MSN Slideshow | War History

Tommies: Did the Endearing Term for British Soldiers Actually Originate During WWI?

Three British "Tommies" sitting together in uniform

The term “Tommies” is most closely associated with British soldiers who served during the First World War. However, where and how did the nickname originate?…

Chemical Research and Spy Satellites: Secret Military Bases You’ve Never Heard Of

Rosemary Giles
Aerial view of Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia + Aerial view of Pine Gap

Villains lairs are a staple in the James Bond universe. Whether located deep within a mountain, on a secluded island or inside an oddly-shaped building, they…

Prince Philip and An American GI Are Two Deities Worshipped By WWII-Era Cargo Cults

John Frum followers dancing in a circle

Undoubtedly, the arrival of the Allies in Melanesia had a profound effect on those who lived there. Troops and natives came into contact for the…

John R Fox Ordered An Artillery Barrage On His Own Position to Save His Comrades

US artillerymen manning an artillery battery + Military portrait of John R Fox

In one of the greatest acts of bravery seen during the Second World War, John R Fox ordered an artillery barrage on his own position…

The German V-1 ‘Buzz Bomb’ Was Developed to Terrorize the British Public

V-1 "buzz bomb" on display

Vengeance weapon one (V-1), the “buzz bomb,” the “doodlebug” or the “Fi 103” – whatever name you call it by, this impressive World War II-era…

Secret Service Snipers and Their History of Protecting the US President

Two Secret Service snipers keeping watch over US President Barack Obama from a rooftop

First established by US President Abraham Lincoln in 1865, the Secret Service has protected American political leaders and their families for over 150 years. Within…

Mike Day: The US Navy SEAL Who Survived 27 Bullet Wounds Against All Odds

Rosemary Giles
Iraqi Army scouts and US Navy SEALs participating in a combat shooting drill

Detailing his service overseas in the book, Perfectly Wounded: A Memoir About What Happened After a Miracle, US Navy SEAL Senior Chief Petty Officer Mike…

The Axe Murders of Two US Army Officers Almost Sparked a Second Korean War

Clare Fitzgerald
Memorial to Arthur Bonifas and Mark Barrett

On August 18, 1976, two officers with the US Army were killed while conducting work within the Joint Security Area (JSA) of the Korean Demilitarized…

HMS Victory: The World’s Oldest Warship Still In Commission

Illustration of the HMS Victory at sea

At well over 200 years old, the HMS Victory is undeniably one of the most famous ships in the world. Serving as the flagship for Lord…

Ronald J Shurer: The US Army Medic Who Braved Enemy Fire to Rescue His Fellow Green Berets

Clare Fitzgerald
Three members of the 3rd Special Forces Group standing in Shok Valley + Military portrait of Staff Sgt. Ronald J Shurer II

Many brave men and women risked their lives for their country during the War In Afghanistan. Staff Sgt. Ronald J Shurer II was one of…

MoH Recipient Robert Simanek Dove On a Live Grenade to Save His Comrades In Korea

Rosemary Giles
Two US Marines positioned on a ridge + Portrait of Robert Simanek

Between 1950-53, only a few years after the end of the Second World War, the United States entered another conflict: the Korean War. As part…

WWII Plans That Never Happened – There’s a Reason These Were Shelved

British Royal Marines running through heavy fog

There were many clever plans created by both the Allies and Axis during the Second World War, such as Operations Mincemeat and Overlord. However, there…