History of War – Issue 163 2026

Summary

Napoleon Bonaparte in 1814 faced 350,000 Allied troops closing on Paris yet still orchestrated a defence that nearly saved his throne. History of War Issue 163 devotes its cover feature to the emperor's final campaign then shifts to Nazi Germany's failed atomic ambitions and a desperate 1942 convoy that kept Malta alive.

The issue opens with Brendan Simms unpacking how Putin's regime depends on great-power status followed by a look at propaganda's role in the American Revolution. The Napoleon feature details the Battle of Paris and the fall of the French Empire. Mark Walker recounts how Third Reich scientists almost won the race to the Atomic Bomb while Operation Pedestal tells the story of one Allied convoy that fought through relentless Axis fire. Pearl Harbor's submarine strike and part two of James Stejskal's OSS series round out the features.

Regulars include War in Focus's opening photo spread This Month in History Q&A with father-daughter duo Lottie Taylor and Prit Buttar and reviews of the latest military history books. The what-if column and operator's handbook keep the balance between analysis and hands-on reference.

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Content Guide

▸ Cover Story / Features

p.24 · Napoleon's Last Stand
The emperor masterminded the defence of France against overwhelming odds in 1814. Readers walk through the Battle of Paris and the collapse of Napoleon's empire with tactical maps showing how he kept 350,000 enemy troops at bay for weeks. Annotated battlefield diagrams let you trace the defensive line that almost worked.

p.32 · Nazi Nukes
Historian Mark Walker examines how Third Reich scientists nearly beat the Allies to the atomic bomb. The article pinpoints the reactor design flaws and political meddling that derailed the German programme. You come away with the specific technical hurdles—insufficient heavy water miscalculated critical mass—that kept Hitler's bomb a fantasy.

p.40 · Operation Pedestal
In 1942 with Malta on the verge of collapse one heroic convoy fought through relentless Axis fire on a critical resupply mission. The blow-by-blow account names the merchant ships lost and the escorts that turned back Luftwaffe attacks. Each stage of the convoy's run is tied to a timeline so you can see exactly when the tide turned.

▸ Frontline / Analysis

p.12 · Haunted by State Fragility
Brendan Simms explains why Vladimir Putin's regime depends upon Russia's Great Power status. The argument draws direct parallels between 18th-century European power politics and today's Kremlin strategy. Simms names the historical precedents Putin himself uses to justify expansion.

p.14 · Propaganda in the American Revolution
A battle of words broke out in the colonies long before the War of Independence. This piece dissects the pamphlets sermons and newspaper campaigns that swung public opinion. Specific examples show how both sides manufactured outrage to rally recruits.

p.18 · Pearl Harbor's Submarine Strike
While the air battle raged on the date of infamy a submerged strike force was closing in on its target. The article identifies the Japanese midget submarines deployed and tracks their approach through Oahu's harbour defences. You learn why every sub attack failed despite getting inside the anchorage.

▸ Series / Regulars

p.20 · Origins of the OSS Part 2
James Stejskal recounts how the Office of Strategic Services recruited brains and brawn to its ranks. This instalment covers the training camps and sabotage schools that turned academics into operatives. The roster of notable OSS recruits including future CIA directors gives the piece a concrete human angle.

p.10 · This Month in History
A roundup of key dates and anniversaries from across centuries of military history. Each entry includes the year and theatre making it a quick-reference calendar for September.

p.16 · Q&A Lottie Taylor and Prit Buttar
The father-daughter duo discuss their new book. The conversation touches on their research process and how family dynamics shape a co-authored history project.

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Editor's Take

Issue 163 executes its cover story with tactical depth rarely seen in monthly military history magazines—the Napoleon feature alone justifies the cover price. The weakest link is the Q&A with Lottie Taylor and Prit Buttar which runs too short to develop either guest's expertise. This issue suits readers who want battle-level detail rather than broad strategic overview; the Nazi Nukes and Operation Pedestal pieces deliver exactly that.

Strengths
• Napoleon feature with annotated tactical maps
• Mark Walker's technical take on Nazi atomic failure
• OSS Part 2 expands a strong ongoing series

Weaknesses
• Q&A section feels rushed at two pages
• Warsaw Rising entry lacks the depth of other features

Verdict: Recommended — focused battle analysis with two standout features on Napoleon and Nazi nukes.