Ships | War History

The Tragic Disappearance and Loss of the Argentine Submarine ARA San Juan (S-42)

Sailors standing aboard the ARA San Juan (S-42)

In November 2017, the Argentine submarine ARA San Juan (S-42) went missing while returning to her home base at Mar del Plata. It took just…

Four Nuns Were Rescued from Behind Enemy Lines By the USS Nautilus (SS-168)

USS Nautilus (SS-168) at sea

When war erupted in the Pacific, many found their homes situated in areas of conflict. There were also those who were far away from theirs,…

The US Navy Considered Arming Frigates with Mk 48 Torpedoes During the Cold War

Two technicians standing around a Mk 48 torpedo + USS Bradley (FF-1041) underway at sea

On January 17, 1955, the USS Nautilus (SSN-571) radioed the historic message, “Underway on nuclear power.” This was the foundation of a new era that…

E-boat: The Effective German Fast Attack Boat of the Second World War

E-boat transiting near port

The Schnellboot – or S-Boot – was a German fast attack craft that served with the Kriegsmarine during the Second World War. It was referred…

Higgins Boat: The Landing Craft That Helped the Allies Win World War II

American personnel approaching Omaha Beach aboard a Higgins boat

The landing craft, vehicle, personnel (LCVP) – or Higgins boat – was used by the Allies to conduct amphibious operations during the Second World War.…

USS Bennington (CV-20) Paying Respect At the USS Arizona Memorial

USS Bennington (CV-20) transiting past the wreckage of the USS Arizona (BB-39) with the word "ARIZONA" written on her flight deck

The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor launched the United States into the Second World War. The assault on December 7, 1941 resulted in the loss…

The Most Impactful Military Vehicles of World War II

Still from 'Battle of Britain'

In the shadowy chapters of history, battles are often viewed through the prism of generals and troops – their tactics, their bravery and their sacrifices.…

The Kursk Submarine Disaster Claimed the Lives of 118 Russian Sailors

K-141 Kursk surfacing at sea

K-141 Kursk was an Oscar II-class nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine operated by the Russian Navy. Commissioned in December 1994, she represented the peak of the…

The USS Utah (BB-31/AG-16) Was Sunk By the Japanese During the Attack on Pearl Harbor

Aerial view of the USS Utah (BB-31) Memorial

The USS Utah (BB-31), the second ship in the Florida-class of dreadnoughts, served with the US Navy in various engagements during the first half of…

HMS Sussex (96): The British Heavy Cruiser That Survived a Kamikaze Strike

Kamikaze strike on the side of the HMS Sussex (96)

The British heavy cruiser HMS Sussex (96) was a London sub-class vessel within the Royal Navy’s County-class. Operated by the service between 1929-50, she participated…

The Soviet ‘Hiroshima’ Submarine That Inspired Harrison Ford’s ‘K-19: The Widowmaker’

Harrison Ford as Capt. Alexei Vostrikov in 'K-19: The Widowmaker'

K-19 was the first submarine of the Soviet Union’s Project 658, the first generation of Soviet nuclear submersibles that carried an armament of nuclear ballistic…

The USS Oriskany Was Purposefully Sunk In the Gulf of Mexico to Form An Artificial Reef

USS Oriskany (CV/CVA-34) sinking into the Gulf of Mexico

Laid down in the middle of World War II, the Essex-class aircraft carrier USS Oriskany (CV/CVA-34) didn’t see action until after the conflict. She was…