This thread is meant as a place to post sources that you use often, or just enjoy reading that you think would come in handy for others. The only stipulation is that it needs to be free and easily accessible. Any subject or period after 1900 (I am going to post a similar thread for the <1900 thread) is allowable here. I will periodically make threadmarks for the different posts to make it easy to find the sources in future.
>1900 free online resource collection thread
- Thread starter Count of Crisco
- Start date
Military History Not Visualized
Military History not Visualized is a youtube channel which focuses on Wehrmacht equippment, tactics and formations during the second world war, though videos on other topics are released on occasion. The channel uses primary sources such as German archival documents, as well as academic books and historians. In the videos the sources are always clearly listed and used clearly and concisely in the videos.
Omniatlas-historical maps
Other people probably have more meaningful stuff to post, but here's an obligatory mention to Omniatlas, which I have found to be one of the best and most accurate of the original historical atlases on the web. There are dozens of maps for each region, and while there is space for improvement, it is good for getting an overview of places in the 20th century (and its creators are actively working on expanding it).
Assorted WWII Pacific theater sources
At least some of the sources I used to write Japan's Final Strike, should be useful to anyone interested in the Pacific theatre of WW2:
- BNC
- BNC
The Chieftain, tanks and armored warfare doctrine
The Chieftain AKA Nicholas Moran is a US Army tanker and researcher for the game developer wargaming. He specializes in second world war American armored doctrine and has done several videos debunking various myths which are common belief about American tanks in the second world war. Recently he has been working with another channel and covering the development of armored warfare doctrine amongst the major combatants in wwii.
Perhaps most interesting of course he conducts videos exploring the inner workings of various tanks. Showing off the outside features, and then each crewmans position on the inside. Called inside the hatch these videos are informative for anyone wanting to get an impression of what it is like to be a tanker.
Perhaps most interesting of course he conducts videos exploring the inner workings of various tanks. Showing off the outside features, and then each crewmans position on the inside. Called inside the hatch these videos are informative for anyone wanting to get an impression of what it is like to be a tanker.
Driftless-Assorted excellent sites
Driftless
Donor
*** Disclaimer - I make no warranty for the absolute accuracy of the data shown on these sites***
Go with a few of the well known historical sites:
And some obscure ones....
Go with a few of the well known historical sites:
Hyperwar - text history of WW2 mostly from the US perspective
NavWeaps - 20th Century naval weaponry specs
Forgotten Weapons - Gun Jesus....
Naval Encyclopedia - lots of photos
Ace Pilots.com - WW2 plane specs
Coatney History.com - ONI Ship specs
And some obscure ones....
French Cruisers of the late 19th and early 20th Century - detailed line drawings
Endonym map of the world - what countries call themselves
Bayonet Strength - a compilation of Order of Battle for various Armies
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Documents, Correspondence, forts, ships built in Scotland and Newcastle
I got letters between various parties arguing about whether a particular ship should be allowed to coal in a neutral port during times of war.
Legal Documents, incl. Treaties.
Full text of Hague Treaties and Rules of War.
NavWeaps | Naval Weapons, Naval Technology and Naval Reunions
Every ship ever to serve in the US Navy, down to commandeered armed yachts, with pix.
Welcome to the Scottish Shipbuilding Database
Welcome to the Caledonian Maritime Research Trust
www.clydeships.co.uk
Tyne Built Ships & Shipbuilders
A history of Tyne shipbuilders and ships built on the River Tyne
www.tynebuiltships.co.uk
Fire insurance plans are often behind a paywall, but they are a killer source if you can find them for free. If you want a building by building layout of your setting at your historical date.
Navypedia
Navypedia: Every fighting ship after 1890, and they are working on earlier as well. The English is terrible as it is a Russian site, but it is understandable, ship specs are there, as are every Navy’s strength every five years, along with tables of commissioned, decommissioned, and sunk ships for each navy by year for the 20th century. Also stats on every naval weapon (guns, asw, torpedoes, mines, missiles), as well as naval aircraft.
Wikipedia’s List of Aircraft of World War 2 is a great quick reference, though the aircraft pages lack much detail, however simply finding the aircraft name allows you to do more research.
Wikipedia’s List of Aircraft of World War 2 is a great quick reference, though the aircraft pages lack much detail, however simply finding the aircraft name allows you to do more research.
I love Navypedia! I used to read it in highschool and work through designing different warships in class using this site as a reference.
Naval-History.net: an avalanche of info on the Royal Navy’s operations from 1890+, there is also stuff about some European Navies, there are a shitload of OOB’s for WW1, the interwar, and WW2, I haven’t looked at this site enough tbh.
Uboat.net: A ton of info on German submarine operations during WW2, as well as a large database of merchantmen that were sunk/attacked. There is also some info on Allied subs and warships.
Uboat.net: A ton of info on German submarine operations during WW2, as well as a large database of merchantmen that were sunk/attacked. There is also some info on Allied subs and warships.
