Military

Third Punic War (149–146 BC): Siege and destruction of Carthage Third Punic War The Third Punic War (149–146 BC) was Rome’s final conflict with Carthage, ending in the siege, fall and razing of the city and the creation of the Roman province of Africa.

Thompson submachine gun (Tommy Gun): design, history, and legacy Thompson submachine gun Comprehensive encyclopedia entry on the Thompson submachine gun (Tommy Gun): its design, development, variants, military and law‑enforcement use, cultural impact, and collecting an…

Tommy Atkins (Tommy) — informal name for a British soldier Tommy Atkins Tommy Atkins, commonly shortened to Tommy, is a traditional informal name for a British Army soldier, especially associated with the 19th century and World War I. The term appears…

Tommy Macpherson — Scottish Special Forces officer and businessman Tommy Macpherson Colonel Sir Thomas S. 'Tommy' Macpherson (1920–2014) was a highly decorated Scottish British Army officer in WWII who later became a businessman and public figure known for his Spe…

Torpedo: self-propelled underwater weapon Torpedo A torpedo is a self-propelled underwater explosive weapon used against ships and submarines. This article explains its design, history, types, launch platforms, operational role an…

Trebuchet — medieval siege engine and its origins Trebuchet A trebuchet is a siege engine that hurls heavy projectiles by means of a swinging arm driven by human traction or a counterweight. It originated in ancient China and became promine…

Trench: forms, uses and history of long narrow excavations Trench A trench is a long, narrow excavation used in military, engineering, archaeological and geological contexts. Covers types (military, oceanic, utility), history, uses, safety and no…

Trench coat: history, design, and modern use Trench coat Long, waterproof outerwear with military origins; the trench coat evolved from 19th-century waterproof fabrics into an enduring fashion and practical raincoat.

Trench warfare: layout, tactics, history, and consequences Trench warfare Trench warfare is a style of combat in which opposing forces occupy fortified ditches. This article explains its structure, daily life, tactical use, development in the First World…

Trident: The Three‑Pronged Spear — Design, History and Symbolism Trident A trident is a three‑pronged spear used in fishing and combat and prominent as a cultural and religious symbol from antiquity to the present.

Triple Alliance (1882): Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy Triple Alliance (1882) A defensive military alliance formed in 1882 between Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy. Its terms, origins under Bismarck, weaknesses, and role leading up to World War I are summa…

Tsar Bomba: the AN602 — the largest nuclear test device ever detonated Tsar Bomba Tsar Bomba (AN602) was the largest nuclear device ever tested by humans. Detonated by the Soviet Union in 1961 over Novaya Zemlya, it remains a benchmark of Cold War weapons testin…

Tupolev Tu-95 — Soviet long-range turboprop strategic bomber (Bear) Tupolev Tu-95 The Tupolev Tu-95 (NATO: Bear) is a long-range Soviet/Russian turboprop strategic bomber and missile carrier, introduced in the 1950s and notable for its contra-rotating propellers…

Turning movement (military maneuver) Turning movement A turning movement is a wide envelopment that bypasses an enemy front to threaten its rear, forcing it to abandon or redeploy. It appears at tactical and strategic levels and carri…

Turtle ship (Geobukseon): Korean warship of the Imjin War Turtle ship A covered, oared warship developed in 16th-century Korea. Noted for its protective deck, multiple cannon ports and role under Admiral Yi Sun-sin during the Japanese invasions (Imji…

Type 14 105 mm cannon (Imperial Japanese Army field gun) Type 14 105 mm cannon A Japanese-designed 105 mm field cannon introduced in the mid-1920s. The Type 14 was the IJA's first indigenous medium-caliber gun and the first to use a split-trail carriage; it w…

Type 23 frigate (Duke class) Type 23 frigate A British-built multi-role frigate class designed for anti-submarine warfare, later adapted for general duties. Operated by the Royal Navy and exported to the Chilean Navy; undergo…

Type 38 75 mm field gun Japanese 75 mm artillery piece adopted in 1905. Served as a standard IJA field gun into the mid-20th century, used for infantry support, training, and secondary fronts during later…

Type 4 150 mm howitzer Japanese Type 4 150 mm howitzer: a heavy field howitzer adopted in 1915 for the Imperial Japanese Army, used for indirect fire, siege support, and infantry assistance through the i…

Type 41 75 mm cavalry gun Japanese Type 41 75 mm cavalry gun (Yonichi-shiki yahō), a light horse-drawn field piece introduced in 1908 for Imperial Japanese Army cavalry units, built for mobility and close s…

Type 74 105 mm Self-Propelled Howitzer Japanese tracked self-propelled 105 mm howitzer used by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force for mobile indirect fire support during the Cold War and post‑Cold War periods.

Type 75 155 mm self-propelled howitzer Mid-1970s Japanese tracked 155 mm self-propelled howitzer used by the JGSDF to provide mobile, protected indirect fire; gradually phased out as more capable 155 mm systems entered…

Type 89 150 mm cannon — Japanese heavy field gun of the interwar and WWII era Type 89 150 mm cannon The Type 89 150 mm cannon was a 15-cm heavy gun used by the Imperial Japanese Army from the late 1920s through World War II, serving as a principal piece in heavy artillery, fortre…

Type 90 75 mm field gun Japanese Type 90 75 mm field gun — a 1930s-era Imperial Japanese Army field artillery piece developed to replace the older Type 38, used in the Second Sino-Japanese War and World W…

Type 91 105 mm howitzer (Imperial Japanese Army artillery piece) Type 91 105 mm howitzer A 105 mm towed howitzer adopted by the Imperial Japanese Army in the early 1930s, used for divisional and corps-level fire support through the Second Sino-Japanese War and World Wa…

Type 92 105 mm cannon (Japanese Imperial Army field gun) Type 92 105 mm cannon Japanese Type 92 105 mm field gun adopted in 1932. A 105 mm-class weapon that replaced the earlier Type 14 and saw service with the Imperial Japanese Army in China and the Pacific…

Type 92 heavy machine gun Type 92 machine gun Japanese Imperial Army heavy machine gun introduced 1932, used in WWII. Crew-served, heavy and accurate with a slow rate of fire, oiled cartridges, 30-round side feed, nicknamed th…

Type 95 75 mm Field Gun A Japanese 75 mm field gun introduced in the 1930s for the Imperial Japanese Army; designed to modernize older 75 mm pieces and used through the Second Sino-Japanese War and World…

Type 96 150 mm howitzer (Japanese Imperial Army) Type 96 150 mm howitzer A medium-caliber World War II-era howitzer adopted by the Imperial Japanese Army in 1936, developed to replace the older Type 4 150 mm piece and used for corps- and divisional-leve…

Type 98 320 mm mortar (Japanese 32-cm spigot mortar) Type 98 320 mm mortar A heavy Japanese spigot mortar adopted in 1938, the Type 98 320 mm was a short-range, high-angle siege weapon used by the Imperial Japanese Army during conflicts of the late 1930s…

Type 99 155 mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (Japan) Type 99 155 mm self-propelled howitzer A modern Japanese tracked 155 mm self-propelled howitzer introduced for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, built for long-range indirect fire, mobility, protection and automated…

United States Army Nurse Corps U.S. Army Nurse Corps The Army Nurse Corps provides nursing care and clinical leadership for the U.S. Army. Established by Congress in 1901, it is part of the Army Medical Department and supports soldie…

Uhlan: Polish light cavalry and lancer tradition Uhlan Uhlans were Polish-origin light cavalry known for fighting with lances; their style and name spread across 19th-century Europe and left a legacy in uniforms, tactics, and ceremonia…

Ultra: Allied signals intelligence and codebreaking in World War II Ultra Ultra was the Allied effort to obtain and exploit intercepted Axis communications—most famously German Enigma traffic—by decrypting codes and turning that knowledge into operationa…

Unilateral Disarmament: Concept, History, and Debates Unilateral disarmament Unilateral disarmament is the policy of giving up weapons without reciprocal concessions. This article explains its forms, history, arguments for and against, notable movements, an…

Union Army (United States Civil War) Union Army Land force that fought for the United States (the Union) in the American Civil War; composed of regulars, volunteers, and conscripts, it was central to preserving the Union and adv…

Union Army of the West (1861) Union Army of the West Short-lived Union field force in Missouri during 1861 commanded by Brig. Gen. Nathaniel Lyon; fought in the Western Theater and at Wilson's Creek before disbanding in August 1861.

Union Defence Force (United Arab Emirates) Union Defence Force (UAE) The Union Defence Force is the unified military of the United Arab Emirates, headquartered in Abu Dhabi. It combines land, air and naval components and has taken part in national a…

United States Air Force The United States Air Force (USAF) is the aerial warfare service branch of the U.S. armed forces, responsible for air and space power, strategic deterrence, airlift, reconnaissance…

United States Air Force Academy A federal service academy near Colorado Springs that educates and commissions officers for the U.S. Air Force, combining academics, military training, athletics and character devel…

United States Army: mission, organization, history, and role United States Army Overview of the United States Army: its purpose, leadership, components, personnel and training, historical development, and primary roles in national defense and civilian support.

United States Army Air Forces United States Army Air Force The United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) was the U.S. Army’s aviation branch in World War II and the immediate postwar period, expanding rapidly to conduct strategic bombing, air…

United States Army Center of Military History The U.S. Army organization responsible for researching, recording, and publishing the official history of the Army, advising leaders, supporting museums, and maintaining unit linea…

United States Army Reserve The federal reserve component of the U.S. Army providing trained, part-time soldiers and specialists to support active forces, national emergencies, and overseas operations.

United States Coast Guard U.S. maritime service responsible for search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, environmental protection, aids to navigation and port security; operates under DHS in peacetime a…

United States Department of Defense Overview of the United States Department of Defense: mission, organization, civilian leadership, services, agencies, authorities, history, and contemporary roles.

United States Department of War Federal cabinet department responsible for the administration, supply and oversight of U.S. land (and later air) forces from 1789 to 1947; predecessor to the Department of Defense.

United States invasion of Grenada (Operation Urgent Fury) United States invasion of Grenada A concise encyclopedic overview of the 1983 U.S.-led military intervention in Grenada, its causes, conduct, international reaction, and political and military aftermath.