Germany
Peter Ernst Mansfeld, (ca. 1580–1626)
German mercenary and military commander during the early years of the Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648). Peter Ernst Mansfeld was the illegitimate son of Graf (Count) Peter Ernst I, Prince von Mansfeld, imperial governor of Luxembourg. Although Emperor Rudolf II (r. 1576–1612) legitimized the younger Mansfeld, he was specifically excluded from inheriting any of his father’s estates. Mansfeld entered imperial service…
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German Medieval Warfare
Warfare was a dominant feature of medieval German history. After the late fourth century, Germanic tribes penetrated the western Roman Empire in force, bringing important changes to the military system. Roman discipline and organization gave way to badly organized forces with poor training, few arms, and almost no discipline. Military…
THE DESTRUCTION OF POLAND I
Caught by surprise by the Nazi-Soviet pact, the Poles resisted valiantly as the two powers seized their homeland. For Europe, it was the first opportunity to witness the blitzkrieg in full effect. At 0440 hours on 1 September 1939, German aircraft of the Luftwaffe bombed air bases in Poland. Five…
THE DESTRUCTION OF POLAND II
Guderian’s potent army Guderian now had four mechanised divisions under his direct command: the 3rd and 4th Panzer Divisions and the 2nd and 20th Motorised Divisions. It was an extremely potent force, made more effective because Bock allowed Guderian a free hand both tactically and logistically. As it was not…
‘Confident and Full of Hope’
French troops fought encircled until all their ammunition was used and led several counter-attacks, the commander of 253.ID, general Kühne, was even captured. The Germans let the defenders parade in the streets after the battle granted them the honors of war to salute their fierce resistance. During the height of…
German Early Warning Radar Systems
German Würzburg Radar The conviction that Germany did not possess radar as an early warning technology had stemmed partly from the absence of anything resembling the high radio towers so prominent on Britain’s coastlines. Watson-Watt, in fact, had spent his vacation in the summer of 1937 looking for tell-tale aerials…
Berlin blockade and airlift
Dancing with Bears-The Berlin Airlift – Set during the Berlin airlift this scene captures the harassment of the Soviet planes as Allied cargo comes in on a constant schedule. By Brian Bateman The Berlin blockade and subsequent airlift was the first serious confrontation between the Western allies and the Soviet…