Shahan Russell

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

Articles by Shahan Russell:

When Pirates Kidnapped Julius Caesar He Laughed at Their Ransom Demands and Told Them To Ask for More

Long ago a 25-year-old Roman author, poet, priest, and aristocrat was kidnapped by pirates. Rather than plead for his release, however, he ordered them to…

When The Serbs Shot Down An F-117 Nighthawk, Achieving the Impossible

The Serbs didn’t know that, however, which is why they were able to shoot one down in 1999 – reputedly the only time such a…

Church of Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard’s War Against the Sea… And Mexico

Lafayette Ronald Hubbard (often referred to as “L. Ron Hubbard” or simply as “LRH”) was the controversial founder of an even more controversial religion –…

When Four Prisoners Escaped From Auschwitz In The Commander’s Car

In 1942, four Polish prisoners at Auschwitz had had enough. They wanted to escape, but if they did (regardless of whether or not they succeeded),…

Wars Fought For Stupid Reasons: Stray Dog Sparked War Between Greece and Bulgaria in 1925

Wars had started over land, resources, religion, and politics. When people say that “wars have been fought over less,” however, they’re usually right; in 1925,…

When Iran Air Flight 655 Was Shot Down By A US Navy Guided Missile Cruiser

In 1988, a US warship shot down an Iranian commercial plane, killing all onboard. The American captain and his crew were hailed as heroes, Scotland…

The Four Phases Of The Battle of Britain Explained

History likes to paint Britain as the tiny country that, against all odds, somehow resisted the superior military might of Nazi Germany during WWII. But…

10 Myths About the Nazis (Watch)

Many myths have grown up around the infamous Nazi Party which led Germany into war, and plunged the world into global conflict. Some of these…

An Unexpected Threat to the Success of D-Day: The Clues to a Crossword Puzzle

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…

Highly Skilled Specialists – Longest Long Range Sniper Kills Of Military History

A sniper is a skilled marksman whose job is to shoot someone from afar without hitting anyone (or anything) else. But it’s not just about…

Five Facts – Little-Known Facts About the USS Constitution (Watch)

Launched in 1797, the USS Constitution is among the oldest warships that’s still seaworthy. Named by President George Washington for the country’s guiding document, the…

Retreat Does Not Always Mean Defeat – 10 Epic Retreats From Military History

In war, retreats aren’t always about defeat. Sometimes, they’re a deliberate tactic to gain more defensible ground, consolidate forces, encircle an enemy, or lead them…