Samantha Franco

Samantha Franco is a content writer with a BA and MA in history, focusing on Victorian, medical, and epidemiological history. She has written content for multiple sites covering an array of historical topics.

Articles by Samantha Franco:

Deadly Military Uniform Designs That Ultimately Got Soldiers Killed

Still from 'Napoleon'

There have been a number of times when fashion outweighed function when it came to military uniforms, sometimes leading to deadly results. The shortfalls that…

David Larsen Took On 50 Enemy Troops With Just An M60 Machine Gun

Soldiers walking ashore in Vietnam + Navy Cross

When an ambush turned sour, Petty Officer David Larsen took up arms to provide support for his fellow servicemen. Taking on an enemy force of…

Eight Military Bases That Have Been Abandoned for Decades

The Teufelsberg + the Wolf's lair.

At their construction, military bases are intended to be some of the most utilized structures. However, when conflicts come to a close and as technologies…

A Faux Paris Was Built to Fool German Bombers During World War I

Aerial view of Paris at sunset + Map showing the streets of faux Paris

When Paris was the target of German bombers during the First World War, officials immediately began to devise ways to stop future air raids from…

Germany Hoped the Krummlauf Would Change the Outcome of WWII – It Didn’t

US soldier holding an M3 with a curved barrel

The curved bullet scene in Wanted (2008) wasn’t the first time the concept of having a bullet travel around corners was thought up. In fact, during…

Project Fantasia: When America Planned to Use Glow-In-the-Dark Foxes Against Japan

Map of Japan + Fox looking back + Fox walking

When the United States entered the Second World War following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, it seemed as though the country had a “no…

Three Aircraft Defended Malta from the Entire Italian Air Force

Side profile of a grounded Gloster Gladiator

When Italy joined the Second World War, the island of Malta found itself immediately under attack. The only defenses available were three Gloster Sea Gladiators…

Billy Waugh Couldn’t Walk Away From the US Military, Not Even After Being Shot In the Head

Billy Waugh sitting on a couch

Billy Waugh had a long military career, during which he honorably served. His commitment earned him many awards, including the Silver Star, four Bronze Stars,…

Kim Campbell: One of the Few US Air Force Pilots to Manually Land An A-10

Bullet-ridden Republic Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II + Distinguished Flying Cross + Kim Campbell in her US Air Force uniform

Kim Campbell is an US Air Force pilot who performed an incredible manual flight and landing in Afghanistan when her Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II…

77 Years After His Deployment, Couple Gets Their Dream Wedding Photos

Royce and Frankie King kissing under a veiled arch

The Second World War prevented Royce and Frankie King from having the wedding of their dreams. Nearly 80 years later, they were given the opportunity…

Tim Abell Brings His Experience as an Army Ranger to His Acting Career

Tim Abell posing for a photo on a red carpet

Tim Abell is a former US Army Ranger who served for four years before becoming a Hollywood actor. Throughout his move into acting, he’s been…

The Sabot Round Pierces Tanks and Liquifies Its Targets

Soldier placing a sabot round on the ground, beside a number of others

The sabot round is a form of ammunition used by tanks for armored warfare. The non-explosive anti-tank round surrounds a projectile and allows it to…