Shahan Russell

Shahan Russell is one of the authors writing for WAR HISTORY ONLINE

Articles by Shahan Russell:

The Exiled Billionaire Queen Of Holland Had A Role To Play In The Pearl Harbor Attacks

Wilhelmina Helena Pauline Maria was the longest-serving queen of the Netherlands, having reigned from 1890 to 1948. Her keen business instincts made her the first…

The Japanese Tried A Second Raid On Pearl Harbor – It Was Not A Success

Everyone knows about the first bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Less well known, however, was the second attack. And there was almost a third……

How A Crossword Puzzle Nearly Spelled The End For D-Day

To end WWII in Europe, the Allies planned a massive assault on Normandy, France, in 1944. Over 5,000 ships, 1,200 planes, and almost 160,000 men…

Why The Imperial Japanese Air Forces Failed in World War 2 (Watch)

According to Osamu Tagaya, Japan was doomed to lose WWII. A writer for the Smithsonian, Tagaya’s father was an officer in the Imperial Japanese Navy…

This American Flying Tigers Veteran Never Forgot How He Was Saved By Chinese Villagers

When the US entered WWII, many believed they’d lose because Japanese victories kept piling up at America’s expense. Historians claim that the Battle of Midway…

This One-Legged Female Espionage Agent Was The Terror of Nazi Germany In WW2

The Nazis considered agent Nicolas to be the most dangerous spy of all – and rightly so – despite the fact that “Agent Nicolas” had…

This Troubled Young German Flying Ace Claimed 158 Kills In WW2 – He Was A Master Of The Dogfight

He was among Germany’s most accomplished Flying Aces during WWII – though he hated killing. His success was valuable propaganda for the Nazis – yet…

“Behind Enemy Lines” – The Real Story Behind The Film And Why The Pilot Sued 20th Century Fox

He was shot down, hunted, and eluded his enemies by surviving on bugs and worse. Hollywood made a movie, and he sued the movie-makers. Scott…

“I Was Happiest In The Sky” – This Woman Was The First Person To Encounter The Attackers At Pearl Harbor

The first Americans to see the Japanese that fatal day they bombed Pearl Harbor were not on the ground. They were in the air, and…

Mers-el-Kébir In WW2 – When The British Devastated The French Fleet With One Ten-Minute Hail Of Fire

Unable to stop the German advance in Europe, British soldiers fled through the Port of Dunkirk with French help. Weeks later, the British thanked their…

Get Out of Jail Free – How Monopoly Helped Allied POWs Escape

Imagine the following scenario: you’re with the Allies during WWII. Fortunately, your side eventually won. Unfortunately, you’ve ended up in a Nazi POW camp before…

Star Trek star shot two snipers on D-Day and was shot seven times in WWII

He saw action during WWII and in outer space. His exploits inspired many to enter the engineering profession, while one followed him to the moon.…