History's Walk Battlefield Tours

01/06/2024

Grim reminder of the fatal consequences of negligence.

Halifax explosion of 1917, disaster in Halifax Harbour, Nova Scotia, Canada, in which a munitions ship exploded, killing nearly 2,000 people.

03/09/2023

"The Ten Principles of War: Adapting for Success in Mobile Warfare"

Abstract:
This thesis explores the enduring relevance of the Ten Principles of War in the context of modern mobile warfare. While these principles have traditionally guided conventional warfare, the evolution of military technology and tactics necessitates an examination of their applicability to mobile warfare scenarios. This research argues that adapting and reinterpreting these principles is essential for achieving success in contemporary conflicts characterized by mobility, agility, and rapid decision-making.

Introduction:
The Ten Principles of War, a set of strategic and operational concepts, have been a cornerstone of military doctrine for centuries. These principles include objectives, offensive, mass, economy of force, maneuver, unity of command, security, surprise, simplicity, and maintenance of morale. Historically, these principles have been applied to conventional warfare scenarios, often involving large armies engaged in pitched battles. However, the nature of warfare has evolved significantly, particularly with the emergence of mobile warfare, which emphasizes speed, agility, and decentralized operations.

Thesis Statement:
This thesis argues that the Ten Principles of War remain invaluable tools for military strategists and commanders in mobile warfare, but they must be adapted and reinterpreted to suit the unique challenges and opportunities presented by this evolving form of conflict.

Principle 1: Objectives
In mobile warfare, objectives may shift rapidly, requiring commanders to maintain flexibility and adaptability. The principle of objectives remains relevant but must be understood in the context of fluid, dynamic operational goals.

Principle 2: Offensive
Mobile warfare often involves seizing the initiative through swift and decisive actions. Maintaining the offensive is crucial, but it may require a different approach, such as exploiting weaknesses and vulnerabilities rather than launching frontal assaults.

Principle 3: Mass
In mobile warfare, massing forces may not always be feasible or advantageous. Instead, the focus should be on achieving concentration of effort at critical points and times, emphasizing quality over quantity.

Principle 4: Economy of Force
Mobile warfare necessitates the judicious allocation of resources and forces. The principle of economy of force remains vital but must consider the need for rapid redeployment and adaptability in dynamic environments.

Principle 5: Maneuver
Maneuverability is central to mobile warfare. Commanders should focus on exploiting mobility, using terrain and technological advantages to outmaneuver adversaries and create favorable conditions.

Principle 6: Unity of Command
While unity of command remains crucial, mobile warfare may involve decentralized operations and the empowerment of subordinate leaders to make rapid decisions in the absence of centralized control.

Principle 7: Security
Security remains paramount in mobile warfare, where adversaries can exploit vulnerabilities quickly. Emphasis on intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) assets is critical to maintain security.

Principle 8: Surprise
Achieving surprise in mobile warfare requires innovative tactics, rapid deployment, and unconventional approaches to disrupt enemy expectations and plans.

Principle 9: Simplicity
Complex plans and operations may not be sustainable in mobile warfare. Simplicity should guide decision-making, focusing on straightforward and executable strategies.

Principle 10: Maintenance of Morale
In mobile warfare, morale can rapidly fluctuate due to the fluid nature of operations. Commanders must prioritize the well-being and motivation of their forces to ensure sustained effectiveness.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, the Ten Principles of War remain applicable in mobile warfare, but they require adaptation and reinterpretation to suit the unique characteristics of this evolving form of conflict. Military strategists and commanders must recognize the need for flexibility, agility, and rapid decision-making while upholding these enduring principles as the foundation of successful mobile warfare operations. The ability to integrate traditional principles with modern mobile warfare concepts will be essential for achieving victory in 21st-century conflicts.

17/09/2022

War Stories is your one stop shop for all things military history. From Waterloo to Verdun, we'll be bringing you only the best documentaries and stories fro...

07/09/2022

Corporal Christian Schiess VC

Eleven Victoria Crosses (VC) and five Distinguished Conduct Medals were awarded to survivors of Rorke's Drift.

One of the VCs went to Corporal Christian Ferdinand Schiess (1856-84).
Born on 7 April 1856 in Burgdorf, Switzerland and raised in an orphanage, he later settled in South Africa and joined the Natal Native Contingent a colonial unit, serving throughout the Zulu War.

Schiess displayed great bravery at Rorke's Drift.
He fought off the Zulus throughout the night, despite being wounded in the foot.
He became the first Swiss national to be awarded a VC and the first man serving with South African forces to be decorated with the supreme British award for gallantry. He received his VC from Sir Garnet Wolseley in Pietermaritzburg on 3 February 1880.

Despite his heroism, Schiess struggled to find work after the war and ended up living in poverty. On 14 December1884 he died on board 'Serapis' on route to England, his passage being paid for by public subscription.

He was unable to find employment in South Africa, even from the British authorities, and it was said of him later that had he mentioned that he had been involved at Rorke's Drift, and had indeed won a Victoria Cross, that things may have been different.

There is no known photo of him.

16/07/2022

This year in history In A.D. 122, the Roman Emperor Hadrian landed in Britain and headed directly to Rome’s northernmost frontier fort at Eboracum (modern day York, England). He brought with him the 6th Legion (Legio VI Victrix). The mission: build the Vallum Aelium—Hadrian’s Wall. Hadrian’s...

16/07/2022

In this first episode, Tristan Hughes tracks the history of the Ninth Legion across the British Isles. From its arrival in Britain during the Claudian Invasi...

20/03/2022

Interesting....

10/01/2022

A Russian submarine being tracked by a British naval warship on patrol in the North Atlantic more than a year ago hit a sonar the ship was towing, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.

09/01/2022

Adrian Greaves reports on a Victorian nurse who served in the Russo-Turkish and Zulu Wars – earning both an Imperial Red Cross from Russia and a Royal Red Cross from Britain.

09/01/2022

The Treaty of Versailles had a number of clauses that were designed to tamp down on Germany's desires to keep advancing military technology after World

18/11/2021

Busy taking the Voetspore team through the paces on top of Spioenkop. Very good tour that turned out to be. With a tour like this I relate the day of the battle, what preceded the hostilities on the day, and basically, why did the happen. The tour will take the best part of the day, and the weather can sometime be problematic with either a howling gale, boiling hot or freezing cold.

31/10/2021

The support of the UK government for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine, November 2, 1917.

Encyclopedia of Jewish and Israeli history, politics and culture, with biographies, statistics, articles and documents on topics from anti-Semitism to Zionism.

31/10/2021

The famous charge of the Australian Light Brigade at Beersheba, 31 October 1917, today a 104 years ago. Well-described in the website. Brilliantly executed and well-prepared attack.

The Battle of Beersheba (Turkish: Birüssebi Muharebesi, German: Schlacht von Birüssebi)[Note 1] was fought on 31 October 1917, when the British Empire's Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF) attacked and captured the Yildirim Army Group garrison at Beersheba, beginning the Southern Palestine Offensiv...

17/09/2021

https://www.samilitaryhistory.org/misc/botha.html

1.1. The General State of the War The Orange Free State was annexed on 24 May 1900 and the South African Republic on 1 September 1900. Soon after these annexations the war entered its irregular phase. By mid-1901 political pressure was being exerted upon Kitchener from London to end the war as quick...

07/06/2021

Kom kyk. Kom hoor jou geskiedenis.

Die Noord-Natalse dorp, Dundee, bevind dit self in die hart van verskeie slagvelde, uit drie oorloë, waarvan min mense oënskynlik weet. ‘n Toer deur Noord-Natal is nie net grasdakhutte, Khoisantekeninge en Ngunibeeste nie! Ek is ‘n onafhanklike slagveldgids wat al amper 16 jaar vir myself werk...

18/03/2021

Compare those prices with ours....

Have you seen the German war film, Das Boot? Find out the real story of this classic on our fascinating 7-day tour, The U-Boat War. Visiting the original U-Boat bases around Bremen and with the chance to go inside two U-Boats, there's a reason this tour is always popular! > https://bit.ly/3bLlvka