History | War History

Indian Navy Commandos Successfully Recapture Ship from Somali Pirates After 40-Hour-Long Operation

Assault boat filled with people moving away from the MV Ruen

Indian Navy Commandos took control of a pirate ship in the Arabian Sea after a dramatic 40-hour-long operation on March 16, 2024. The mission, performed…

Yasuke: The Legendary Black Samurai Who Reforged His Life’s Path

Ryan McLachlan
Artist's representation of a Japanese samurai

In 2021, Netflix released the anime series, Yasuke. It’s based on the real-life African warrior who, after traveling to Japan, became a talented samurai and…

History of Malbork Castle: From the Teutonic Knights to the Second World War

Samantha Franco
Exterior of Malbork Castle

Malbork Castle has a long and rich history that makes it deserving of its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 13th-century castle is…

Ned Kelly: The Australian Outlaw Who Wore a Suit of Armor During His Last Shootout With Police

Ryan McLachlan
Heath Ledger as Ned Kelly in 'Ned Kelly'

Edward “Ned” Kelly was an infamous Australian bushranger, outlaw, gang leader and convicted police murderer. He’s best known for wearing a bulletproof suit of armor…

Pancho Villa: The Mexican Revolutionary Who Evaded US Capture For Nearly 11 Months

Rosemary Giles
Francisco "Pancho" Villa and other Mexican revolutionaries on horseback

Pancho Villa was easily one of the most beloved leaders of the Mexican Revolution. Born into a humble sharecropping family, he rose from poverty to…

Charles Brown Never Received His MoH Because He Deserted Before It Was Presented

Samantha Franco
Charles Brown, Hugh Purvis and McLane Tilton standing in front of a captured Korean flag

During the 19th century, Korea was extremely isolationist. Before agreeing to the Japan-Korea Treaty of 1876, it didn’t have an interest in developing trade agreements…

Lost Cosmonauts: The Supposed Victims of the Soviet Union’s Space Endeavors

Samantha Franco
Space scene + Yuri Gagarin wearing a spacesuit

During the 1960s, rumors circulated that the Soviet Union had been sending people to space long before they announced their first successful launch. Experiments frequently…

Five Men Who Died At the Alamo

Rosemary Giles
Exterior of the chapel at the Alamo + Two male silhouettes with question marks over their faces

Not only was the Battle of the Alamo one of the most famous engagements during the Texas Revolution, it’s regarded as one of the most…

Ivar the Boneless: How a Disabled Viking Warrior Conquered England

Elisabeth Edwards
Alex Høgh Andersen as Ivar the Boneless in 'Vikings'

The story of Ivar the Boneless has been told for centuries, striking fear into the hearts of Viking children as elders regaled in his most…

Is General Winter Russia’s Greatest Wartime Ally?

Elisabeth Edwards
Artist's rendering of General Winter + German soldier standing in the snow

He’s been Russia’s ally for centuries, aiding in the defeat of some of the greatest armies in history. From Napoleon to the German Wehrmacht, “General…

Five of the Boldest Military Plans From History

Samantha Franco
Red Army soldiers positioned on top of a T-34

Depending on the strategies being implemented, military battles can go either very right or totally wrong. Some have gone down as the most remarkable in…

Six Authoritarian Countries Where Democracy Is Virtually Extinct

Soldier standing in full uniform + Parade occurring on the streets of North Korea

In 2006, The Economist published the first-ever Democracy Index, a system that measures the state of democracy in nations around the world. Ranking countries on…

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

Samantha Franco
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…

Dogs, Emus and Cows – Oh My! Ridiculous Wars Fought Throughout History

Elisabeth Edwards
Dog lying down outside + Close-up of an emu + Cow standing in mud

War has long been a costly approach to conflict, yet it remains a part of international politics and society. From the assassination of Franz Ferdinand…

Arthur Wellesley: The ‘Iron Duke’ Who Defeated Napoleon at Waterloo

Todd Neikirk
Military portrait of Arthur Wellesley

Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, is seen by some to be a contentious figure in British history. A brilliant military leader who aided in…

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

Samantha Franco
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…

Fyodor Ushakov: The Russian Naval Legend and Saint Who Never Lost a Battle

Todd Neikirk
Military portrait of Fyodor Ushakov

Naval power has long been a feature of the world’s most powerful militaries. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Russians had an important advantage…

Prince Henry of Prussia Was Almost a Monarch of the United States

Todd Neikirk
Map of the United States + Portrait of Prince Henry of Prussia

When the United States was in its infancy, most countries were ruled by monarchs. There were some prominent people involved in the Revolutionary War that…

Battle of Kamdesh: Vastly Outnumbered, US Army Troops Defeated Over 300 Taliban Insurgents

Members of the 61st Cavalry Regiment standing together

On October 3, 2009, more than 300 Taliban insurgents descended upon US Army Combat Outpost (COP) Keating in Kamdesh, Afghanistan. The some 50 soldiers of…

Gods of War: History’s Greatest Warriors Who Never Lost a Battle

Elisabeth Edwards
Painting of a battle scene + Statue of Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus + Military portrait of George Henry Thomas

Throughout history, the world’s best leaders have, largely, started out as some of the greatest warriors. From the ancient societies of Greece, Rome and Egypt…

Rare Photographs Reveal the Honorable History of Japan’s Samurai

Portrait of four samurai dressed in armor

Japan’s samurai were among the most powerful warriors of their time, rising through the ranks of society to become rulers in their own right. Not…

Deadly Military Uniform Designs That Ultimately Got Soldiers Killed

Samantha Franco
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…

Korengal Valley: Why the Region Is Nicknamed the ‘Valley of Death’

US Army soldiers walking along a dirt path in the Korengal Valley

Between the mountain ranges bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan lies the infamous Korengal Valley. The area saw some of the deadliest engagements to occur during the…

The Most Fearsome Military Units of All Time

Todd Neikirk
Swiss Guard marching together + Group of Fallschirmjäger walking together

Intimidation plays an important part in conflict, as do teamwork and skill. The most fearsome military units in history combined these three traits, as well…

6-Star General: Only Three Individuals Have Been Promoted to the Prestigious Rank

Military portrait of Ulysses S. Grant + Military portrait of John J. Pershing + Military portrait of George Washington

The rank of 6-star general is so high in the US military’s hierarchy that it’s only ever been given out three times. One recipient was…

Cavalry Scouts Have Been An Integral Part of the US Army for Centuries

Todd Neikirk
Cavalry Scouts jumping out of a helicopter hovering low over the ground

The US Army was officially founded on June 14, 1775. Just a few months later, the Cavalry Scouts were created. These soldiers have played an…

Downing of Extortion 17: The Single Deadliest Incident of the US War in Afghanistan

Samantha Franco
Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopter in flight

On August 6, 2011, the final flight of Extortion 17 resulted in the single deadliest incident for the US military during the War in Afghanistan.…

Battle of Norfolk: The Largest Tank Battle of the First Gulf War

Clare Fitzgerald
Destroyed Iraqi tanks in defensive entrenchments

The First Gulf War consisted of a number of fierce battles between the Iraqi and coalition forces. The first phase of the conflict, dubbed Operation…

The Battle of Kuwait International Airport was the Largest Tank Battle in US Marine Corps History

Todd Neikirk
Two destroyed Iraqi tanks in the desert

In the early 1990s, warfare was largely about air superiority, as was shown in the Gulf War. While the tank had once been the king…

The Famous Patton Tank Couldn’t Hold Its Own Against the Indian Army

Todd Neikirk
Pakistani infantrymen running behind a tank

Over the course of six-and-a-half weeks in 1965, India and Pakistan fought a war – and they didn’t do it alone. The world was watching,…

The US Military Used Tourist Maps to Prepare for the Invasion of Grenada

Samantha Franco
US Marines sitting on a captured Soviet-made BRDM-2 amphibious armored scout car

When the US military invaded Grenada in 1983, troops were grossly unprepared. Knowing little about the country, officials had to get inventive in order to…

The True Story Behind the Events of ‘Charlie Wilson’s War’

Todd Neikirk
Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks as Joanne Herring and Charlie Wilson in 'Charlie Wilson's War' + Charlie Wilson smiling

Charlie Wilson’s War premiered in 2007. The film boasted such A-list talent as Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts, and was a critical success, earning five…

Tsar Nicholas II Wouldn’t Approve the Russian Army’s New Uniform Until He Tested It Out Himself

Samantha Franco
Portrait of Tsar Nicholas II

Tsar Nicholas II saw himself as not only a member of the royal family, but as a soldier as well. He received a military education…

Historic Deception and Camouflage Techniques Used By Militaries

Dummy tank on display

Deception and military subterfuge have been used throughout history. The aim is to give armies the upper hand by tricking the enemy. The practice dates…

Battle for Hill 3234: The True Story Behind the ‘9th Company’ Movie

Elisabeth Edwards
Still from '9th Company'

On January 7, 1988, 39 men from 9th Company, 345th Independent Guards Airborne Regiment, Soviet Airborne Troops landed on the peak of Hill 3234, along…

Operation Desert Storm: The Battle That Changed Modern Warfare Forever

Elisabeth Edwards
Two F-15C Eagle aircraft in flight

Operation Desert Storm changed modern warfare as we know it. Newly-introduced stealth technologies, GPS, advanced aircraft radar and missile warning systems employed by the US…

Colditz Castle Was Turned Into a Prisoner of War Camp During the Second World War

Colditz Castle

Colditz Castle, located in the Saxony town of the same name, has a long history. Dating back to the Holy Roman Empire, it has been…

Time Capsule at Arlington National Cemetery Reveals Preserved Artifacts

Overhead view of the contents of the Memorial Amphitheater time capsule

In May 2020, archivists and historians at Arlington National Cemetery announced the debut of an online exhibit dedicated to the items found within a 105-year-old…

10 Photos of US Troops Displaying Enemy Flags Like Trophies

US soldiers walking in a line through tall grass + US Coast Guardsmen posing with a captured Japanese flag

The “loss” of a unit or army’s colors refers to the capture of a flag in battle or it being taken away as a form…

The History of Snake Island: From WWI to the Russian Invasion of Ukraine

Ukrainian flag flying on Snake Island

One of the most contentious places in Eastern Europe is Snake Island. Located 30 miles off the southern coast of Ukraine in the Black Sea,…

Why Did the US Army Attack the Lakota Sioux at Wounded Knee?

Painting of the Massacre at Wounded Knee

On December 29, 1890, soldiers with the US Army opened fire on hundreds of Lakota Sioux. The group of Native Americans was largely unarmed and…

The Last Stand of the Swiss Guard: A Deadly Fight to Defend Rome from Mercenaries

Todd Neikirk
Painting of the Sack of Rome

History is full of stories about outnumbered armies making brave stands against scores of foes. While the Swiss Guard often look ceremonial with their halberds…

How Did Bravo Zulu Come To Mean ‘Well Done?’

Madeline Hiltz

The military can be a rather thankless place. So when you do get a compliment, it should be celebrated. Arguably, the most famous form of…

Jimmy Carter Once Saved Canada From Nuclear Disaster

Todd Neikirk
Jimmy Carter at a press conference

Jimmy Carter was a one-term president, but he has long been lauded for his character and empathy. The 39th president of the United States, he…

Did the Term ‘Grunt’ Originate in Vietnam or During WWII?

Todd Neikirk
Infantrymen walking through a creek

For decades, infantry soldiers in the US Army and Marine Corps have been called “grunts,” wearing the moniker like a badge of honor. Grunts are…

Is Fort Hood The Most Dangerous Military Base In The United States?

Madeline Hiltz

Like everything in Texas, Fort Hood is huge. Today, Fort Hood is one of the largest military bases in the entire world. Located just outside…

Smedley Butler Had an Incredible Career in the US Marine Corps

Todd Neikirk
Smedley Butler sitting in a chair

Smedley Butler was born into privilege, but decided to fight for his country when he was just a teen. He became one of America’s most…

Things People Get Wrong About the Boston Tea Party

Todd Neikirk
Artist's depiction of the Boston Tea Party

The Boston Tea Party is one of the most famous events in American history. However, it has become difficult to separate mythology from fact, like…

The Contentious History of Russia-Ukraine Relations

Protestor in Ukraine holding up a protest sign + Russian soldiers lined up

The history of Russia-Ukraine relations is a contentious one. The pair’s relationship dates back long before the creation of the Soviet Union and has continued…

Racial Tensions and the Zoot Suit Riots of 1943

American sailors and Marines armed with sticks during the Zoot Suit Riots

California is one of America’s largest states and also one of the most unique. During the 1940s, it had a culture all its own and…

John F. Kennedy’s First Casket Was Buried At Sea

Clare Fitzgerald
John F. Kennedy smiling + Honor Guards watching over John F. Kennedy's flag-draped coffin

The assassination of John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, is one of the most discussed events in the history of American…

6 Of The Most Feared Warriors In Military History

Baba Deep Singh

Since the beginning of time, wars have been fought for various reasons. Some warriors and tribes, though, have been more efficient and brutal than others.…

The 5 Most Unusual Military Units in History

A Gurkha soldier brandishes a Kukri Knife

On the battlefield, any sort of edge can determine who wins and loses. Over time, countries and their militaries have attempted to throw off opponents…

This Greek Priest Saved 27,000 Greek Jews from Deportation

Archbishop Damaskinos Papandreou

Damaskinos Papandreou was the Archbishop of Athens from 1941 to 1949. This position made him the highest-ranking priest in Greece, which was under German occupation…

The Sinking of the MV Wilhelm Gustloff Is The Single Largest Maritime Disaster In History

MV Wilhelm Gustloff

In January 1945 a German transport ship carrying thousands of civilian refugees from northern Europe was sunk in the Baltic Sea. She was torpedoed by…

We Have the US Army to Thank for the McDonald’s Drive-Through

Exterior of a McDonald's restaurant + US Army soldiers in fatigues

It’s hard to imagine a time when we couldn’t drive up to our favorite fast food restaurant and order from the comfort of our cars.…

The First Successful Drone Strike Occurred in 1944

First US Drone

One of the longest-running missions that have continued throughout warfare is finding ways to reduce human involvement in conflicts. Today, drones have enabled this goal…

FG-42: The ‘Fallschirmjäger 42’ German Paratrooper Rifle

FG 42 Automatic Rifle

The FG 42 was a powerful automatic rifle developed by the Germans during WWII and served in a similar role to the Browning Automatic Rifle…

Why the Viet Cong’s Tunnels Were So Deadly And Highly Effective

Tunnels in Vietnam

Of all of the nasty, uncomfortable, deadly, and outright terrifying jobs carried about by those who served in the Vietnam War, clearing Viet Cong tunnels…

The Battle of Bloody Ridge Definitely Earned Its Name During The Korean War

UN Troops Take Bloody Ridge

The Korean War saw United Nations and North Korean forces repeatedly bounce back and forth between gaining territory and quickly losing it. UN troops were…

The Battle of Taejon And Its Importance In The Korean War

The battle of taejon

The Battle of Taejon was a battle that took place early in the Korean War, it was also one of the most important of the…

The M60 Machine Gun Has Withstood the Test of Time, Here’s Why

M-60 Machine Gun and Julie Andrews

The M60 machine gun is as much a symbol of the Vietnam War as the peace sign. This weapon was loved and loathed – it…

The Iconic Colt Single Action Army Certainly Earned Its ‘Peacemaker’ Name

The Colt Peacemaker

The Colt Single Action Army, also known as the Peacemaker, was a handgun that has been seen everywhere from the gunfight at O.K. Corral to…

The HMS Dreadnought (1906) is the Only Battleship to Sink a Submarine

1906 Dreadnought

The HMS Dreadnought was a vessel that quite literally changed the path of naval warfare and design philosophy. She brought in a whole host of…

The MiG-31: A Soviet-Era Interceptor That’s Faster Than Any Western Combat Jet Currently In Service

Mig-31

Designed as a slightly more refined and civilized version of the MiG-25 Foxbat, the MiG-31 is an aircraft that has remained mysterious to the West…

The Shotguns of WWII: Model 1897 and Model 1912

Model 12 during Okinawa

Aside from a flame thrower, there are few close-range weapons as deadly as a shotgun. Shotguns are terrifyingly effective at short ranges, as their shot…

Smith & Wesson Model 29: Dirty Harry’s Go-To Pistol

The .44 Magnum, the most … famous handgun in the world. The original quote is about the Smith & Wesson Model 29, a double-action revolver…

The Bofors 40MM Revolutionized Anti-Aircraft Combat

Boros 40mm Anti-Aircraft Gun

The job of an anti-aircraft gun is surprisingly demanding. It must be able to destroy or deter a fast-moving target by aiming not where it…

The Most Iconic Last Words in Military History: General John Sedgwick

General John Sedgwick was a United States military general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Known as a dependable and brave man,…

Four US Presidents Who Were Battle-Hardened Generals

Andrew Jackson + Ulysses S. Grant + Zachary Taylor + Theodore Roosevelt

Considering the President of the United States is the Commander-in-Chief, it’s surprising military experience is not a requirement for the job. Despite this, many former…

The Japanese Knee Mortar That Terrified Enemies

Japanese Knee Mortar

During the United States’ war against the Japanese, they often enjoyed a technical advantage in terms of equipment and weapons. US flamethrowers, semi-automatic rifles, shotguns,…

How the Russians Made the Kremlin “Disappear” During WWII

Hiding The Kremlin during WWII

During the Soviet Union’s clash with Germany during WWII, many of their cities were reduced to rubble. Historically and culturally significant buildings and artifacts were…

The US And Britain Thought This Paint Could Protect Against a Nuclear Blast

Anti Flash White

When it comes to surviving a nuclear blast, paint is probably the last type of defense you’d consider. However, with the advent of nuclear weapons…

Zimmerit: The Unique Coating Along the Outside of German WWII Armored Vehicles

PanzerV With Zimmerit Applied

When looking at German tanks from WWII, you may have noticed a strange texture covering most surfaces of their armor. Although this looks like some…

Lethal Weapons: 5 of the Most Effective Man-Killing Tools in History

Crusades

Weapons are simply an extension of the capabilities of the human body. In practice, though, they have been extremely expensive and complex, with quite literally…

5 Little-Known Facts About the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

images of the Tomb

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is located in Arlington National Cemetery, in Virginia, United States and is one of the most symbolic and hollowed…

There’s Only One German Dornier Do 335 Aircraft Left In The World

Dornier Do 335 Pfeil

The Dornier Do 335 is one of Germany’s most weird and wonderful late WWII aircraft. Its unique push-pull engine configuration made the Do 335 extremely…

US Marines Took Hawaii in an Illegal Coup

Hawaiian beach and Marines poster

When talking about the US Marine Corps capturing islands, many would think of the island-hopping campaign that took the Corps across the Pacific in WWII.…

Video Footage Shows Extent of Damage Caused by Fighting in WW1

Jacques Trolley de Prévaux featured photo

We have all seen photos of the devastating damage left in the wake of the First World War. Cities that were reduced to rubble, large…

The Military Is The Reason Why the Amish Have Their Distinctive Beards

Jesse Beckett
Three Amish men standing outside

The Amish are a group of traditionalist Christian church fellowships most notable for their relatively “old-fashioned” style of life. As part of living out what…

The USS Intrepid Survived Four Kamikaze Attacks And Continued In Service For Decades

USS Intrepid Docked

The USS Intrepid was an Essex-class aircraft carrier built during WWII. Initially operating in the Pacific Theatre, Intrepid would end up serving a wild 30-year…

The Colt Walker 1847: The Most Powerful Sidearm Ever Issued By the US Military

Colt Walker 1847

In 1846 the United States Army brought the Colt Walker 1847 into service – a revolver that is the most powerful sidearm ever issued by…

America’s Black Hawk Helicopter Still Has A Lot Of Work To Do

Black Hawk And the US Marines

The famous and long-lasting UH-60 Black Hawk, which has been flying since the 1970s, will likely remain in service until the 2030s. The airframe is…

Why WWII’s M1 Carbine was Ahead of Its Time

M1 Carbine Worn By Soldier

The M1 Carbine was a small, lightweight weapon that found itself in the hands of many Allied soldiers during WWII. Its relatively small cartridge led…

The USS North Carolina Was a Nightmare for Japan During WWII

USS North Carolina - Colorized Photo

The USS North Carolina was a mighty battleship that served throughout the Second World War. She was involved in intense combat on many occasions but…

Did Tin Buttons Cause Napoleon’s Army To Retreat From Russia?

Napoleon in Russia

October of 1812 saw a major turning point in Napoleon’s invasion of Russia. Although the French had recently claimed victory at the Battle of Maloyaroslavets,…

The USS Olympia Is a Cruiser with a Battleship’s Guns And A Very Long History

USS Olympia

The USS Olympia is the physical representation of the saying “big things come in small packages”. Launched in 1895, the comparatively small cruiser was armed…

These US Military Jets Accidentally Shot Themselves Down

F-14

As a rule, most aircraft armed with offensive weapons either attack ground targets or other aircraft. Over the past century, we have gotten pretty good…

Hundreds of WWII-Era Munitions Detonated Off Okinawa

Ordnance Detonated in Japan

After the discovery of hundreds of WWII munitions this year leftover from the Battle of Okinawa, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force has begun to destroy…

The Tragic Crash that Took Out the B-24 “Hot Stuff” and Its Crew

B-24 Liberator In Action

Over three months before the B-17 Memphis Belle completed 25 missions, the B-24 Liberator “Hot Stuff” had already returned home from its 25th mission. The…

Here’s Why the US Didn’t Attempt To Match Russia’s Titanium Submarines

Alfa Class Submarine

In 1968 the Soviet Union produced a revolutionary new class of submarines; the Alfa-class. These vessels incorporated a number of advanced and innovative features that…

Why Do US Navy Sailors Have 13-Button Pants?

Portrait of a US Navy sailor standing with his arms crossed and wearing 13-button pants

Navies across the world have traditions, some dating back hundreds of years. Many are so old that their origins have long since been forgotten. However,…

4 Military Advances In Weapons and Machines that Helped Britain Win Battles For Hundreds Of Years

Brown Bess and Britain

Great Britain has been involved in scraps all over the world for centuries. In fact, it’s estimated that Britain has used military force against or…

These 4 Weapons Created For Combat Were Cheap But Ingenious Game Changers

Sometimes, no matter how tactically adept a military force may be, if an opponent suddenly shows up with a particularly advanced or capable weapon, it…

Stanley Hollis: The Only British Soldier to Earn the Victoria Cross for his Actions on D-Day

Sergeant Hollis

Since it was introduced only 1,358 Victoria Crosses have been awarded. One of these was to Stanley Hollis, a soldier in the British Army who…

6 of the Most Disgusting Rations that were actually Given to Soldiers

MRE

Military rations have varied significantly over the years and often reflect the era in which they were produced. After a long day of tiring activities,…

Grumman F-11 Tiger: The US Navy’s Second Supersonic Aircraft has a Weird History

F11F-1

The Grumman F-11 Tiger was an interesting fighter from an era that saw rapid and continuous advances in aircraft design. It was the US Navy’s…

5 Of The Most Brutal Tactics in the History of Warfare

Siege of Leningrad inside the city

War is not known for its friendliness, but throughout history, combatants have often abided by unspoken rules that try to limit unnecessary damage or suffering…

5 ‘Old Hollywood’ Celebrities Who Worked With The OSS To Fight Our Enemies

Julia Child

The Office of Strategic Services, better known as the OSS, was the United States intelligence agency during WWII. It was shut down promptly after the…

Adolf’s Nephew Moved to America, Joined the Navy, and Fought Against Him

US Naval Institute and William Hitler

Adolf Hitler may have been able to convince millions of his twisted ideologies, but he was unable to get members of his own family on…