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:

Sherman’s Neckties: The Ingenious Union Tactic That Immobilized the Confederates

Sherman's Necktie laid out on the grass + Military portrait of William Tecumseh Sherman

Sherman’s Neckties – also known as Sherman’s Bowties, Jeff Davis’s Neckties and Sherman’s Hairpins – were railway destruction tactics used by the Union Army during…

Alan Alda and Jamie Farr – The ‘M*A*S*H’ Stars Who Earned Their Stripes In Korea

Cast of 'M*A*S*H'

M*A*S*H (1972-83) centers around the Mobile Army Surgical Hospitals during the Korean War. Although the television show is based on fictional characters, a lot of…

Before Playing a POW In ‘The Great Escape,’ Donald Pleasence Was One In Real Life

Still from 'The Great Escape'

British actor Donald Pleasence became one of the most popular antagonists in television and film, and is probably best known for portraying a prisoner of…

Zheng of Qin: The Chinese Emperor Who Escaped Assassination By Running Around a Pillar

Zheng of Qin peeking out from behind a pillar

Zheng of Qin, who reigned as the first emperor of China’s Qin Dynasty from 221-210 BC, survived several assassination attempts, including some that occurred while…

The Best War-Themed Historical Fiction Films Ever Released

Tom Hanks as Capt. John H. Miller in 'Saving Private Ryan' + Felix Kammerer as Paul Bäumer in 'All Quiet on the Wester Front' + Brad Pitt as Achilles in 'Troy'

History is full of incredible war stories that Hollywood has beautifully reimagined for the silver screen. However, directors will sometimes tweak facts here and there,…

Before He Was Britain’s Most Popular Leading Man, Kenneth More Served with the Royal Navy

HMS Aurora (12) at sea + Kenneth More as Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller in 'A Night to Remember'

Kenneth More was one of Britain’s greatest actors, both on-stage and on the silver screen. He became a household name, but only after he served…

Valentin: The German U-boat Pen That Survived Multiple 22,000-Pound ‘Grand Slam’ Bombs

Two images showing the destruction caused by the Grand Slam bombs that were dropped on the Valentin U-boat pen

During the Second World War, the British dominated the waterways. Their naval fleet proved to be one of the biggest threats to Germany and, as…

Korean War Helicopters That Were Vital to Those Serving In the Conflict

Troops walking toward a Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw + Sikorsky H-5 Dragonfly taking off

The Korean War took place between 1950-53 and saw the UN coalition forces operate a plethora of military vehicles, including helicopters. The United States, in…

The Oddest Showdown of World War II? American Blimp vs German U-boat

Blimp hovering over a German U-boat at sea

In what was arguably the oddest battle to take place during the Second World War, a US Navy blimp duked it out with a German…

Project Iceworm: The US Military’s Plan to House and Deploy ICBMs from Beneath Greenland’s Ice

US Army Polar Research and Development Center personnel installing ceiling support beams + Missile being launched

Project Iceworm was a top-secret operation planned by the US Army during the Cold War. It intended to build a massive military base, housing several…

Black Sea Bumping Incident: When the Soviet Navy ‘Bumped’ the US Out of Its Territorial Waters

USS Yorktown (CG-48) being bumped by Bezzavetnyy

In the 1980s, the Soviet Union took several measures to get American warships out of its territorial waters – this including playing an old-fashioned game…

William Hopper: The Actor Who Played Paul Drake on ‘Perry Mason’ Served in the Navy in WWII

US servicemen watching an explosion in the distance + Portrait of William Hopper

American actor William Hopper is best remembered for his decade-long portrayal of Paul Drake in the original television run of the popular courtroom drama, Perry…