Military

The German First World War commander Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck has been described as the 20th century’s greatest guerrilla leader for his undefeated campaign in East Africa. Is the legend justified? 

Roger Hudson pictures British gunboat diplomacy in Egypt in 1882.

A study of diplomacy in transition by Nicholas Henderson

James Kinross tells the story of the French Foreign Legion, a force famous for fighting in Africa, Russia, Mexico, Indo-China and France itself, as well as across the world.

The mountain country of Kentucky, until very recent years, has been the scene of fierce family feuds, as A.L. Lloyd records here.

In legend, Marathon is one of the decisive battles of the world; in fact, Stuart E.P. Atherley suggests, it marked the repulse of a comparatively small “colonial” expedition from Persia.

J.J. Bell describes a powerful force of raiders on the early modern Scottish Borders.

Elizabeth Wiskemann writes that Bentinck’s achievements as British Minister in Sicily, and inspirer of Italian resistance to Napoleon in the years 1811-1814, suggest interesting parallels with recent conflicts.

T.H. McGuffe describes the invasion, and subsequent hurried retreat, of England during the Jacobite Rebellion.

Erich Eyck looks at the battles fought - and won - by Napoleon's Prussian nemisis.