Mamluk cavalry troops undertake a two-handed spear exercise with shields worn over the shoulder. Based on a late 15th century manuscript in the Keir Collection, London. The Mamluk Sultanate ruled present-day Egypt and Syria from 1250 to 1517. Although often described as ‘slave soldiers’, the term mamluk could also refer to freed slaves and thoseContinue reading “Mamluk training, late 15th century”
Tag Archives: historian
Beadwork outfit and headdress, Saskatchewan, Canada
A beaded headdress, shirt, leggings, moccasins, tie, and belt owned by Chief Red Dog of Starblanket First Nation, File Hills, Saskatchewan, Canada. Collected by the Canadian Northwest Expedition in 1929. The headdress is made from eagle feathers sewn onto a black felt cap, with the quill ends wrapped in red wool and stuck with yellowContinue reading “Beadwork outfit and headdress, Saskatchewan, Canada”
Paratroop landing at Manado, 11th January 1942
On this day in history – 11th January 1942 – Japanese naval paratroopers were dropped over Langoan airfield, near Manado on Celebes Island, Dutch East Indies (Indonesia) – Japan’s first airborne assault of the Second World War. 334 men of the Yokosuka 1st Special Naval Landing Force were transported by Type 96 ‘Tina’ transports 380Continue reading “Paratroop landing at Manado, 11th January 1942”
End of Year Special: The Working Process
To finish off the year, I thought I would post something different to what I usually do. Here is a selection of images that show part of my process in creating a picture. The process begins with a rough concept sketch to plan out the scene. Sometimes several rough sketches are required before I canContinue reading “End of Year Special: The Working Process”
Tank inspection, Finland, December 1939
Finnish troops inspect a captured Red Army T-26 light tank during the ‘Winter War’ (November 1939-March 1940). They wear white snow suits and fleece caps, while an officer wears a private-purchase sheepskin coat and high boots. The conflict began with a Soviet invasion on 30th November 1939 to enforce territorial demands (secretly agreed under theContinue reading “Tank inspection, Finland, December 1939”
The Eureka Stockade, 3rd December 1854
The discovery of gold in the Australian state of Victoria in 1851 led to a large influx of miners from around the world. Tensions emerged between the ‘diggers’ and the local government over heavy licence fees and aggressive police tactics. The outbreak of riots and the arrival of British troops led the diggers to organiseContinue reading “The Eureka Stockade, 3rd December 1854”
TKS Tankette
A result of the ‘tankette’ trend of the 1930s, the TK and TKS were based on the British Carden-Loyd chassis. These small but speedy vehicles formed the bulk of Poland’s armoured force during the September 1939 campaign, providing support for infantry and cavalry units. Thinly armoured and underpowered, only a handful of tankettes were fittedContinue reading “TKS Tankette”
Cavalry charge at Krojanty, 1st September 1939
On the first day of the German invasion of Poland – 1st September 1939 – units of the Pomorska Cavalry Brigade, attached to Army Pomorze and based in the Pomeranian ‘corridor’, engaged the German 20th Motorised Infantry Division along the Brda River. Army Pomorze, initially deployed to curtail German attempts to seize the northern ‘corridor’Continue reading “Cavalry charge at Krojanty, 1st September 1939”
Highland defence at Mons, 23rd August 1914
On this day in history – 23rd August 1914 – the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) engaged in its first major battle with German forces in the opening months of the First World War. On the morning of 23rd August, units of British II Corps under General Smith-Dorrien came under attack from units of General vonContinue reading “Highland defence at Mons, 23rd August 1914”
Sumerian chariot, circa 2500 BC
The Sumerians of Mesopotamia were among the first to use war chariots and the ‘phalanx’ formation, as shown in contemporary sources such as the Standard of Ur and the Stele of Vultures. This picture depicts a typical Sumerian four-wheeled war chariot. Heavy in construction and pulled by four wild donkeys, it was intended to crashContinue reading “Sumerian chariot, circa 2500 BC”
Empire of History 