Jesse Beckett

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

Articles by Jesse Beckett:

The MiG-31: A Soviet-Era Interceptor That’s Faster Than Any Western Combat Jet Currently In Service

Mig-31

Designed as a slightly more refined and civilized version of the MiG-25 Foxbat, the MiG-31 is an aircraft that has remained mysterious to the West…

The Shotguns of WWII: Model 1897 and Model 1912

Model 12 during Okinawa

Aside from a flame thrower, there are few close-range weapons as deadly as a shotgun. Shotguns are terrifyingly effective at short ranges, as their shot…

Smith & Wesson Model 29: Dirty Harry’s Go-To Pistol

The .44 Magnum, the most … famous handgun in the world. The original quote is about the Smith & Wesson Model 29, a double-action revolver…

The Bofors 40MM Revolutionized Anti-Aircraft Combat

Boros 40mm Anti-Aircraft Gun

The job of an anti-aircraft gun is surprisingly demanding. It must be able to destroy or deter a fast-moving target by aiming not where it…

Cunning Deception Tactics Saved Helsinki from Soviet Bombings in 1944

Residents walking around Helsinki + North American B-25 Mitchell in the air

While often overshadowed by larger combatants, Finland was involved in World War II almost from day one. Just a few months after Germany invaded Poland,…

The Most Iconic Last Words in Military History: General John Sedgwick

General John Sedgwick was a United States military general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Known as a dependable and brave man,…

How Eisenhower Planned to Survive a Nuclear Attack By the USSR

Dwight D. Eisenhower sitting at his desk + Mushroom cloud

Limiting the effects of a nuclear attack can be a tough task, one that many nations took on (mostly in vain) during the Cold War.…

The USS Franklin was the Most Damaged Aircraft Carrier to Survive WWII

Aerial view of the USS Franklin at sea + Crew of the USS Santa Fe watching the USS Franklin burn

The USS Franklin (CV-13) was a member of the Essex-class of aircraft carriers, which had a successful design that served well during World War II…

Four US Presidents Who Were Battle-Hardened Generals

Andrew Jackson + Ulysses S. Grant + Zachary Taylor + Theodore Roosevelt

Considering the President of the United States is the Commander-in-Chief, it’s surprising military experience is not a requirement for the job. Despite this, many former…

The Japanese Knee Mortar That Terrified Enemies

Japanese Knee Mortar

During the United States’ war against the Japanese, they often enjoyed a technical advantage in terms of equipment and weapons. US flamethrowers, semi-automatic rifles, shotguns,…

How the Russians Made the Kremlin “Disappear” During WWII

Hiding The Kremlin during WWII

During the Soviet Union’s clash with Germany during WWII, many of their cities were reduced to rubble. Historically and culturally significant buildings and artifacts were…

The US And Britain Thought This Paint Could Protect Against a Nuclear Blast

Anti Flash White

When it comes to surviving a nuclear blast, paint is probably the last type of defense you’d consider. However, with the advent of nuclear weapons…