The Allies had now turned their attention north, to securing a series of islands that
were situated between the Philippines and the Japanese mainland. These included
the islands of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

Just as they had done defending islands in previous years (like Peleliu), the
Japanese transformed Iwo Jima and Okinawa into bastions of defence. The Second
World War in Europe may have been coming to a close, but the Pacific War in early
1945 was to be marked by some of the bloodiest military conflicts of the 20th
century.

Any invasion of the Japanese mainland ultimately never came to fruition, partly due
to the dropping of the two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki 75 years ago
this month (the Soviet declaration of war on Japan on 9 August was also significant).
The Japanese government and Allied forces would sign the Japanese Instrument of
Surrender on 2 September 1945.

From Iwo Jima to the Bombing of Hiroshima this eBook explores the Pacific War
theatre of World War Two in 1945. Detailed articles explain key topics, edited from
various History Hit resources.

Included in this eBook are articles written for History Hit by some of the world’s
leading World War Two naval and aviation historians, including Thomas Cleaver and
Tim Hillier-Graves. Features written by History Hit staff past and present are also
included.

A sleek, modern luxurious liner that was offering a safe and fast crossing of the
Atlantic Ocean. Titanic was said to be invincible.

She cruised down Southampton waters on her maiden voyage to North America,
watched by large crowds. But she would never reach New York.

Barely 5 days after leaving Southampton she was gone, swallowed up by the Atlantic
after striking an iceberg. The maritime disaster that struck Titanic has made her the
most famous ship in history, with many myths emerging about what happened that
fateful night on 14/15 April.

This eBook aims to sort the fact from the fiction about this maritime disaster.
Included also are two articles about the actual worst maritime disaster in history: the
sinking of ‘Hitler’s Titanic’, the Wilhelm Gustloff, 75 years ago.

Detailed articles explain key topics, edited from various History Hit resources.
Included in this eBook are articles written for History Hit by leading historians
including Titanic expert Tim Maltin and World War Two author Roger Moorhouse.
Features written by History Hit staff past and present are also included.

From Caesar first setting eyes on this ‘unknown’ island’s shoreline to the fall of the Brigantes Queen Cartimandua this eBook tells the tale of the Roman invasion of Britain. Detailed articles explain key topics, edited from various History Hit resources. Included in this eBook are articles written for History Hit by historians specialising in Roman Britain, as well as edited transcripts of History Hit podcasts featuring archaeologist Dr Simon Elliott.

It was a time epitomised by the wide scale introduction of machinery, the
transformation of cities and significant technological developments. Many modern
mechanisms have their origins from this period.

From Josiah Wedgwood to William Morris, J.M.W Turner to Isambard Kingdom
Brunel’s SS Great Western, this eBook focuses on some of the remarkable inventions
and inventors of this age.

Detailed articles explain key topics, edited from various History Hit resources.
Included in this eBook are articles written for History Hit by authors such as Martin
Easdown and Martyn Pring. Features written by History Hit staff past and present
are also included.

He is remembered for failing to recognise the importance of Parliament and refusing to compromise with dissident MPs. He antagonised Parliament by his attempts to rule without them throughout the 1630s.

When war with the Scots forced him to recall Parliament, Charles found himself forced to go along with a series of measures – including the arrest of some of his key advisers. However, as soon as the opportunity arose, he attempted to have his opponents arrested.

When that failed Charles panicked and, believing his life was in danger, fled north and raised his royal standard at Nottingham – the moment war was declared between the King and the parliament. It was the start of The Civil War, or English Civil War (historians disagree over what title we should give it).

The Civil War was in fact a series of wars that pitted supporters of the monarchy, known as “Royalists” or “Cavaliers”, against supporters of the English parliament, known as “Parliamentarians” or “Roundheads”.

Ultimately, the war was a struggle over how much power parliament should have over the monarchy and would challenge forever the idea that an English monarch had the right to rule without the consent of their people.

From the 11 Years’ Tyranny to the development of propaganda this eBook explores the life and portrayal of King Charles I, as well as certain events during the Civil War. Detailed articles explain key topics, edited from various History Hit resources.

Included in this eBook are articles written for History Hit by leading Stuart historian Leanda de Lisle. Features written by History Hit staff past and present are also included. You can access all these articles on historyhit.com. Charles I and the Civil War was compiled by Tristan Hughes.

By 10:30 am Franz and Sophie had already survived one assassination attempt. But
at 10:45 am they decided to leave the safety of Sarajevo City Hall to visit Franz’
comrades – injured from the attack – at the Sarajevo hospital. They never made it,
assassinated en-route by 19 year old Bosnian Serb Gavrilo Princip.

The murder of Franz Ferdinand 106 years ago this week proved one of the seminal
moments of 20th century European history, sparking the July Crisis that ultimately
led to the outbreak of the First World War.

This eBook explores the complex causes of the First World War. Detailed articles
explain key topics, edited from various History Hit resources. Included in this eBook
are articles written for History Hit by leading World War One historian Margaret
MacMillan. Features written by History Hit staff past and present are also included.

The middle decades of the 15th century were filled with ambitious men and women, nobles and queens, all keen to exert influence over a weak king whilst his kingdom’s fortunes at home and abroad were faltering. It was a time of turmoil, but also of opportunity for whoever dared seize it. Richard was one such man.

From Richard’s early years fighting in France to his surprising sally from Sandal Castle on 30 December 1460 this eBook provides an overview of the Duke of York’s career and his significant role in igniting the Wars of the Roses.

Detailed articles explain key topics, edited from various History Hit resources. Included in this eBook are articles written for History Hit by Matt Lewis, Wars of the Roses historian and biographer of Richard, Duke of York, as well as features provided by History Hit staff past and present.

From Omaha Beach to Operation Bodyguard this eBook explores D-Day and the beginning of the Battle of Normandy. Detailed articles explain key topics, edited from various History Hit resources.

Included in this eBook are articles written for History Hit by some of the world’s leading World War Two historians, including Patrick Eriksson and Martin Bowman. Features written by History Hit staff past and present are also included.

3pm. 8 May 1945. Prime Minister Winston Churchill officially announced to the British people the long-awaited news: the German High Command, representing the remnants of Hitler’s Third Reich – meant to last 1,000 years – had surrendered unconditionally. The Second World War in Europe was at an end.

Across Western Europe and beyond celebrations erupted. France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway and Denmark all gave thanks to their liberation from years of Nazi tyranny.

In Britain the mood was similarly jubilant. Six years of sacrifice was at an end. Relief and pride swept across the country. Relief that the War was over, pride that Britain had stood as a moral beacon of hope for the cause of freedom, refusing to give in during its darkest hour and inspiring the greatest fightback.

Detailed articles explain key topics, edited from various History Hit resources. Included in this eBook are articles written for History Hit by historians specialising in various aspects of World War Two, as well as features written by History Hit staff past and present.

But, had he not been Prime Minister during the war years, he would still be remembered for his political exploits. For several decades before Britain’s darkest hour in 1940, this charismatic adventurer, journalist, painter, politician, statesman and writer had been at the forefront of the imperial stage.

From his birth at Blenheim to his zealous fight against Bolshevism in the aftermath of World War One this eBook provides an overview of Winston Churchill’s colourful career before he became Prime Minister in 1940.

Detailed articles explain key topics, edited from various History Hit resources. Included in this eBook are articles written for History Hit by historians focusing on various aspects relevant to Churchill’s life, as well as features provided by History Hit staff past and present.