Worldwide | War History

Indian Navy Commandos Successfully Recapture Ship from Somali Pirates After 40-Hour-Long Operation

Assault boat filled with people moving away from the MV Ruen

Indian Navy Commandos took control of a pirate ship in the Arabian Sea after a dramatic 40-hour-long operation on March 16, 2024. The mission, performed…

Six Authoritarian Countries Where Democracy Is Virtually Extinct

Soldier standing in full uniform + Parade occurring on the streets of North Korea

In 2006, The Economist published the first-ever Democracy Index, a system that measures the state of democracy in nations around the world. Ranking countries on…

Battle of Kamdesh: Vastly Outnumbered, US Army Troops Defeated Over 300 Taliban Insurgents

Members of the 61st Cavalry Regiment standing together

On October 3, 2009, more than 300 Taliban insurgents descended upon US Army Combat Outpost (COP) Keating in Kamdesh, Afghanistan. The some 50 soldiers of…

Korengal Valley: Why the Region Is Nicknamed the ‘Valley of Death’

US Army soldiers walking along a dirt path in the Korengal Valley

Between the mountain ranges bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan lies the infamous Korengal Valley. The area saw some of the deadliest engagements to occur during the…

How Did Bravo Zulu Come To Mean ‘Well Done?’

Madeline Hiltz

The military can be a rather thankless place. So when you do get a compliment, it should be celebrated. Arguably, the most famous form of…

Is Fort Hood The Most Dangerous Military Base In The United States?

Madeline Hiltz

Like everything in Texas, Fort Hood is huge. Today, Fort Hood is one of the largest military bases in the entire world. Located just outside…

The Contentious History of Russia-Ukraine Relations

Protestor in Ukraine holding up a protest sign + Russian soldiers lined up

The history of Russia-Ukraine relations is a contentious one. The pair’s relationship dates back long before the creation of the Soviet Union and has continued…

6 Of The Most Feared Warriors In Military History

Baba Deep Singh

Since the beginning of time, wars have been fought for various reasons. Some warriors and tribes, though, have been more efficient and brutal than others.…

A-10 Thunderbolt II Pilot Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross for Actions in Afghanistan

Mike "Vago" Hilkert standing in front of the American flag

The United State Army is honoring a member of the Air Force for his heroic actions while serving in Afghanistan. Major Mike “Vago” Hilkert is…

Channing Tatum, Tom Hardy to Star in Movie About the US Withdrawal from Afghanistan

Channing Tatum wearing a suit + US Soldier standing behind barbed wire + Tom Hardy wearing a suit

Universal Pictures has announced it’s purchased an untitled pitch from writer and producer George Nolfi. The yet-to-be-written production will cover the days leading up to…

Marcus Luttrell’s Dog Was Shot, so the US Navy SEAL Went ‘John Wick’ on the Culprits

Marcus Luttrell standing among a crowd + DASY sitting on Marcus Luttrell's lap

In a move reminiscent of the John Wick films, retired US Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell took extreme measures to corner the men who’d murdered his…

The Biggest Invasions of Afghanistan: 330 BC to Present-Day

Women standing together, with one holding a sign requesting aid

The withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan created an unprecedented situation. The Taliban has once again seized control, leading many Afghan citizens to risk their…

How The Bandung Conference Of 1955 Was The Beginning Of The End For Indonesia’s President

Asian–African Conference at Bandung April 1955

The Bandung Conference of 1955 was a meeting of Asian and African nations, many of which were newly emerging from colonial rule. It was an…

Bob Denard: The Mercenary ‘Pirate of the Republic’

Bob Denard being escorted by two French military members + Portrait of Bob Denard

To many, Bob Denard may not be a familiar name. However, those with knowledge of 20th-century mercenary activity know him as the Frenchman who staged…

Missing Indonesian Sub Wreckage Found: Crew Considered Lost

KRI Nanggala

A missing Indonesian submarine, the KRI Nanggala 402, has been found in three pieces, the Indonesian Military confirmed. President Joko Widodo sent condolences to the…

Mechanic ‘Accidentally’ Fires Vulcan Cannon & Obliterates F-16 Sitting on the Runway

The F-16, hit by the cannon fire, caught fire and exploded having recently been refuelled and made ready for a training sortie due to take…

Auschwitz Closed for at Least Two Weeks

Authorities have closed the Auschwitz Memorial, and the site of the Nazi concentration camp of the same name, until, at the earliest, 25th March 2020…

The Marines Have Wiped Out More ISIS Than Anyone Else

Ian Harvey

Major General John Love, commanding officer of the 2nd Marine Division said recently that the 1st Battalion, 10th Marines artillery battery has distinguished itself in…

Fifty Years After Huey’s First Mission, Grey Wolf is It’s Replacement

The US Air Force took delivery of its first MH-139 Grey Wolf helicopters at Duke Field, Florida on December 19th, 2019. The replacement for the…

3 Burials Discovered at the Alamo in Texas

Ian Harvey

The Alamo: Plans by the city of San Antonio and the State of Texas to develop the precinct around the Alamo have come to a…

Have You Heard of The Special Forces Ghost Car That Operated in Bosnia (with video)

Ghost Car: In the early 1990s, a former Danish special forces soldier felt a calling from God to go to Bosnia and provide humanitarian aid…

Series 6 of Outlander is Looking for People to Join the Crew

Ian Harvey

A tweet sent out from Screen Scotland has kicked off the annual recruitment drive from Screen Scotland, Starz, and the hit television show Outlander. Outlander…

Highway to be Named After Spec Ops Sgt. Maj. James “Ryan” Sartor

Ian Harvey

Highway 24 in El Paso County has had a section dedicated to fallen Green Beret Sergeant Major Sartor thanks to the efforts of the Falcon…

We Lose Mike Hoare aged 100:The Wild Geese Movie Was Based on Him

The world has lost one of its larger than life figures, Mike Hoare, aged 100.  It is unusual for a mercenary to become a household…

The Mysterious Disappearance Of US Navy Flight 19

In countless books about unsolved mysteries, the so-called Bermuda Triangle, or the Devil’s Triangle as it is sometimes known, usually features prominently. The concept of…

People Forget China’s conflict with Japan Cost at Least Ten Million Lives

Joseph Stalin once said: “The death of a man is a tragedy. The death of a million is a statistic.” Sadly, history seems to have…

The only American woman to be executed for espionage by the Nazis during WWII

Arguably the most successful espionage ring working in Germany against the Nazis during WWII was code-named “Rote Kapelle” by the Gestapo. This term translates to…

Funny Name – Serious Fight: The battle for “Donkey’s Ear” Hill

On August 7, 1999, the troops of the “Islamic peacekeeping brigade” under the command of terrorists Shamil Basayev and Khattab (Samer Saleh al-Suwaylem) crossed the…

Warrior Queen of Ghana and the War for the Golden Stool

“…Is it true that the bravery of Ashanti is no more? I cannot believe it! It cannot be! If the men of Ashanti fear to…

Sunken Treasure: The Fight Over the Spanish Galleon San Jose

In 1981, Sea Search Armada, a company funded by American investors and based in Belleview, Washington, found a three-hundred-year-old wreck of a Spanish Galleon in…

After North Korea Captured Their Spy Ship, The Crew Invented The ‘Hawaiian Good Luck Sign’ In Defiance

In 1968, North Korea seized a US Navy ship, held its crew for almost a year, and tortured them. To free themselves, the captives had…

The Battle Of Marignano: The Reason For Almost 500 Years Of Swiss Neutrality

In November of 2016, Switzerland will have had a strict policy of neutrality for five centuries. Even during the World Wars, Switzerland was able to…

‘Pursuit Of Peril’ – Westphalia, Mo., Veteran Served In Five Campaigns, Gassed During World War I

War History online proudly presents this Guest Piece from Jeremy P. Ämick, who is a military historian and writes on behalf of the Silver Star…

From The Vikings To WW2, And Beyond – These Are Some Of The World’s Best Battle Reenactments

War reenactments are not a new thing by any means. From Shakespeare recreating famous British battles in his historic plays, to put upon the stage,…

Battle of Busan Perimeter, The First Major Conflict In The Korean War

Busan Perimeter The Battle of Busan Perimeter took place in the fall of 1950 and was one of the first major conflicts of the Korean…

The Dutch Terrorized the Philippines in 1600 Before Circumnavigating the World

In 1600, two Dutch ships terrorized the Philippines. They then went on to become the fourth group of Europeans to circumnavigate the world. This is…

Outnumbered 10 to 1 – In The Korean War, UN forces Held Off A Chinese Force 10 Times Their Size For Two Days

The Battle of Chipyong-ni has been labeled as ‘the Gettysburg of the Korean War’ and has been singled out as one of the greatest regimental…

Siege of Sparta: When The Spartan Women Pitched in to Defend Their City

Most historians should know the term “Pyrrhic Victory,” right? Pyrrhus of Epirus (located in the modern day region of western Greece and Albania) won victories…

Nine Essential Places In France For War History Enthusiasts To Visit

The top countries in Europe offer a variety of post-war sites to see, whether your interest lies in World War II, World War I or…

The Abraham Lincoln Brigade – US Citizens Who Fought Against Fascism in Spain

During the Spanish Civil War (1936 – 1939) a call went out from the Republican forces for communists and socialists around the world to come…

As The US Navy Does Away With Enlisted Rates, We Look At Their History

The weight of the United States Military has always rested soundly on the back of its non-commissioned officers. In the Navy, these men and women…

When the American Civil War Broke Out, Another Civil War Had Been Raging In China For 11 Years

Almost at the same time that the American Civil War was taking place, another kind of civil war was occurring on the other side of…

Some of the Very Different Opponents Faced by Victorian British Armies

Maintaining your status as a global power is no easy thing. The British Victorian Army was one of the best equipped and most experienced in…

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…

No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy – The Intellectual Genius Of General James “Mad Dog” Mattis

Often referred to as the General Patton of the modern era, General James “Mad Dog” Mattis once told a group of Iraqi tribal elders “I…

Glorieta Pass, The Defining Civil War Battle Which Was Called The Gettysburg Of The West

The U.S. Civil War’s leading contenders were, of course, the Union, made up of the Northern states, and the Confederacy, made up of the Southern…

The Lion of Africa: Paul von Lettow Vorbeck: Germany’s WW1 Guerilla Commander In East Africa

In March of 1919, while Germany was recovering from its defeat in the First World War, its people starving and its army in ruins, a…

The Tragic Loss of Nathan Bruckenthal, The Only US Coast Guard Casualty of the Iraq War

Gabe Christy

The Iraq War is most often remembered for its ground combat. The insurgency which gripped the country after the fall of Saddam Hussein focused its…

The Lockheed U-2 and the SR-71 Blackbird – Top Secret Spy Planes

The Lockheed U-2 and SR-71 ‘Blackbird’ are two planes about which there is not a lot known. Here we will learn some facts about them.…

The Element of Surprise – Totally Effective Surprise Attacks in Military History

Surprise attacks and ambushes can turn the tide of war. More often than not, the side that has the larger base of industry or manpower…

The Last Samurai: The True History Behind The Film

The Last Samurai is a pretty solid, although underrated film. The action is well done, and the fusion of old and new, as well as…

The Picture Has Become Iconic, But The Battle In this Fallujah House Was Legendary

Every war has its iconic pictures that will forever resonate in the minds of the public and most certainly of the men who fought it. …

‘An Important Moment’ – WWII Veteran Crossed Europe, Helped Liberate Dachau Concentration Camp

War History online proudly presents this Guest Piece from Jeremy P. Ämick, who is a military historian and writes on behalf of the Silver Star…

‘Forever At Sea’ – Russellville Sailor Killed Aboard USS Indianapolis During World War II

War History online proudly presents this Guest Piece from Jeremy P. Ämick, who is a military historian and writes on behalf of the Silver Star…

‘Pursuit Of Peril’ – Westphalia, Mo., Veteran Served In Five Campaigns, Gassed During World War I

War History online proudly presents this Guest Piece from Jeremy P. Ämick, who is a military historian and writes on behalf of the Silver Star…

‘Brothers In Arms’ – Westphalia Twins Drafted During WWI Exemplify Family’s Sacrifice

War History online proudly presents this Guest Piece from Jeremy P. Ämick, who is a military historian and writes on behalf of the Silver Star…

‘A good opportunity’ – Local veteran discusses service with United States Army, Europe

War History online proudly presents this Guest Piece from Jeremy P. Ämick, who is a military historian and writes on behalf of the Silver Star…

‘How Good We’ve Got It’ – Wardsville Veteran Shares Story Of Service During Vietnam War

Wardsville veteran

War History online proudly presents this Guest Piece from Jeremy P. Ämick, who is a military historian and writes on behalf of the Silver Star…

The Battle Of Marignano: The Reason For Almost 500 Years Of Swiss Neutrality

In November of 2016, Switzerland will have had a strict policy of neutrality for five centuries. Even during the World Wars, Switzerland was able to…

Five Fascinating Military Inventions – From The Big Dog Robot To The Humble Email Address

Military technology has a history of experimenting with novel approaches to the development of new methods of attack and defense. Some experiments are driven by…

As The US Navy Does Away With Enlisted Rates, We Look At Their History

The weight of the United States Military has always rested soundly on the back of its non-commissioned officers. In the Navy, these men and women…

The Tragic Loss of Nathan Bruckenthal, The Only US Coast Guard Casualty of the Iraq War

Gabe Christy

The Iraq War is most often remembered for its ground combat. The insurgency which gripped the country after the fall of Saddam Hussein focused its…

The Lion of Africa: Paul von Lettow Vorbeck: Germany’s WW1 Guerilla Commander In East Africa

In March of 1919, while Germany was recovering from its defeat in the First World War, its people starving and its army in ruins, a…

Edward A. Carter, Jr. Received the Medal of Honor for Killing Six Soldiers and Using the Surviving Two as a Bodyshield

Edward Allen Carter Junior was born on May 26th, 1916 in Los Angeles, California. Carter had a unique upbringing. His father was an African-American missionary,…

The Most Expensive Wars The United States Has Been Involved In

Since its inception in 1776, the United States of America has experienced wartime relations throughout almost its entire lifespan. Some of these wars were short,…

After North Korea Captured Their Spy Ship, The Crew Invented The ‘Hawaiian Good Luck Sign’ In Defiance

In 1968, North Korea seized a US Navy ship, held its crew for almost a year, and tortured them. To free themselves, the captives had…

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…

Some of the Very Different Opponents Faced by Victorian British Armies

Maintaining your status as a global power is no easy thing. The British Victorian Army was one of the best equipped and most experienced in…

The Biggest Wars in South American History

War History Online Presents this Piece by Guest Author: Luciano Camano The Spanish Empire, along with the Portuguese crown, colonized South America and is now home…

Outnumbered 10 to 1 – In The Korean War, UN forces Held Off A Chinese Force 10 Times Their Size For Two Days

The Battle of Chipyong-ni has been labeled as ‘the Gettysburg of the Korean War’ and has been singled out as one of the greatest regimental…

The picture has become iconic, if you ask any Marine, the one thing they praise about this picture as much as any other is the First Sergeant’s remarkable trigger discipline

Every war has its iconic pictures that will forever resonate in the minds of the public and most certainly of the men who fought it. …

The Battle Of Marignano: The Reason For Almost 500 Years Of Swiss Neutrality

In November of 2016, Switzerland will have had a strict policy of neutrality for five centuries. Even during the World Wars, Switzerland was able to…

Technologies Which Were Developed In War & Then Found A Place In Civilian Life

The technology of war is constantly evolving, as old systems are revamped, and new ideas and concepts are created. With two World Wars occurring during…

The Battle Of Marignano: The Reason For Almost 500 Years Of Swiss Neutrality

In November of 2016, Switzerland will have had a strict policy of neutrality for five centuries. Even during the World Wars, Switzerland was able to…

Nine Essential Places In France For War History Enthusiasts To Visit

The top countries in Europe offer a variety of post-war sites to see, whether your interest lies in World War II, World War I or…

No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy – The Intellectual Genius Of General James “Mad Dog” Mattis

Often referred to as the General Patton of the modern era, General James “Mad Dog” Mattis once told a group of Iraqi tribal elders “I…

A Soviet Spy Who saved The “Big Three” at the Tehran Conference was 19 years old at the time

During the spy games of WWII, the result of the war was hanging by a thread. Gevorg Vartanian, a young Armenian who joined the Soviet…

M1 HELMET LINERS – All We Need To Know

M1 HELMET LINERS

Olivier Dorrell returns to guide us through an immensely important subject to collectors and re-enactors. The M1 helmet was a unique and practical solution, compared…

Hannibal Barca: Rome’s Most Dangerous Enemy

Hannibal Barca – he crossed the Alps with elephants, supposedly took a sworn oath to forever hate the Romans, and inflicted some of the worst…

Famous Medieval Knights – Warriors, Leaders, And Scholars

Medieval knights were among the celebrities of their day – warriors, leaders, and scholars. They became figures of romance and inspiration, giving them a special…

Outnumbered 10 to 1 – In The Korean War, UN forces Held Off A Chinese Force 10 Times Their Size For Two Days

The Battle of Chipyong-ni has been labeled as ‘the Gettysburg of the Korean War’ and has been singled out as one of the greatest regimental…

The Element of Surprise – Totally Effective Surprise Attacks in Military History

Surprise attacks and ambushes can turn the tide of war. More often than not, the side that has the larger base of industry or manpower…

The Battle of Grytviken – When A Lone Sniper Turned The Tide Of Battle On A Warship – By Martin K.A. Morgan

In 1982, Argentina and the United Kingdom fought one another in the South Atlantic in a war that briefly thrust the political fate of the…

Hannibal Barca: Rome’s Most Dangerous Enemy

Hannibal Barca – he crossed the Alps with elephants, supposedly took a sworn oath to forever hate the Romans, and inflicted some of the worst…

The Bolo Knife – History, Development And Use Of An Iconic Weapon

Imperial forces around the world, whether they came to the battle with muskets and cannons or machine guns and fighter planes, have come to fear…

The Top Ten Most Expensive Wars the United States Has Been Involved In

Since its inception in 1776, the United States of America has experienced wartime relations throughout almost its entire lifespan. Some of these wars were short,…

The Sniper who Killed a Taliban Machine Gunner from 8,120 feet away

A corporal of the Horse and a member of the elite British Household Cavalry unit holds the record for achieving the longest kill shot ever…

Edward A. Carter, Jr. received the Medal of Honor for killing six soldiers and using the surviving two as a bodyshield

Edward Allen Carter Junior was born on May 26th, 1916 in Los Angeles, California. Carter had a unique upbringing. His father was an African-American missionary,…

Seven Very Different Opponents Faced By Victorian British Armies

Maintaining your status as a global power is no easy thing. The British Victorian Army was one of the best equipped and most experienced in…

A Soviet Spy Who saved The “Big Three” at the Tehran Conference was 19 years old at the time

During the spy games of WWII, the result of the war was hanging by a thread. Gevorg Vartanian, a young Armenian who joined the Soviet…

Biggest UK War Cemeteries in Europe

Europe is filled with war cemeteries and memorials commemorating the millions of lives that were lost during both World Wars. These sites have become tourist…

Battle of Busan Perimeter, The First Major Conflict In The Korean War

Busan Perimeter The Battle of Busan Perimeter took place in the fall of 1950 and was one of the first major conflicts of the Korean…

Fact Or Fiction – Finding out what Really Happened to the Knights Templar

Few military orders throughout history have maintained the same air of secrecy and mystique as the Knights Templar. From their humble origins in the Middle…

Developed In War, These Well-Known Technologies Later Found A Place In Civilian Life

The technology of war is constantly evolving, as old systems are revamped, and new ideas and concepts are created. With two World Wars occurring during…

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…

Some of the Very Different Opponents Faced by Victorian British Armies

Maintaining your status as a global power is no easy thing. The British Victorian Army was one of the best equipped and most experienced in…

Battle of Busan Perimeter, The First Major Conflict In The Korean War

Busan Perimeter The Battle of Busan Perimeter took place in the fall of 1950 and was one of the first major conflicts of the Korean…

The Bolo Knife – History, Development And Use Of An Iconic Weapon

Imperial forces around the world, whether they came to the battle with muskets and cannons or machine guns and fighter planes, have come to fear…

Five Fascinating Military Inventions – From The Big Dog Robot To The Humble Email Address

Military technology has a history of experimenting with novel approaches to the development of new methods of attack and defense. Some experiments are driven by…

From The Vikings To WW2, And Beyond – These Are Some Of The World’s Best Battle Reenactments

War reenactments are not a new thing by any means. From Shakespeare recreating famous British battles in his historic plays, to put upon the stage,…