801 The Siegfried Line

The Siegfried Line had a number of guises, its origins go back to the first world war as part of the Hindenburg Line along Germany's Western boarder, it was developed during the late 1930s but saw little action at the start of the second world war, with the rapid collapse of France it was pretty much mothballed, only to be reactivated in 1944 to defend the third Reich from the Western Allies where it saw some fierce action.

802 Nimitz

Fleet Admiral Chester William Nimitz was appointed an Admiral in the wake of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour, in 1941. It was Nimitz brilliance that steered the US Navy to its victory against the odds at Midway. At the height of the Pacific war he commanded over two million men and women, 5,000 ships and 20,000 planes... It was a long way from the arid plains of central Texas where he grew up.

803 The Battle of Quatre Bras

Quatre Bras would be the prelude to the battle of Waterloo, here Napoleon sent Marshal Ney to seize a vital cross-roads which would prevent the Prussians meeting up with Wellington's Anglo-allied army, and allow Napoleon to dispose of the allied forces one at a time so giving him the numerical advantage. The speed and surprise which Napoleon achieved, would almost lead to disaster for the allies.

804 Drones

The origins of Drones, goes all the way back to the mid 19th century, but their sophistication and development has accelerated in recent times, and they now are given an ever increasing situational awareness and combat role in modern theatres of war. As their development and deployment continues apace we look back to their origins and the characters who pioneered their first steps.

805 Strategic Bombing

The early 20th century saw the Armed forces of the world investigate the possibilities of the aeroplane, with the first tentative steps taken by the Italians using planes for bombing in Libya. As the century progressed the wars became "total wars" enveloping the whole population in war work, the means of manufacturing, infrastructure and a nations means of making war became targets, preventing the armed forces being able to function to full capacity. During the second world war this would result in massive bombing raids on cities such as Dresden, Coventry and Tokyo, causing huge civilian loss of life and damage. The close of the century would see highly accurate missiles flying down streets, hitting targets with unbelievable accuracy, so limiting collateral damage.

806 The Battle of Actium

807 Italian Campaign of WWI

808 Russo-Japanese War of 1905

809 Spanish American War

810 The 88 (8.8cm FlaK)