Military

French Air Force (Armée de l'Air) French Air Force The French Air Force is France's air warfare service, formed in 1909 and independent since 1934; it conducts air operations, strategic missions and maintains modern combat and supp…

French Armenian Legion A World War I-era unit formed in 1916 by agreement between French authorities and Armenian national leaders to fight the Ottoman Empire and advance Armenian national aims within th…

French Resistance Networks and movements in occupied France (1939–1945) that opposed Nazi Germany and Vichy collaboration through intelligence, sabotage, rescue and guerrilla actions.

Friendly fire: unintentional harm by one's own or allied forces Friendly fire Friendly fire refers to accidental injury or death caused by friendly or allied forces. This article explains causes, history, consequences, prevention measures, and how it differs…

Frigate: mid-sized warship for escort, patrol and anti-submarine roles Frigate Frigate — a medium-sized naval warship historically fast and versatile; today used mainly for escorting, anti-submarine warfare, patrol and surface or air defence duties.

Fusil de chasse: the French hunting musket and its variants Fusil de chasse A compact encyclopedia entry on the fusil de chasse — an 18th‑century French light smoothbore flintlock used for hunting and military service, its design, variants, history and leg…

Fuze (munitions ignition device) Fuze A fuze is the built-in ignition or initiation mechanism for explosive munitions. It controls when and how a device detonates, ranging from simple time igniters to advanced electron…

Gada (mace) Gada (weapon) Gada is a traditional Indian mace used both as a weapon and a symbol of strength in Hindu iconography, martial practice, and ceremonial art across the Indian subcontinent.

Gallic Wars (58–50 BC): Julius Caesar's campaigns in Gaul Gallic Wars A summary of the Gallic Wars fought by Julius Caesar (58–50 BC): the course of the campaigns in Gaul, principal figures, major battles and sieges, sources, and their consequences f…

Gallipoli Campaign (1915–1916): Allied attempt to secure the Dardanelles Gallipoli Campaign A concise, neutral overview of the Gallipoli Campaign in World War I: objectives, main events, forces involved, outcome, and long-term significance for Turkey, Australia and New Ze…

Garrotte: strangulation weapon and historic execution device Garrotte A garrotte is a cord, wire, or device used to strangle or execute by compressing the neck. It appears as both an improvised weapon and a formal execution method in several historic…

Gas mask: purpose, design, history and common uses Gas mask A gas mask is a protective facepiece that filters airborne contaminants. This article explains its parts, functions, historical development, types, and practical use and maintenanc…

Gefreiter — enlisted rank in German, Swiss and Austrian armed forces Gefreiter Gefreiter is an enlisted military rank used in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Historically dating to the 16th century, it denotes a promoted private and has several modern subgr…

Gendarmerie A gendarmerie is a military force charged with police duties among civilian populations. It combines military organization with civil-law enforcement roles, common in many countrie…

Gendarmerie Nationale (France) Gendarmerie Nationale The National Gendarmerie of France is a military force charged with civil policing, rural law enforcement, and specialised operations including counterterrorism and criminal invest…

General Atomics MQ-1 Predator The MQ-1 Predator is a U.S. unmanned aerial vehicle used for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and light strike missions; notable for long loiter time and use of the AGM-1…

General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon Compact overview of the F-16 Fighting Falcon: design, development, variants, operational use and notable facts about this widely exported single-engine multirole fighter.

General officer A senior military officer rank commonly used in armies and some air forces. Covers several grades from brigadier-general to full general; naval equivalent is admiral. Leads large f…

General-purpose machine gun A belt-fed, medium-calibre automatic weapon designed to serve multiple roles from infantry support to vehicle and aircraft mounts.

German invasion of Belgium (May 1940) German invasion of Belgium (1940) The German invasion of Belgium in May 1940 was a rapid offensive that formed part of the wider Battle of France, leading to the occupation of Belgium and the encirclement of Allied…

G.I. (military) — term, origin, and cultural legacy GI (military) G.I. is an American military term for a service member or issued equipment. Originating from 'galvanized iron' markings, it later came to mean government-issued supplies and became…

Gladius: The Roman Short Sword Gladius The gladius was the principal short sword of Roman infantry and commonly used by gladiators; known for its thrusting tip, compact blade, and central role in Roman military tactics…

Golani Brigade Golani Brigade is a premier Israeli infantry formation, created in 1948. Recognized for its brown beret and olive-tree emblem, it has played a central role in Israel's major ground…

Gold Medal of Military Valor (Italy) Gold Medal of Military Valor Italian decoration instituted in 1793 for conspicuous bravery in combat; later used to honor both individuals and communities for resistance and sacrifice.

Grace Dieu (medieval English royal ship) Grace Dieu (ship) A large English royal ship launched c.1418, built as a royal flagship for King Henry V. It made one recorded voyage, was laid up in the River Hamble, and burned after a lightning s…

Grand Marshal A senior ceremonial, military, or civic title used historically for high-ranking marshals and today commonly as an honorary leader of parades, orders, or state ceremonies.

Grapeshot: history, design, and military use Grapeshot Grapeshot is an antipersonnel artillery load of many small metal balls that scatters on firing. This article covers construction, operation, tactical uses, historical development,…

Greek fire: Byzantine incendiary weapon and naval flamethrower Greek fire Greek fire was a Byzantine incendiary mixture used from the 7th century onward, notable for burning on water and projected from ships. Its composition was secret and remains uncert…

Greek shield (hoplon or aspis) Greek shield The hoplon or aspis was the principal round shield of Greek heavy infantry (hoplites). This article summarizes its form, construction, use in the phalanx, decoration, archaeologica…

Green Army (Ukrainian peasant militias of the Russian Civil War) Green Army Decentralized peasant militias in Ukraine during the Russian Civil War (1917–1922). Local guerrilla groups that resisted requisitions and control by Reds, Whites and other forces,…

Grob G.120 light training aircraft Grob G.120 A German-built, two-seat light trainer by Grob; designed for ab initio and basic flight instruction, used by civilian schools and several air forces in piston and turboprop variant…

Ground fighting Ground fighting is hand-to-hand combat conducted on the ground. It covers positions, submissions, transitions and escapes; practiced in sports, self‑defense and mixed martial arts.

GRU (Main Intelligence Directorate) — Russian Military Intelligence GRU The GRU is Russia's military intelligence directorate: responsible for military reconnaissance, foreign intelligence, special operations and control of Spetsnaz units; historically…

Grumman F4F Wildcat — U.S. Navy carrier fighter of World War II Grumman F4F Wildcat Carrier-based fighter produced by Grumman and introduced in 1940. The Wildcat served early in WWII, notably in the Pacific against the A6M Zero, and continued in secondary roles un…

Guantanamo Bay detention camp (Guantánamo, Gitmo) Guantanamo Bay detention camp United States military detention facility at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba. Established after 2001, known for extrajudicial detention, legal disputes, allegations of abuse, and…

Guantanamo Bay Naval Base (Gitmo): history, purpose, and controversies Guantanamo Bay Naval Base United States naval base at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba: origins in a 1903 lease, roles as a strategic station and detention site, and the diplomatic and legal disputes surrounding its op…

Guerrilla warfare: tactics, history, and impact Guerrilla warfare Irregular warfare conducted by small, mobile groups using surprise, terrain, and local support; an overview of tactics, origins, notable examples, theory, and modern implications.

Gun (firearm): overview, parts, history, types, uses and safety Gun A gun (firearm) is a weapon that propels metal projectiles by rapidly expanding gas. This article covers its basic parts, historical development, common types, uses, and safety and…

Gunner's Mate (United States Navy rating) Gunner's mate Enlisted U.S. Navy rating specializing in naval ordnance: operation, maintenance and safe handling of guns, missiles, torpedoes, small arms and ammunition for ships, aircraft and s…

Gunshot: discharge of a firearm, its effects and forensic meaning Gunshot A gunshot is the firing of a firearm: the sound and physical effects produced, the projectile released, and the forensic and medical consequences. This article explains components,…

Gurkhas: history, service, and characteristics of the hill soldiers Gurkha Gurkhas are soldiers from Nepal and Nepali-speaking communities renowned for service in the British, Indian and other forces. This article outlines origins, roles, the kukri, and m…

Halberd: Design, History and Use of the Medieval Polearm Halberd A halberd is a two-handed pole weapon combining an axe blade, a central spike and a rear hook. Prominent in 14th–16th century Europe, it later survived as a ceremonial emblem of gu…

Halberstadt CL.II German World War I two-seat light escort and ground-attack biplane. Agile and well-armed for close-support, escort and intruder missions, serving the Luftstreitkräfte in 1917–1918.

Hand grenade A hand grenade is a compact thrown explosive used by military and security forces. Types include fragmentation, concussion, incendiary, smoke, gas and stun; modern grenades combine…

Hand-to-hand combat: close-range unarmed and melee fighting Hand-to-hand combat Hand-to-hand combat covers physical confrontation at very short range, from unarmed techniques to the use of melee or improvised handheld weapons in military, law-enforcement, spor…

Harpers Ferry Armory The United States Armory and Arsenal at Harpers Ferry was the second federal armory, noted for early American arms manufacture, innovations in interchangeable parts, John Brown’s r…

Harrier Jump Jet The Harrier is a British-designed V/STOL military fixed-wing aircraft known for vertical/short takeoff and landing using vectored thrust. It served from the 1960s in multiple varia…

Hawker Hurricane — British World War II fighter Hawker Hurricane The Hawker Hurricane was the RAF’s primary single-seat fighter in the early years of World War II, valued for its rugged mixed-construction airframe, adaptability and broad service…