The Celebrities who Fought for Their Country During WWII
Celebrities and war only seem to come together in the movies these days. However, after the outbreak of WWII, things were different. Both average people…
The Magician of WWII who Made Tanks Disappear
Maskelyne was approached by Brigadier Dudley Clarke who asked whether he would consider adapting his skills for espionage with MI9 as part of ‘A Force’.…
Over the Top: Why Were Whistles Used in the Trenches of WWI?
Artillery shells and bullets whizzing over the trenches created a cacophony of noise. With all of this noise, shouted commands could go unheard. Trench whistles…
The Home Guard: The Real Story Behind Britain’s WWII Dad’s Army
Over the course of the war, the Home Guard would gradually become a better equipped and better-trained army of 1.7 million men. The image of…
When Were Dog Tags First Used in the Military?
These were metal discs on a bracelet which held the name of the soldier, their rank, and their formation. Dog tags and the military are…
The Concentration Camps of the Anglo-Boer War
Concentration camps are usually linked to WWII and the horrors of the Holocaust. However, they were around long before this and were used by many…
Military Inventions We Use Every Day
When thinking about military inventions, weapons of war are what come to mind. Tanks, bombs, and guns are what we expect the military to create…
The $5 Billion Army Camouflage That Failed to Hide its Soldiers
The Universal Camouflage Pattern used grey, beige, and green as the primary colors. It was intended to help disguise soldiers in both desert and temperate…
Everyday Slang That Originated In the Trenches of World War I
The English language is constantly evolving, with new words being added all the time. This isn’t a new phenomenon, with terms and expressions from across…
The Legend of Black Caesar: The Pirate who Buried $6 Million Worth of Gold
Henri Caesar is said to have buried between $2 million and $6 million in treasure across several islands in the area. At the height of…
“I See No Ships” Facts You May Not Have Known About Horatio Nelson
At the Battle of Cape St. Vincent, his right elbow was shattered by a musket ball during the attack, with the arm being removed by…
From Booze to Bombs: The Beer Carrying Spitfires of WWII
To prepare for a beer run, the fuel tanks attached to the pylons would be steam cleaned by ground crews. The tanks would then be…