Jesse Beckett

Jesse Beckett is one of the authors writing for WAR HISTORY ONLINE

Articles by Jesse Beckett:

The Lockheed XF-90: The Penetration Fighter That Never Was

Lockheed XF-90 in flight

At the beginning of the Cold War, the US predicted nuclear weapons would be used in the next major conflict. The Lockheed XF-90 was designed…

The Cruiser Aurora Signaled the Start of the Russian Revolution

Aurora at sea

The October Revolution was one of the key events of the larger Russian Revolution, and the Russian cruiser Aurora signaled its start. Constructed at the…

Mauser C96: One of Germany’s Most Iconic Firearms

Austro-Hungarian pilot sitting in the cockpit with 10 Mauser C96s + Mauser C96 on a white table

The Mauser C96 is an iconic firearm that is one of three extremely famous pistols to come out of Germany, with the others being the…

The Skipjack-Class Gave the US Navy An Edge in Underwater Combat

USS Shark at sea

The Skipjack-class of American submarine was developed in the 1950s, bringing about a host of revolutionary features that became standard for future vessels. Named after…

The Uzi was One of the World’s Most Popular Submachine Guns

Uzi on a white blanket + Israeli infantry soldier holding an Uzi

The Uzi submachine gun is a weapon famous the world over. An icon of cinema, it’s of choice for gangsters, policemen and, of course, the…

The USS Antietam (CV-36) Earned Two Battle Stars During the Korean War

USS Antietam at sea

The USS Antietam (CV-36) was a member of the Essex-class of American aircraft carriers built during World War II. The class overall was very successful,…

Here’s Why Flying Aircraft Carriers Didn’t Work

USS Akron in flight

Since World War II, aircraft carriers have been a naval staple, due to their ability to carry immense firepower and attack targets hundreds of miles…

Sidney Shachnow: The Holocaust Survivor Who Became a Green Beret

Prisoners making saddles + Military portrait of Sidney Shachnow

Sidney Shachnow was a Lithuanian Jew who experienced – and survived – the Holocaust. Imprisoned in the Kovno Ghetto during World War II, he suffered…

The Lockheed U-2 Could Have Been a Threat to Navies with This Proposed Addition

Lockheed U-2 flying above the earth

The Lockheed U-2 is one of the oldest aircraft still in service, outliving its much more advanced siblings, including the SR-71. The silent, secretive plane…

Why Did Flying Boats Experience a Dip in Popularity Following WWII?

Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina patrol bomber taking off on water

Starting from as soon as man conquered flight to the end of the Second World War, flying boats were an extremely popular type of aircraft.…

Charles Bronson: Hollywood Actor and Aerial Gunner

Portrait of Charles Bronson + Boeing B-29 Superfortress in the air

Charles Bronson was known for playing the tough guy on the big screen, but he was also one in real life. Following a life of…

This Greek Priest Saved 27,000 Greek Jews from Deportation

Archbishop Damaskinos Papandreou

Damaskinos Papandreou was the Archbishop of Athens from 1941 to 1949. This position made him the highest-ranking priest in Greece, which was under German occupation…