Gary Smailes : Military History Carnival 8

Welcome the 8th Military History Carnival.

I wanted this post to break with the convection and tradition of other carnivals. I played around with the idea of grouping by period, than by subject and even by type of blogger. However, after much thought I decided to get back to the basics and give you want you all want - a great big list of excellent posts!

So here goes:

Philobiblon looks at the role of women pilots in the Second World War. This forgotten subject makes fascinating reading.

The Agonist examines the role of energy, or more precisely oil, in past and future conflicts.

Rantings of a Civil War Historian continues his infrequent series of forgotten American Civil War cavalrymen by looking at Luigi Palma di Cesnola.

Walking the Berkshires examines the battle of Yorktown (1781).

Top 10 gives, unsurprisingly, the top ten reasons why Hitler lost World War Two. I particularly enjoyed reason 10 - "Hitler and the Nazis were Stupid."

The Dougout dives into the argument between Lt. Colonel Bob Bateman and Victor Davis Hanson regarding the "Western Way of War." Itoffers a superb response focusing on the Development of Carolingian and Saxon Warfare.

Ahoy - Mac's Web Log is a great read for all naval buffs, this month we are spoiled with three great posts. This one about the sinking of S.S. Athenia, the first ship sunk in WWII, this one is a comparison between the WWII submarine battles in the Atlantic and the Pacific and this one looks at the Royal Australian Navy reservists at Gallipoli.

Thoughts on Military History is delighted to get the chance of some real hardcore research at the National Archives.

My London Your London offers us a review on two of British Museum's exhibitions: the terracotta warriors and Inhuman Traffic: the Business of the Slave Trade.

Blog 4 History: American History & Civil War History has written a series of posts looking at the cotton profiteering of a Union regiment in Arkansas during the Civil War. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4.

Providentia has a fantastic two post series examining the development of Shell Shock, this is essential reading. Part 1 and Part 2.

Investigations of a Dog continues his on-going adventures at the National Archives' online community of records users, Your Archives.

I would recommend Battlefield Biker to any of you not already familiar with his excellent blog. This month he has told the story of the U.S. Army Rangers destroying German artillery at Pointe du Hoc on D-Day 6 June 1944.

Philaahzopy highlights the US army's age old conflict with foreign policy. This insightful post has USMC Major General declaring “War Is Just A Racket” - in 1933! Great Stuff!

Mark Grimsley at Blog Them Out of the Stone Age continues his very excellent series of posts that ask the question, "Why Teach Military History?" I would also recommend you check out these video-casts recorded at Living Without Freedom: A History Institute for Teachers.

Great War Fiction has this month enlightened us about the crime of sleeping on sentry duty, in War is War (1930) a memoir by Ex-Private X (A.M. Burrage).

The rather superb Osprey Publisher Blog is always a delight to read, though this month's post telling us what it's like to be an Osprey artist was rather special.

To Flanders Fields examines Pillbox fighting in the Ypres Salient.

The interesting UKNIWM blog has looked at the bronze frieze from the base of Nelson’s Column which depicts the Admiral’s death at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

Axis of Evel Knievel is always a great read and this month he looks at the world's first bombing mission, which took place on November 1, 1911.

Damn Interesting blog writes about The Apocalypses That Might Have Been. Where we really that close to going up in smoke?

World History Blog demonstrates just why blogging is so important with this post that shows disturbing, though important, pictures from the Rape of Nanjing in 1937. *Please note these images are graphic*

Jordan 2007 GARP dig is a new blog to me but it makes fascinating reading. It is a daily report from the Great Arab Revolt Project team dig in Jordan October/November 2007. Part of the Great War Archaeology Group.

I always look forward to reading A Commonplace Book, but this month I particularly enjoyed his post about what Henry really said to his troops on Saint Crispin’s Day.

Airminded spent the summer in London and his trip spawned a series of great posts, they where all good so here's one I picked a random.

Historic battlefields gives us a student's eye view of military history with a post about his 'Cambrai' essay.

Michael Yon's blog is always essential reading and this post is a great example of the quality writing posted by the war reporter.

So that's it for another month, the next Military History Carnival will be hosted by Osprey Publishing in December. Please send any suggestions to blog at ospreypublishing dot com or use the form.