Real Time History

French Ragtag Army's Desperate Winter Battles 1871

One of the last bastions of French resistance in the new year 1871 is Belfort. A ragtag army called "Army of the East" r

Decision At The Burgundian Gate - The Battle of Belfort Gap

In minus 20 degrees the rag tag French Armee L'Est still tries to relieve Belfort - which is under siege by the Baden Co

Why Wilhelm I Didn't Want To Be German Emperor

The proclamation of the German Empire on 18 January 1871 is usually portraited as a glorious ceremony. Most people assoc

German Soldiers March Through Paris - The End of the Franco-Prussian War

The end of the Franco-Prussian War is marked by humiliation for France. German soldiers march into Paris and the French

How the French Army Crushed the Socialist Paris Commune 1871 I GLORY & DEFEAT

The Siege of Paris and the end of the Franco-Prussian War had brought social unrest in Paris (and other French cities) t

Why Napoleon Invaded Russia in 1812

When Napoleon's Grande Armee crossed the Nemen river into the Russian Empire in 1812, the die had been cast. In the year

The Greatest Army Europe Had Ever Seen - Napoleon's Invasion of Russia 1812

When Napoleon marched his Grande Armée into Russia in 1812, he had assembled the biggest army in modern European histor

Napoleon's First Defeat in Russia 1812 - Platov's Trap at Mir

The Battle of Mir 1812 was the first battle of Napoleon's invasion of Russia. Polish Uhlans ride right into a trap set b

All-Out War Against Napoleon - The Grand Manifesto of Alexander I

In the beginning of Napoleon's invasion of Russia, the Russian Tsar Alexander I was under pressure to rally his people.

Russia's Fighting Retreat 1812 - Battles of Mogilev and Vitebsk

The two Russian Western Armies are trying to join up to mount a defense against Napoleon's invasion of Russia. But the s

Napoleon Conquers A Heap of Ashes - Battle of Smolensk 1812

Smolensk is an important symbolic city to the Russians in 1812, for Napoleon it's a strategic objective he wants to conq

Russian Army Saved by French Blunder - The Battle of Lubino 1812

French general Junot and Emperor Napoleon I had a bit of a history by the time of the 1812 campaign. Even though Junot h

How Russian Partisans Waged Guerilla War Against Napoleon

he face of war was changing in 1812. While the Russian Army retreated and left behind scorched earth, Russian partisans

Setting the Stage for Borodino - The Battle of Shevardino Redoubt

Napoleon's advancing army had finally spotted the entire Russian Army before them, the stage was set for the deciding cl

Napoleon's Deadliest Day - Battle of Borodino 1812 (Napoleonic Wars Documentary)

The Battle of Borodino was the deadliest single day in history until the outbreak of the First World War. It was the cul

Napoleon Took Moscow - Why He Didn't Win The War

After the Battle of Borodino, both sides are badly mauled. Napoleon's Army marches on and reaches Moscow, the old Russia

How Napoleon's Russia Campaign Collapsed

When Napoleon took Moscow, he expected victory over Russia was just a matter of time. But six weeks later he has to flee

Napoleon's Great Escape from Russia - The Battle of the Berezina

Napoleon's retreat from Moscow and from Russia as a whole is one of the most dramatic scenes in history. Starving and fr

Prussia's Rise & Denmark's Decline: The Schleswig Wars 1848-1864

The two Schleswig Wars of 1848-51 and 1864 mark an important period in European History. Intertwined with the 1848 revol

The War That Made Germany Prussian - Austro-Prussian War 1866

After settling the Schleswig-Holstein question in 1864, Austria and Prussia are uneasy allies. Both are the biggest play

Real Time History Road Map 2022/23

Why Germany Lost the Battle of the Bulge

The Battle of the Bulge was one of the last German offensives during the Second World War. It caught the US Army off gua

Biggest US Battle in the Pacific: Okinawa 1945

The American invasion of Okinawa was the last big island operation on the Pacific Front. It took the US Marines and Army

Napoleon's Downfall: Prussia's Betrayal in Spring 1813

After Napoleon's defeat in Russia in 1812, the situation on the European continent is rapidly shifting. Prussia and Aust

1812/1941: Hitler's Obsession with Napoleon's Defeat

When Nazi Germany attacked the Soviet Union in 1941, Napoleon's failed campaign was on many minds. Hitler specifically w

Why Napoleon Lost His Biggest Battle

After the brief summer 1813 cease fire, Napoleon's campaign in Germany resumes. Surrounded by the Allies - which also ma

Stalin or the Bomb? - Why Japan Surrendered in WW2

It's common wisdom that the nuclear bombs dropped over Hiroshima and Nagasaki caused the Japanese surrender at the end o

Russia's Last Crusade - The Crimean War 1853-1856

The Crimean War between the Ottoman Empire and Russia (and later the UK and France) has been called the last crusade and

What was the First Modern War?

The question about the first modern war has caused lively debates among historians and YouTube comment sections alike. I

Rise of Mao - Chinese Civil War 1928-1937

After the Warlord Era, the Chinese Civil War was primarily fought between the Kuomintang under Chiang Kai-Shek and the C

Why Rommel Lost the Battle for North Africa (WW2 Documentary)

The North African campaign of WW2 is one of the most famous ones. The almost mythical story of the British "Desert Rats"

The Perfect D-Day That History Forgot

The summer of 1944 saw the Allies land in France not once but twice. Two months after Operation Overlord, the Allies als

Did Japan Start WW2 in 1937?

In 1937 Japan invaded the Republic of China after already annexing Manchuria in 1931. With the international settlements

Tempting Armageddon: Soviet vs. NATO Nuclear Strategy

Since the inception of the nuclear bomb, military strategists have tried to figure out how to use them best. During the

Napoleon's Downfall: German Campaign 1813

After Napoleon's disastrous retreat from Russia he was still able to put up a fight and was determined to beat the enemy

Sicily 1943: Patton and Monty Land in Europe

After defeating the Axis in North Africa, the stage was set for the first Allied landing in Europe. The target was Sicil

France's Vietnam War: Fighting Ho Chi Minh before the US

After the Second World War multiple French colonies were pushing towards independence, among them Indochina. The Viet Mi

Why France Lost Vietnam: The Battle of Dien Bien Phu

After the French success in the Battle of Na San, the battle of Dien Bien Phu is supposed to defeat the Viet Minh once a

Why Did the Vietnam War Break Out?

In 1965, US troops officially landed in Vietnam, but American involvement in the ongoing conflict between the Communist

Zulu Kingdom's Last Stand - The Anglo-Zulu War 1879

The Anglo-Zulu War in 1879 is one of the most well known colonial wars of the British Empire. And while the British ulti

Why Germany Lost the Battle of Kursk 1943

In summer 1943, Germany and the Soviet Union fought the arguably biggest single battle in history with millions of men,

Why Rommel Lost His Last Battle

In February 1943, Rommel’s panzers are again on the attack in North Africa. This time he’s facing untested US troops

Why Did Japan Attack Pearl Harbor?

December 7, 1941: The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor shocked the world and brought the US into the Second World War. Bu

Downfall of Imperial Japan 1945: From Iwo Jima to Nagasaki

In 1945 US forces are advancing towards Japan, but the road to victory will be bloody.

Search and Destroy: Vietnam War Tactics 1965-1967

In 1965, tens of thousands of US troops are heading for war in Vietnam. Backed up by B-52 bombers, helicopters and napa

The Deadliest Job Of WW2? - US Bomber Crews 1943

Fall 1943, Allied bombers are ramping up their daytime raids of Nazi German cities and industry. The bomber crews of the

Why Germany Lost the Battle of the Atlantic

In March 1943, German U-boats are on the attack – they sink 108 Allied vessels that month alone. Some Allied official

Why the US Lost the Tet Offensive

After years of boots on the ground and bloody combat in Vietnam, US officials are publicly confident. The strategy of el

Why the Allies Lost The Battle of France

In May 1940, Nazi Germany attacks in the West. The Allied armies of France, Britain, Belgium, and the Netherlands have m

Britain's Weird Vietnam War

Fall 1945: the Second World War is over, but there is fresh fighting in Vietnam. Now, former enemies become allies as Br

1943: Turning Point of WW2 in Europe

The so-called forgotten year of WW2 sees the Allies push the Germans out of North Africa, Sicily, part of Italy, the Atl

Nixon's Vietnam War: Why the US Left Vietnam

With violent anti-war protests at home and discipline problems on US bases, President Nixon promises to withdraw America

Who Really Won the Korean War?

Only five years after the end of WW2, the major nations of the world are once again up in arms. A global UN coalition an

How Did Israel End Up With Gaza and the West Bank? Six-Day War 1967

In just six days in 1967 Israel managed to decisively defeat Egypt, Jordan and Syria in the Six Day War. In the process

Why the US Lost the Vietnam War

In late April 1975, dramatic images from Saigon are beamed across the world. North Vietnamese troops proclaimed final vi

Bio-Weapons in WW2: Japan's Revenge for Doolittle Raid

During Japan's war against South-East Asia during the Second World War, China was one of the earliest battlefields. The

The Indochina War 1945-1954

The Indochina War is a pivotal conflict in the Cold War emerging from the end of the Second World War. When the former i

Could Germany Invade Britain in WW2? (Operation Sea Lion)

Summer 1940. The United Kingdom is gripped by the fear of a German invasion. Even if the Luftwaffe secures the sky over

Forgotten Armies of the Vietnam War: Australia, Korea, China, USSR

The Vietnam War is mainly remembered as a conflict between the Vietnamese and the United States. But both sides received

Desert Storm: Mission Accomplished or Missed Opportunity?

When Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait in the summer of 1990, he didn't anticipate a massive international backslash and una

Laos and Cambodia: Forgotten Fronts of the Vietnam War

Despite its name, the Vietnam War is not confined to the territory of North or South Vietnam. As the US and North Vietna

CIA Coup For Oil? - The 1953 Iran Coup

In 1953, Iran is at a crossroads. After decades of interference by foreign powers eager to exploit its oil reserves, the

Winter War 1939-40 - Soviet Invasion of Finland

November 1939. Germany and the Soviet Union have conquered Poland, and Germany is at war with France and Britain. Moscow

The Vietnam War 1955-1975

When the US enters the Vietnam War, it’s confident in its military might, but it soon finds itself struggling with an

Battle of Saipan 1944: Total War in the Pacific

In June 1944, an armada of warships and landing craft is getting ready for D-Day. Thousands of American soldiers are abo

Downfall: The Battle of Berlin 1945

April 1945. After nearly six years of war, the Red Army stands massed on the banks of the Oder River in eastern Germany.

U-Boats Unleashed: Battle of the Atlantic 1940

In the summer of 1940, Great Britain is under attack in the air and at sea. German U-Boat wolf packs prowl the Atlantic

Does Russia Always Win Its Wars?

The Russian Federation is at war with Ukraine, and some of its supporters insist it will win because Russia doesn’t lo

Origin of the China-Taiwan Conflict: Chinese Civil War 1945-1949

With the Japanese surrender in September 1945, the Second World War comes to an end. But for China there won't be peace

Grave of the German Navy - Battle of Norway 1940

The Battle of Norway in Spring 1940 cemented the reputation of the daring and invincible German war machine under Adolf

The Last Total War? - Iran-Iraq War 1980-1988

In September 1980, Iraq invades Iran. Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein is convinced that now is the time to strike, since Ira

Mussolini's Blunder: Greece and North Africa 1940

Hitler's victories in 1940 present a historic opportunity to Italian Dictator Benito Mussolini to expand the Italian Emp

Rise of Japan: 1st Sino-Japanese War 1894-95

In 1894, tensions are rising in East Asia. There’s trouble in the small but strategically-located Kingdom of Korea, as

The Mexican-American War 1846-48

In the early 19th century, the United States and Mexico share a massive cross- continental border, but US settlement in

Yom Kippur War 1973

On October 6, 1973, Israelis celebrating the holiday of Yom Kippur are shocked by news of a mass two front attack in the

Why didn’t the Allies Attack Germany in 1939?

On September 1, 1939, Germany invades Poland, setting off the Second World War. Two days later, Britain and France decla

Britannia Rules the Mediterranean Sea: British Empire at War 1940

In the summer of 1940, the British Empire faces German attacks against the home islands a new Italian adversary in the M

Battle of Peleliu 1944

In September 1944, the US 1st Marine Division is on its way to another amphibious invasion in the Pacific – the tiny i

German-Soviet Invasion of Poland 1939

Germany and the Soviet Union both regarded the Polish state as a creation of the post-WW1 system, and both had claims on

Rise of Mao: The Wars for China 1927-1949

China was constantly at war from the late 1920s to the early 1950s, including becoming one of the largest fronts of the

Why Japan Lost the Battle of Leyte Gulf 1944

In Fall 1944, Japan is set on stopping the US from re-capturing the Philippines, a vital trade route between the Japanes

Battle of Manila 1945

The Battle of Manila 1945 was the only urban battle in the American Pacific War comparable with Stalingrad, Berlin or ot

Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan 1979

Christmas 1979. Soviet armor pours across the Afghan border towards Kabul as helicopters secure the mountain passes thro

First Year of WW2 1939-1940

In 1939, Germany plunges Europe into war by breaking their promises for peace and marching into Poland. By the end of 19

Why the US Invaded Iraq

The US invasion of Iraq was the culmination of several developments that started at the end of the Gulf War in 1991. In

Battle of Tarawa 1943

The Marine and US Army landing on the Tarawa Atoll's Betio and Makin islands were the first operations in the new Centra

Why the 1979 Iranian Revolution Happened

After over 25 years in power, the Shah of Iran was ousted by the Iranian Revolution which also established an Islamic Re

Red Army vs. Mujahedeen: Soviet-Afghan War Tactics 1980-85

The Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan was supposed to be a quick show of force to pacify the country and install a more Mos

Why Argentina Lost the Falklands War

On March 28, 1982 almost the entire Argentinian navy, carrying 900 troops, invades the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Great Powers Invasion of China: Boxer War 1900-01

After the defeat in the 1st Sino-Japanese War, the Qing Dynasty is under pressure: Some are calling for domestic reforms

Operation Iraqi Freedom 2003: The Invasion

In March 2003, a US-led coalition invades Iraq. US President George W. Bush claims he must disarm Iraqi dictator Saddam

Who Destroyed the Japanese Economy in WW2?

As the war in the Pacific develops, the United States takes the fight to Japan itself – by crippling its economy, dest

Why The Soviet Union Lost In Afghanistan

In February 1989, the last Soviet Combat troops leave Afghanistan after almost a decade of war. Despite military superio

Why Did the US Declare war on Great Britain in 1812?

The War of 1812 broke out after a series of escalations between Great Britain and the still young United States. The imp

Afghanistan's Downfall - Civil War 1989-1993

After the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan, the various mujahedeen factions and Afghanistan's neighbours Pakistan, Ira

How China, Russia, Japan and the West Struggled Over East Asia 1894-1905

The 19th century is a time of violent global imperial competition. The Scramble for Africa and the Great Game between th

Rommel's Rampage - Battle for North Africa Spring 1941

The Italian Army in North Africa is in disarray after the British Operation Compass. Hitler reluctantly sends help in th

Japan's Downfall: Pacific War from Tarawa to Okinawa

In 1944 the days of dashing Japanese victories in the Pacific theatre are over. But the Empire is not defeated yet and d