Modern | War History

Finland Loved This Unlikely Fighter Plane: The Brewster Buffalo

A US Navy version of the Brewster Buffalo takes flight

The Finnish Air Force is one of the oldest in the world, predating the British RAF and the Swedish Flygvapnet. And Finnish pilots have long…

Here’s How Charles Jackson French Became a Naval Hero During the Battle of Guadalcanal

Charles Jackson French, a hero of World War II

Dorie Miller is the most well-known African American hero of World War II. The United States Navy cook was on board the battleship West Virginia…

The M79 Grenade Launcher Had Its Benefits and Drawbacks

Pvt. Marvin Jordan crouching in the grass while holding an M79 grenade launcher + SSG Alvin J. Rouly supervising trainees firing M79 grenade launchers

The M79 grenade launcher was known by many names, including the “Thumper-Gun” and the “Bloop Tube” – Australians even called it the “Wombat Gun.” Resembling…

Captain America Was Created in Part to Encourage U.S. Involvement in WW2

Captain America

In the late 1930s, comic books had become incredibly popular. In April of 1938, D.C. Comics released Action Comics 1, the first appearance of Superman,…

8 Fierce Historical Military Figures Most People Haven’t Heard About

Portrait of Francis Pegahmagabow + Stanislav Petrov sitting in his apartment + Lyudmila Pavlichenko holding a sniper rifle

History is filled with so many fierce fighters that it’s not surprising some have been largely forgotten following their service. Here are eight of the…

The Often-Misinterpreted Truth About the Military Origins of the Hells Angels Name

Five Curtiss P-40 Warhawks in flight + Member of the Hells Angels wearing a leather vest

The Hells Angels are among the most well-known motorcycle clubs in the world. While the gang is listed as a criminal syndicate in the United…

A B-52 Stratofortress Once Crashed in North Carolina, Dropping Two Nuclear Bombs

Clare Fitzgerald
Firefighters standing around the smouldering wreckage of the B-52 Stratofortress

The Cold War was a time of uncertainty across the world, particularly in the United States, where the majority of the population feared a nuclear…

Gail Halvorsen Dropped Candy Over Berlin During the Soviet Blockade In 1948-49

Clare Fitzgerald
Gail Halvorsen standing among a crowd of children

The Soviet blockade of Berlin in 1948-49 was a tough time for those living in the German capital. The United States was among the Allied…

Jim Morrison’s Father Played a Role In the Gulf of Tonkin Incident

USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) at sea + Military portrait of George Stephen Morrison

For hardcore fans of The Doors, it’s relatively well-known that lead singer Jim Morrison‘s father was a flag officer in the US Navy.  A lesser-known…

The White House Added This Feature Following the Attack on Pearl Harbor

Exterior of the White House

Since the cornerstone was laid in October 1792, the White House has always been looked upon as a symbol of freedom, openness and democracy. The…

The Sherwood Rangers’ Road to Victory: From Horseback To Tanks In A Single War

While most soldiers in war are either career military or are forced into service via conscription, some come from volunteer militias. That was the case…

Man Discovers WWII-Era Submachine Guns While Magnet Fishing

Sgt. Maj. E.H. Chevrier instructs Canadian Army recruits on the use of the STEN Mk II

A 50-year-old from the United Kingdom has discovered six World War II-era submachine guns while magnet fishing in a canal near the site of the…