Rosemary Giles

Rosemary Giles is a history content writer with Hive Media. She received both her bachelor of arts degree in history, and her master of arts degree in history from Western University. Her research focused on military, environmental, and Canadian history with a specific focus on the Second World War. As a student, she worked in a variety of research positions, including as an archivist. She also worked as a teaching assistant in the History Department.

Since completing her degrees, she has decided to take a step back from academia to focus her career on writing and sharing history in a more accessible way. With a passion for historical learning and historical education, her writing interests include social history, and war history, especially researching obscure facts about the Second World War. In her spare time, Rosemary enjoys spending time with her partner, her cats, and her horse, or sitting down to read a good book.

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Articles by Rosemary Giles:

The Dramatic Arrival of the German U-boat SM U-118 On a British Beach

Crowd gathered around the beached SM U-118

In the aftermath of the First World War, a remarkable event unfolded in Britain, causing a stir among military and civilian circles: the unexpected arrival…

The Ingenious Reason Farmers Painted Stripes On Their Cows During the Blitz

Woman painting white stripes on her cow during the Blitz

While facing the Blitz during World War II, British farmers resorted to an unusual and creative tactic to protect their livestock and the public from…

After Defecting to North Korea, Charles Robert Jenkins Was Held Prisoner for Over 39 Years

Charles Robert Jenkins sat in front of a US Army officer at a table

Charles Robert Jenkins was an American soldier who defected to North Korea in 1965. Contrary to what it may seem, his plan was never to…

The Red Army Recruited Blind Citizens During the Siege of Leningrad

Silhouette of soldiers manning a sound detector

The Red Army turned to desperate measures following Operation Barbarossa, as they were outnumbered. In one instance, they deployed camels, instead of horses, during the…

The ‘Filthy Thirteen’ Were the Real-Life Paratroopers Who Inspired ‘The Dirty Dozen’

Still from 'The Dirty Dozen'

During the Second World War, a group of paratroopers earned a reputation for their unconventional behavior and combat tactics. Known as the ‘Filthy Thirteen,’ they…

MI5 Used Girl Guides As Spies During World War I Because Boy Scouts Gossiped Too Much

Four women holding pamphlets outside

World War I was a time of immense upheaval and change. One group that played a surprisingly important role during this time was the British…

A WWII-Era Mystery for the Ages – What Happened to the French Submarine Surcouf?

French submarine Surcouf at sea

Although they weren’t known as a naval superpower, the French still built one of the most impressive submarines of the Second World War. In fact,…

The Many Incredible War Movies of Donald Sutherland

Donald Sutherland as Sgt. Oddball in 'Kelly's Heroes' + Elliott Gould and Donald Sutherland as Capt. John Francis "Trapper John" McIntyre and Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Jr. in 'M*A*S*H' + Donald Sutherland dressed in a suit

Needless to say, Donald Sutherland has had an incredible Hollywood career. He entered the industry in the 1960s with small roles in a few British…

The Darne Machine Gun Could Be Used as Both a Ground and Aerial Weapon

Soldier manning a Darne machine gun on a boat

Of the many weapons created at the end of the First World War, the Darne machine gun is certainly one of the less popular. It…

András Toma: The Last WWII Prisoner of War to Be Repatriated – In 2000

András Toma being pushed through a crowd while sat in a wheelchair

The end of World War II was a logistical nightmare. Between Victory In Europe (VE) Day and September 1945, some 1,417,850 Americans alone were repatriated. Other…

Why Did a Test Pilot Wear a Gorilla Mask In Flight?

Two Bell P-59 Airacomets in flight + Individual wearing a gorilla mask

Imagine flying through the skies during the Second World War when, suddenly, an aircraft appears to your left. The pilot waves at you, but it’s…

The P-38F Lightning ‘Glacier Girl’ Was Buried Beneath The Ice For 50 Years

Lockheed P-38F Lightning 'Glacier Girl' in flight

So many aircraft went down during the Second World War that it would be difficult to calculate the total. One was a Lockheed P-38F Lightning,…