Shahan Russell

Shahan Russell is one of the authors writing for WAR HISTORY ONLINE

Articles by Shahan Russell:

Last Man Standing – The Lone German Soldier Who Held Off A Whole Wave Of Russian Infantry and Tanks

Part of Hitler’s appeal to the German people was his ability to flatter them. According to him, Germans were Ubermensch (superhuman) and therefore had the right…

Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty – The Priest who Converted an SS Commander

He was a man of many faces who used his talent at disguise to help thousands of people escape from the Nazis. Hunted by them,…

Ivan Pavlovich Sereda: the USSR’s Heroic Cook in World War Two

Militaries are hierarchical and, despite their low status, cooks play a vital role. Besides feeding troops, they also maintain morale which has a significant impact…

Amazing – Douglas Brent Hegdahl III, “The Incredibly Stupid One”

Imagine that it’s the 1960s. You’re an American POW in a North Vietnamese camp, so you have two options: If you want to live, you…

José Arturo Castellanos Contreras: The Latino Schindler

During WWII, many did what they could to save Jews – including the Latino Schindler. José Arturo Castellanos Contreras was born on December 23, 1893,…

In 1937, A Toilet Break Led to War Between China and Japan

Wars have been waged over the stupidest things, but in 1937, Japan took it a step further. That was the year that a minor incident…

Jack Lucas: He Fought the US Marines to Get at the Japanese

When Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, many Americans were understandably enraged. One person was so enraged, in fact, he fought the US military for the right…

Audie Leon Murphy: World War Two Hero, Medal of Honor Recipient, and Mega-Star

Some people are so amazing it is hard to believe they are real. One such man started out in the real world, moved on to…

The Human Bomb – The American Airman Who Jumped From Stricken B-17 Without A Parachute… And Survived

In 1943, an American airman participated in the bombing spree of a French town, resulting in incredible devastation. The man wasn’t satisfied, however, so he…

Gurkha Lachhiman Gurung, Who Single-Handedly Fought Off At Least 30 Japanese Soldiers

Former Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw of the Indian Army once said: “If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying…

Alvin Cullum York: the Most Decorated Pacifist of the First World War

He was a deeply religious man who abhorred violence and warfare. Despite that, he went on to become the most decorated veteran of WWI. Alvin…

Sergeant First Class Robert Howard: Refused Two Medals of Honor

He earned three nominations for a Medal of Honor but received only one. Not because he did not deserve all three, but because some of his…