The Military Journal
@militaryjournal.net
Bluesky page for The Military Journal, an online publication covering international military history and military studies. Published in Ayrshire, Scotland. Editor: @neilritchie.bsky.social
The four-engined Avro Lancaster heavy bomber entered service with the Royal Air Force in February 1942. The Lancaster would become the iconic British bomber of the Second World War, and a total of 7,377 aircraft were built.
February 4, 2026 at 12:41 PM
The four-engined Avro Lancaster heavy bomber entered service with the Royal Air Force in February 1942. The Lancaster would become the iconic British bomber of the Second World War, and a total of 7,377 aircraft were built.
Russian and US warships at Gibraltar in February 1909. The US Navy's Great White Fleet reached Gibraltar as part of the concluding segment of its global voyage. The fleet's voyage was facilitated by British coaling stations and colliers.
February 3, 2026 at 9:44 PM
Russian and US warships at Gibraltar in February 1909. The US Navy's Great White Fleet reached Gibraltar as part of the concluding segment of its global voyage. The fleet's voyage was facilitated by British coaling stations and colliers.
On 3 February 1781, British land and naval forces under Lieutenant-General Sir John Vaughan and Admiral George Rodney seized the Dutch-owned Caribbean island of Sint Eustatius during the Fourth Anglo-Dutch War, which was part of the wider American War of Independence.
February 3, 2026 at 12:49 PM
On 3 February 1781, British land and naval forces under Lieutenant-General Sir John Vaughan and Admiral George Rodney seized the Dutch-owned Caribbean island of Sint Eustatius during the Fourth Anglo-Dutch War, which was part of the wider American War of Independence.
"No plan of operation extends with certainty beyond the first encounter with the enemy's main strength. Only the layman sees in the course of a campaign a consistent execution of a preconceived and highly detailed original concept pursued consistently to the end."
- Helmuth von Moltke the Elder
- Helmuth von Moltke the Elder
February 2, 2026 at 9:23 PM
"No plan of operation extends with certainty beyond the first encounter with the enemy's main strength. Only the layman sees in the course of a campaign a consistent execution of a preconceived and highly detailed original concept pursued consistently to the end."
- Helmuth von Moltke the Elder
- Helmuth von Moltke the Elder
2 February 1943: The Soviet Union announced that the Battle of Stalingrad had ended after the last of the German Sixth Army forces surrendered. It ended the German advance into the Soviet Union and shifted the strategic initiative to the Red Army for the remainder of the war.
February 2, 2026 at 9:22 PM
2 February 1943: The Soviet Union announced that the Battle of Stalingrad had ended after the last of the German Sixth Army forces surrendered. It ended the German advance into the Soviet Union and shifted the strategic initiative to the Red Army for the remainder of the war.
31 January 1915: German forces unleashed a large-scale irritant gas attack against Russian forces during the Battle of Humin-Bolimów. Shells filled with Xylyl Bromide were fired at the Russian lines however, low temperatures limited the effectiveness of the gas.
January 31, 2026 at 10:38 AM
31 January 1915: German forces unleashed a large-scale irritant gas attack against Russian forces during the Battle of Humin-Bolimów. Shells filled with Xylyl Bromide were fired at the Russian lines however, low temperatures limited the effectiveness of the gas.
Two British soldiers on patrol in the snow at an RAF airfield in France on 30 January 1940. Gloster Gladiator fighter aircraft can be seen in the background.
📸 Ernest A. Taylor / IWM (F 2197)
📸 Ernest A. Taylor / IWM (F 2197)
January 30, 2026 at 9:52 PM
Two British soldiers on patrol in the snow at an RAF airfield in France on 30 January 1940. Gloster Gladiator fighter aircraft can be seen in the background.
📸 Ernest A. Taylor / IWM (F 2197)
📸 Ernest A. Taylor / IWM (F 2197)
30 January 1862: The Federal Ironclad USS Monitor was launched at the Continental Iron Works, Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The "Cheesebox on a Raft" was designed by Swedish-born engineer John Ericsson and would see action at the Battle of Hampton Roads in March 1862.
January 30, 2026 at 9:06 PM
30 January 1862: The Federal Ironclad USS Monitor was launched at the Continental Iron Works, Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The "Cheesebox on a Raft" was designed by Swedish-born engineer John Ericsson and would see action at the Battle of Hampton Roads in March 1862.
29 January 1856: Queen Victoria issued a Warrant under the Royal sign-manual that established the Victoria Cross to recognise acts of valour by British military personnel during the Crimean War. Medals were awarded to 111 soldiers, sailors and marines for their actions during the war with Russia.
January 29, 2026 at 3:07 PM
29 January 1856: Queen Victoria issued a Warrant under the Royal sign-manual that established the Victoria Cross to recognise acts of valour by British military personnel during the Crimean War. Medals were awarded to 111 soldiers, sailors and marines for their actions during the war with Russia.
General Montgomery standing beside a Grant command tank near Tripoli on 27 January 1943. "That grim look bodes no good for Rommel!"
📸 Capt Poston / IWM (E 21701)
📸 Capt Poston / IWM (E 21701)
January 27, 2026 at 9:16 PM
General Montgomery standing beside a Grant command tank near Tripoli on 27 January 1943. "That grim look bodes no good for Rommel!"
📸 Capt Poston / IWM (E 21701)
📸 Capt Poston / IWM (E 21701)
27 January 1943: Ninety-one bombers from the US Eighth Air Force, a mix of B-17 Flying Fortresses and B-24 Liberators, mounted the first American airstrike inside Germany. Fifty-five of the B-17s carried out a daylight raid on the submarine bases at Wilhelmshaven. All aircraft returned safely.
January 27, 2026 at 9:14 PM
27 January 1943: Ninety-one bombers from the US Eighth Air Force, a mix of B-17 Flying Fortresses and B-24 Liberators, mounted the first American airstrike inside Germany. Fifty-five of the B-17s carried out a daylight raid on the submarine bases at Wilhelmshaven. All aircraft returned safely.
27 January 1916: The UK parliament passed the Military Service Act, which imposed conscription on single men aged between 18 and 41 in Britain, but exempted the unfit, clergymen, teachers and certain industrial workers. Ireland was exempt. In May 1916, conscription was extended to married men.
January 27, 2026 at 11:05 AM
27 January 1916: The UK parliament passed the Military Service Act, which imposed conscription on single men aged between 18 and 41 in Britain, but exempted the unfit, clergymen, teachers and certain industrial workers. Ireland was exempt. In May 1916, conscription was extended to married men.
A US MIM-104 Patriot missile battery deployed in Saudi-Arabia during Operation DESERT SHIELD. The Patriot surface-to-air missile/anti-ballistic missile system was sent to the Gulf to counter the threat of Iraqi SCUD missiles, and was its first operational deployment.
January 26, 2026 at 10:07 PM
A US MIM-104 Patriot missile battery deployed in Saudi-Arabia during Operation DESERT SHIELD. The Patriot surface-to-air missile/anti-ballistic missile system was sent to the Gulf to counter the threat of Iraqi SCUD missiles, and was its first operational deployment.
The armoured cruiser USS Maine entering Havana Harbor on 25 January 1898 to protect US interests during the Cuban War of Independence. On 15 February, the vessel suffered an internal explosion and sank. The incident led to the US intervention in Cuba and war with Spain.
January 26, 2026 at 12:39 PM
The armoured cruiser USS Maine entering Havana Harbor on 25 January 1898 to protect US interests during the Cuban War of Independence. On 15 February, the vessel suffered an internal explosion and sank. The incident led to the US intervention in Cuba and war with Spain.
Fairey Fulmars grounded in the snow after a storm at Royal Naval Air Station Donibristle in Fife on 25 January 1942.
📸 Lt L. Pelman / IWM (A 7251)
📸 Lt L. Pelman / IWM (A 7251)
January 25, 2026 at 8:10 PM
Fairey Fulmars grounded in the snow after a storm at Royal Naval Air Station Donibristle in Fife on 25 January 1942.
📸 Lt L. Pelman / IWM (A 7251)
📸 Lt L. Pelman / IWM (A 7251)
The Battle of Mohrungen in East Prussia took place on 25 January 1807, during the War of the Fourth Coalition. It was a sharp engagement between the I Corps of Napoleon's Grande Armée, commanded by Marshal Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte, and a Russian advance guard led by Major-General Yevgeni Markov.
January 25, 2026 at 6:40 PM
The Battle of Mohrungen in East Prussia took place on 25 January 1807, during the War of the Fourth Coalition. It was a sharp engagement between the I Corps of Napoleon's Grande Armée, commanded by Marshal Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte, and a Russian advance guard led by Major-General Yevgeni Markov.
French battleship Jauréguiberry steaming at high speed during her sea trials in 1896-1897. Jauréguiberry served in the Mediterranean during the Cretan Revolt and the First World War, including the Gallipoli Campaign, before being converted into an accommodation hulk and eventually scrapped in 1934.
January 25, 2026 at 10:26 AM
French battleship Jauréguiberry steaming at high speed during her sea trials in 1896-1897. Jauréguiberry served in the Mediterranean during the Cretan Revolt and the First World War, including the Gallipoli Campaign, before being converted into an accommodation hulk and eventually scrapped in 1934.
Spion Kop (from Zwart Kop), showing the place where the British Army suffered heavy casualties during the battle on 24 January 1900 during the Second Boer War. The King's Royal Rifle Corps is encamped in the foreground.
January 23, 2026 at 7:56 PM
Spion Kop (from Zwart Kop), showing the place where the British Army suffered heavy casualties during the battle on 24 January 1900 during the Second Boer War. The King's Royal Rifle Corps is encamped in the foreground.
Royal Navy Illustrious-class aircraft carrier HMS VICTORIOUS in Hvalfjord, Iceland, on 23 January 1942. VICTORIOUS had been deployed to the North Atlantic to help prevent any breakout by the German battleship TIRPITZ.
📸 Lt C. H. Parnall / IWM (A 7320)
📸 Lt C. H. Parnall / IWM (A 7320)
January 23, 2026 at 7:47 PM
Royal Navy Illustrious-class aircraft carrier HMS VICTORIOUS in Hvalfjord, Iceland, on 23 January 1942. VICTORIOUS had been deployed to the North Atlantic to help prevent any breakout by the German battleship TIRPITZ.
📸 Lt C. H. Parnall / IWM (A 7320)
📸 Lt C. H. Parnall / IWM (A 7320)
Two RAF Jaguar GR.1s in flight during the Gulf War (Operation GRANBY): XX358 "Katrina Jane" (foreground) and XZ356 "Mary Rose", aircraft of 41 Sqn CO.
📸 Ryan Roger / IWM (GLF 434)
📸 Ryan Roger / IWM (GLF 434)
January 17, 2026 at 12:48 PM
Two RAF Jaguar GR.1s in flight during the Gulf War (Operation GRANBY): XX358 "Katrina Jane" (foreground) and XZ356 "Mary Rose", aircraft of 41 Sqn CO.
📸 Ryan Roger / IWM (GLF 434)
📸 Ryan Roger / IWM (GLF 434)
The USAF General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark was the top tank killer during the 1991 Gulf War, credited with destroying over 1,500 tanks and armoured vehicles in “tank plinking” operations. In contrast, the A-10 was credited with around 900 to 1,000 tank kills during the same period.
January 17, 2026 at 12:46 PM
The USAF General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark was the top tank killer during the 1991 Gulf War, credited with destroying over 1,500 tanks and armoured vehicles in “tank plinking” operations. In contrast, the A-10 was credited with around 900 to 1,000 tank kills during the same period.
15 January 1815: The American frigate USS President, commanded by Commodore Stephen Decatur, was captured by a British blockading squadron commanded by Commodore John Hayes off New York Harbor during the War of 1812. Decatur and his crew were taken as prisoners to Bermuda.
January 15, 2026 at 12:53 PM
15 January 1815: The American frigate USS President, commanded by Commodore Stephen Decatur, was captured by a British blockading squadron commanded by Commodore John Hayes off New York Harbor during the War of 1812. Decatur and his crew were taken as prisoners to Bermuda.
Soviet and British soldiers rendezvous near Qazvin, Iran in August 1941 during the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran (Operation Countenance) during the Second World War.
January 14, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Soviet and British soldiers rendezvous near Qazvin, Iran in August 1941 during the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran (Operation Countenance) during the Second World War.
9 (Parachute) Squadron, Royal Engineers, training at Long Valley near their base in Aldershot in January 2002, in preparation for deployment to Afghanistan. The Section Commander, Cpl L Winters (kneeling), Spr R Ellis and Spr M Lenehan practice break contact drills.
📸 M Weston / IWM (HU 99486)
📸 M Weston / IWM (HU 99486)
January 14, 2026 at 5:17 PM
9 (Parachute) Squadron, Royal Engineers, training at Long Valley near their base in Aldershot in January 2002, in preparation for deployment to Afghanistan. The Section Commander, Cpl L Winters (kneeling), Spr R Ellis and Spr M Lenehan practice break contact drills.
📸 M Weston / IWM (HU 99486)
📸 M Weston / IWM (HU 99486)
Beaufighter Mark X, LZ114, taking off from the Bristol Company's aerodrome at Old Mixon for an engine test while carrying a Mark XII aerial torpedo. LZ114 was later operated by No. 211 Squadron of the Royal Air Force and went missing during an attack on bridges in Burma on 13 January 1944.
January 13, 2026 at 5:48 PM
Beaufighter Mark X, LZ114, taking off from the Bristol Company's aerodrome at Old Mixon for an engine test while carrying a Mark XII aerial torpedo. LZ114 was later operated by No. 211 Squadron of the Royal Air Force and went missing during an attack on bridges in Burma on 13 January 1944.