Second World War

A public spat between a historian and a writer shows why some subject matter deserves special reverence, says Tim Stanley.

During the Second World War many cities were bombed from the air. However Rome, the centre of Christendom but also the capital of Fascism, was left untouched by the Allies until July 1943. Claudia Baldoli looks at the reasons why and examines the views of Italians towards the city.

Taylor Downing appreciates the continuing relevance of an article questioning the accuracy of popular views of the wartime RAF.

Rowena Hammal examines the evidence to assess civilian reactions to war in Britain from 1940 to 1945.

Winston Churchill’s four-year quest to sink Hitler’s capital ship Tirpitz saw Allied airmen and sailors run risks that would be hard to justify today.

Richard Hughes uncovers the patriotic efforts of the actor and playwright Noël Coward during the Second World War and argues that he should be remembered for more than merely entertaining the troops.

A series of videos exploring how Germania, Hitler's planned rebuilding of Berlin into the capital of a new World Empire, would have looked.

An orchestral performance in June 1939 demonstrates why the Czech Republic has a moral standing that few other nations possess, says Paul Lay.

Keith Lowe on the dilemmas faced by a victorious but financially ruined Britain in its dealings with postwar Germany.

Italian Fascist scouts meet a member of the Hitler Youth in Padua, October 1940: a picture explained by Roger Hudson.