an A class destroyer that served with the Devonport Local Flotilla during the First World War, remaining active enough for her commander to win the DSC for action against enemy submarines in 1918.

27 December 2018

The 4.7in Howitzer on Railway Mount Model 1917 was a Model 1913 howitzer mounted on a simple railway carriage, and was used as a coastal defence weapon at Panama after the American entry into the First World War

The 7in Gun on Railway Mount Model 1918 mounted a US Navy 7in gun on an army railway car, and was constructed to protect the US coast against U-Boat attack during the First World War.

19 December 2018

HMS Zephyr was an A class destroyer that served with the Nore Local Defence Flotilla in 1914-1917 and the Irish Sea Hunting Flotilla in 1918

HMS Handy was an A class destroyer that served in the Far East, and that was withdraw from service in 1913 and sold at Hong Kong in 1916.

18 December 2018

USS John D Edwards (DD-216) was a Clemson class destroyer that survived the disasterous battle of the Java Sea in 1942, and was then mainly used on escort duties, first in the Pacific and then in the Atlantic, along with one spell serving with an anti-submarine hunter-killer group in the Atlantic.

USS Flusser (DD-289) was a Clemson class destroyer that had a limited peacetime career, before being scrapped in 1930.

17 December 2018

HMS Wizard was an A class destroyer that served with the Portsmouth Local Defence Flotilla for most of the First World War, before being withdrawn from service in March-April 1917.

HMS Fervent was an A class destroyer that served with the Nore Local Defence Flotilla and was still active enough in 1918 for her commander to win the DSC.

13 December 2018

The combat of Sumbilla (1 August 1813) was a rearguard action in which two British divisions attempted to catch up with Soult’s troops retreating down the Bidassoa valley in the aftermath of their defeat at the second battle of Sorauren.

The combat of Yanzi (1 August 1813) saw a small Spanish force badly disrupt Soult’s retreat down the Bidassoa valley in the aftermath of his defeat at the second battle of Sorauren.

12 December 2018

HMS Porcupine was an A class destroyer that served with the Nore Local Defence Flotilla from August 1914 until November 1917, when she was probably withdrawn from front line service as more modern destroyers became available.

HMS Conflict was an A class destroyer that served with the Portsmouth Local Defence Flotilla throughout the First World War.  

11 December 2018

Operation Olive (25 August-October 1944) was the first Allied attack on the German Gothic Line in the northern Apennines. Although most of the fortifications of the Gothic Line were captured early in the offensive, the Germans managed to hold on to new lines further back, and the Allied offensive eventually ran out of steam late in 1944, tantalisingly close to the Po plains.

10 December 2018

HMS Boxer (1894) was an A class destroyer that was a record breaker in her early career, and that served with the Portsmouth local Defence Flotilla during the First World War, before being lost in a collision in 1918.

HMS Lightning (1895) was an A class destroyer that served with the Nore Local Defence Flotilla early in the First World War, before being sunk by a submarine laid mine in June 1915.

6 December 2018

The Martin P4M Mercator was a long range reconnaissance aircraft, powered by a mix of piston and jet engines, and that saw service as an ECM aircraft in the 1950s.

The Martin P5M (P-5) Marlin was developed from the successful PBM Mariner, and was the last operational flying boat to serve with the US Navy.

5 December 2018

The 7.2in Howitzer Mk I-V was an improvised weapon that was originally produced in 1940 and based around relined First World War 8in Howitzers.

The 7.2in Howitzer Mk 6 combined the American Mk1 carriage with a long 7.1in barrel to produce a significantly better weapon than the earlier 7.2in Howitzer Mk I-V.

4 December 2018

USS Tracy (DD-214/ DM-19) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Asiatic Fleet in the 1920s and 1930s. She was in the middle of a refit when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, then took part in the invasion of Guadalcanal, before spending most of the rest of the war on escort duties, as well as taking part in the invasion of Okinawa.

USS Borie (DD-215) was Clemson class destroyer that served in the Caribbean for most of the Second World War, before being scuttled after suffering heavy damage when she rammed and sank U-405 in November 1943.

3 December 2018

The combat of Beunza (30 July 1813) was part of the wider second battle of Sorauren and saw a French attack some way to the north-west of the main battlefield repulsed by Hill’s Division.

The combat of Venta de Urroz or Donna Maria (31 July 1813) was a rearguard action during Soult’s retreat after his defeat at the second battle of Sorauren, and saw Hill’s division harass the French rearguard and begin to provide evidence that the French weren’t retreating along the route that Wellington had expected.

29 November 2018

The battle of Thapsus (April 46 BC) saw Caesar defeat the last major Republican army, commanded by Metellus Scipio, after a campaign in Africa which often saw him outnumbered and short of supplies.+

The battle of Hippo Regius (Summer 46 BC) was a naval victory for the Roman adventurer P. Sittius in which several of the Republican leaders fleeing in the aftermath of their defeat at Thapsus were killed.

28 November 2018

The battle of the Arno Line (23 July -31 August 1944) saw the Germans delay the Allied advance on the Arno west of Florence for over a month, allowing more work to be carried out on the Gothic Line, further into the mountains.

The battle of Gemmano (4-15 September 1944) was part of the Eighth Army’s assault on the eastern end of the Gothic Line, and saw the Germans carry out a skilful delaying action after their original defensive positions were overrun unexpectedly quickly.

27 November 2018

The Martin XB-16 was a design for a heavy bomber to satisfy a USAAC specification for a heavy bomber with a range of 5,000 miles.

The Martin XB-27 was a design for a high altitude medium bomber that never got beyond the blueprint stage.

26 November 2018

The Ordnance, BL 5in howitzer was the first breech loading howitzer to be used by the British Army, but was obsolete within ten years of being introduced, and was replaced by the QF 4.5in howitzer.

The Ordnance QF 4.5in field howitzer was one of the best British guns of the First World War, and was still in service at the start of the Second World War, when many were captured by the Germans.

22 November 2018

USS Smith Thompson (DD-212) was a Clemson class destroyer that served in European waters, with the Asiatic Station and off the US East Coast before being written off after a collision with one of her sister ships in 1936.

USS Barker (DD-213) was a Clemson class destroyer that remained in commission for her entire career, spending most of the interwar period with the Asiatic Fleet, before taking part in the unsuccessful attempt to defend the Dutch East Indies early in 1942. She remained in service to the end of the war, largely operating in the Atlantic. 

21 November 2018

The first battle of Sorauren (28 July 1813) was Soult’s best chance to win a significant victory during the battle of the Pyrenees, but by the time he attacked Wellington had reached the scene with reinforcements, and the French attack was repulsed.

The second battle of Sorauren (30 July 1813) was Soult’s last attempt to win a significant victory during the battle of the Pyrenees, and saw an attack along a longer front than during the first battle repulsed by Wellington.

20 November 2018

The siege of Acilla (January 46 BC) was an unsuccessful Republican attempt to recapture a city that had sided with Caesar after his arrival in North Africa.

The battle of Tegea (March 46 BC) was the last in a series of skirmishes between the forces of Caesar and the Republicans in the campaign that ended at Thapsus, and was an inconclusive battle that helped convince Caesar that the Republican commander Scipio wouldn’t risk a full scale battle unless he was forced into it.

19 November 2018

The battle of the Arezzo Line (3-18 July 1944) saw the Germans fight a delaying action along a line that protected the ports of Livorno and Ancona, winning them precious time to improve the fortifications of the Gothic Line.

The battle of Ancona (17-18 July 1944) was the only fully independent battle fought by General Anders’ 2nd Polish Corps in Italy, and saw them capture the key port of Ancona on the Adriatic Coast.

15 November 2018

The Martin XB-13 was the designation given to a version of the Martin B-10 that would have been powered by the Hornet B radial engine.

The Martin XB-14 was an experimental version of the Martin B-10, produced to test out the new Twin Wasp engines.

14 November 2018

The Ordnance QF 2.95in Mountain Gun was the first British mountain gun to use a hydraulic buffer, and was ordered in small numbers by the British Army, the Egyptian Army, the West African Frontier Force and the US Army.

The Ordnance QF 3.7in Howitzer (known as a pack or mountain howitzer) was designed to be carried by mules, and was the last in a series of ‘screw guns’ used by the British and Indian Armies.

13 November 2018

USS Broome (DD-210) was a Clemson class destroyer that spent most of the Second World War operating on convoy escort and other duties off the US East Coast, with rare trips across the Atlantic.

USS Alden (DD-211) was a Clemson class destroyer that survived the early disasterous battles in the Dutch East Indies, and spent most of the rest of the war on escort duties in the Caribbean and Atlantic, along with one spell with a hunter-killer submarine warfare group.

12 November 2018

The 507th Fighter Group (USAAF) was a P-47 group that operated as a ground attack unit during the last few months of the war against Japan.

The 508th Fighter Group (USAAF) was a P-47 group that trained as a long range escort group, but never got further forward than Hawaii.

8 November 2018

The battle of Roncesvalles (25 July 1813) was part of the wider battle of the Pyrenees, and saw Soult’s main attack held up all day by British and Spanish forces at the top of the Roncesvalles pass, before General Cole decided that his position was too vulnerable and ordered a retreat on the night of 25-26 July.

The combat of Linzoain (26 July 1813) was a minor rearguard action fought in the aftermath of the battle of Roncesvalles, and was a British delaying action, greatly aided by a lack of interest in attacking on the part of the French.

7 November 2018

The siege of Leptis Minor (January 46 BC) was a brief attempt by Republican forces under Labienus to recapture a city that had gone over to Caesar soon after his arrival in Africa.

The siege of Cirta (January 46 BC) saw Caesar’s allies capture and sack one of the key cities of Numidia, forcing King Juba to withdraw most of his troops from the Republican army, weakening it just as Caesar was at his most vulnerable.

6 November 2018

The battle of Elba (17-19 June 1944) saw a largely French force capture the island after overwhelming a much smaller Italian and German garrison (Italian Campaign).

The battle of the Trasimeno Line (20 June-2 July 1944) saw the Allies break through the first significant defensive line that the Germans had been able to create in the aftermath of the fourth battle of Cassino and the fall of Rome

5 November 2018

The Curtiss CS/ Martin SC/ Martin T2M was a Navy designed scout and torpedo bomber of the 1920s that was produced in several versions by Curtiss and Martin

The Martin T3M was an improved version of the CS-2, using a geared Wright engine. It was the most numerous member of its family, with 124 produced.

28 September 2018

The Ordnance QF 15-pounder Ehrhardt was a German produced gun bought for the British Army after the Boer War, and used in limited numbers in France in 1915.

The Ordnance BL 2.75in mountain gun was a significantly modernized version of the 10-pounder mountain gun, and was given a modern recoil system that put it almost on a par with the cavalry and field artillery guns.

27 September 2018

USS Hovey (DD-208/ DMS-11) was a Clemson class destroyer that fought at Gualadcanal, Bougainville and Leyte before she was sunk by a torpedo during the landings at Lingayen Gulf on Luzon.

USS Long (DD-209/ DMS-12) was a Clemson class destroyer that fought in the Aleutians, at Hollandia, in the Marianas, the Palaus and the Philippines, before being sunk during the landings at Lingayen Gulf on Luzon.

26 September 2018

The 478th Fighter Group (USAAF) was a home based training unit that served as a replacement training unit.

The 479th Fighter Group (USAAF) served with the Eighth Air Force, and operated as a ground attack and bomber escort unit from May 1944 to the end of the war in Europe.

The 506th Fighter Group (USAAF) was a P-51 group that operated with the Twentieth Air Force in the Pacific, carrying out a mix of ground attack and bomber escort missions.

25 September 2018

The battle of the Pyrenees (25 July-2 August 1813) saw Marshal Soult unexpectedly launch an offensive across the mountains in an attempt to raise the siege of Pamplona. After some early successes he was turned back to the north of the city, and was lucky to escape back into France with his army largely intact.

The battle of Maya (25 July 1813) saw the French force Wellington’s men to abandon the pass of Maya and retreat toward Pamplona, and was the only occasion in which an army under Wellington’s command lost guns (battle of the Pyrenees).

24 September 2018

The battle of Ruspina (46 BC) was a minor defeat suffered by Caesar soon after he arrived in Africa, but his Republican opponents failed to take full advantage of their success, and allowed Caesar to recover from the early setback

The battle of Ascurum (46 BC) was a minor defeat for the Republican forces during the final African campaign of the Great Civil War and saw an attempt to invade Mauritania fail.

21 September 2018

Operation Shingle, or the battle of Anzio (22 January-5 June 1944) was one of the most controversial battles of the Italian campaign, and saw a joint Anglo-American force land close to Rome to break the deadlock at Camino, only to get bogged down and besieged in a narrow beachhead for months

The fourth battle of Cassino or Operation Diadem (11-18 May 1944) was a large scale Allied attack that finally broke the stalemate on the Cassino front, and allowed the Allies to occupy Rome just before the start of Operation Overlord.

20 September 2018

The Martin B-10 was the first of the new generation of monoplane bombers to enter USAAC service in the 1930s, and when it first appeared was a revolutionary aircraft that was faster than the standard fighter aircraft of its day.

The Martin B-12 was a modified version of the successful B-10, powered by Pratt & Whitney R-1690 Hornet A engines.

19 September 2018

The Ordnance QF 18-pounder field gun Mk I was the British Army’s standard field gun of the First World War, and after some teething troubles developed into a reliable weapon.

The Ordnance QF 18-pounder field gun Mk.IV was a modernised version of the 18-pounder Mk.I, but didn’t enter service until late in the First World War.

18 September 2018

USS Chandler (DD-206/ DMS-9) was a Clemson class destroyer that served as a fast mine sweeper during the American invasions of the later stages of the Pacific War.

USS Southard (DD-207/ DMS-10) was a Clemson class destroyer that fought at Guadalacanal, Bougaunville, the Palaus, the Philippines and Okinawa, before being damaged beyond repair by typhoons after the end of the war.

17 September 2018

The 474th Fighter Group (USAAF) served with the Ninth Air Force in Europe, taking part in the Allied invasion of Europe and the advance across north-western Europe into Germany.

The 475th Fighter Group (USAAF) was created in Australia in 1943, and supported the Allied advance across New Guinea and into the Philippines.

The 476th Fighter Group (USAAF) was briefly activated with no squadrons in China, before being activated for a second time as a home based training unit.

14 September 2018

The siege of Fort San Felipe de Balaguer (4-7 June 1813) was the one success during Murray’s disastrous attempt to capture Tarragona in the summer of 1813, and saw a small Anglo-Spanish force capture a fort that blocked the best road from Tortosa to Tarragona, making it harder for Marshal Suchet to intervene in the siege.

The siege of San Sebastian (28 June-31 August 1813) saw Wellington successfully capture the last French stronghold on the northern coast of Spain, although after a longer siege than had been originally expected.

13 September 2018

The battle of Nicopolis (48 BC) saw Pharnaces, the son of Mithridates the Great of Pontus, defeat a Roman army that was attempting to stop him taking advantage of Caesar’s absence in Egypt to regain control part of his father’s old Empire.

The battle of Zela (May 47 BC) saw Caesar defeat Pharnaces, king of the Cimmerian Bosporus, so quickly that it inspired his most famous quote, ‘Veni, vidi, vici’, or ‘I came, I saw, I conquered’.

12 September 2018

The second battle of Cassino (15-18 February 1944) was the most controversial of the four battles, and saw Allied bombers destroy the ancient Benedictine monastery of Monte Cassino without any military benefit.

The third battle of Cassino (15-22 March 1944) was the last attack at Cassino to be carried out by the US Fifth Army alone, but the attack failed after a week of bitter fighting.

11 September 2018

The Lockheed P2V (P-2) Neptune was a very successful post-war maritime patrol bomber that was developed during the Second World War, but didn’t enter service until after the war was over.

The Lockheed C-140 was the designation given to a small number of Lockheed Jetstars that were ordered as cargo aircraft, after the original military requirement for the aircraft had been cancelled.

10 September 2018

The Ordnance jointed BL 10-pounder was the standard British mountain gun at the start of the First World  War, but was rapidly replaced by the more modern BL 2.75in Mountain Gun.

The Ordnance, BL converted, 15-pounder field gun was a modified version of a pre-Boer War weapon that was given a more modern recoil system and used to equip the Territorial Army before the First World War.

7 September 2018

USS Herndon (DD-198) was a Clemson class destroyer that had a very short career in the US Navy and Coast Guard, before joining the Royal Navy as HMS Churchill, then the Soviet Navy, where she was lost in 1945.  

USS Dallas (DD-199) was a Clemson class destroyer that took part in Operation Torch, the invasion of Sicily and the Salerno landings, as well as performing escort duties.

6 September 2018

The 413th Fighter Group (USAAF) was a fighter group that served as a fighter-bomber unit with the Twentieth Air Force, mainly operating over Japan and occupied China.

The 414th Fighter Group (USAAF) was a fighter unit that entered combat as a ground attack group with the Twentieth Air Force late in the Second World War.

The 473rd Fighter Group (USAAF) was a home based training unit that operated in 1943-44.

5 September 2018

The battle of Castalla (13 April 1813) was a defensive victory that saw General Murray’s largely Anglo-Sicilian army defeat an attack by Suchet’s Army of Valencia.

The siege of Tarragona (3-12 June 1813) was an unsuccessful British attempt to recapture the Spanish city and provide a distraction for Wellington’s campaign in the north of Spain.

4 September 2018

The siege of Pelusium (early 47 BC) was an early victory for Mithridates of Pergamum during his expedition to rescue Caesar, who was then besieged in Alexandria.

The battle of the Nile (February 47 BC) was the final action of Caesar’s Alexandrian War, and saw him unite with the relief army under Mithridates of Pergamum to defeat the army of Ptolemy XIII.

3 September 2018

The first battle of Cassino (12 January- 12 February 1944) saw the Allies push slowly closer to the main German defensive lines around Cassino (Gustav Line), but at great cost.

The battle of the Rapido River (20-22 January 1944) was part of the wider first battle of Cassino, and was a costly failure that had to be abandoned after only two days.

31 August 2018

The Lockheed XR6O was a massive transport aircraft that was produced for the US Navy during the Second World War, but that had a low priority and wasn’t completed until after the end of the war.

The Lockheed YO-3A was a very quiet surveillance aircraft, designed to fly low and silently over Vietnam in an attempt to locate hidden Communist troops.

30 August 2018

The 76.2mm Divisional Gun Model 1939 USV was the best Soviet 76mm gun at the start of the Second World War, and was lighter than the previous Model 1936 F-22.

The 76.2mm Divisional Canon Model 1942 (ZiS 3) was the most numerous Soviet field gun of the Second World War, and was mass produced after the German invasion of 1941.

29 August 2018

USS George E. Badger (DD-196/ AVP-16/ AVD-3/ APD-33) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the US Coast Guard, as a seaplane tender in 1940-42, on convoy escort duties and finally as a fast transport in the Pacific theatre.

USS Branch (DD-197) was a Clemson class destroyer that had a brief career with the US Navy before serving with the Royal Navy as HMS Beverley, where she performed valuable service as a convoy escort before finally being sunk by U-188 in the spring of 1943.

28 August 2018

The 338th Fighter Group (USAAF) was a training unit that served with the Third Air Force from 1942 until 1944.

The 339th Fighter Group (USAAF) served with the Eighth Air Force, mainly as a bomber escort group, but with some other missions added.

The 412th Fighter Group was an experimental unit that was used to gain experience with the new generation of jet aircraft.

27 August 2018

The siege of Villena (12 April 1813) was a quick French victory that briefly appeared to have opened the road to Castalla and the main body of General Murray’s Army of Alicante.

The combat of Biar (12 April 1813) was a successful British rearguard action that delayed Suchet’s advance and reduced his chances of winning a major victory over Murray’s Army of Alicante.

24 August 2018

The battle of Pharsalus (9 August 48 BC) was the decisive battle of the Great Roman Civil War, and saw Caesar defeat Pompey and the Senate’s main army.

The siege of Alexandria (August 48 BC-January/ February 47 BC) saw Julius Caesar become trapped in the city after getting involved in Egyptian politics. He was only able to escape after a relief army reached the city, allowing him to defeat Ptolemy XIII and his allies at the battle of the Nile.

23 August 2018

The battles of the Winter Line or Gustav Line (12 January-18 May 1944) were the most important battles of the Italian campaign, and saw the Germans under Kesselring keep the Allies pinned down south of Rome from the autumn of 1943 until the summer of 1944.

22 August 2018

The Lockheed T2V-1/ T-1 was an improved version of the T-33 trainer, produced as a deck landing trainer for the US Navy.

The Lockheed W2V-1 was a design for an airborne early warning aircraft to be based on the Lockheed Model 1649 Starliner. Two examples were ordered early in 1957, but then cancelled a few months later.

21 August 2018

The 76.2mm Divisional Gun Model 1933 combined a new L/50 gun with an existing howitzer carriage to produce a serviceable gun that was meant to serve as a stop-gap until the more modern Model 1936 F-22 gun was ready to enter service.

The 76.2mm Divisional Gun Model 1936 (F-22) introduced a new split trail, and largely replaced the older Model 1933 in Soviet Service.

20 August 2018

USS Hunt (DD-194) was a Clemson class destroyer that briefly served with the US Neutrality Patrol before being transferred to the Royal Navy as HMS Broadway, where she helped capture U-110.

USS Welborn C. Wood (DD-195) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the US Coast Guard and the Neutrality Patrol, before serving with the Royal Navy as HMS Chesterfield, carrying out three years of convoy escort duties.

17 August 2018

The 329th Fighter Group (USAAF) was a training unit that served with the US Fourth Air Force from 1942 to 1944.

The 332nd Fighter Group (USAAF) served in Italy in 1944-45, and spent most of that time escorting the heavy bombers of the Fifteenth Air Force.

The 337th Fighter Group (USAAF) was a training group that served with the Third Air Force in the south-east of the United States from 1942 until 1944.

16 August 2018

The combat of Albeyda (15 March 1813) was a minor British success in eastern Spain, and was meant to be followed by an amphibious attack on Valencia which was cancelled before it began.

The combat of Yecla (11 April 1813) was a French success at the start of the Castalla campaign that saw Suchet’s Army of Valencia split the Allied army facing them on the Xucar, giving Suchet a chance of inflicting a serious defeat on Murray’s army of Alicante.

15 August 2018

The siege of Corfinium (early 49 BC) was the first military action of the Great Roman Civil War and saw Caesar quickly overwhelm an attempt to defend the city against him.

The siege of Brundisium (49 BC) saw a brief confrontation between Pompey and Caesar at the start of the Great Roman Civil War, before Pompey escaped to Epirus.

14 August 2018

The battle of the Moro River (4-26 December 1943) was part of the Eighth Army attack on the Gustav Line, the main German defensive position south of Rome, and came after the British had broken through the main Gustav line position in the east of Italy, behind the Sangro River.

The battle of Ortona (20-27 December 1943) saw the Canadians capture a key part of the Adriatic section of the Gustav Line in the first major urban battle of the Italian campaign, but by the time it ended the Eighth Army was in no condition to carry out further offensive operations.

13 August 2018

The Lockheed T-33 was a two-seat training version of the P-80 Shooting Star, originally developed using Lockheed’s own funds, but soon adopted by the USAF and was produced in impressively large numbers.

The Lockheed F-94 was an all weather fighter produced to fill a gap in the USAF’s post-war arsenal. It entered service late in 1949 and remained in service for a decade, seeing some service in Korea.

10 August 2018

The 76.2mm Divisional Gun Model 00/02 was the standard Russian field gun during the First World War, and a modified version was still in use in large numbers at the start of the Second World War.

The 76.22mm Divisional Gun Model 02/30 was an updated of the First World War era Model 00/02, and was still in service in large numbers during the Second World War.

9 August 2018

USS Graham (DD-192) was a Clemson class destroyer that had a short active career with the US Navy before being sold for scrap in 1922.

USS Abel P Upshur (DD-193) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the US Coast Guard and the Neutrality Patrol before being transferred to the Royal Navy, where she served as HMS Clare.

8 August 2018

The 326th Fighter Group was a training unit that served with the First Air Force from 1942 until 1944.

The 327th Fighter Group was a training group that served with the First Air Force in the US from 1942 until 1944.

The 328th Fighter Group was a training unit based in the US South-West from 1942 until 1944.

7 August 2018

The combat of Roncal (12-13 May 1813) was a partly successful French attempt to defeat the successful guerrilla leader Francisco Espoz y Mina by attacking his magazines, depots and hospitals.

The combat of Lequeitio (30 May 1813) was a rare success for the French in the north of Spain during their attempts to capture or destroy the Spanish guerrilla bands.

6 August 2018

The Great Roman Civil War (50-44 BC) was triggered by the rivalry between Julius Caesar and his conservative opposition in the Senate, and saw Caesar defeat all of his enemies in battles scattered around the Roman world, before famously being assassinated in Rome on the Ides of March, triggering yet another round of civil wars.

3 August 2018

The battle of the Sangro (20 November- 4 December 1943) was the first part of the Eighth Army contribution to the attack on the Gustav Line, the main German defensive position south of Rome.

2 August 2018

The 17cm S.K. L/40 ‘Samuel’ in Raderlafette auf Eisenbahnwagen (wheeled carriage on railway wagon) was a fairly simple railway mounting for 17cm fast loading guns taken from German naval stocks.

The lange 21cm Kanone in Schiessgerüst (long 21cm gun in firing platform) or Paris Gun was a very long range railway gun that was just about able to hit Paris from positions behind the German lines, and caused a brief panic when it first entered combat in 1918.

1 August 2018

USS Satterlee (DD-190) was a Clemson class destroyer that had a short US career before being transferred to the Royal Navy, where she served as USS Belmont before being sunk by U-81.

USS Mason (DD-191) was a Clemson class destroyer that had a limited US career, and then served in the North Atlantic with the Royal Navy as HMS Broadwater, before being sunk by U-101.

31 July 2018

The 318th Fighter Group spent two and a half years based on Hawaii, before moving to the front in June 1944 to take part in the invasion of the Marianas and the air attack on Japan.

The 324th Fighter Group fought in Tunisia, Sicily, Italy, the south of France and the final advance into Germany, mainly operating as a close support unit.

The 325th Fighter Group fought in Tunisia, Pantelleria, Sicily and mainland Italy, then became a escort unit supporting the Italian based heavy bombers on their raids across Germany and occupied Europe.

30 July 2018

The combats of Guernica (2 and 5 April 1813) saw a French column force the Spanish guerrillas to abandon their HQ in Biscay, but the majority of the Spanish troops were able to escape, reducing the value of the success.

The combat of Bilbao (10 April 1813) was an unsuccessful Spanish attempt to capture the city while it was weakly defended, but failed after one of the key forces failed to arrive in time to support the initial attack.

27 July 2018

The battle of the Trigno (27 October-4 November 1943) saw the Eighth Army overcome the second of a series of German defensive positions on the Adriatic coast of Italy, in the aftermath of the initial landings in the south.

The battle of the Bernhardt Line (5 November-17 December 1943) saw the Allies capture the mountains that guarded the ‘Mignano Gap’, on the approaches to the main Gustav line positions behind the Garigliano and Rapido Rivers after a series of costly infantry assaults.

26 July 2018

The Lockheed R3O was the designation for two versions of the Model 10 Electra used by the US Navy, one purchased for the Navy and one impressed during the Second World War

The Lockheed R5O was the US Navy’s designation for the Model 18 Lodestar transport, of which nearly 100 were used during the Second World War.

25 July 2018

The 28cm K(E) ‘neue Bruno’ was the last of four models of railway gun produced by mounting old naval guns on railway carriages. It was an attempt to produce a weapon that was more powerful than the ‘short’, ‘long’ and ‘heavy’ Brunos,

The 80cm Kanone (Eisenbahn) was the largest artillery gun ever built, and was a vanity project that consumed far more resources than its limited impact could possibly justify.

24 July 2018

USS Goldsborough (DD-188/ AVP-18/ AVD-5/ APD-32) was a Clemson class destroyer that spent much of the Second World War supporting amphibious aircraft, before being converted into a fast transport to take part in the invasions of Saipan, the Philippines, Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

USS Semmes (DD-189) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the US Coast Guard in the interwar period and carried out a mix of experimental, training and escort work during the Second World War.

23 July 2018

The 85th Fighter Group was a training group that served with the Second and Third Air Forces in the United States in 1942-44.

The 86th Fighter Group was mainly used as a close support unit, and took part in the invasions of Sicily, mainland Italy and the south of France, before ending the war operating over Germany.

The 87th Fighter Group was a short lived replacement training unit for P-47s.

20 July 2018

The battle of the Biferno (1-7 October 1943) saw the British Eighth Army break through the eastern flank of the first German defensive line in Italy, the Volturno Line.

The battle of the Barbara Line (31 October-4 November 1943) saw the Allies break through the outlining defences of the ‘Winter Line’, a hastily constructed line of outposts between the Volturno and the more strongly defended Bernhardt and Gustav Lines.

19 July 2018

The Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star was the first jet fighter to enter US service, but despite an impressively quick development didn’t arrive in time for the Second World War. It saw extensive service early in the Korean War, before being replaced by the F-86 Sabre.

The Lockheed XF-90 was a design for a penetration fighter, capable of escorting bombers and carrying out ground attack missions, but never got beyond the prototype stage.

18 July 2018

The 28cm lange Bruno Kanone (Eisenbahn) was the second of four models of railway gun loosely based on a First World War original, and carried a L/45 gun.

The 28cm ‘Schwere Bruno’ (Heavy Bruno) was the third of four models of railway gun loosely modelled on the First World War 28cm ‘Bruno’ railway guns.

17 July 2018

USS Clemson (DD-186/ AVP-17/ AVD-4/ APD-31) was the name ship of the Clemson class of destroyers. She entered service too late for the First World War, but had a varied career during the Second World War, serving as aircraft tender, a destroyer with an anti-submarine group and a fast transport.

USS Dalhgren (DD-187) was a Clemson class destroyer that was used on experimental and sonar training duties during the Second World War.

16 July 2018

Operation Giant III, (14-15 September 1943) was an unsuccessful American airborne operation carried out to the north of the Salerno beachhead in an attempt to reduce the flow of German reinforcements from the north.

The battle of the Volturno Line (9-19 October 1943) saw the Germans under Kesselring delay the Allied advance north from Naples for over a week, winning crucial time for the construction of defences further to the north.

6 July 2018

The Lockheed XP-49 was a design for a more powerful fighter to be based on the P-38 Lightning, but it never got beyond the prototype stage, and by the time the prototype was ready, it was outclassed by existing P-38s.

The Lockheed XP-58 Chain Lighting was a two-man version of the P-38 that suffered from repeated changes of purpose, and that never entered production.

5 July 2018

The 28cm Kanone 5 (Eisenbahn) (schlanke Bertha or slim Bertha), was one of the most effective railway guns ever produced, and was large enough to have a major impact on the fighting, without being so large that it became too cumbersome to be used effectively.

The 28cm kurze Bruno Kanone (Eisenbahn) was the first of four models of railway artillery loosely based on a First World War original, and carried a L/40 gun.

4 July 2018

The Clemson Class Destroyers were the second class of standardized flushdecker deck destroyers produced for the US Navy during the First World War, but none of them were completed in time to see service. Instead they formed the backbone of the inter-war destroyer force, were used for a large number of specialised modifications, and performed valuable service during the Second World War.

3 July 2018

The 84th Fighter Group (USAAF) served as a training unit from 1942-1944.

The 407th Fighter Group (USAAF) was a home based training unit that also saw limited active service in Alaska.

The 408th Fighter Group (USAAF) was a home based training unit that was active from October 1943 to April 1944.

2 July 2018

Operation Giant I (Revised), 13-14 September 1943, was the first of two successful attempts to reinforce the Salerno beachhead from the air.

Operation Giant IV, 14-15 September 1943 was the second of two successful attempts to reinforce the Salerno beachhead from the air.

29 June 2018

The Lockheed XR2O was a single example of the Lockheed Electra that went to the US Navy in 1936.

The Detroit Lockheed YP-24 was a prototype for a two seat monoplane fighter that was purchased by the USAAC, but not placed into production. However it did lead to the later Lockheed P-30, which was produced in small numbers.

The Lockheed-Vega XB-38 was a prototype for an improved version of the Flying Fortress using inline liquid cooled engines to guard against any shortage of the standard R-1820s used on the B-17.

The Lockheed C-66 was the designation given to a single Twin Wasp powered Model 18 Lodestars that was impressed by the USAAF during the Second World War.

28 June 2018

The 24cm Kanone 3 was a very heavy cannon designed as a long range counterbattery weapon, but that was only produced in very small numbers and used by a single unit in Normandy and on the Eastern Front.

The 35.5cm Haubitz M.1 was a massive siege howitzer that was used at the siege of Sevastopol.

The 20.3cm Kanone (Eisenbahn) was a German railway gun produced used spare barrels originally built for heavy cruisers.

The 21cm Kanone 12 (Eisenbahn) was a vanity project produced by the German Army, and consumed a vast amount of effort and resources without having any significant military value.

27 June 2018

USS Thomas (DD-182) was a Wickes class destroyer that operated on convoy escort duties with the Norwegian Navy in exile as HMS St. Albans in 1942-43 and ended her career with the Soviet navy.

USS Haraden (DD-183) was a Wickes class destroyer that had a short career with the US Navy before become HMCS Columbia and serving on convoy escort duties in the Atlantic.

USS Abbot (DD-184) was a Wickes class destroyer that had a short career with the US Navy, then served as HMS Charleston with the Royal navy, mainly operating in British home waters.

USS Bagley (DD-185)/ USS Doran/ HMS St. Marys was a Wickes class destroyer that had a brief US career before being transferred to the Royal Navy, where she supported minelaying operations and carried out escort duties.

26 June 2018

The 57th Fighter Group supported the British Eighth Army from El Alamein to Tunisia and onto Sicily and Italy, where it took part in the long campaign in Italy and the invasion of the south of France.

The 58th Fighter Group took part in the long New Guinea campaign, the invasion of the Philippines and attacked targets in Korea and on Kyushu.

The 59th Fighter Group went through two incarnations during the Second World War, first as an observation group and then as a training group.

The 78th Fighter Group served with the Eighth Air Force from 1943 until the end of the war, supporting the campaign in north-western Europe and the advance into Germany.

The 79th Fighter Group supported the British Eighth Army from 1942 until early in 1944, then fought at Anzio, in the south of France and in northern Italy, where it once again operated with the Eighth Army.

The 83rd Fighter Group was a training unit that served with the First Air Force.

25 June 2018

Louis Marie Joseph Maximilien Caffarelli (1756-99) was an engineer who became one of Napoleon’s closest friends during the Egyptian Campaign, but who died after his arm was amputated during the siege of Acre.

Marie-Francois Caffarelli (1766-1849) was a French general who rose to command the Army of the North in Spain during the Peninsular War, but without great success.

Maximilien Sebastien Foy (1775-1825) was one of Napoleon’s most able divisional commanders, and performed well during the Peninsular War before fighting in the Waterloo campaign.

Philibert Guillaume Duhesme (1768-1815) was a French general who fought on the Rhine, in Spain and at Waterloo, where he was killed while commanding the Young Guard.

22 June 2018

The siege of Pallantia (74 BC) was a rare success for Sertorius in the later stages of the Sertorian War and saw him prevent Pompey from capture the town of Pallantia, in his Celtiberian heartland.

Perpenna’s Defeat (72 BC) was the final battle of the Sertorian War, and saw Sertorius’s assassin defeated by Pompey after several days of skirmishing.

Gnaeus Pompeius Strabo (d.87 BC) was a successful but unpopular Roman general of the Social war and Sulla's First Civil War. He was the father of Pompey the Great, one of the greatest of all Roman generals.

21 June 2018

Operation Speedwell (7 September 1943 onwards) was an SAS operation in the north-west of Italy that did significant damage to the rail links supplying the western end of the Gothic Line.

Operation Slapstick, 9 September 1943, was an amphibious operation that saw the British 1st Airborne Division capture Taranto without any resistance, giving the Eighth Army a second foothold in Italy and allowing them to gain control of the Adriatic coast around Bari and Brindisi.

Operation Avalanche, or the battle of Salerno (9-18 September 1943) was the main part of the Allied invasion of the Italian mainland, and saw a joint Anglo-American force land in the Gulf of Salerno, where it had to fight off a severe German counterattack before the position was fully secured.

20 June 2018

The Lockheed C-56 was the designation given to a mix of Cyclone and Hornet powered Model 18 Lodestars that were impressed by the USAAF during the Second World War.

The Lockheed C-57 was the designation given to Twin Wasp powered Model 18 Lodestars that were used by the USAAF during the Second World War.

The Lockheed C-59 was the designation given to Hornet powered Model 18 Lodestars originally produced for Britain, some of which were impressed by the USAAF during the Second World War.

The Lockheed C-60 was the designation given to a mix of impressed Model 18 Lodestars and versions of the aircraft that were ordered specifically for the USAAF, and was by far the most numerous military version of the Lodestar.

19 June 2018

The 28cm Küstenhaubitz was a naval version of the German army's 28-cm howitzer and was originally produced for coastal defence, although it ended up being used on the Western Front during the First World War.

The 28cm Haubitze L/12 was one of the heaviest guns in regular use with the German army during the First World War, but was an obsolete and almost immobile design that didn’t really justify the amount of effort it took to move it along the front.

The Long Barrel 21cm Morser L/14.6 was an improved version of the 21cm Morser L/12, the standard German heavy mortar at the start of the First World War, and was produced in somewhat larger numbers.

The 18.5cm V haubitz L/22 (Krupp) was an experimental weapon produced to provide a howitzer with the same range as the 21cm mortar.

18 June 2018

Karl Philipp Furst zu Schwarzenberg (1771-1820) was an Austrian general and diplomat most famous for service as Allied supreme commander during the autumn campaign of 1813 and the invasion of France of 1814.

The Treaty of Vervins (2 May 1598) ended the fighting between France and Spain in the Ninth War of Religion, and effectively ended the long series of wars of religion that had divided France since 1562.

USS Stansbury (DD-180/ DMS-8) was a Wickes class destroyer that performed convoy escort duties in the Atlantic and took part in Operation Torch and the invasion of the Marshalls and Marianas. 

USS Hopewell (DD-181) was a Wickes class destroyer that was sunk by U-204 while serving in the Royal Norwegian Navy as HMS Bath.

1 June 2018

The battle of Saguntum or the Turia (75 BC) was a drawn battle during the Sertorian War, and saw Sertorius initially gain the upper hand before being forced to retreat.

The siege of Clunia (75 BC) saw Sertorius rebuild his army while being besieged by Pompey and Metellus, and then escape to join his new army.

31 May 2018

Operation Baytown (3 September 1943) was the first stage in the Allied invasion of Italy, and saw Montgomery’s Eighth Army cross from Sicily to nearby Calabria.

Operation Hooker (8 September 1943) was an outflanking attack carried out by the Eighth Army in order to speed up their advance up Calabria.

30 May 2018

The siege of Castro-Urdiales (22 March-12 May 1813) saw the French recapture a port that had fallen to a joint Anglo-Spanish force in the summer of 1812, but only after suffering a series of setbacks largely caused by underestimating the difficulty of the task.

The combat of San Pelayo (24 March 1813) saw the Spanish under Mendizabal attempt to defeat the French forces preparing to besiege Castro-Urdiales, but ended as a costly draw.

29 May 2018

Defence Logistics in Military History (4 of 4) – An Analysis: placing the development of logistics into its proper historical context: Part 4 focuses on the later Cold War and post Cold War periods.

28 May 2018

The battle of Valentia (75 BC) saw Pompey defeat two of Sertorius’s subordinates and capture the city of Valentia, giving him a successful start to the campaign of 75 BC that he wasn’t able to turn into a successful conclusion to the war.

The battle of the Sucro (75 BC) was an inconclusive clash between Pompey and Sertorius, but Sertorius was forced to retreat on the following day after Roman reinforcements arrived.

25 May 2018

The Italian Campaign (3 September 1943-2 May 1945) was one of the hardest fought and most controversial offensives carried out by the Western Allies during the Second World War, and saw the Germans fight a skilful delaying action that lasted from September 1943 until the end of the war in the spring of 1945.

24 May 2018

The Lockheed C-85 was the designation given to a single Model 9 Orion that was impressed into the USAAF in 1942-44.

The Lockheed C-101 ‘Vega’ was the designation given to a single example of the Lockheed Vega that was impressed by the USAAF in 1942

23 May 2018

The 15cm Kanone (Eisenbahn) was the smallest calibre railway gun produced by the German Army during the period of rearmament in the 1930s, but only a handful were produced because it wasn’t a powerful enough weapon to be worth the effort.

The 17cm Kanone (Eisenbahn) was a slightly larger version of the 15cm K (E), but wasn’t powerful enough to be worth the effort required to produce it, and only a handful were ever built.

22 May 2018

USS Hogan (DD-178/ DMS-6) was a Wickes class destroyer that took part in Operation Torch, and the invasions of the Marshalls, Mariannas, Luzon and Iwo Jima.

USS Howard (DD-179/ DMS-7) was a Wickes class destroyer that served as a minesweeper during Operation Torch, on convoy escort duties in 1943 and in the campaigns in the Pacific in 1944-45.

21 May 2018

The 52nd Fighter Group was one of the first units to join the Eighth Air Force in Britain, before moving to North Africa for Operation Torch. It then spent the rest of the war operating in the Mediterranean theatre.

The 53rd Fighter Group served in the Panama Canal Zone and as a training unit, before being disbanded in 1944.

The 54th Fighter Group was mainly used as a training unit in the US, but also took briefly took part in the campaign in the Aleutian Islands in 1942.

18 May 2018

The siege of Amiens (April-25 September 1597) was the last major campaign of the Ninth War of Religion, and saw Henry IV recapture the city after it had fallen to a Spanish ruse earlier in the year.

The edict of Nantes (13 April 1598) was the final religious settlement that came Henry IV’s victory in the Ninth War of Religion, and gave the Huguenots a series of political, social and religious rights and produced a period of comparative religious peace that lasted for almost a century.

17 May 2018

The capture of Fuenterrabia (11 March 1813) was a daring exploit carried out by a force of Spanish guerrillas and saw them capture and destroy the castle at Fuenterrabia, within sight of France.

The combat of Lerin (30 March 1813) was a major victory for the Spanish troops of Mina, and gave Mina control of large parts of Navarre for almost a month.

16 May 2018

Defence Logistics in Military History (3 of 4) – An Analysis: placing the development of logistics into its proper historical context: Part 3 focuses on the Second World War and Cold War.

15 May 2018

The battle of Italica Hispalis (76 BC) was the first of two recorded victories won by Metellus Pius over Sertorius’s able lieutenant Hirtuleius, and came while Sertorius himself was campaigning in eastern Spain.

The battle of Segovia (75 BC) was one of the most significant battles of the Sertorian War, and saw Metellus Pius defeat and kill Sertorius’s most able lieutenant Hirtuleius.

14 May 2018

Operation Husky No.2 (11-12 July 1943) was an almost disastrous attempt to fly reinforcements to the US paratroops dropped on Sicily in Operation Husky No.1.

Operation Fustian (13-14 July 1943) was an airborne assault on the Primosole Bridge, a key point on the coastal road to Catania, that didn’t go entirely to plan, and triggered a three day long battle to secure a bridgehead across the river.

11 May 2018

The Lockheed C-111 Super Electra was the designation given to four Lockheed Model 14-WF62s that were impressed by the USAAF after they reached Australia after escaping from the Dutch East Indies.

The Lockheed XR4O was the designation given to a single example of the Lockheed Super Electra that was used by the US Navy.

10 May 2018

The 17cm Kanone 18 was one of two parallel Krupp designs to use the same double recoil system, and soon replaced the 21cm mortar variant as the main production version.

The 21cm Mörser 18 was one of two parallel Krupp designs using a double recoil system, and was phased out in 1942 in favour of the longer ranged 17cm Kanone 18.

9 May 2018

USS Renshaw (DD-176) was a Wickes class destroyer that had a very brief active career at the start of the 1920s.

USS O'Bannon (DD-177) was a Wickes class destroyer that had a very short service career at the start of the 1920s.

8 May 2018

The 48th Fighter Group served as a replacement training unit, before joining the Ninth Air Force in Britain in the spring of 1944 and taking part in the campaign to liberate Europe.

The 49th Fighter Group took part in the defence of Australia, the long campaign on New Guinea, the return to the Philippines and raids against Formosa and the China coast.

The 50th Fighter Group served with various training commands in the US, before moving to Britain to take part in the liberation of Europe in 1944-45.

7 May 2018

The siege of La Fère (November 1595-16 May 1596) saw Henry IV capture the last Spanish outpost south of the Somme, but while he was engaged in the siege the Spanish were able to capture Calais.

The fall of Amiens (11 March 1597) saw the city fall to the Spanish after they used a trick to get through the city gates.

4 May 2018

The combat of Tiebas (9 February 1813) saw the Spanish guerrilla leader Mina defeat a French force that was attempting to lift the siege of Tafalla (to 12 February 1813), and was quickly followed by the fall of the town.

The combat of Poza de la Sal (10-11 February 1813) saw the Spanish guerrillas of Longa ambush the headquarters of Palombini’s division, which held out until reinforcements arrived and forced the Spanish to retreat.

3 May 2018

Defence Logistics in Military History (2 of 4) – An Analysis: placing the development of logistics into its proper historical context

2 May 2018

The siege of Lacobriga (78 BC) saw Sertorius outwit Metellus and foil his attempt to capture the chief city of one of Sertorius’s Spanish allies.

The siege of Lauro or Lauron (76 BC) saw Sertorius outwit Pompey and force him to watch helpless while the city fell to him and was destroyed (Sertorian War).

1 May 2018

Operation Narcissus (10 July 1943) was an SAS raid carried out to support the Eighth Army landings on Sicily.

Operation Chestnut (12-19 July 1943) was an unsuccessful attempt by the SAS to disrupt Axis communications in northern Sicily, to support the Allied invasion of Sicily.

30 April 2018

The Lockheed JO was the US Navy’s designation for the Lockheed 12 Electra Junior, a small twin engine transport aircraft.

The Lockheed XRO was the designation given to one Lockheed Altair, which became the first aircraft with a fully retractable undercarriage to be used by the US Navy.

27 April 2018

The 21cm Versuchs Morser L/15 was Rheinmetall's attempt to produce a 21mm with barrel recoil and a range of over 9,000m, but was rejected favour of its Krupp rival.

The 21cm Morser L/12 was the standard German army heavy mortar at the start of the First World War.

26 April 2018

USS Rizal (DD-174/ DM-14) was a Wickes class destroyer that was funded by the Philippine legislature and spent her active career in Philippine or Asiatic waters.

USS Mackenzie (DD-175) was a Wickes class destroyer that served with the Royal Canadian Navy as HMCS Annapolis.

25 April 2018

The battle of Fontaine-Française (6 June 1595) was a minor clash between Henry IV and a Spanish army that was attempting to secure Dijon for the Catholic League.

The siege of Cambrai (11 August-7 October 1595) saw a Spanish army under the count of Fuentes recapture Cambrai, which had been in French hands since 1581.

24 April 2018

The siege of Tafalla (to 11 February 1813) was a success for the Spanish guerrilla leader Mina, and saw him force the surrender of the French garrison, after defeating a relief effort.

The combat of Bejar (20 February 1813) was the only direct clash between Wellington’s army and the French during the winter of 1813 and saw an attempt to surprise the British 50th Regiment fail.

23 April 2018

Defence Logistics in Military History (1 of 4) – An Analysis: placing the development of logistics into its proper historical context

20 April 2018

The battle of the Baetis (80 BC) was one of Sertorius’s first victories in Spain after his return from Africa and marked the start of the long Sertorian War.

The battle of the River Ana (79 BC) saw Sertorius’s legate L. Hirtuleius defeat and kill M. Domitius Calvinus, the governor of Nearer Spain, somewhere on the River Ana (Sertorian War).

19 April 2018

The invasion of Sicily (10 July-17 August 1943) was the first successful Allied invasion of one of the Axis partners, and helped secure Allied control of the Mediterranean as well as helping to trigger the fall of Mussolini.

18 April 2018

The Lockheed C-37 was a single example of the Lockheed 10-A Electra that served with the National Guard Bureau.

The Lockheed C-40 was the Army designation for the Lockheed 12 Electra Junior, and covered a mix of aircraft that had been purchased by the Air Corps and aircraft that were impressed during the Second World War.

17 April 2018

The 21cm Versuchs Morser L/10 (Krupp) was an early attempt to produce a mortar with barrel recoil, but was rejected because it lacked the required range.

The 21cm Versuchs Morser L/12 (Rheinmetall) was an attempt to produce a heavy mortar with barrel recoil, but it was rejected due to a lack of range.

16 April 2018

USS Anthony (DD-172/ DM-12) was a Wickes class destroyer that served as a light minelayer from 1920 to 1922, before being decommissioned.

USS Sproston (DD-173/ DM-13) was a Wickes class destroyer that served as a light minelayer at Hawaii from 1920-22 before being decommissioned.

13 April 2018

The siege of Rouen (11 November 1591-20 April 1592) was an unsuccessful attempt by Henry IV to gain control of Normandy and the Seine below Paris.

The action of Aumale or of the Bresle (3 February 1592) was a minor skirmish during the duke of Parma’s successful attempt to raise the siege of Rouen, notable as the only time Henry IV of France was wounded during his military career.

12 April 2018

The combat of Alba de Tormes (10-11 November 1812) saw the British repel an attempt by Soult to capture the bridge over the Tormes at Alba de Tormes, and forced the French to cross the Tormes further from Wellington's position north of Salamanca.

The combat of San Munoz (17 November 1812) was a rearguard action towards the end of Wellington's retreat from Burgos back to Portugal.

11 April 2018

The Sertorian War (80-72 BC) was the last stand of the Marian faction after their defeat in Italy during Sulla’s Second Civil War and saw Quintus Sertorius hold out in Spain for over a decade before finally being defeated by Pompey and Metellus Pius.

10 April 2018

Operation Husky No.1 (9 July 1943) was an American airborne operation designed to occupy key areas of high ground inland from the American beaches on Sicily.

Operation Ladbroke (9-10 July 1943) was a British airborne operation which captured the Ponte Grande bridge on the southern approach to Syracuse, despite a rather scattered landing.

9 April 2018

The Lockheed XC-35 'Electra' was an experimental aircraft used for tests with pressurized cabins.

The Lockheed C-36 was the military designation for the Lockheed 10 Electra, and covered three aircraft ordered by the Army Air Corps and more aircraft impressed by the USAAF during the Second World War.

6 April 2018

The 9cm Feldkanone C/73/91 was an obsolete field gun that saw use with replacement and reserve field artillery battalions during the First World War.

The 21cm Morser (M1899) was the first modern steel mortar to see service with the German Army and was still in use at the outbreak of the First World War.

5 April 2018

USS Kalk (DD-170) was a Wickes class destroyer that served with the Royal Navy and Royal Canadian Navy as HMS Hamilton.

USS Burns (DD-171/ DM-11) was a Wickes class destroyer that was converted into a light minelayer and was based at Pearl Harbor during her ten year long service career.

4 April 2018

The battle of Ivry (14 March 1590) was Henry IV’s second battlefield victory over the forces of the Catholic League, and allowed Henry to launch his second and longest siege of Paris (Ninth War of Religion).

The siege of Paris (7 May-30 August 1590) was Henry IV’s most serious attempt to capture his capital, but had to be lifted after a Spanish relief army approached under the duke of Parma (Ninth War of Religion).

3 April 2018

The combat of Villa Muriel (25 October 1812) saw the French cross the Carrion River at Villa Muriel and Palencia, ending Wellington's attempt to hold the river and forcing him to resume the retreat from Burgos.

The combat of Puente Larga (30 October 1812) was a rearguard action during Hill's retreat from Madrid, and helped win time for the Allies to evacuate Madrid and escape across the mountains to the north-west without difficulty.

30 March 2018

Gaius Marcius Censorinus (d.82 BC) was a supporter of the Marian cause during Sulla's civil wars, and was executed after the battle of the Colline Gate.

Lucius Cornelius Cinna (d.84 BC) was a leader of the opposition to Sulla, and helped overthrow Sulla's supporters after Sulla's first march on Rome, but was killed just before Sulla returned to Italy at the start of Sulla's Second Civil War.

29 March 2018

Operation Mincemeat was the most famous part of the deception plan to support the invasion of Sicily, and saw the British drop the body of a vagrant dressed in naval uniform into the sea off the coast of Spain, in the hope that the Spanish would pass on the ‘confidential’ documents in his possession to the Germans.

Operation Barclay was the deception plan to support the invasion of Sicily, and was intended to convince the Germans that the Allies might be about to attack Corsica, Sardinia or Greece rather than Sicily.

28 March 2018

The Lockheed XB-30 was a bomber version of the C-69/ C-121/ Constellation, developed in response to the same specifications that produced the B-29 Superfortress.

26 March 2018

The 15cm Kanone 18 was a long range but awkward artillery piece that was only produced in small numbers, and wasn’t popular with the German Army.

The 15cm Kanone 39 was originally produced for Turkey but entered German service in small numbers in 1939 and was mainly used as a coastal defence gun.

23 March 2018

USS Foote (DD-169) was a Wickes class destroyer that served on convoy escort duties with the Royal Navy as HMS Roxborough.

22 March 2018

The siege of Paris (November 1589) was a short lived attempt by Henry IV to capture Paris and secure his position as King of France (Ninth War of Religion).

21 March 2018

The combat of Venta del Pozo and Villadrigo (23 October 1812) was a rearguard action during the retreat that followed the failure of the siege of Burgos, and saw the French fail to take advantage of their superior numbers.

18 March 2018

Gnaeus Papirius Carbo (d.81 BC) was the main leader of the Marian faction during Sulla's Second Civil War, and was killed after fleeing into exile in Africa as his cause began to collapse.

Gaius Carinnas (d.82 BC) was a senior commander on the Marian side during Sulla's Second Civil War, but he was defeated in all of his recorded battles, and was executed after the battle of the Colline Gate.

16 March 2018

Operation Beggar or Turkey Buzzard (3 June-7 July 1943) was a series of long distance flights to tow Horsa gliders from Britain to North Africa, where they were to take part in the invasion of Sicily.

Operation Corkscrew or the invasion of Pantelleria (11 June 1943) saw the British occupy this fortified Italian island without a shot being fired, after the garrison was subjected to a heavy aerial bombardment.

15 March 2018

The 15cm schwere Feldhaubitz 18/40 or 15cm schwere Feldhaubitz 42 was a compromise design for a heavy howitzer, combining the barrel from the sFH 40 and the carriage from the sFH 18.

The 15cm Kanone 16 (Krupp) was an important German heavy gun during the second half of the First World War, and had longer range than its direct Allied equivalents, making it a more flexible weapon.

14 March 2018

USS Cowell (DD-167) was a Wickes class destroyer that was transferred to the Royal Navy as part of the destroyers for bases deal where she served as HMS Brighton.

USS Maddox (DD-168) was a Wickes class destroyer that served with the Royal Navy as HMS Georgetown and then in the Soviet Navy.

13 March 2018

The Ninth War of Religion (1589-98) was the last stage of the long series of religious wars that had divided France since 1562, and was fought over the succession of Henry of Navarre as Henry IV.

12 March 2018

The second combat of Bilbao (27-29 August 1812) saw the French recapture the Basque capital only two weeks after it had been captured by a joint Anglo-Spanish force.

The siege of Burgos (19 September-22 October 1812) was the disastrous end to otherwise successful Salamanca campaign, and his failure outside Burgos forced Wellington to retreat back to the Portuguese border, ending the year almost where he had started it.

9 March 2018

The battle of Vercellae or the Raudian Plain (30 July 101 BC) was the final battle of the Cimbric War and saw Marius destroy the Cimbri at an uncertain location in northern Italy.

L. Junius Brutus Damasippus (d.82 BC) was a supporter of the Marians during Sulla's Second Civil War, and is most famous for carrying out the murder of four of the younger Marius's enemies.

8 March 2018

The invasion of Tinian (24 July-1 August 1944) took place three days after the start of the invasion of Guam, and after a week the island had been secured by the Americans.

7 March 2018

The Lockheed R7O/ R7V was a US navy transport aircraft based on the Lockheed Super Constellation airliner, a stretched version of the earlier Constellation.

The Lockheed XFV-1 was an experimental VTOL aircraft that never made a vertical take off or landing, but that did fly with a temporary conventional undercarriage.

6 March 2018

The 15cm schwere Feldhaubitz 36 L/23 was a lightweight howitzer designed to towed by a single team of horses.

The 15cm schwere Feldhaubitz 40 was designed to provide longer range than the standard sFH 18, but a lack of production capability meant that it never entered full production, although a compromise version, the sFH 18/40, was produced in small numbers

5 March 2018

USS Meredith (DD-165) was a Wickes class destroyer that had a short active career just after the First World War then spent fourteen years out of commission before being scrapped.

USS Bush (DD-166) was a Wickes class destroyer that had a very short active career after the First World War then spent fourteen years out of commission before being scrapped.

2 March 2018

The siege of Paris (30 July-c.5/6 August 1589) saw the combined armies of Henry III and Henry of Navarre besiege Paris, which was held by the Catholic League, but the besieging army fell apart after the assassination of Henry III and the siege soon had to be lifted (Eighth War of Religion).

The battle of Arques (21 September 1589) was a victory for Henry IV early in the Ninth French War of Religion, and saw him defeat the duke of Mayenne, the new leader of the Catholic League.

1 March 2018

The siege of the Retiro (13-14 August 1812) was the only French attempt to defend Madrid in the aftermath of the battle of Salamanca, and saw the British storm the outer line of defences before the defenders surrendered.

The first combat of Bilbao (13-14 August 1812) saw a joint Anglo-Spanish force capture the Basque capital, but it was recaptured by the French only two weeks later.

28 February 2018

The battle of Arausio (6 October 105 BC) was the most serious Roman defeat during the Cimbric Wars and saw the defeat and destruction of two Roman armies, apparently leaving Rome open to attack.

The battle of Aquae Sextiae (102 BC) was the first of Marius's great victories during the Cimbric War and saw him destroy the Teutones and the Ambrones, two of the smaller tribes involved in the great invasion of Italy

27 February 2018

The battle of Saipan (15 June-9 July 1944) was the first invasion of the Marianas campaign, and it took nearly a month for US forces to secure the fairly small island. 

The battle of Guam (21 July-9 August 1944) saw the Americans reconquer an island that had been in their hands before the war after three weeks of fighting, completing the conquest of the Mariana Islands.

26 February 2018

The Lockheed PO-1W was an airborne early warning system based on the Lockheed Constellation airliner.

The Lockheed PO-2W/ WV-2 was an early warning aircraft based on the Super Constellation airliner.

23 February 2018

The 15cm schwere Feldhaubitz 18 was the standard German heavy howitzer during the Second World War, and combined a Krupp carriage and a Rheinmetall barrel.

The 15cm schwere Feldhaubitz 37 (t) was a Czech designed heavy howitzer that entered production just in time to be taken over by the Germans after their occupation of Czechoslovakia.

22 February 2018

USS Walker (DD-163/ YW-57/ DCH-1/ IX-44) was a Wickes class destroyer that had a very short career and was later considered for a variety of alternative roles, before being scrapped without performing any of them.

USS Crosby (DD-164/ APD-17) was a Wickes class destroyer that served with the Neutrality Patrol on the US west coast before becoming a fast transport and serving in the Pacific from 1943 until the summer of 1945.

21 February 2018

The Edict of Union (16 July 1588) saw Henry III of France capitulate to the Catholic League and give in to their demands, having already lost control of Paris to the League (Eighth War of Religion).

The Treaty of Tours (30 April 1589) saw a dramatic reversal of the alliances during the Eighth War of Religion, after Henry III of France was forced into an alliance with his former foe, the Huguenot leader Henry of Navarre.

20 February 2018

The combat of Garcia Hernandez (23 July 1812) was a rearguard action that came in the aftermath of the battle of Salamanca, and saw one of the most impressive achievements of Wellington's cavalry.

The combat of Majalahonda (11 August 1812) was the only significant fighting during Wellington's advance on Madrid in the aftermath of the battle of Salamanca, and saw his leading cavalry force come under attack by a French force that had been sent out to discover if Wellington was indeed on his way.

19 February 2018

Cassius Longinus's defeat (107 BC) saw a Roman army defeated and humiliated by the Tigurini, a Helvetian tribe that was raiding across southern Gaul.

The siege of Tolosa (106 BC) is the only recorded fighting in that year during the Cimbric War, and saw the Romans recapture an allied city that had revolted against them.

16 February 2018

The 1941 battle of Guam (10 December 1941) saw the Japanese overwhelm a small American garrison after three hours of fighting.

The Marianas Campaign (14 June-10 August 1944) was a key stage in the Pacific War, triggering the battle of the Philippine Sea at which the Japanese naval aviation forces were almost destroyed, and bringing Japan within range of B-29 bombers based on the islands.

15 February 2018

The Lockheed C-69 Constellation was developed as a civil airline, but all early production was taken over by the USAAF after the US entry into the Second World War.

The Lockheed C-121 Constellation was the military version of the Model 749 Constellation, designed for use as an intercontinental airliner and of the later Super Constellation, with a higher cargo capacity. It was used for an impressively wide range of functions, and in many different versions.

14 February 2018

The 15cm lange schwere Feldhaubitz 13/02 combined the long barrel of the 15-cm lange schwere Feldhaubitz 13 with the chassis of the earlier 15cm schwere Feldhaubitz 02.

The 15cm versuchs haubitz L/30 was a Rheinmetall design for a howitzer with much longer range than the standard 15cm lange schwere Feldhaubitz 13.

13 February 2018

USS Palmer (DD-161/ DMS-5) was a Wickes class destroyer that served as a mine sweeper during the Second World War, taking part in Operation Torch then in the Pacific where she was sunk by a Japanese bomber.

USS Thatcher (DD-162) was a Wickes class destroyer that formed part of the 'destroyers for bases' deal and served on convoy escort duty as HMCS Niagara

12 February 2018

The battle of Auneau (24 November 1587) was the second defeat suffered by a force of Germans that had invaded France in support of the Huguenots and helped convince the survivors to accept an offer of safe conduct out of France (Eighth War of Religion).

The siege of the Ile de Marans (24-28 June 1588) was a minor success won by Henry of Navarre and saw him reoccupy an inland island close to La Rochelle (Eighth War of Religion).

9 February 2018

The first battle of Castalla (21 July 1812) was a French victory over the Spanish Army of Murcia, largely caused by the over-complex Spanish plan.

The siege of Santander (22 July-3 August 1812) was a key Anglo-Spanish success on the north coast of Spain, and gave Wellington access to a key supply base during the campaign of 1813.

8 February 2018

The battle of Noreia (113 BC) was the first battle of the Cimbric War, and saw a migrating Cimbric army defeat the Roman consul Papirius Carbo after he attempted to ambush them as they were withdrawing from Noricum.

Silanus's defeat (109-108 BC) was perhaps the most obscure Roman defeat during the Cimbric War with both its location and date in doubt, and even one source making it a Roman victory!

7 February 2018

The battle of Eniwetok (18-21 February 1944) was the second phase in the American conquest of Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands (Operation Catchpole).

The battle of Parry Island (22 February 1944) was the final stage of the American invasion of Eniwetok Atoll (Operation Catchpole), and despite the stronger Japanese garrison went more smoothly than the invasion of Eniwetok Island itself.

6 February 2018

The Lockheed Y1C-23 ‘Altair’ was the designation given to the sole DL-2 Altair after it was purchased by the USAAC.

The Lockheed Y1C-25 'Altair' was the designation given to the first Lockheed Altair when it was purchased by the USAAC.

5 February 2018

The 15cm schwere Feldhaubitz 13 was the newest heavy howitzer in service with the German army at the outbreak of the First World War, and was a significant improvement on the earlier schwere Feldhaubitz 02.

The 15cm lange schwere Feldhaubitz 13 was an improved version of the Feldhaubitz 13, the newest heavy field howitzer in German service at the outbreak of the First World War.

2 February 2018

USS Schenck (DD-159/ AG-82) was a Wickes class destroyer that served on convoy escort duties in the Atlantic and in a hunter-killer group, taking part in the sinking of U-645.

USS Herbert (DD-160/ APD-22) was a Wickes class destroyer that served on convoy escort duties in the Atlantic, before becoming a fast transport, taking part in the last phase of the New Guinea campaign, the return to the Philippines and the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

1 February 2018

The battle of Courtras (20 October 1587) was the first major Huguenot battlefield victory during the Wars of Religion, but Henry of Navarre failed to take advantage of his success (Eighth War of Religion).

The battle of Vimory (26 October 1587) was the first of two defeats that helped break up a sizable German and Swiss army that had invaded France to support the Huguenot cause (Eighth War of Religion).

31 January 2018

The battle of Salamanca (22 July 1812) was one of the most important of Wellington's victories during the Peninsular War, and forced the French to abandon Madrid and temporarily withdraw towards the French border.

30 January 2018

The second battle of Cirta (winter 106-105 BC) was the final major battle of the Jugurthine War, and saw the Romans repulse a second attack on their army in four days, convincing Jugurtha's ally Bocchus to change sides.

The Cimbric War (113-101 BC) saw the Romans suffer a series of serious defeats at the hands of the Cimbri, Teutons and other tribes, before the consul Marius won a series of victories that ended the threat to Italy.

29 January 2018

Operation Catchpole (17-22 February 1944) saw the Americans conquer Eniwetok Atoll in the north-western corner of the Marshall Islands, giving them a good base for the advance into the Marianas Islands.

The battle of Engebi (17-18 February 1944) was the first stage in the American conquest of Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands (Operation Catchpole).

26 January 2018

The Lockheed Y1C-12 was a single example of a DL-1 'Vega' that was purchased for evacuation by the USAAC.

The Lockheed Y1C-17 'Speed Vega' was a single example of the DL-1B Vega purchased by the USAAC, and was lost in 1931 during an attempt to break a transcontinental speed record.

25 January 2018

The 15cm schwere Feldhaubitze 02 was the first artillery gun with barrel recoil to enter service with the German Army, and was still in service in large numbers at the outbreak of the First World War.

The 15cm schwere Versuchs-Haubitzen L/13 was an experimental howitzer produced by Ehrhardt in response to a request from the German War Ministry.

24 January 2018

USS Dickerson (DD-157/ APD-21) was a Wickes class destroyer that served on convoy escort duties until 1943 when she was converted into a fast transport. In 1945 she was struck by two kamikazes and suffered such heavy damage that she was sunk by US gunfire two days later.

USS Leary (DD-158) was a Wickes class destroyer that served in the Atlantic and Caribbean, before being sunk by U-boats on 24 December 1943. 

23 January 2018

The Eighth War of Religion or War of the Three Henrys (1585-89) was fought after the Protestant Henry of Navarre became heir to the throne of France, and merged into the Ninth War after Henry III died, leaving Navarre as king.

The treaty of Nemours (7 July 1585) saw Henry III of France give in to pressure from the Catholic League and agree to attempt to eliminate Protestantism in France, turning a Catholic revolt against his authority into the Eighth War of Religion.

22 January 2018

The combat of Castrejon (18 July 1812) was a rearguard action that came after Marmont outmanoeuvred Wellington on the River Douro, early in the campaign that ended at Salamanca.

The combat of Castrillo (18 July 1812) was the second of two combats on the same day, and came after Marmont outmanoeuvred Wellington on the Douro and briefly threatened to cut off his rearguard.

19 January 2018

The siege near the Muluccha River (106 BC) saw Marius besiege and capture one of Jugurtha's last fortresses, almost at the western border of Numidia.

The first battle of Cirta (winter 106-105 BC) saw a Roman army under Marius narrowly escape from an ambush led by Jugurtha and his ally Bocchus (Jugurthine War).

18 January 2018

The battle of Roi (1 February 1944) saw the US marines captured the main Japanese airbase in Kwajalein Atoll in a single day, after the Japanese defences were almost destroyed by the pre-invasion bombardment.

The battle of Namur (1-2 February 1944) saw the US Marines capture the most strongly defended island in the northern part of Kwajalein Atoll, completing the conquest of the northern part of the Atoll.

17 January 2018

The Douglas C-132 was a design for a two-deck turboprop powered transport aircraft that never got beyond the mock-up stage.

The Douglas C-133 Cargomaster was the largest turboprop transport to be built for the USAF, and was designed to carry ICBM missiles around the United States.

16 January 2018

The 15cm schwere Feldhaubitz M1893 was the first German heavy howitzer to be light enough to serve with the field armies. It was obsolete at the outbreak of the First World War, but still saw service.

The 15cm Versuchs-Haubitzen 99 was an experimental weapon that played a part in the development of the 15cm schwere Feldhaubitz 02.

15 January 2018

USS Cole (DD-155) was a Wickes class destroyer that served in the Atlantic and Mediterranean theatres during the Second World War, supporting Operation Torch and the invasions of Sicily and mainland Italy.

USS J. Fred Talbott (DD-156/ AG-81) was a Wickes class destroyer that spent most of the Second World War on convoy escort duties in the Western Atlantic and Caribbean.

12 January 2018

The peace of Fleix (November 1580) ended the short Seventh War of Religion, and largely repeated the terms of earlier treaties.

The Treaty of Joinville (31 December 1584) was an agreement between Philip II of Spain and the more radical French Catholics, led by Henry, duke of Guise, aimed at preventing the Protestant Henry of Navarre coming to the French throne.

11 January 2018

The combat of Castro Urdiales (6-8 July 1812) was the second of a series of joint Anglo-Spanish successes that weakened the French hold on the coast of northern Spain.

The combat of Portugalete (11 July 1812) was an unsuccessful Anglo-Spanish attack on a fortified village at the mouth of the Bilbao River.

10 January 2018

The siege of Thala (108 BC) saw the Romans under Metellus capture the site of one of Jugurtha's treasuries, but without capturing the King or securing much of the treasure (Jugurthine War)

The siege of Capsa (107 BC) was Marius's first major military success in Numidia, but although it helped him conquer the south-east of the kingdom it failed to bring an end to the war any nearer (Jugurthine War).

9 January 2018

The occupation of Allen Island (Ennubirr), 31 January 1944, was one of two simultaneous landings that formed the second stage in the invasion of Roi and Namur in Kwajelein Atoll.

The occupation of Abraham (Ennugarret) Island, 31 January 1944, was the last of a series of preliminary operations that came before the invasions of Roi and Namur in Kwajalein Atoll.

8 January 2018

The Douglas C-118 Liftmaster/ Douglas R6D was the military version of the DC-6, and most were based on the improved DC-6A model.

The Douglas C-124 Globemaster II was the main USAF heavy strategic cargo transport during the 1950s and 1960s, until it was replaced by the Lockheed C-5.

5 January 2018

The 10cm Kanone 17 was an improved version of the earlier 10cm Kanone 14, with a longer barrel to improve range.

The schwere 10cm Kanone 18 (heavy 10cm cannon 18) was the standard equipment of German medium artillery units in the late 1930s but wasn't a terribly successful design, and was eventually relegated to the coastal defence role.

4 January 2018

USS Bernadou (DD-153) was a Wickes class destroyer that spent most of the Second World War performing various escort duties in the Atlantic theatre, as well as taking part in Operation Torch, the invasion of Sicily and the Salerno landing.

USS Ellis (DD-154) was a Wickes class destroyer that mainly performed escort duties in the Atlantic theatre during the Second World War.

3 January 2018

The Seventh War of Religion (1580) was the least significant of the nine wars of religion, and saw Henry of Navarre expand his influence in the south-west of France.

The siege of Cahors (28-31 May 1580) was the main military action of the Seventh War of Religion, and saw Henry of Navarre capture a city that had been promised to him as part of his wife’s dowry.

2 Janaury 2018

The siege of Astorga (2 July-18 August 1812) saw the Spanish attack the isolated French garrison of Astorga, in an attempt to support Wellington's advance to Salamanca.

The combat of Lequeitio (21-11 June 1812) was the first of a series of successes for a joint British and Spanish force operating in northern Spain.

1 January 2018

The siege of Zama (109 BC) was a Roman attempt to force Jugurtha to accept battle that backfired and had to be abandoned after Jugurtha carried out a series of costly attacks on the Roman camp.

The revolt of Vaga (108 BC) saw this Numidian city massacre a Roman garrison, before almost immediately being recaptured by the Romans, at the same time opening up a feud between the Roman commanders Metellus and Marius.

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