The October/November 2024 issue of Military History Matters, the British military history magazine, is out now.
The best way to access the magazine is to subscribe. Click here to find out more. To read the digital archive, click here. You can also access the magazine online (as well as exclusive extra content) at our new website, The Past.
IN THIS ISSUE:
Napoleon at war
This year sees the 225th anniversary of Napoleon Bonaparte’s ascent to power as leader of France in the coup of 9 November 1799, or 18 Brumaire. With deft use of the threat of force, the country’s leading general effectively ended a decade of continuous political upheaval. In this issue we explore, first, the part played by Napoleon’s generalship in his progress from unknown artillery officer to ruler of France. In a companion piece, we explore in depth two battles he fought in his 1796-1797 campaign, which set the French armies on the road to victory in Italy.
Thinking outside the box: Churchill and the scientists
Taylor Downing examines the Prime Minister’s relationships with some of the brilliant mavericks who contributed to final victory during WWII.
Hidden figures: Native levies in foreign wars
The employment of ‘native levies’ reached a peak during the British colonial era. Stephen Roberts uncovers a forgotten story.
The last of the Romans: Flavius Aetius, slayer of Huns
The victory of Flavius Aetius over the notorious Attila the Hun shaped the fate of the Roman Empire, argues Tim Newark.
Thunder in the East: Armoured warfare in Asia & the Pacific
Some of World War II’s critical engagements were decided by armoured fighting vehicles, as David Porter describes.
Also in this issue:
The latest in our series on classic military history books, War Culture, Book Reviews, Museum Review, Back to the Drawing Board, Listings, Competitions, and more.
To subscribe to the magazine, click here. To subscribe to the digital archive, click here. You can also access the magazine online (as well as exclusive extra content) at our new website, The Past. Find us on Facebook, Twitter (X), and Instagram.
From the editor:
The event that brought France’s most successful and charismatic general to a position of supreme power took place 225 years ago this November. Often described as the ‘end of the French Revolution’, the military coup known as 18 Brumaire also marked the beginning of Napoleon’s despotic reign, which at its height saw him ruling directly or indirectly over 40% of the population of Europe.
In our special feature to introduce a new series tracing Napoleon’s rise and fall, Graham Goodlad reveals first how the son of an impoverished Corsican nobleman transformed himself to become his country’s undisputed leader, and then looks in more detail at Lodi and Arcola – two early clashes that cemented his reputation as a commander of genius.
Elsewhere, Tim Newark travels further back in time to examine how the victory of the Roman general Flavius Aetius over the notorious Attila the Hun decided the fate of the 5th-century Roman Empire.
Also in this issue, Stephen Roberts uncovers the forgotten story of the ‘native levies’ who served alongside British forces during the British colonial era, while David Porter analyses the part played by armoured vehicles in some of the most critical engagements of WWII in Asia and the Pacific.
Finally, in the last part of our series marking another anniversary of significance, the 150th birthday of Winston Churchill, Taylor Downing examines the wartime PM’s relationship with some of the maverick scientists who helped the Allies achieve ultimate victory in the Second World War.
We hope you enjoy the issue!
Laurence Earle
To subscribe to the magazine, click here. To subscribe to the digital archive, click here. You can also access the magazine online (as well as exclusive extra content) at our new website, The Past. Find us on Facebook, Twitter (X), and Instagram.