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”
Tag Archives: war
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”
‘The Night of Sorrow’, 1st July 1520
Yesterday was the anniversary of La Noche Triste (The Night of Sorrow) – the attempt by Conquistadors and Tlaxcala allies under Hernan Cortes to escape Tenochtitlan, capital of the Mexica (Aztec) Empire. At midnight, Cortes and his troops evacuated the city via the westerly causeway to Tacuba along Lake Texcoco. The route was deemed suitableContinue reading “‘The Night of Sorrow’, 1st July 1520”
Plassey, 23rd June 1757
On this day in history – 23rd June 1757 – the Battle of Plassey (Palashi) was fought between British East India Company troops under Robert Clive and the French-supported Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daula. This decisive engagement would have significant consequences for the future of Company involvement in the Indian subcontinent, and the fate of itsContinue reading “Plassey, 23rd June 1757”
Armour for horse and rider, early 16th century
This composite armour is made up of parts made in South Germany between c.1510-20, and reflected the status of its wearer as part of a military elite. By the 16th century the improved craftsmanship of western European plate armour had made shields unnecessary on the battlefield. It consists of an armet (closed helmet), a collar, aContinue reading “Armour for horse and rider, early 16th century”
Assault on Fort Eben-Emael, 10th May 1940
On this day in history – 10th May 1940 – German paratroopers launched a glider-borne assault on the fort of Eben-Emael in Belgium, paving the way for the invasion of France and the Low Countries. Ten gliders, carrying less than 80 men, would take the fort by surprise, while another group would capture the nearbyContinue reading “Assault on Fort Eben-Emael, 10th May 1940”
Empire of History 