60 Brutal Facts About Historic Wars Humanity Has Fought

At the time of the Battle of Britain (1940) several nations had functioning radar systems (inc. Germany) but it was the British 'Dowding system' that allowed positions of enemy planes to be relayed to fighters in the air, resulting in interception rates of >90% and turning the tide of the war.

52. When the U.S. invaded Mexico the Irish fought alongside Mexico until the last battle, when they ran out of ammo, tore down the white flag, and continued fighting with bayonets until 85 were captured and put to torturous deaths by the U.S. Today it is known as the largest hanging in N. America.

53. Two mines detonated on the first day of the Battle of the Somme were apparently so loud that the blasts were heard in London, nearly 200 miles away.

54. When the battle of Stalingrad seemed lost for the Germans, Hitler expected his General, F. Paulus, to commit suicide. His response was: "I have no intention of shooting myself for this Bohemian corporal". Paulus surrendered on Feb 2, 1943.

55. In 1795 French Hussars captured the Dutch fleet in a cavalry charge. A frozen bay immobilized the Dutch ships and allowed horsemen to ride out and force a surrender. The Battle of Texel is the only documented occurrence of a “naval” skirmish between warships and cavalry.

As a war correspondent during WWII, Ernest Hemingway took off his non-combatant insignia and posed as a colonel in order to lead a group of french militia into battle against the Nazis

57. A war dog during WWI was promoted to sergeant through combat, participated in 17 battles on the Western Front, saved his regiment from surprise mustard gas attacks, and once caught a German soldier by the seat of his pants, holding him there until American soldiers found him.

58. Pope Julius was a military man who led the papal armies to battle frequently. When he saw Michelangelo carving his statue with a bible in hand he exclaimed "What do I know of Bibles? I am a warlord, give me a sword instead"

59. Henry Paget, Cavalry commander at the Battle of Waterloo had his leg blown off by a cannonball. When it happened he shouted to the Duke of Wellington "By God, sir, I've lost my leg!" — to which Wellington replied, "By God, sir, so you have!"

60. During the first battle of the American Civil War, hundreds of civilians from Washington DC brought picnic baskets and came to watch the battle, sure the Union would easily win. The Union lost, and the civilians were caught in the retreat of the Northern army.