Modern | War History

Major Donation Drives The Tank Museum’s King Tiger Fundraising Appeal Close to Halfway Point

Man power washing the inside of King Tiger V2

A private £100,000 donation from William Bannister has propelled The Tank Museum‘s King Tiger V2 restoration fundraiser to reach nearly half of its £1 million…

The Tank Museum Releases New ‘Guide To’ Book About the Leopard 1

'The Tank Museum Guide to Leopard 1' on display

The Tank Museum has announced the latest book in its Guide To series, The Tank Museum Guide to Leopard 1, and purchasers have a chance…

The WWII Secret That Built the Farmworker Movement: How a 1942 Emergency Labor Deal Outlasted Its Leaders

Maria
Mexicans in flax field

March 31, 2026, marks a somber turning point in American labor history. Traditionally observed as César Chávez Day, the date has been widely refocused this…

The Tank Museum Announces More Guest Vehicles for TANKFEST 2026

Deborah II parked in a field

The Tank Museum has announced two replica World War I vehicles taking to the museum’s Kuwait arena for TANKFEST 2026. Guest vehicles Deborah II, a…

£100,000 Donation Boosts Museum’s King Tiger Restoration Project

Worker overseeing work on the King Tiger V2

A £100,000 donation has boosted the Tank Museum’s plan to restore a unique World War II-era tank to running condition. The major gift means it’s…

Sniper vs Trumpeter: The Normandy Orchard Solo That Stopped a Bullet

Chris A.
An artistic depiction of Jack Tueller playing the trumpet at night.

In the summer of 1944, the orchards of Normandy were a deadly labyrinth of hedgerows and hidden snipers. For the men of the Ninth Air…

They Fought for a Country That Refused to Fight for Them: The Double V Campaign and America’s Segregated WWII Army

Maria
Tuskegee Airmen - Circa May 1942 to Aug 1943 Location unknown, likely Southern Italy or North Africa

On the International Day to End Racial Discrimination, let’s revisit the story of over one million Black Americans who stormed beaches and flew combat missions…

Ireland’s Secret WWII Bid to Team Up With Germany: Operation Dove

Maria
Cinematic shot of a hand shake between a WW2 German officer and an Irish Republican Army member. --ar 4:3

On St. Patrick’s Day, one of the strangest Irish wartime stories is worth revisiting. St. Patrick’s Day usually brings up parades, politics, and Irish identity.…

You Won’t Believe the Bravery of These 5 Animal Soldiers

Chris A.
Wotjek the bear playing with Polish officers.

In the annals of military history, the most decorated heroes aren’t always human. From the mud of the Western Front to the hills of the…

The Briefcase That Could End the World: Inside the “Nuclear Football”

Chris A.
A military officer carries "The Football" onto Marine One as President Barack Obama departs the White House in Washington. The Nuclear Football is a black briefcase meant to be used by the President of the United States of America to authorize a nuclear attack while away from fixed command centers, such as the White House Situation Room. It functions as a mobile hub in the strategic defense system of the United States.

Somewhere near the President of the United States right now, a mid-grade military officer is carrying a black leather briefcase. This officer isn’t a cabinet…

Before the Blitz, Britain’s Forgotten WWII Pet Massacre Killed 750,000 Pets

Maria
Cinematic black and white shot of a long line of people with their pets, standing in front of vet clinics in 1939 Britain.

When people think about the first days of World War II, they picture Germany’s invasion of Poland, Britain’s declaration of war, and children being evacuated…

The Tank Museum Continuing Major Restoration Work on King Tiger V2

Construction worker lifting the turret off King Tiger V2 with a rope, while other workers watch from behind the tank

The Tank Museum has announced the latest update on its restoration of the King Tiger V2. The restoration project, which is one of the museum’s…

Johnny Appleseed Day Has a Surprising WWII Link: How Victory Gardens Helped Feed the War

Maria
Schoolchildren from Montgomeryshire 'dig for victory'

March 11 is commonly observed as Johnny Appleseed Day, and it is a good excuse to look past the folk tale. Johnny Appleseed was in…

The Brave Cats of the Great War: Why Every Trench Unit Wanted a Feline Companion

Chris A.
A cat with a badge during ww1.

Life in the trenches of the Western Front was defined by mud, disease, and the constant threat of death. But amid the artillery shells and…

The Night the U.S. Navy Task Force Attacked the Planet Venus

Chris A.
An artistic depiction of soldiers aboard a US Navy Warship panicking after seeing the planet Venus in the night sky. They mistook it for a Japanese Fu-Go balloon.

In the closing months of World War II, the skies over the Pacific were a source of constant anxiety. The Japanese had unleashed a desperate…

The Women Who Terrified Armies: Forgotten Female Fighters of World War II

Maria
Deputy Commander of the 46th Guards NBAP S. Amosov sets a combat mission for pilots, Gelendzhik

Tomorrow, 8th March, the world celebrates International Women’s Day. But long before the marches, the milestones, and the movements, women were already fighting — literally…

The Plane That Survived Pearl Harbor and Got Its Revenge at Midway

Chris A.
SBD Dauntless BuNo 2106

Military aircraft are built for the front lines, but few ever achieve the legendary ‘survivor’ status of Bureau Number 2106. This specific Douglas SBD Dauntless…

From The Tank Museum: Wartime Bullet Discovered In Museum Tank

Mauser round placed upright on a surface

Conservation work stopped when engineers at the Tank Museum in Bovington, Dorset, United Kingdom, discovered a live bullet that had lain undisturbed for over 80…

Why the German Army Refused to Use the “Superior” Captured T-34

Chris A.
An image of a Soviet T-34 tank.

In the summer of 1941, during the opening stages of Operation Barbarossa, German tank crews encountered a battlefield “ghost” that shattered their belief in Panzer…

Why the US Navy Invaded Antarctica in 1946 (And the UFO Myth It Created)

Chris A.
An image of a Nazi UFO from the BTS of the movie Iron Sky.

In August 1946, less than a year after the surrender of Japan, the United States Navy mobilized a force that looked less like a scientific…

The 1917 Intercept That Pulled America Into WWI—and Feels Like 2026

Maria
A private house remains destroyed after a Russian mass missile and drone attack on February 22, 2026 in Kyiv, Ukraine.

2026’s Shadow War Headlines As late February 2026 marked four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the anniversary coverage wasn’t just about trenches, drones,…

The “Death Card” in Apocalypse Now: What the Ace of Spades Actually Meant in Vietnam

Chris A.
An American soldier in Vietnam with an Ace of Spades card attached to his M1 helmet.

If you look closely at combat photography from the Vietnam War, one unofficial insignia appears more than any other: the Ace of Spades. Tucked into…

The Forgotten American Hero: How a Nebraskan Teacher Became the “Lafayette of Iran” Before a Sniper’s Bullet

Howard Baskerville (1885-1909)

With Iran back in the news over Hormuz diplomacy and Geneva talks, an older U.S.–Iran story feels strangely alive: a 24-year-old teacher who chose a…

The U.S. Navy Just Amassed an Unprecedented Fleet off Iran—Here’s What Happened The Last Time They Clashed

Iranian military personnel take part in an exercise titled 'Smart Control of the Strait of Hormuz', launched by the Naval Forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, is being carried out in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz on February 16, 2026.

Iran’s February 2026 Hormuz drills revived an old lesson: one mine can flip a standoff into the biggest U.S. surface action since WWII. In February…

The “Coo” de Grâce: Why the US Navy’s First Smart Bomb Was Powered by Pigeons

Chris A.
A pelican missile modified to be piloted by a pigeon.

Long before the silicon chip or the GPS satellite, the United States military looked into the eyes of a common street bird and saw the…

The Tank That Flew (Once): The Audacious Failure of the Soviet Antonov A-40

Chris A.
An artistic depiction of the Antonov A-40 tank

Modern military logistics rely on massive cargo planes like the C-17 to transport armor, but in 1942, the Soviet Union attempted something far more daring.…

The Navy’s Secret WW2 Weapon for Aircraft Carriers Was a ‘Flying Pancake’

Chris A.
A depiction of the Vought V-173 flying.

During World War II, military engineers weren’t afraid to challenge conventional thinking. While fighters like the F6F Hellcat and P-51 Mustang dominated the skies, another…

Around 50,000 Cold Casualties: The Battle That Proved Winter Is America’s Deadliest Enemy

Chris A.
A movie still from the Band of Brothers (2001) movie of a soldier helping another soldier who has fallen on his back against a wall.

In the history of American warfare, no single enemy has inflicted more consistent, agonizing, and preventable damage than the weather. While history books focus on…

Military Medals Belonging to World War II Tank Commander Purchased By The Tank Museum

Lt. Col. Stewart Inglis Howard-Jones running in a sports field with other men + Military portrait of Lt. Col. Stewart Inglis Howard-Jones + Lt. Col. Stewart Inglis Howard-Jones' medals

The medal group of a World War II-era tank commander photographed with Winston Churchill has been purchased by the Tank Museum, with support from the…

General Winter: How History’s Greatest Commanders Weaponized the Cold

Chris A.
A poster of an artistic depiction of Russia's General Winter/Frost

In military history, the environment is rarely neutral. While most generals fear the frost, the greatest strategic minds—from the Russian Tsars to Finnish guerillas—didn’t just…

Black History Month: The WWI Black Soldiers America Needed—but Didn’t Trust

African-American soldiers of the 369th (15th NY) regiment, who won the Croix de Guerre for gallantry in action in WWI; they are (front row), left to right: Pvt Ed 'Eagle Eye' Williams, Pvt Herbert 'Lamp Light' Taylor, Pvt Leon E Fraiter, Pvt Ralph 'Kid Hawk' Hawkins; (back row), left to right: Sgt Henry Davis Primas Sr, Daniel W Storms Jr, Pvt Joe 'Kid Woney' Williams, Pvt Alfred 'Kid Buck' Manley, Corporal Tyler W Taylor

February is Black History Month in the United States, a time to look back at stories that shaped the country, but often left out of…

Ghost Army of World War II: They Fought with Art, Not Guns—and It Worked

Chris A.
A depiction of a three soldiers from the Ghost Army of WW2.

When people think of World War II, they imagine tanks, rifles, and massive armies clashing across Europe. But one of the most unusual and effective…

From WWII Air Raid Shelters to Billionaire Bunkers: A War-Tested Idea Returns

Blast-proof Bomb Shelter in London

In recent years, headlines about tech billionaires quietly building underground bunkers have become almost routine. From New Zealand bolt-holes to luxury shelters hidden beneath American…

The First Guests Have Been Announced for TANKFEST 2026

Nashorn parked in a clearing in the woods

Two German-built tanks will be attending the world’s biggest display of historic moving armour this coming June. Nicknamed the Nashorn “Phoenix” after restoration was delayed…

This WWII Arctic War Aircraft Carrier Plan Sounds Ridiculous—Until You Learn Why

Maria
Airplane carrier made of ice floating in the Arctic waters

It sounds like something dreamed up on a napkin during a long winter night, but it was very real. In the middle of World War…

Rudy Reyes Talks FORCE BLUE and the Importance of Maritime Conservation

Portrait of Rudy Reyes

The majority likely know World of Warships for being the action-packed naval arm of Wargaming’s multiplayer game series, but few know it does much outside…

World War I Tank Gunner’s Story Discovered in Moving Letter

Man holding up the letter written by Lt. D.A. Palmer

A letter recently donated to The Tank Museum, poignantly arriving the week before Remembrance Sunday, offers a glimpse into the bravery and resilience of tank…

Did You Know the Small Island of Alderney Has a Long Military History?

Geoff Moore
Woman standing outside a World War II structure

Curvaceous soft sandy beaches sit side-by-side with brutalist concrete constructs left over from World War II. These are now reminders of when the island of…

Devon’s Wartime History and Its Role in D-Day

Geoff Moore
Woman standing between two slabs of stone outside

A series of holiday beaches in Devon, in the United Kingdom, were once vital training grounds that contributed to the success of D-Day. This is…

Five-Star Hotel in Guernsey was Once for German Soldiers

Geoff Moore
Pool at the exterior of the Old Government House + German soldiers marching down a city street

A five-star hotel on the Channel Island of Guernsey has a unique story to tell that took place during its occupation by the German forces…

World War II-Era German Bunker Found Beneath Couple’s Home

Door attached to an underground bunker

Carrie and Shaun Tullier have a house with probably the best foundations on Guernsey, in the Channel Islands. It starts with a two-meter-thick slab of…

Infamous World War II Tank Reveals New Evidence of Desperate Final Battle

Tiger 131 parked in a garage

A piece of shrapnel concealed inside one of The Tank Museum‘s most popular exhibits for over 80 years provides insight into the bloody history of…

See Historic World War II-Era Tanks in Action at Tiger Day Autumn 2025

Tiger 131 and actors dressed as World War II-era soldiers participating in a re-enactment

Tiger Day Autumn is among the most highly-anticipated events of the year for tank and military enthusiasts alike, and the Tank Museum in Bovington, Dorset,…

Win a Ride in a Rare World War II-Era Tank – Thanks to The Tank Museum!

Crowd watching Tiger 131 drive around a dirt track

The Tank Museum is offering the chance for two lucky individuals to win a ride in the world-famous Tiger 131 at the museum’s Tiger Day…

M47 Patton Makes Running Debut at TANKFEST 2025

M47 Patton leading a row of tanks down a dirt path

Just a year after the Tank Museum launched a £50,000 fundraising campaign to revive its M47 Patton tank, the iconic Cold War-era vehicle roared back…

The Tank Museum Receives Leopard AS1 Donation from Australian Army

Leopard AS1 parked outside

The Leopard I was one of the most iconic tanks of the Cold War, with numerous variants developed for service outside of Europe. One was…

Iconic World War II Tanks United for the First Time at TANKFEST 2025

A King Tiger and Tiger 131 driving around a dirt track

Thousands of spectators witnessed two rare Second World War-era German Tiger tanks running together for the first time ever at a special display as part…

Running King Tiger Ready to Make UK Debut at TANKFEST 2025

Man standing in a King Tiger that's parked outside of a building

TANKFEST 2025 is only a few days away, and the most anticipated guest at this year’s event has arrived at the Tank Museum. The world’s…

M3 Grant to Make Running Debut at TANKFEST 2025

M3 Grant parked outside

With TANKFEST 2025 taking place in just a few weeks, the Tank Museum has made an exciting announcement: an M3 Grant will be making its…

Harlem Hellfighters: The All-Black Military Unit That Broke Barriers on the Western Front

Nine members of the 369th Infantry Regiment sitting together

When it comes to American military history, few units are as storied and famous as the Harlem Hellfighters. Officially the 369th Infantry Regiment, this all-Black…

ORP Błyskawica: Poland’s World War II-Era Naval Beast

ORP Błyskawica in a finishing dock

While often overlooked when it comes to naval warfare, Poland has operated some major machinery on the high seas – including two of the fastest…

Have Your Name Published in The Tank Museum’s Brand New Guide to the A34 Comet!

"The Tank Museum Guide to the A34 Comet" atop an armored vehicle

The Tank Museum Guide to the A34 Comet, a brand-new publication with over 300 photographs and illustrations, is available for pre-order now at a special…

Iconic Churchill Tank Makes ‘Homecoming’ Visit to Luton

People standing around a Churchill Mark III tank

The Tank Museum chose to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day in a special way – by taking a Churchill Mark III back to…

Celebrating 80 Years Since Guernsey’s Liberation from German Occupation

Tractor pulling a trailer designed to look like the SS Vega, with people standing in it

*This trip was made possible through the support of the St. Pierre Park Hotel, the Old Government House Hotel, Blueislands and Aurigny. It’s been 80…

World of Warships Presents: The Longest Night of Museums

Illustration of three warships in turbulent seas

Join a live tour of naval museums around the world from the comfort of your home! This Sunday (May 18), and for the fifth consecutive…

The Tank Museum Announces Cold War Vehicle Line-Up for TANKFEST 2025

FV4101 Charioteer parked in a grassy field

The Tank Museum has announced the Cold War-era vehicles that will be making an appearance at its highly-anticipated annual tank showcase, TANKFEST 2025. The three-day…

World of Tanks Commemorating 80th Anniversary of VE Day with PvE Mission, Livestream from The Tank Museum

Rendering of three soldiers walking down a dirt road at dusk

World War II officially came to an end in Europe on May 8, 1945, and World of Tanks is commemorating the 80th anniversary of the…

World of Warships Naval History Review: Spring 2025

In-game rendering of SMS Von der Tann

Being a video game franchise about 20th-century naval combat, the team at World of Warships has ample experience portraying the intricacies of naval history, from…

The Unique British Hotel With World War II-Era Pillboxes On Its Property

View of Burgh Island

One of the United Kingdom’s most iconic hotels was also very much on the frontline of defensive duties during the Second World War. Its island…

Have You Ever Wanted to Take a Ride in a German Tiger Tank? Now May Be Your Chance!

Tanks following Tiger 131 along a dirt track

If you’ve ever wanted to take a ride in a World War II-era German Tiger I tank, now may be your chance. The Tank Museum…

The Tank Museum Acquires Cold War-Era Charioteer

Charioteer parked outside a building

A new addition to the Tank Museum‘s collection, a Charioteer, arrived at the location last week. Recently acquired in Finland, the long-term plan is for…

Museum Housing the Führer’s Desk Temporarily Closed for Roof Repairs

Exterior of the Keep Military Museum

A museum housing the Führer‘s desk, which was taken from the Reichskanzlei in 1945, has had to close to the public because of a leaking…

The Tank Museum to Recreate Capture of Infamous German Tank at Tiger Day Spring

Crowd watching Tiger 131 drive around a dirt track

The Tank Museum is gearing up for Tiger Day, its twice-yearly showcase of the world’s only running Tiger I tank and other World War II-era…

The Names of 425,000 Individuals Who Collaborated With the Germans in World War II Have Been Released

Dutch collaborators being marched down a street

For the first time, the names of 425,000 individuals who collaborated with the Germans during the occupation of the Netherlands in World War II have…

Who Are the Latest Korean and Vietnam War Veterans to Receive the Medal of Honor?

Joe Biden presenting the Medal of Honor to Kenneth J. David

The Medal of Honor is the highest decoration that can be bestowed by the US military. It’s a symbol of gallantry in times of war…

Irena Sendler: The Polish Woman Who Helped Smuggle 2,500 Children Out of the Warsaw Ghetto

Two children sitting against the wall of a building + Portrait of Irena Sendler

In times of war, it’s not only soldiers who perform feats of great valor and display incredible courage. Oftentimes, non-combatant civilians risk their lives by…

James Risner Chased an Enemy MiG Into China to Shoot It Down, Then Survived the Hanoi Hilton

North American F-86 Sabres in flight + Military portrait of James Risner

James Robinson “Robbie” Risner was a skilled US military pilot, a double recipient of the Air Force Cross, and a hero of both the Korean…

Manuel V. Mendoza Really Was a One-Man Army – The Germans in His Way Didn’t Survive Long

Explosion on a hillside + Military portrait of Manuel V. Mendoza

Countless heroic tales have gone unrecognized from periods of warfare that have formed parts of American history. For several years, many heroes were overlooked during…

George Ray Tweed: The Man Who Evaded the Japanese on Guam for Over Two Years

Still from 'No Man Is an Island' + Portrait of George Ray Tweed

In times of war, it’s almost a given that humans will push themselves beyond their limits to commit feats of extraordinary courage and valor. Those…

Jacklyn Lucas: The 17-Year-Old MoH Recipient Who Threw Himself on Two Grenades to Save His Comrades on Iwo Jima

US Marines charging up a beach on Iwo Jima + Jacklyn Lucas wearing his US military uniform

When Japan bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, many Americans were understandably enraged. One person was so incensed, in fact, that he fought the…

Vietnam Veteran and Second-Longest Held POW in American History to Receive Congressional Gold Medal

Everett Alvarez, Jr. speaking into a microphone

Hundreds of US service members were taken by the North Vietnamese (NVA) and held prisoner during the Vietnam War. What makes Everett Alvarez, Jr. unique…

Operation Catechism: Demise of the German Battleship Tirpitz

Tirpitz at sea

When asked about Germany’s best warships during the Second World War, odds are Bismarck and Tirpitz come to mind. These behemoths, with their over 50,000-ton…

Descendant of Alaskan Native Leader Calls for Japan to Pay Reparations for 1942 Aleutian Islands Invasion

View of a coastal village on Attu Island

The Aleutian Islands Campaign of World War II is often overlooked when discussions of the conflict occur. The Japanese invasion and occupation, which ran from…

USS Mason (DE-529): ‘Eleanor’s Folly’ Helped Break Racial Barriers in the US Navy

Three sailors standing near the docked USS Mason (DE-529)

When you think of history-defining naval vessels, odds are the USS Mason (DE-529) comes to mind. The Evarts-class destroyer escort served valiantly in the final…

After Pearl Harbor, a Japanese Pilot Landed His Damaged Zero on a Tiny Hawaiian Island and Terrorized Its Residents

Damaged Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero in a field + Shigenori Nishikaichi standing at the wheel of an aircraft

December 7, 1941, is remembered as the day Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, but it’s also the day the Ni’ihau Incident began. The incident, involving Shigenori…

December 7, 1941: A Date Which Will Live in Infamy

US Navy ships shrouded in smoke

On December 7, 1941, Japanese launched a surprise attack on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The assault shocked the United States and…

HMS Glowworm (H92) vs Admiral Hipper: A Daring Battle in the North Sea

HMS Glowworm (H92) at sea

The HMS Glowworm (H92) may have been lost early in the Second World War, but that doesn’t mean the British destroyer didn’t play an important…

Japan to Exhume Over 1,000 War Dead on Peleliu

US Marines watching a flamethrower being fired at Japanese fortifications on Peleliu

Eighty years after the bloody Battle of Peleliu, the Japanese government plans to exhume over 1,000 war dead from the Pacific island. The country’s Health,…

Husband E. Kimmel: The Scapegoat for Pearl Harbor

Men standing in a boat, near a ship that's on fire and shrouded in smoke + Military portrait of Husband E. Kimmel

There are few US military disasters that could rival what took place on December 7, 1941. The United States saw over 2,400 killed, hundreds of…

BBC Acquires Jacob Elordi-Led World War II Miniseries ‘The Narrow Road to the Deep North’

Still from 'The Narrow Road to the Deep North'

Jacob Elordi has been announced as leading the small screen adaptation of The Narrow Road to the Deep North. The Euphoria (2019-present) and Saltburn (2023)…

Operation K: The Lesser-Known Japanese Attack Against the US Pacific Fleet

Kawanishi H8K in flight

The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, has been the subject of many books and movies. It occurred with little advanced warning and…

Documentary Inspired By ‘The Tattooist of Auschwitz’ Coming to Sky HISTORY

Still from 'The Tattooist of Auschwitz' + Gary Sokolov standing on a red carpet

Following the release of the miniseries The Tattooist of Auschwitz (2024), Sky HISTORY has announced a documentary centered around the protagonists’ son, Gary Sokolov. The…

Russian Recruits Have a Life Expectancy of Just One Month After Enlisting to Serve in Ukraine

Russian soldiers walking in unison

With the Russo-Ukrainian War having entered its 33rd month, conditions of each side of the frontline have continued to worsen. Both Russia and Ukraine are…

NASA Accidentally Rediscovers Cold War-Era Military Base Beneath Greenland’s Ice Sheet

Three men standing in an ice tunnel + Radar image of Camp Century

Those with in-depth knowledge of Cold War-era military history likely know about Camp Century, a secret American base that was constructed beneath Greenland’s ice sheet.…

The Bravery and Sacrifice of Sophie Scholl: The 21-Year-Old Who Gave Her Life for the Resistance

Monument dedicated to Hans and Sophie Scholl and the White Rose + Portrait of Sophie Scholl

When you think of famous World War II-era Resistance fighters, odds are Sophie Scholl doesn’t immediately come to mind – but she should. The 21-year-old…

‘Fat Man’ Decimated Nagasaki and Became the Last Nuclear Weapon Deployed in Warfare

Takashi Nagai standing amid the ruins of Nagasaki

Fat Man was the codename given to the plutonium core nuclear weapon that was developed as part of the Manhattan Project at Los Alamos National…

Two American Fighter Pilots Took on the Japanese Attack at Pearl Harbor – Hungover

Aerial view of Ford Island under attack + Military portrait of Ken Taylor + George Welch wearing his military uniform

The nuances of military history are often lost to the passage of time and with the men who could provide firsthand accounts. As much as…

Debunking Myths About the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor

USS West Virginia (BB-48) and Tennessee (BB-43) shrouded in smoke

A lot’s known about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, but how much is true and what’s become twisted over the decades? The American entry…

A World War II-Era German Defensive Line Has Become Europe’s Largest Man-Made Bat Reserve

View down a dark tunnel + A lit tunnel at the Ostwall Fortifications

In the quiet, unassuming Polish countryside are the World War II-era Ostwall Fortifications. Once a formidable underground stronghold constructed and used by the German forces…

The Touching Ceremonies That Allowed USS Arizona (BB-39) Survivors to Reunite With Their Fallen Shipmates

Aerial view of the USS Arizona Memorial

The USS Arizona (BB-39) was a Pennsylvania-class battleship built for and by the US Navy in the mid-1910s. She was named for the 48th state,…

Tuskegee Airmen: The African-American Pilots Who Broke Barriers in World War II

Five Tuskegee Airmen kneeling next to an aircraft

In the early 20th century, the notion of African Americans serving as pilots in the US military was unthinkable to many in power. However, as…

The US Military Once Built a Japanese Warship in the Middle of the California Desert

North American B-25 Mitchell flying over the Muroc Maru

Did you know the US Army Air Forces (USAAF) constructed a Japanese warship in the middle of the California desert during the Second World War?…

Why Did John F. Kennedy Keep a Coconut in the Oval Office?

John F. Kennedy sitting in PT-109 + Coconut etched with a message by John F. Kennedy

Before John F. Kennedy was the 35th President of the United States, he was a lieutenant in the US Navy during World War II.  During…

Upcoming Film ‘Never Alone’ Looks at Finland’s Deportation of Jewish Refugees in World War II

Ville Virtanen and Klaus Härö on the set of 'Never Alone'

Few movies are made about Finland’s role in World War II, especially when it comes to the country’s part in the Holocaust. While many are…

Shizuya Hayashi: The Japanese-American Soldier Who Showed Astounding Bravery on His First Day of Combat

Members of the 100th Infantry Battalion lined up along a road + Shizuya Hayashi looking to the side

During the Italian Campaign in World War II, German soldiers faced a sight they’d never expected: Japanese-American soldiers. These men were members of the 100th…

No legs, No Problem: The Incredible Story of RAF Ace Douglas Bader

Douglas Bader sitting on the exterior of a Hawker Hurricane

It made sense that most Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots would be superstitious when one considers how much could go wrong, but if Wing Commander…

Charles Lightoller: The Titanic Second Officer Who Helped Evacuate Over 120 Men at Dunkirk

Allied soldiers standing on a beach + Portrait of Charles Lightoller

The sinking of the RMS Titanic is an infamous event in history. Most people know about the iceberg and the fact there were too few…

British Man Builds World War II-Era Anderson Shelter in His Back Garden

Trad Casey sitting in an Anderson Shelter

A World War II enthusiast has created a historical man cave by building a sunken Anderson Shelter in his back garden in Dorset, United Kingdom.…

Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport is Named for the US Navy’s First Air Ace of World War II

Two Grumman F4F Wildcats in flight + Edward "Butch" O'Hare dressed in his pilot's attire + Medal of Honor

Few pilots have the innate skill in the cockpit that Edward “Butch” O’Hare did. The US naval aviator was a natural, and over the course…

The Last Soldier to Lose His Life in World War I Died One Minute Before the Armistice Went Into Effect

Aerial view of fighting happening at Varennes-an-Argonne, Meuse, France + Henry Gunther's image etched into a plaque

World War I bore witness to the deaths of some 15 million soldiers and civilians over the four and a half years it raged. Few…