World of Warships Naval History Review: Spring 2025
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
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!
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…
Museum Housing the Führer’s Desk Temporarily Closed for Roof Repairs
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
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
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…
Irena Sendler: The Polish Woman Who Helped Smuggle 2,500 Children Out of the Warsaw Ghetto
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…
Manuel V. Mendoza Really Was a One-Man Army – The Germans in His Way Didn’t Survive Long
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
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
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…
Operation Catechism: Demise of the German Battleship Tirpitz
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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’
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
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
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…
The Bravery and Sacrifice of Sophie Scholl: The 21-Year-Old Who Gave Her Life for the Resistance
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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?
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
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
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
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
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
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
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…
Edward VIII: The Duke of Windsor’s Relationship With Germany Caused Major Issues in World War II
When thinking of controversial figures in the British Royal Family, odds are Edward VIII, the Duke of Windsor, comes to mind. A former king who…
Over 80 Years After Being Sunk By the Japanese, the ‘Dancing Mouse’ Has Been Found
The wreck of the US Navy destroyer USS Edsall (DD-219), better known as the “Dancing Mouse,” has been identified off the coast of Australia. The…
Kristallnacht: The ‘Night of Broken Glass’ That Served as a Precursor to the Holocaust
Kristallnacht was one of the darkest events to occur in the lead up to the Holocaust and World War II. Occurring on the night of…
Famous POWs: Celebrities Who Were Held Captive By the Enemy During World War II
We’re all aware that many famous individuals served in various capacities throughout the Second World War. Some were ground troops, fighting on the battlefield, while…
Leonard T. Schroeder: The First Allied Soldier to Land on Normandy on D-Day
Leonard T. Schroeder Jr. holds a unique place in history as the first Allied soldier to set foot on Normandy during D-Day. Leading Infantry Rifle…
Trent Park: The Lavish British Estate That Held (and Spied on) High-Ranking German POWs
Nestled in north London, Trent Park is an impressive mansion with a history dating back to the late 18th century. Once owned by Sir Philip…
Trails of Hope: Honoring the Service and Sacrifice of Poles During World War II
In 1939, as the Führer and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin divided Poland between themselves, but they never broke the nation’s free spirit. In the years…
Clive Owen to Star in Historical Thriller ‘Kristallnacht’
British actor Clive Owen has starred in many big-name productions, notably King Arthur (2004), Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2006) and Valerian and the City of…
How Did Benito Mussolini Die? The Demise of Italy’s Fascist Dictator
Benito Mussolini was one of the world’s major leaders at the onset of the Second World War. Becoming Italy’s prime minister in 1922, he’d sought…
After Renouncing Her German Citizenship, Marlene Dietrich Dedicated Herself to the American War Effort
German actor Marlene Dietrich was one of the most famous faces of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Moving to the United States after her breakthrough role in…
Would You Want to Live in a Former German Bunker? Now’s Your Chance!
A former German personnel bunker has been converted into a three-bedroom luxury home on the tiny island of Guernsey. Built in 1942 by the German…
Actors You May Not Have Realized Served in World War II
Several big-name actors served in World War II – Clark Gable, James “Jimmy” Stewart, David Niven, Henry Fonda, etc. – risking their lives in Europe…
One of the Last Surviving Navajo Code Talkers Has Died at 107
One of the last surviving Navajo code talkers has died. The passing of 107-year-old John Kinsel, Sr. on October 19, 2024, was announced in a…
Chiune Sugihara: The Japanese ‘Schindler’ Who Saved Thousands of Lithuanian Jewish Refugees
Oskar Schindler’s story is known across the world, primarily due to Steven Spielberg’s Academy Award-winning film Schindler’s List (1993), which depicts the German industrialist’s efforts…
Did You Know the Last Ever US Cavalry Charge Into Combat Occurred in World War II?
When you think of World War II, you likely picture aircraft whizzing through the air, tanks firing their massive guns and troops using vehicles to…
British Submarine Found 81 Years After Disappearing Without a Trace
A Royal Navy submarine that seemingly vanished without a trace during the Second World War has finally been located off the coast of Greece. HMS…
What Role Did Naval Warfare Play In the Early Stages of Germany’s Invasion of Poland?
While many focus on the ground invasion when it comes to Germany’s offensive against Poland in September 1939, it’s important to take note of what…
‘Ghost Ship of the Pacific’ Discovered Off the Coast of California
Over 78 years after she was sunk by the US Navy off the coast of San Francisco, California, the wreck of the USS Stewart (DD-224)…
Masamitsu Yoshioka, Last Surviving Pearl Harbor Bombardier, Dead at 106
The last surviving Japanese bombardier who attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, has passed away. Masamitsu Yoshioka, whose death was announced on Japanese social…
The P-47 Thunderbolt Pilot Who Was Escorted to Safety By Two Luftwaffe Fighters
The Battle of the Bulge, which took place between December 1944 and January ’45, was a turning point in the Allies’ fight against the Germans…
World War II-Era Bomb Explodes at Japanese Airport
It’s not an uncommon occurrence for World War II-era munitions to be found throughout Japan, but locating one at an airport is definitely unexpected –…
World War II Film ‘White Bird’ Starring Helen Mirren Slated for North American Release
After years of delays, White Bird will finally be debuting in North American theaters. The World War II-era film, starring Helen Mirren and Gillian Anderson,…
Who Was Elizabeth ‘Lee’ Miller? The True Story Behind the Kate Winslet-Led Movie
Of the correspondents to cover the Second World War, one of the most famous was Lee Miller. Working for Vogue and traveling with the US…
The Controversial Film ‘Defiance’ Brought the Resistance Work of the Bielski Partisans to the Big Screen
As the Axis Powers increased their sphere of influence across Europe during the Second World War, various Resistance groups popped up. With a desire to…
Aaron Bank: The ‘Father of the Green Berets’ Who Revolutionized Special Warfare
The US Army’s Special Forces are among the most elite military groups in the entire world. Famous for their clandestine warfare capabilities, they regularly strike…
Dudley Clarke: The British Army’s Master of Deception Tricked the ‘Desert Fox’ in North Africa
Everyone is familiar with the US military’s Ghost Army, artists and architects whose sole job was to deceive the Germans during the Second World War.…
USS Tang (SS-306): The Decorated US Submarine That Was Sunk By Her Own Torpedo
The USS Tang (SS-306) was one of the most effective submarines to serve in the Pacific Theater during the Second World War. Over the course…
Germany Once Planned to Assassinate Winston Churchill… With Exploding Chocolate
Throughout the Second World War, prominent politicians were the subject of assassination plots. While often unsuccessful, they were a way for everyday civilians, Resistance fighters,…
James Cameron to Bring Film Adaptation of ‘Ghosts of Hiroshima’ to the Big Screen
Academy Award-winning director James Cameron has obtained the film rights for Charles Pellegrino’s forthcoming book, Ghosts of Hiroshima. The nonfiction release, which draws upon accounts…
MoH Recipient Richard M. McCool, Jr. Ignored His Own Injuries to Rally His Men After a Kamikaze Attack
Throughout the Second World War, there were countless examples of bravery and heroism that went well beyond the call of duty. Among those to exemplify…
American Politicians Pushing to Award Bataan, Attu Veterans the Congressional Gold Medal
Two American politicians, Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM 3rd District), have introduced a renewed push to award veterans of the…
World War II-Era Shipwrecks Re-Emerge From the Depths of Danube River
World War II-era vessels once operated by the Kriegsmarine have “risen” from the depths of the Danube, in Serbia. The wrecks, which belonged to Germany’s…
North American Release Date Revealed for Pierce Brosnan WWII Movie ‘The Last Rifleman’
Nearly a year after it premiered on the British streaming service Sky Cinema, The Last Rifleman (2023) will finally debut in North America. The World…
Netflix Releases Trailer for ‘The Six Triple Eight’
Netflix has released the trailer for its upcoming film about the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the first and only unit of color with the…
Second Sino-Japanese War: The ‘Asian Holocaust’ That Witnessed Some of History’s Most Horrific War Crimes
The Second Sino-Japanese War was the result of escalating tensions and conflict between China and Japan that had been brewing for decades. When fighting broke…
The B-29 Superfortress ‘Enola Gay’ Forever Changed Warfare When It Dropped the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima
For many, the development of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress was a turning point of the Second World War. Hitting the skies in mid-1944, the bomber…
The Devastating Invasion That Kicked Off the Second World War
September 1, 2024, marks the 85th anniversary of the German invasion of Poland – and the beginning of the Second World War. Beginning with assaults…
EXCERPT: ‘Witty Manny’ – From Prisoner of War to an East German Hospital in Just 11 Months
Here, we continue our eventful World War II story of Emanuel von König, when he arrives in the western suburbs of Berlin on April 20,…
‘Blighty or Bust’ Tells the Story of a Young Soldier’s 2,000-Mile Escape to Freedom in World War II
An English author has unearthed an amazing World War II escape story in a cardboard box of papers and cuttings he bought via an online…
The Touching Story of the Letter Jimmy Stewart Read Before Every Bombing Mission
Famous for his memorable performances in classic films like The Philadelphia Story (1940), It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) and Anatomy of a Murder (1959), James…
Famed Fletcher-Class Destroyers to Undergo Major Restoration Work
It appears two World War II-era warships will live to see another day, thanks to two separate efforts to preserve the vessels. The USS The…
Over 400 Homes Evacuated in Northern Ireland After Discovery of World War II-Era Bomb
Hundreds of homes were evacuated in Newtownards, County Down, Northern Ireland, after a suspected World War II-era bomb was discovered. The “suspected historic piece of…
The Führer Personally Intervened to Ensure Mildred Fish-Harnack Was Punished for Her Resistance Work
Upon the outbreak of the Second World War, and even before, Resistance groups began popping up across Europe. Determined to fight for freedom and to…
The Oft-Forgotten Aleutian Islands Campaign Saw the Fighting of World War II Arrive on North American Soil
The Aleutian Islands Campaign marked the only time fighting occurred on the continental United States against enemy forces during the Second World War. Beginning in…
Josefina Guerrero: The Philippine Spy Who Used Her Illness to Help the Allies Liberate Her Country
Throughout the Japanese occupation of the Philippines during the Second World War, guerrillas actively worked to liberate their country. Among then was a twenty-something woman…
The Only Two Japanese Ships Sunk Off the US Coast During World War II Have Been Found
Over 80 years after they were sunk, the only two Japanese ships believed to have been lost immediately off the coast of the United States…
The Wola Massacre Was One of the Most Horrific Episodes of the Warsaw Uprising
One of the worst episodes of the Warsaw Uprising was the Wola Massacre. In an act of retaliation, German troops systematically slaughtered tens of thousands…
When British Commandos Became Pirates – The True Story Behind ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024), directed by Guy Ritchie, is one of the most exciting World War II-era movies to be released in recent…
Audrey Hepburn Risked Her Life to Help the Dutch Resistance During World War II
When you think of “old” Hollywood, Audrey Hepburn likely comes to mind. Her filmography is impressive, but what if we were to tell you that…
‘Blitz’ Trailer Shows Saoirse Ronan Fighting to Find Her Child Amid German Air Raids on London
AppleTV+ has ramped up its production of wartime releases, and the streaming service’s latest will center around the Blitz on London, United Kingdom from 1940-41.…
Damian Lewis, Chris Messina Join Brendan Fraser-Led D-Day Movie ‘Pressure’
Brendan Fraser has experienced a renaissance (or, should we say, a Brennaissance) since his Oscar-winning role in 2022’s The Whale. It appears he’s continuing to…
The Stories Behind the Most Iconic World War II Propaganda Posters
Everyone is familiar with World War II-era propaganda posters. Often colorful, with phrases written to tug at citizens’ patriotism, they aimed to convince everyone, service…
US Navy Exonerates Black Sailors Court-Martialed in 1944 Port Chicago Disaster
The US Navy has officially exonerated 258 Black sailors in relation to courts-martial imposed following the deadly Port Chicago Disaster in July 1944. Eighty years…
German U-boats Managed to Sink 397 Allied Vessels in Torpedo Junction in Just Six Months
The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest engagement of the Second World War, with the Kriegsmarine reigning supreme in the ocean for much of…
Mickey Rooney Received the Bronze Star for Entertaining Troops on the Frontlines
Mickey Rooney was one of the most celebrated actors from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Known for his work with fellow child star Judy Garland…
There Are Three U-boats Entombed Beneath a Parking Lot in Germany’s Second-Largest City
While it’s not unheard of for wartime sea vessels to be located beneath the earth, it is rare. The most notable instance of this was…
She Was Adopted in the Chaos of the Post-War Era – Over Seven Decades Later, She Discovered a Brother She Didn’t Know Existed
Families were frequently split up during the Second World War, never knowing if they’d be reunited. While attempts were made by survivors to locate their…
USS Sachem (SP-192): ‘The Ghost Ship’ That Served in Both World Wars and Now Sits Abandoned in the Wilderness
There are many abandoned ships across the United States, but few have as storied a history as the USS Sachem (SP-192), which also went by…
‘They Were Expendable’ Actor Robert Montgomery Actually Served in the US Navy During World War II
Robert Montgomery wasn’t just an influential figure in Vintage Hollywood, he was also a dedicated member of the US military. He put his acting career…
Operation Meetinghouse: The Devastating Firebombing of Tokyo During World War II
It’s hard to imagine a worse attack on Japan during World War II than the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, but there was. The…
Volunteers Requesting Help to Save World War II-Era Liberty Ship SS John W. Brown
One of the last remaining operational World War II-era liberty ships is at risk of falling into disrepair and losing its certification from the US…
The March on Rome and Benito Mussolini’s Quest to Turn Italy Into a Fascist Nation
The March on Rome was the start of great political and societal change within Italy. Led by Benito Mussolini, the march aimed to tear down…
John Ford Called Out John Wayne on Set for Not Serving in World War II
In the years following the Second World War, many films were released that detailed the dangers faced by both friend and foe. At the time,…
34 Miles of Tunnels Were Dug By the British Military Beneath the Rock of Gibraltar
A British territory north of Spain, Gibraltar is a beloved tourist destination that experiences naval dockyard actively by the British Royal Navy. Lesser known are…