"den groote oorlog". What is it's literal translation? 'The great war' of you could also say 'The biggest war'. You can actually choose between the 2 meanings. nothing world shocking actually.
My main period is WW2 Secondary favourites: Napoleonic, WW1, Roman Army, Falklands Others: Ancient Greeks, Zulu War, Britain's small wars, European military tactics in 16-1700's
War of Northern Agression, 1861-present In many ways I love these conflicts that still rumble on, the Cold War was far from a unique phenomenon. I've seen fights relating to the English Civil wars & the War of the Roses, and reckon ongoing US/UK bickering often has quite a lot to do (regardless of the alliances since) with the foolish civil war of 1775- .
I have some interest in Arab-Israel Wars (as it called here). Why? Because that new-born country showed everyone how to fight fast and efficient. The story of that wars impressed me very much.
In many ways I love these conflicts that still rumble on, the Cold War was far from a unique phenomenon. I've seen fights relating to the English Civil wars & the War of the Roses, and reckon ongoing US/UK bickering often has quite a lot to do (regardless of the alliances since) with the foolish civil war of 1775- . Some people in Ireland still refer to the English as "The Auld enemy" and the shocking thing is that they actually mean it.
The Zulu wars in Nataal, the Boer wars and the peirod immediately predating and including 1066 and all that. The Zulu war politics preceeding the actual fighting remind me somewhat of todays events, and the logistics of the initial 3 columns into Zululand are amazing.
Always been interested in the Spanish Civil War as my Grandfather, Great Uncle and Great Aunt were all members of the International Brigades and i grew up visiting various Scots volunteers, although i was too young at the time to understand what an amazing part of history they were. I'm interested in most history in general... although i have a very short attention span!
Since, this old thread has been re-resurected, i'll add my two pennies worth. Cold War, and the events that followed the 2nd World War and how they where dictated by the last few months of WW2. The fall of the Soviet union and the Warsaw pact was a god send, and have now had the oppurtunity to visit many places some of which were previously too much hassle to attempt to even try Latvia Estonia St Petersburg Moscow Bulgaria Romania Hungary Belarus Poland Czech rep Slovak Rep Azerbajain Kazaksthan Croatia Macadonia Have a trip planned to Ukraine later this year and am contemplating a trip to Chernoybol and possibly Volvograd (Stalinhgrad). Most of the ex Soviet states have museums relating to independance, and good ones can be found in Minsk and Riga. P
For anyone interested in seeing the British Army given the run around try studying the New Zealand Wars. Not massive by later standards but the Maoris perfected the art of bush guerrilla tactics and managed to tie down several of the best British regiments, even humbling them at the Battle of Gate Pa. Considering that it took months to ship a regiment all the way to NZ and then organise logistics and baggage trains for the artillery the amount of time, effort and money spent was huge. Had this conflict been studied at Sandhurst I dare say it would have had a profound effect on the trench system developed for WW1. As said earlier Gate Pa was a classic example. The Maoris used to put their flagpoles right in the middle of their Pa's (forts) so the British conveniently ranged their guns on the flagpole for bombardments. The Maoris always built their Pa's with either a cliff or dense bush at the back so there was a safe back door. At Gate Pa they put the flagpole behind the Pa by a hundred metres but being on top of a hill it looked as if it was in the usual place. They then dug pits for the defenders just inside the pallisades and covered them with grass mats. The British duly ranged their guns on the flagpole with little effect on the acual fort. Once the flagpole was knocked down they opened a gap in the pallisades and the forlorn hope rushed in to find no occupants. The rest of the beseigers crowded in to look for booty, the Maoris lowered the grass mats and massacred the Redcoats. A stroke of genius rarely seen since and not bad going for a bunch of 'Noble Savages'
I don't know! How dare the Maoris not play by the rules!! Seriously, they're a tough breed the Maoris, i've met a few in Australia and you wouldn't want to cross them. Good story Macca, not something you hear much about.
Ta Biggles, Like all conflicts the NZ Wars had there fair share of heroes and villains and some rollicking good stories (well we can say that now but of course they were very scary times for those involved). Macca
Anything Mediaeval, since I've always had an obsession with the Crusades generally and the Knights Templar in particular. Also the Anglo-Scots wars to 1500.
Mainly World War 2 interest but i like to travel around England visiting anywhere with a bit of history be it English Civil War,The Barons war,and living conditions in general over the years, Theres plenty of History in Middle England, The Battle of Bosworth being the most interesting for me.
Falklands War - Arguably Britains last bayonet-up close and personal war. The war in Iraq - Because I was there. Partial interest in the Balkans Conflicts.
All wars with Gurkhas, Korea War but also I like to read about almost every other war from ancient Greeks until now. And, of course, because I live in Bosnia and survive the last war here, I have interest in the War in Yugoslavia from 1992 to 1995.
WW1 I've looked at, because I had folks there. I'd also like time to look into the 'Victorian Wars', same reason. Something I'm looking forward to finding out something (Anything!) about though is Korea. I've absolutely no idea what went on there, between whom, or why! Andy; I've started watching " Century of Warfare ", at least when the modem kicks off and I have no book to read. Hardly a gripping presentation. Which disc covers Korea? It'll give me something to work towards.
I also have a keen interest in the grey zone between the Western Late Antiquity / Early Middle Ages. When the Newcomers desired to become Romans, the Romans were not Romans any longer, Christianity was blossoming while the different branches were eating each other, the Eastern Romans spoke Greek, pig Latin abounded, Kings did not exist, unknowns were Kings, and all the while Hollywood set it all down for us in simple terms
