Military History

Meaning of History
History is anything that is past recorded, whether about culture, food people or any institution.
History tells you the people, places and events of the past, arranged in chronological order. It
tells us about our ancestors their lifestyles, occupations, custom and traditions, religions belief,
social political systems and cultural patterns. It also tells us about their problem, aspirations as
well as their achievement.

Sources Of Historical Facts

1. An historical source is something that tells us about history. It may be documents, a picture, a
sound recording, a book, a cinema film, a television program or an object.

2. There are two main types of historical source:

(a) primary source
(b) secondary source

3. Primary Source is something that originates from the past. Primary sources are original
materials. Information for which the writer has no personal knowledge is not primary, although
it may be used by historians in the absence of a primary source. In the study of history as an
academic discipline, a primary source (also called original source or evidence) is an artifact,
documents, a recording or other source of information that was created at the time under study.

4. The primary source serves as an original source of information about the topic. Similar
definitions are used in library science and other areas of scholarship. In journalism, a primary
sources can be a person with direct knowledge of a situation, or a documents created by such a
person.

5. Primary sources are distinguished from secondary sources, which cite, comment on, or build
upon primary sources. Generally, accounts written after that fact with the benefits of hindsight
are secondary.

SECONDARY SOURCE: This is a document or recording that relates or discus historical

information originally presented elsewhere. It can be an analyses, interpretation or evaluation
of the original information.

PRIMARY SOURCE: This is the evidence, original material or a direct sources, it could be an
eye witness. A primary source is one with direct knowledge of a situation or document created
by such a person e.g. an artifact, a document, recording or other source of information created
at the line under study.

EXAMPLE OF HISTORICAL FACT

1. Library 2. museum
3. Wikipedia 4. picture
5. Documentary 6. Literature
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7. Media 8. Encyclopedia
9. Archives 10. Articles

MILITARY
The word military or Armed Forces is a professional organization formally authorized by a
sovereign State to use lethal or deadly force and weapons to support the interest of the State. It
typically consists of branches such as the Army, Navy and Air force. It can be defied as the
Armed Forces responsible for security and defending a country i.e the Army, Navy and Air
forces.

MEANING OF MILITARY HISTORY

The process of development of military affairs from ancient times to the present day is referred
to as military history. It is the science of studying wars and armed forces of the past and
discovering the regularities of their development. At the same time, military history is a part of
the science of war, as it studies and generalizes the experience of preparing for and conducting
past wars.
The major branches of military history are:
a) History of wars: History of war reveals the purpose, causes and character of actual wars
and their course, results and significance in the historical process.
b) History of the building up of armed forces: History of the building up of Armed
forces studies the process of the creation, organization, training and technical equipment
in various armed services and combat arms.
c) History of the Art of war: History of the art of war does research on the development
of and changes in form and instruments in the conduct of military actions.
d) History of military thought: History of military thought investigates the development
of military-theoretical views on the nature and character of war, the preparation and
conduct of wars, and problems of military development and the art of war.

WHY DO WE STUDY MILITARY HISTORY?

1. To avoid the mistake of the past
2. To know the originator and aim of the past wars.
3. To detect attacks on the home land.
4. To sharpen the minds of the officers and men so as to learn the lesson of yesterday battle
in and attempts to solve present and future problem.

COLONIALISM
The advance learner dictionary define colonialism as an act of exploitation of a weak country
by a more powerful country. This stronger country use every potentials at their disposal to
exploit the resources of the weaker country to enrich their already strong nation.

History of The Art of War: History of the art of war does research on the development of and
changes in form and instruments in the conduct of military actions.
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History of Military Thought: History of military thought investigates the development of

military-theoretical views on the nature and character of war, the preparation and conduct of
wars, and problems of military development and the art of war.

HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF MILITARY HISTORY

For many years military history was a discrete, finite, specialist study. In the United Kingdom it
emerged during the eighteenth century, with studies of Marlborough’s wars on the continent
and of what were generically described as ‘the wars in Germany’. It developed with studies of
the Napoleonic wars, especially the Peninsular and Waterloo campaigns, and the campaigns of
the British armies in North America and India.
By the mid-nineteenth century the prime characteristic of British military historiography were
clear. “Military history” was the study of the campaigns of a small volunteer British army,
fighting invariably overseas, against either a comparable European force or inchoate ‘native’
armies.

IMPORTANCE OF MILITARY HISTORY

The importance of military history include the following:
• Military history is aimed at presenting events as they relates to causes and effects, major
characters in battles, campaigns, war and informing the curious as well as educating
individual soldiers and officials.
• Military history help to present in an unbiased manner, tactical, strategic plans,
allocation and utilization of resources including the adherence to the principle of war by
field commanders. From a pure historical view point, no General who ignored the lesson
of history ever won a war.

WAR
Definition of War
War is a situation in which two or more countries or groups of people violently fight against
each other over a period of time. It is a struggle or aggressive competition between opposing
forces or different rival groups over a period of time.

War can also be defined as a state of armed conflict between societies generally characterized
by extreme collective aggression

Types:
i. Total war
ii. General war
iii. Limited war
iv. Revolutionary war

Total War: This is a type of war that aims specifically at the total destruction of the adversary
in other words, just as the name suggest, the community that declares a state of war employs
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every available weapon at their disposal and full financial resources are used or devoted for the
total destruction of the targeted enemy. In this modern time this types of war is becoming very
unpopular, because of it’s unestimated destruction on the societies, with the unrestricted use of
weapon in pursuit of objectives.

General War: In this sort of war, one of the warring parties tries to make sure that there is total
destruction of adversary without the use of all weapons at its disposal.

Limited War: This is a type of ar that has a well defined and restricted objective the state
displays only a small portion of its resources whether material or human and it is usually
limited to a specific geographical area.

Revolutionary War: This the type of war that involves armed struggle between governmental
and non-governmental groups where each group seeks a partial or total destruction or
replacement of government e.g. war of national liberation in Angola, Mozambique.

Causes Of War: These include:

i. Political instability
ii. Economic factors
iii. Tribalism
iv. Religious factors
v. Corruption
vi. Favoritism
vii.Inability to maintain law and order etc.

Principle of War: These are elements or ingredients that lead to the success of war. They are;
• Surprise
• Concentration
• Flexibility
• Cooperation
• Selection of aim
• Maintenance or arm

Effects of War: These include;

• Lost of lives and properties
• Inflation
• Migration
• Epidemic
• Starvation
• Relegation

OYO EMPIRE: This was one of the great ancient empires which originated from
Oduduwa in Ile-Ife (West of Nigeria). It was economically strong through the protection of
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their slave route. It experienced some internal political struggles between Oyo Mesi, Bashorun
Gaa, Alaafin Abiodun, Aole etc. and an intra- tribal war between 1826 – 1827. These led to the
pulling away of some sub regions in search of independence thereby resulting to a decline in
Oyo’s authority and influence and political powers. Since Oyo has no central or unified
defense, Fulani warriors invaded Oyo and established a strong base in Ilorin. In 1835, Oyo was
finally destroyed by the first Fulani EMIR of Ilorin named Abdulsalam Salihi Alami. In 1886,
the British led peace treaty was signed by the various Yoruba warring group.

The Third World Countries

During the cold war the term 3rd world referred to the developing countries of Asia, and Latin
America and the nation not aligned with either the 1st and 2nd world countries. These are
countries that remained non-allied with either NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) or
U.S, and were not part of the soviet Union.
The countries otherwise known as the underdeveloped countries were so called, because they
did not meet up to certain standard expected of them according to the worlds rating, these
standards include- Absence organizations like political parties & labor union, countries with
low gross National income, those with no steady or visible human & economical development,
Countries where there are absence of political right, civil liberties, press freedom and those
with wide spread of poverty.

Examples of the Third World Countries:- Bolivia, Burma, Cuba, Somalia, Sudan, Togo,
Haiti Mozambique, Comoros, Mali Eritrea, Malawi, Saudi Arabic, Guinea Bissau, Equatorial
Guinea, Kenya, Angola, Nigeria etc.

Feature of Third World Countries

Third world countries have the following characteristic:

Low Level of Living: This is one of the characteristics of the 3rd world countries. The general
level of living is low for the vast majority of people which are manifested in the form of low
income(poverty) low or limited education, high infant mortality rate, low live expectancy,
inadequate or improper health care.

Low level of productivity: The level of labor productivity are extremely very low, due to the
low level of technology which manifest in the agricultural, industrial and tertiary sectors of the
third world countries economy.

High rate of population growth and dependency burden: A fast growing population is an
attribute of the underdeveloped country, as mortality rate are reduced and birth rate continues to
be high due to wide spread of poverty, ignorance, social and religious factors owing to the high
birth rate, the dependency burden is about half of the population as against on fourth on
developed countries. The active labor force has to support twice as many children as it does in
developed countries.
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High level of Unemployment: One of the principal features of the third world countries that
contribute to low level of living is their relatively inadequate and inefficient utilization of labor.

Dependency on Agricultural Products: The vast majority of people in the third world
countries live and work in rural areas, almost 80% are rurally based and about 66% of the labor
force engage in agriculture. As low income earners, their priority is food, clothing and shelter.
Agricultural productivity is low because of the large number of people in relation to available
land and also the use of primitive technologies, poor organization and limited physical and
human capital inputs.

Lack of Infrastructural Facilities: like pipe-borne water, medical facilities, road, electricity
etc.

History of Nigeria Army

The history of the Nigerian Army is dated back to 1862 when it Glover of the royal Navy, the
then Administrator of Lagos started selection of men he recruited 18 able bodies men from the
North into local force to protect the British trade route around Lagos. The force was known by
various names at different stages such as: Glover Hausa, Hausa military and Lagos
constabulary. The force combined both policing and military duties. In accordance, with the
Berlin conference 1884 – 85 military presence was established by the British given use to the
Royal Niger company constabulary in 1886 and the Niger coast constabulary which form the
Northern and Southern regional they later joined the Royal West African Frontiers
force(RWAFF) which comprised of Armies from Gold coast (Ghana), Sierra Leone, Gambia
and Nigerian. The Nigerian regiment of the RWAFF was renamed Queens’ own Nigerian
Regiment (QONR).
In June 1956, the QONR was renamed the Nigerian Military Force (NMF) 1960 when Nigeria
became Independent, the name change to Royal Nigerian Armies. As Nigeria attained a
republican status and with the introduction of republican constitution in 1963, the prefix Royal
was dropped we have the name Nigerian Army(NA).
Note: the original elements of the Royal west African frontier force (RWAFF) in terms of
doctrine, the task of the federal Nigerian Army did not fundamentally change its task remained
close with defeat an organized enemy. The Nigerian Army(NA) is headed by the chief of Army
Staff(COA) Lieutenant General Farouk Lahaya.

The Roles of The Nigerian Army

• To defend the territorial integrity of Nigeria.
• To defend attack by any Nation and should deterrence failed to bring any war to rapid
end in favor of Nigeria.
• To provide aid to civil power.
• To aid sub-region, regional and global peace initiatives.
• To carry out any other function as maybe directed by the president.
• To be able to defeat enemy land forces and to seize; occupy and defend land areas.
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History and Roles of Nigerian Navy

The history of the Nigerian Navy (NN) cannot be discussed without recourse to the colonial
Era. What is today known as the NN is an offshoot of the colonial Nigerian Marine Department
of the Royal Navy (RN) which was established to further the interest of the British in the west
African sub-region.

The Roles of the Nigerian Marines at that time includes

• Port security and examinations
• Provision for RN ships on patrol duties within Nigeria.
• Ferry services
• Pilot-age duties.
• Servicing of buoys and light houses maintenance.

Nigerian Navy
Establishment of a real Navy that is capable of ruling the waves just like the RN. The agitation
for the establishment of a Navy was succinctly summarized in the words of Mr Olakunle a
member of parliament in 1956. He said in quote “if we must have Nigerian Navy, then we must
have something along the pattern of the British Navy”. Unquote, with further pressure from our
nationalist, the department, Sequel to the action, 250 officers and men of the disbanded marine
department were put together to form the nucleolus of the Nigerian Naval Force(NNF) in April
1956. The force was later renamed Naval Defense Force(NDF) of Nigeria. On first June 1956,
the NDF commence operation with 11 assorted ships and craft inherited from the erstwhile
colonial marine department of the RN. On 1 May 1958, the NDF was legally established as a
force and re-designated Royal Nigerian Navy (RNN) as a mark of allegiance toe the queen
England. However, on Nigeria’s attainment of a republican status in 1963, this pre ‘Royal’ was
dropped and this gave birth to what is now known as the NN. The mode day NN came into
being legally through the Act of parliament No 21 of 1964.

Standardized Roles of Navies

Navies worldwide generally have standardized roles. Another maritime strategist Ken boo
categorized such roles into 3, namely; military, policing and diplomatic.

Military Role: The military role consists of:

• Projection of force function
• Balance of power function

Policing Role: The policing role is concerned much more the territorial water and such with
the maintenance of law and other within this area. However with the stretching to 200nm
seaward, there is always the need to external this role function the Navy under this role are:
• Coastguard duties
• Nation building function
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Diplomatic Role: The diplomatic role is concerned with the management foreign policy short
of the actual employment of force. The functions of the Navy this role are:
• Negotiation from a position of strength
• Manipulation
• Prestige – wide spreed respect and coordination importance

Responsibilities of the Nigerian Navy

The parliamentary Act No 21 of 1964 which legally established the NN charged the with the
following responsibilities:
(a) The Naval defense of Nigerian
(b) Assisting in the enforcement of customs laws
(c) Training in Naval duties
(d) Undertaking hydrographic surveys
(e) Such other duties as the president directed

THE UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATION(UNO)

The UNO is an inter – governmental organization established on 24 October 1945 to promote
co-operation, it is replacement for the ineffective league of Nations. The UNO was created
after the Second World War to prevent another such conflict. At founding, it had 51 member
states but now there are about 195 member states.

The Organ Of The UN

The UN has six (6) organs, they are:
• The general assembly
• The security council
• The economic and social council
• the trusteeship council
• The International court of justice
• The secretarial

The General Assembly: This is the main deliberative assembly. It is the largest organ of the
UN because it is made up of all member states. Each country can send up to 5 representatives
but it is only entitled to one vote to ensure equality. It meets once a year, though during crucial
periods, special sessions may be held.

Function of the General Assembly

i. It can discuss any matter affecting international peace and security.
ii. It makes recommendation for peaceful settlement of dispute
iii. It is responsible for passing UN budget
iv. It elects the non-permanent member of the Security Council.
v. It elects the member of the trusteeship council and the economic and social council.
vi. It admits new members of the UN on the recommendation of the security council.
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vii.It in conjunction with the Security Council elects members of the international court of
justice etc.

The Security Council: This is the most important and effective organ of the UN. It is the
executive wings. It consists of fifteen (15) member countries, 5 of which are permanent
member namely; Britain, China, France, Russia and USA, the remaining 10 countries are
elected by the general assembly for a term of 2 years. Each member country has one vote,
decisions are taken by a majority vote of at least a member including the 4 permanent
members, each permanent member has the power to reject or veto a decision, which would lead
to the cancellation of the resolutions. It meets once a month but may hold when ever required
in event of emergency.

Functions of the Security Council

i. Basically responsible for maintaining peace and security.
ii. It sends peacemakers to countries having trouble.
iii. It is responsible for making decision o certain resolutions for organization.

The Economic and Social Council: This organ is responsible for promoting social co-
operation and international development.

The International Court of Justice: This organ makes decisions. It investigates when ever
two country argues about anything. It has independent judges elected by the UN

The Trusteeship Council: According to the charter, the trusteeship council is tasked to
supervise the administration of territories placed under a special trust regime.

The Secretariat: This organ provides studies, information and facilities needed by the UN. It is
the office of the secretary General, who is the highest official with a lot of power, he travels
around the world to settle conflicts. The Secretary General is elected for five years by the
General Assembly. The current Secretary is Antonio Guterres from Portugal. He was elected
in 2007 and took over office in 1st Jan 2007. he was re – elected unopposed on 21 Jan 2011.

Specialized Agencies of the UN

These are autonomous organization working with the UN. The organization has 15 specialized
Agencies, they are:
• FAO – Food and Agricultural Organization
• ICAO – International Civil Aviation Organization
• IFAD – International Fund for Agricultural Development.
• IMO – International Monetary Organization.
• ILO – International Labor Organization
• IMF – International Monetary Fund
• ITU – International Telecommunication Union
• UNESCO – United Nation Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization
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• UPU – Universal Postal Union

• UNIDO – United Nation Industrial Development Organization
• WHO – World Health Organization
• WIPO – World Intellectual Property Organization
• WMO – World Meteorological Organization
• UNWTO – United Nation World Tourism Organization
• WBG – World Bank Group.

ARMED FORCES SERVICES’ RANK STRUCTURE WITH THEIR EQUIVALENTS

s/n ARMY NAVY AIR FORCE SYMBOLS
1. Second Lieutenant Midshipman Pilot Officer
2. Lieutenant Sub-Lieutenant Flying Officer
3. Captain Lieutenant Flight Lieutenant
4. Major Lieutenant Commander Squadron Leader
5. Lieutenant Colonel Commander Wing Commander
6. Colonel Captain Group Captain
7. Brigadier General Commodore Air Commodore *
8. Major General Rear Admiral Air Vice-Marshal **
9. Lieutenant General Vice Admiral Air Marshal ***
10. General Admiral Air Chief Marshal ****
11. Field Marshal Admiral of the Fleet Marshal of the Air *****

ARMED FORCES SERVICES’ RANK STRUCTURE WITH THEIR EQUIVALENT

(SOLDIERS, RATINGS AND AIRCRAFTMEN/WOMEN)
s/n ARMY NAVY AIR FORCE
1. Recruit Trainee Recruit
2. Private Ordinary Seaman Aircraftman/Woman
3. Lance Corporal Seaman Lance Corporal
4. Corporal Able Seaman Corporal
5. Sergeant Leading Seaman Sergeant
6. Staff Sergeant Petty Officer Flight Sergeant
7. Warrant Officer Warrant Officer Warrant Officer
8. Master Warrant Officer Master Warrant Officer Master Warrant Officer
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9. Army Warrant Officer Navy Warrant Officer Air Force Warrant Officer
All these above mentioned ranks or rates are Non-commissioned officer int armed forces of
Nigeria.