Battle of WWI merchant raiders: HMS Alcantara v SMS Greif
On February 27, 1916, the Norwegian cargo ship Rena steamed out of Cuxhaven on Germany’s North Sea coast. In peacetime, this would not have been…
Thaman Gurung, V.C. – A Brave Gurkha Gives His Life To Save His Comrades In WW2
Since their first interactions with the British East India Company in 1814, the Gurkhas are renowned for their bravery and skill in combat. These Nepalese…
U-Boat 96, and the film Das Boot
In 1981, a film was released which is still cited as one of Germany’s greatest cinematic triumphs. It followed the exploits of U-96, a German…
John D. Bulkeley, Commander of the USS Endicott – A daring attack in WWII
On August 17, 1944, the USS Endicott, captained by Lieutenant Commander John D. Bulkeley, blew up two German ships, using only a single 5” gun.…
A German and an American Meet at the end of WWII
War is full of brief encounters. A sudden glimpse of the face of an enemy; the brief sighting of an enemy submarine; or seeing a wounded…
The Unknown History of US Coast Guard Intelligence Operations
History often overlooks the Coast Guard’s role as an intelligence-gathering operation. This small service, with its unique combination of military, law enforcement, and humanitarian missions…
Although Steel Ruled The Waves, Wooden Boats Still Found A Place In WWII
The Second World War saw the advent of modern warfare. Navy fleets began using steel and aluminum aircraft to strike at one another. Submarines patrolled…
USCGC Heriberto Hernandez, Named For A Coastguard Hero Who Was Killed In Vietnam
On October 16, 2015, the United States Coast Guard gained a new Cutter. The 154 foot Sentinel Class Fast Response Cutter was named after a…
The WW2 Sinking of Two Mighty Warships – HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse
On December 8, 1941, the drone of aircraft could be heard over Singapore harbor; the war in the Pacific had begun. That evening, two ships…
The Sinking of KMS Blucher At The Dawn Of World War Two
It was a chilly April day in 1940 when the Phoney War ended for Norway. Snow still sat on the hills around Drøbak Sound, just…
The Amazing Story Of James Crotty, Who Single Handedly Won The Coast Guard A Battle Streamer
Battle Streamers are awarded to a military branch, or unit, for their participation in an important battle or campaign. They are usually earned by large…
A WW2 US Coast Guard Hero – Securing the Ports Which Were Essential To D-Day’s Success
The northern French coast, from Brittany to Pas-de-Calais has a plethora of ports of all sizes. Today, it is easy to overlook their importance, but…