Samantha Franco

Samantha Franco is a Freelance Content Writer who received her Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Guelph, and her Master of Arts degree in history from the University of Western Ontario. Her research focused on Victorian, medical, and epidemiological history with a focus on childhood diseases. Stepping away from her academic career, Samantha previously worked as a Heritage Researcher and now writes content for multiple sites covering an array of historical topics.

In her spare time, Samantha enjoys reading, knitting, and hanging out with her dog, Chowder!

linkedin.com/in/samantha-v-franco

Articles by Samantha Franco:

Battle of Saragarhi: 21 Sikhs vs. 10,000 Afghan Rebels

Sikh officers standing together in a makeshift camp

Between two British forts on the Samana Range stood a signaling outpost. It was operated by a small crew and became the target of a…

Outnumbered 25:1, the ‘Glorious Glosters’ Put Up a Heroic Last Stand On Hill 235

Members of the "Glorious Glosters" standing in a line + Military portrait of James Carne

The Battle of Imjin River was a Korean War engagement between UN and Chinese troops. Fought over four days, it saw the last stand of…

Snipex Alligator: The Ukrainian Sniper Rifle That Fires Anti-Tank Bullets

Snipex Alligator sitting in the middle of a snowy field

Written by Samantha Franco and Clare Fitzgerald The Snipex Alligator is a massive anti-material rifle (AMR) that’s manufactured by XADO-Holding, Ltd. Having only recently entered…

Selous Scouts: The Specialized Rhodesian Force With a Controversial History

Members of the Rhodesian Security Forces gathered together at a camp

The Selous Scouts were a specialized force that fought in the Rhodesian Bush War under the Rhodesian Army. Comprised of trained soldiers working alongside ex-guerrillas,…

Alexander Suvorov: The Russian Military Leader Who Erased Napoleon’s Gains In Italy

Portrait of Alexander Suvorov

Alexander Suvorov was a general of the Russian Army during the 18th century, leading his men through incredible victories and rising through the ranks. His…

Wait for Me, Daddy: The True Story Behind the Iconic World War II Photo

Warren Bernard running to his father who is standing in line with other Canadian soldiers

The Wait for Me, Daddy photograph became one of the most famous images to come out of Canada during the Second World War. A seemingly…

Deadly Military Uniform Designs That Ultimately Got Soldiers Killed

Three re-enactors dressed as British soldiers during the American Revolution

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 Abandoned Military Bases That Have Been Abandoned for Decades

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…