Damian Lucjan

Damian is a history geek that’s working for War History Online for almost a decade. He can talk about the history and its chain of events for hours and is 100% legit fun at parties. Aside of history, geography and etymology of all things are no less exciting for him! An avid video game player, meme distributor, and your comment section moderator all in one. Mythologies of all cultures are fascinating to him, Greek, Nordic, Slavic – you name it, and he’s in!

In his spare time, assuming he has some left, he gives it all to his family, enjoying morning walks, a good book, an exciting FPS, and a long nap…or a few. Definitely a cat person.

Articles by Damian Lucjan:

Chuck Mawhinney: The Legendary USMC Sniper Who Hit 16 Enemy in 30 Seconds on a Pitch-Black Night

AI rendering of Chuck Mawhinney aiming his sniper rifle

In the realm of extraordinary military feats, several service members gain recognition, receiving public praise and awards – some even become the subjects of books…

The Magic Engineering Behind Why Early Fighters Didn’t Shoot Their Own Propellers

Close-up of the front of an aircraft equipped with an interrupter gear

Let’s dive into something that’s been bugging many for decades: how did old fighter aircraft shoot at the enemy without blasting their own propellers into…

‘U-571’ Is So Inaccurate That It Sparked An Official Debate In British Parliament

Still from 'U-571'

Imagine: it’s 2000 and you’re sitting on your couch, popcorn in hand, waiting for the newest American war production to appear on your screen. The…

The Soviets Tried to Starve Berlin Into Submission, But Were Humiliated By the Unprecedented Airlift

Crowd watching an aircraft fly over West Berlin

Berlin, 1948; a city torn in two – and the Soviet Union wanted it all. The plan? Choke West Berlin by blocking all supply routes,…

The Most Damaging Spy In US History Was An Unassuming Accountant – Elusive For 22 Years!

Robert Hanssen's mugshots

In the annals of American history, there existed a man whose treacherous actions shook the very foundations of national security. Robert Hanssen, an unassuming accountant…

The Best Traits of Respected Leadership

Still from 'Band of Brothers'

There’s a pulsating heart that beats within the chest of any great organization or team: a leader. Not just any leader, but one who’s revered,…

The Most Impactful Military Vehicles of World War II

Still from 'Battle of Britain'

In the shadowy chapters of history, battles are often viewed through the prism of generals and troops – their tactics, their bravery and their sacrifices.…

The Most Beautiful Military Aircraft Ever Produced

Grumman F-14D Tomcat taking off

In the world of aviation, the marriage of beauty and function has birthed stunning creations, with aesthetics and power being held in equal regard. From…

Henschel Hs 129 :The Luftwaffe’s Soaring Tank Buster Armed With a 75 mm Cannon

Sky at sunrise + Drawing of a Henschel Hs 129

As tank warfare evolved and became a key strategy during the interwar period, the German Wehrmacht envisioned a new kind of blitzkrieg – one that…

Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star: The Only US Jet Fighter to See Action In WWII – During Secret Operations In Italy

Lockheed P-80A-1-LO Shooting Star in flight

The Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star, also known as the F-80, was the first jet fighter used operationally by the US Army Air Forces (USAAF). While…

Saab J35 Draken: ‘The Cobra Maneuver’ Started With This Nordic Jet

Saab J35F Draken in flight

In the post-World War II world, the need for advanced jet fighter technology loomed large. In the soaring 1960s, the Saab J35 Draken was nothing…

22 Images That Show the Many Faces of World War II

Portrait of a US Marine + German machine gunner with an ammunition belt around his neck

By Damian Lucjan and Clare Fitzgerald Society had never before experienced a conflict quite like the Second World War. While the Great War was the…

Hagia Sophia’s 1,500-Year-Old Imperial Gate Vandalized

Hagia Sophia at sunset

The Hagia Sophia’s historic Imperial Gate, which dates back to the 6th century, was severely damaged on April 18, 2022. The vandalism was discovered that…

WW2-Era Museum Ship USS The Sullivans Sinks At Its Pier

Sinking USS The Sullivan

USS The Sullivans (DD-537) was partially sunk on Wednesday at its pier at the Buffalo Naval Park in Buffalo, New York. The direct cause of…

The Polish MANPADS Piorun Beats the Stinger In Every Aspect – And Might Replace It

PZPR Piorun with a CTP-1 termovision sight

If someone thought the era of MANPADS was coming to an end, they couldn’t be more wrong. While western NATO countries neglected the effectiveness of…

1410 Battle of Grunwald Sword Unearthed In Poland

A sword, metal pieces of a scabbard, a knight’s belt, and two knives, estimated to be from the battle of the time of the Battle…

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…

The Hunt is on to Find Missing Indonesian Submarine Before Oxygen Runs Out

The Indonesian military is searching for their missing submarine, with 53 people on board. KRI Nanggala (402) lost contact during their military exercises on 21…

“Enjoy the moment” – Local veteran served with Missouri National Guard in Persian Gulf War

By Jeremy P. Amick Matt Fife has many memories to reflect upon from his time with the Missouri National Guard, which spanned more than a…

Gulf War Illness Not Caused by Exposure to Depleted Uranium

Debris from depleted uranium munitions used in the Gulf War has long been blamed for contributing to the illness of hundreds of thousands of veterans,…

“Deal With The Effects” – Marine Corps Veteran Shares Story of Service in Persian Gulf War

The Persian Gulf War was a swift victory with a low casualty rate, which is why Marine Corps veteran Rob Relford II believes it has…

URGENT APPEAL FOR HELP – HMS HERMES NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT. LAST CHANCE!

The Hermes Viraat Heritage Trust has been working alongside Envitech Marine Consultants in India to save the vessel from scrap. For the past 3.5 years,…

1943 M4A1 Grizzly Sherman for Sale

This M4A1 Grizzly is an adaptation of the Sherman medium tank that was built in Canada in late 1943. It is a cast-hull variant of…

Midway: Six Minutes of Fury

It was just after 10 AM, June 4, 1942 over Midway, and Air Group Commander C. Wade McClusky Jr. had a tough decision on his…

Red Cross Founder’s Story Shows How Crisis Can Bring Out Our Humanity

Have you heard of Henri Dunant? If not, it’s okay. The happy few who can identify Henri Dunant as the founder of the Red Cross…

Witold Pilecki: The Inspiring Story of the Polish Spy Who Took on the Third Reich

Like many of the heroes of the Warsaw Uprising, nearly no one in the Anglosphere has ever heard of Witold Pilecki, a deeply Catholic member of the…

Airbus Announces Support for Restoration of The People’s Mosquito 

Aviation heritage in the UK received a welcome boost in March 2020 with news that Airbus has announced its support for The People’s Mosquito. Financial…

‘Deepest wreck ever found’ Famous Destroyer Lost During the Battle off Samar

ship wreck

In honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Battle off Samar this month, the Research Vessel (R/V) Petrel has released footage of the deepest shipwreck…

14 Photos of the Remnants of War Prove that Nature Always Prevails

Nature will always be stronger than man. There are two things that are certain in life: death and taxes. It is tempting to add one…

Mosquito Bite: Yours For a Cool $7 MILLION!

With a range of over 3,000 km (1,900 miles), a de Havilland Mosquito could fly from London to Warsaw and back. Are you tired of…

A Tiger in Africa? The Iconic Tiger I Growling in Full Video Glory

Anything within its sights of 2000 meters was marked as prey. Out of all the German tanks during World War II, the Sd Kfz 181…

The Face of Crimean War in over 35 Magnificent 160-year-old Photos

After a longtime peace acquired during the Congress of Vienna in 1815, Europe experienced a relatively peaceful period of history. Foundations of that peace laid…

The Maginot Line Mostly Worked the Way it was Expected to & Great Footage in Here Too

The moment the Germans entered Belgium, the plan was for the French (and hopefully British) to move in and fight them there and the Maginot…

3 Giant Bombs Found Near Polish Beach – Massive evacuation (video inside)

In Kołobrzeg, Poland, three WW2-era bombs were found on August 8. Each aerial bomb weighed  about 250kg (600 pounds). The unfortunate discoveries were made by a…

“King Leonidas” Teams up with SEALs to Save a Russian President in “Hunter Killer” – Trailer Inside

Following on from Washington in “Olympus Has Fallen” and London in “London Has Fallen”, now it’s Moscow’s turn. The upcoming movie “Hunter Killer” is not…

Landwhale Ahoy! French Super Tank Char 2C – photos and video

World War I saw the dawn of a variety of new weapons. Vivid experimenting with vehicles was affected by continually changing battlefields. However, many engineers…

The ‘Huey’ – Legendary Workhorse of Vietnam War in 30 Pictures

When speaking about the Vietnam War what image comes to mind first? Every war has some iconic machines that exceeded expectations. For the Vietnam War (also known as…

Armored Fist of Germany – Photos and Video of the Panzerfaust Anti-Tank Weapon

The enormous scale of tank warfare during World War II consequently lead to creating counter-measures. The armor of early tanks was relatively thin. However, that…

“Hurricane” – 303 Battle of Britain Film Set for Release

The release date of the upcoming movie, Hurricane (“303: Battle of Britain” in Polish version) has finally been announced! On August 17, we will have a chance to…

Operation Vengeance: Original Footage of Yamamoto’s Last Flight

In 1942, the Battle of Midway sealed the fate of the war in the Pacific. The course of the remaining campaigns was fairly certain. However,…

Man vs Tanks – Infantry Anti-Tank Rifles of WW II

The 20th century saw extensive use of a new kind of warfare on land, sea and in the air. The battlefields were continually changing, from…

The End of the Rising Sun – The Japanese Surrender in Color

The origins of Japanese imperialism can be found in the XIX century when their firm isolationism was no longer defensible. In 1852, the gates of…

Paratrooper: Interview with the Director and Producer of the New Television Series

The following is a transcript of the interview with War History Online and the Creators of Paratrooper. Today we have with us Lance Nielsen the director…

D-Day – A Look at All 5 Beaches with Original Footage and Photos

76 years ago, in Northern France, one of the most essential operations of World War II took place. As a part of Operation Overlord, the…

D-Day’s Armored Innovations that May Have Turned the Tide

In preparation for the Allied invasion of France on June 6, 1944, engineers and designers were hard at work to create a variety of machines…

Atomic “Annie” Cannon and its after effects – Actual Footage And Photos Inside

World War II saw an extensive improvement of technology in various fields. All types of battlefields presented new kind of weapons, vehicles, and doctrines. Some…

Soviet IS-3 and IS-2 tanks left behind on Shikotan Island- 25 Photos Inside

Shikotan Island lies on the further rims of the Russian Federation on East, as a part of Kuril Islands. It’s a hilly island with the highest…

Dogs of War: Man’s Best Friends During Wartime + 33 photos

Canis lupus familiaris. Among countless species on Earth, some earned a special place in human hearts. Through thousands of years, dogs accompanied us with various tasks…

25 Stunning Photos of the King Tiger – Some We Haven’t Seen Before

Brief entry into the War The German Tiger II heavy tank is disputably one of the best tanks of the entire World War II, and…

BREAKING: King Tiger Buried Since 1944 to be Recovered by Author Gary Sterne

There had been a year of uncertainty, but now the fate of WW2 German Army King Tiger No. 124 has finally been decided by the…

Upcoming Epic ‘Hurricane’ Movie With Stars From Game of Thrones & Hacksaw Ridge (TEASER + Photos inside)

The story of 303 Squadron is to be told through the eyes and experience of Jan Zumbach, one of the best aces of the Battle…

The Extraordinary Life of Merian C. Cooper – Forgotten Hero of Two Nations… And Creator of King Kong

Chasing a Dream Merian C. Cooper was born in Jacksonville, Florida, United States. He was the youngest of his siblings and at the age of…

The Man Who Saved the World From Nuclear Destruction

The Man Who Saved the World from Nuclear Destruction Remember, remember the 26th of September, when the unknown man becomes a defender. That could be…

These Pictures From The Atlantic Wall Show What The Allies Were Up Against On D-Day

Normandy

The tide of the Second World War turned on the 6th of June, 1944, changing the course of history forever. On the shores of Normandy,…

The Battle of Kursk, Operation Citadel – Amazing Pictures From The Biggest Tank Battle of WWII

Following their defeat at Stalingrad during the winter of 1942-43, the German armed forces launched a climactic offensive in the East known as Operation Citadel…

20 Magnificent Photos Colorized By An Exceptional Artist – Jecinci

About Jecinci Jecinci is 34 years old, architect & 3D Artist from Romania, with a passion for colorizing black & white photos. And he is…

The Crews Gave So Much – Powerful Pictures of the American WW2 Plane, the B-17 “Flying Fortress” Bomber

The Boeing B-17 “Flying Fortress” bomber’s first flight was on 28th July 1935. In total, 12,731 units were built between 1936-1945! The nickname “Flying Fortress” was…

The Man Who Saved the World From Nuclear Destruction

The Man Who Saved the World from Nuclear Destruction Remember, remember the 26th of September, when the unknown man becomes a defender. That could be…

Unseen Pictures Of The Biggest Tank Battle of WWII

Following their defeat at Stalingrad during the winter of 1942-43, the German armed forces launched a climactic offensive in the East known as Operation Citadel…

The Man Who Saved the World From Nuclear Destruction

The Man Who Saved the World from Nuclear Destruction Remember, remember the 26th of September, when the unknown man becomes a defender. That could be…

The Extraordinary Life of Merian C. Cooper – Forgotten Hero of Two Nations… And Creator of King Kong

Chasing a Dream Merian C. Cooper was born in Jacksonville, Florida, United States. He was the youngest of his siblings and at the age of…

The Man Who Saved the World From Nuclear Destruction

The Man Who Saved the World from Nuclear Destruction Remember, remember the 26th of September, when the unknown man becomes a defender. That could be…

Amazing Pictures of Abandoned Soviet Tanks Left Behind on Shikotan Island

A note from the author It’s clear that no one will save these tanks, though it’s still sad to watch as such armor is thrown away…

These 44 Pictures From The Atlantic Wall Show What The Allies Were Up Against On D-Day

Normandy

In June 1944, the Western-Allies had a tough test to pass. They had to breach the formidable Atlantic Wall, defended by the mighty German army.…

At the Start Of WW2, Nazi Germany Invaded Poland: These Are Pictures From That Operation

On the 1st of September, 77 years ago, the horror of World War II was unleashed upon the world when the German Army invaded Poland. The…

12 Steps On The Road to WWII In Vintage Propaganda Posters

I. 28 June 1919- Treaty of Versailles The peace treaty of Versailles was a humiliation for Germany. There are those who believe that the peace treaty…

20 Gut Wrenching Images Of Kids of War

Wars are always started by the adults, but not only adults take part. War does not spare anyone, so armed kids aren’t a rare occurrence.…

The Man Who Saved the World From Nuclear Destruction

The Man Who Saved the World from Nuclear Destruction Remember, remember the 26th of September, when the unknown man becomes a defender. That could be…

We Pick Our Top 10 Funniest Scenes from War Movies

Ladies and Gentlemen, we proudly present to you a list of 11 funny scenes from War Movies! As we all know, war is brutal, sad,…

Unseen Pictures Of The Biggest Tank Battle of WWII

Following their defeat at Stalingrad during the winter of 1942-43, the German armed forces launched a climactic offensive in the East known as Operation Citadel…

Cutting Off Nazi Oil Production – The Incredibly Costly Ploiesti Mission – Pictures

In the midst of WW2, on August 1, 1943, the Ploiesti Oil Raid took place over Romania. It was a USAAF Operation with the codename “Tidal…

17 Haunting Coloured Pictures From the WW1 Battle of the Somme

The Battle of the Somme, also known as the Somme Offensive, was one of the bloodiest battles in WWI. During the first day alone, 1st…

D-Day – 15 Stunning Photos & Footage of Allied Airborne Forces

6th June 1944, Operation Overlord, D-Day and Airborne Landings On this day, more than half a century ago, Operation Overlord began, marking the beginning of…

Re-enactment Of A Huge WW2 Offensive – Those Russians Do It In Style

The Petsamo-Kirkenes Offensive was referred to as the “Tenth Shock,” one of the most important military operations lead by Red Army in 1944. The term “Stalin’s…

Test Your Knowledge – Take The War History Online World War Two Quiz

So you know your WWII history inside out? We challenge you to take our quiz and answer all 20 questions correctly. We all (should) know…

12 Steps On The Road to WWII In Vintage Propaganda Posters

I. 28 June 1919- Treaty of Versailles The peace treaty of Versailles was a humiliation for Germany. There are those who believe that the peace treaty…

17 Haunting Coloured Pictures From the WW1 Battle of the Somme

The Battle of the Somme, also known as the Somme Offensive, was one of the bloodiest battles in WWI. During the first day alone, 1st…

D-Day – 15 Stunning Photos & Footage of Allied Airborne Forces

6th June 1944, Operation Overlord, D-Day and Airborne Landings On this day, more than half a century ago, Operation Overlord began, marking the beginning of…

Amazing Photos From The Battle of Britain – When ‘The Few’ Were Supported by ‘The Many’

The Battle of Britain was one of the most important battles of World War II. Thanks to its success, the Allies were able to maintain…

“Addle Strife” – Director Presents His New WW2 Short Movie – Watch The Trailer Here

Director Karl Ryan Erikson presents us with the trailer for his new short WW2 film “Addle Strife” Addle Strife is a fictional short film that highlights…

Christopher Nolan’s “Dunkirk” Trailer Released, It Looks Amazing

The first trailer for Christopher Nolan’s World War II story, Dunkirk, has been released! The movie, starring Tom Hardy, Mark Rylance, and Fionn Whitehead, tells the…

60 Amazing Photos Of Operation Husky, The Amphibious Invasion Of Sicily In WWII

‘Operation Husky’ was the codename for the invasion of Sicily in 1943. The Operation began on the night of 9/10 July. It was a large amphibious and airborne operation,…

Thanksgiving On The Front Lines – World War Two And Korea – Photos And Video

War doesn’t care what day it is, what month, or if that day is important to you. War doesn’t care about anything at all. And…

Part 2: Anakonda 16 – More Fantastic Photos Of Modern Military In Action

This year the Polish Army led a multinational joint exercise of NATO in Eastern Europe – Anakonda 16. 24 countries, 31,000 soldiers, over 100 aircraft, 12…

Anakonda 16 – Mind-Blowing Photos And Video Of Modern Military In Action – NATO Joint Exercise In Poland – Part 1

This year the Polish Army led a multinational joint exercise of NATO in Eastern Europe – Anakonda 16. 24 countries, 31,000 soldiers, over 100 aircraft, 12…

Hair-Raising Moment When Soldier’s Beret Is Accidently Shot Off During Honor Salute (Watch)

It almost turned into a tragedy. Just a few inches saved the life of this soldier, or at least his saved him from serious injury…. yet…

“Tommy” – Short Independent Film Highlights The Tragic Nature of PTSD – Watch It Here And See Behind The Scenes

 “Tommy” is a short independent film created by a close-knit group of filmmakers. Written and directed by James Sieradzki, the film attempts to create a…

Haunting Pics Of A Rare Tu-128 – The Largest and Heaviest Soviet Fighter

The Tupolev Tu-28, a Soviet long-range interceptor from the 1960s, had the NATO reporting name Fiddler. At the time, it was the largest and heaviest…

These 44 Pictures From The Atlantic Wall Show What The Allies Were Up Against On D-Day

Normandy

In June 1944, the Western-Allies had a tough test to pass. They had to breach the formidable Atlantic Wall, defended by the mighty German army.…

Re-enactment Of A Huge WW2 Offensive – Those Russians Do It In Style

The Petsamo-Kirkenes Offensive was referred to as the “Tenth Shock,” one of the most important military operations lead by Red Army in 1944. The term “Stalin’s…

12 Steps On The Road to WWII In Vintage Propaganda Posters

I. 28 June 1919- Treaty of Versailles The peace treaty of Versailles was a humiliation for Germany. There are those who believe that the peace treaty…

Watch The Top 10 Funniest Scenes from War Movies

Ladies and Gentlemen, we proudly present to you a list of 11 funny scenes from War Movies! As we all know, war is brutal, sad,…

20 Outstanding Soundtracks from War Movies – Watch The Videos

20 amazing soundtracks from war movies! And because beauty is in the eye of the beholder, it’s not any top 20, the order is completely random,…

Mental Soviet Cold War Experimental Off-Road Vehicles – 39 Wacky Photos

The Soviet automobile industry could have been considered as conservative in the 1950s/60s, at least in the civilian sphere. On the other hand, military vehicles…

Bringing History Back to Life: 16 Colorized Photographs of World War II

Colorization of photographs is one of many ways to bring history back to life – often into completely new life. This new kind of art shows…

D-Day: Amazing Footage And Photos of Allied WW2 Airborne Forces

6th June 1944, Operation Overlord, D-Day and Airborne Landings On this day, more than half a century ago, Operation Overlord began, marking the beginning of…

“Divided We Fall” Early Access – New WW2 Game Overview With Pictures and Trailer

Divided We Fall is a close-combat multiplayer game with team-driven strategy at its core set in various immersive battlefields of the Second World War. Command…

Incredible Urban Combat Pictures From Stalingrad – Not One Step Back

The Battle of Stalingrad was a major battle on the Eastern Front of World War II in which Nazi Germany and its allies fought the Soviet…

Incredible Discovery: Turret of German WW2 Tank… In The Middle of a Field in Poland!

An unusual remnant of World War II was found by a group of military history enthusiasts in the middle of a field in Poland on…

At the Start Of WW2, Nazi Germany Invaded Poland: These Are Pictures From That Operation

On the 1st of September, 77 years ago, the horror of World War II was unleashed upon the world when the German Army invaded Poland. The…