The Japanese Bolt-Action Arisaka Type 99 Rifle Saw Extensive Use In the Pacific Theater
The Arisaka Type 99 rifle was a significant evolution in the realm of military armaments. Born out of necessity in the 1930s, its development reflected…
Germany Hoped to Weaponize the Occult to Win the Second World War
Germany thought up several strategies to increase its chances of winning World War II, including the breeding of potato bugs to decimate enemy crops and…
The Battle of France Saw a European Power Fall in Just Six Weeks
One campaign changed the direction of the Second World War: the Battle of France. The period leading up to the engagement was known as the…
Shiro Ishii and the Dark Legacy of Japan’s Unit 731
Japanese physician Shiro Ishii presided over a series of abhorrent medical experiments that stand as some of the most egregious atrocities in modern history. Ranging…
The Dear John Letter Was a Symbol of Heartbreak Amid the Terrors of War
When its comes to wartime communications, few carry the weight of the infamous Dear John letter. Originating during World War II, these correspondences have become…
Ending the Deadliest Conflict in Human History: Why Did Japan Surrender in World War II?
The Japanese surrender in World War II brought to a close one of the darkest and deadliest chapters in human history. While the Germans waved…
Upcoming ‘Armour & Embarkation’ Event to Mark 80th Anniversary of D-Day Landings
A recreation of the movements of the American and British forces is scheduled to take place in the county of Dorset in Southern England to…
Mauthausen Was One of the Most Notorious Concentration Camps Operated By the German Regime
Nestled in the picturesque landscape of Austria, the remnants of Mauthausen concentration camp are a somber testament to one of the darkest chapters of the…
Memorial Erected In Honor of American Troops Who Died In D-Day Rehearsal Exercise
Nearly 80 years after the disastrous rehearsal for the D-Day landings, a memorial has been erected in honor of the 110 American servicemen who perished…
Lessons Learned From the Battle of Tarawa Led to the Creation of the US Navy SEALs
Between November 20-23, 1943, 35,000 American troops secured Betio island, part of Tarawa Atoll. This was an impressive feat, as the Japanese had anticipated it…
Last Surviving Crew Member of the USS Arizona (BB-39) Dead At 102
The last survivor of the sinking of the USS Arizona (BB-39) on December 7, 1941, has died. Lou Conter, 102, was a US Navy sailor…
‘Female Schindler’ Diana Budisavljević Saved 7,700 Children During World War II
Throughout the Second World War, several individuals risked their lives to save those being persecuted by the German regime. The most notable names are Oskar…
MoH Recipient John Basilone Ran Headfirst Into Enemy Fire to Defeat the Japanese on Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima
There are few people in American history who are held in such high esteem as US Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone. A Medal of…
15-Year-Old Whose Heroics Helped Shorten World War II Honored By Hometown
The 15-year-old NAAFI canteen assistant whose heroics at sea helped shorten the Second World War has been honored by his hometown. Thomas “Tommy” Brown helped…
Tom Hanks to Host World War II Docuseries for History Channel
It’s no secret Tom Hanks enjoys bringing the events of the Second World War to the big and small screens – just look at Saving…
The B-17 Flying Fortress Saw Use As An Airliner?! 12 Facts About the Iconic American Heavy Bomber
When asked what they think the most iconic Allied bomber of the Second World War was, the majority of historians and aircraft enthusiasts will likely…
America’s Newest National Park is a WWII-Era Japanese-American Incarceration Camp in Colorado
The National Park Service has announced the United States has a new national park. Officially known as the Amache National Historic Site, the location, near…
Wreckage of WWII-Era Douglas SBD Dauntless Discovered In Pacific 80 Years After It Went Missing
In the jungle of Papua New Guinea, a relic from the Second World War has been discovered. The artifact, a downed Douglas SBD Dauntless, went…
Apple TV+ Releasing ‘The Bloody Hundredth’ Documentary, Narrated By Tom Hanks
Apple TV+ has revealed it’ll be premiering a documentary about the 100th Bombardment Group and its famous airmen. Titled The Bloody Hundredth and narrated by…
Unexploded World War II-Era Bomb Found In British Woman’s Garden
Thousands of residents were forced to evacuate after a father working in his daughter’s garden in Plymouth uncovered a bomb dating back to World War…
Battle of Moscow: A Critical Turning Point In the Fight Along the Eastern Front
When we delve into the defining moments of the Second World War, the Battle of Moscow stands out as a turning point that showcased the…
The Tragic Last Stand of the HMS Hood Against Germany’s Prized Battleship Bismarck
The HMS Hood (51), nicknamed the “Mighty Hood,” was the pride of the British Royal Navy, embodying the pinnacle of warship design in the early…
Upcoming WWII-Era Horror Film Loosely Based On Loss of Australian Corvette HMAS Armidale
Shark films are a staple of the horror genre and one Australian filmmaker is looking to meld this style of film with the war genre.…
Kate Winslet Starring As Famed War Correspondent Lee Miller in Upcoming Film
The official theatrical release date for Kate Winslet’s World War II-era drama, Lee, has been released. Based on the life of famed war correspondent Elizabeth…
Paddy Mayne Executed Some of the Most Daring Raids Against Enemy Strongholds During World War II
Paddy Mayne, a figure of both controversy and admiration, stands out for his contributions throughout the Second World War. His leadership in the Special Air…
Was Herbert Sobel Really As Horrible As ‘Band of Brothers’ Made Him Out to Be?
Herbert Sobel is widely considered to be one of the most disliked characters in the war genre, whether that be in film or television. David…
Was the Allied Bombing of Dresden a War Crime or Wartime Necessity?
The Bombing of Dresden, Germany stands as one of the most controversial events of the Second World War and is a stark symbol of the…
An Earache Saved Paul Newman From Certain Death During the Battle of Okinawa
When thinking of the biggest names of Vintage Hollywood, it’s likely Paul Newman comes to mind. The actor, philanthropist and auto racer starred in some…
Battle of Iwo Jima: One of the Bloodiest Battles in US Marine Corps History
As dawn broke on February 19, 1945, a small volcanic island in the Pacific Ocean became the stage for one of World War II’s most…
320th Barrage Balloon Battalion: The Only African-American Unit to Storm Normandy on D-Day
“The conventional wisdom of D-Day is that there were no Black soldiers who landed on those beaches, but the truth is that there were almost…
WWII-Era Anti-Submarine Munitions, Smoke Devices Found Off Los Angeles Coast
Oceanographers working off the coast of Los Angeles, California have discovered that a site previously believed to just be home to toxic chemical waste was…
Johnnie Johnson: The Highest-Scoring Western Allied Air Ace of World War II
Several pilots cemented themselves into history with their skills during the Second World War. One aviator, Johnnie Johnson, did more than the average person, taking…
The Irish Postmistress Whose Weather Forecast Changed the Course of D-Day
Throughout World War II, many individuals went about their everyday lives, unaware of the repercussions of their actions. One of them was Maureen Flavin Sweeney,…
‘Saving Private Ryan’ Movie Details History Fans Will Appreciate
Saving Private Ryan (1998) is arguably one of the best war films ever released, especially when it comes to depicting what took place during the…
‘The World Will Tremble’ to Share True Story of Prisoner Escape From Chełmno
The Holocaust saw the deaths of six million Jewish individuals. The majority of them lost their lives at German-run concentration and extermination camps. Few were…
The Real-Life Airmen Behind the Highly-Anticipated Miniseries ‘Masters of the Air’
Masters of the Air (2024) is the highly-anticipated miniseries from the minds behind Band of Brothers (2001) and The Pacific (2010). Following the exploits of…
Bell P-63 Kingcobra: The American Fighter-Turned-Soviet Tank Buster
The Second World War saw the development of several new aircraft, among them the Bell P-63 Kingcobra. Initially developed for use by America, it became…
World War II-Era Mystery Solved 80 Years After Aircraft, Pilot Went Missing Over Italy
While fighting the Axis powers in Italy during the Second World War, a number of Allied pilots lost their lives. One of them was US…
Russell Crowe, Rami Malek to Star in Post-War Historical Drama ‘Nuremberg’
Following the conclusion of the Second World War, those responsible for committing the numerous atrocities of the conflict, such as the Holocaust, were made to…
James R Ward: The USS Oklahoma Crewman Who Remained Behind at Pearl Harbor and Made the Ultimate Sacrifice
The attack on Pearl Harbor was the event that spurred the United States to enter World War II. On the morning of December 7, 1941,…
On Christmas Eve 1944, American and German Soldiers Came Together for a Temporary Truce In the Hürtgen Forest
When you ask someone about a wartime Christmas truce, they’re more likely to bring up the one that occurred along the Western Front in 1914.…
Hikers Made An Incredibly Rare Discovery In a Northern British Field – A Canadian Ram Tank!
In the decades following the Second World War, several discoveries dating back to the conflict have been made. Among them are a T-34 tank at…
Francis P Hammerberg Was Awarded the Medal Of Honor After Performing An 18-Hour Rescue Mission At Pearl Harbor
Throughout the Second World War, numerous individuals distinguished themselves through actions of great heroism. Some of them occurred in combat, while others happened on the…
Why Did Japan Attack Pearl Harbor?
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, was a deadly day in the history of the United States, with thousands of military…
The ‘Saving Private Ryan’ Detail Most Viewers Missed – It Changes Our View of the Film
Saving Private Ryan (1998) is arguably one of the best war movies ever released, thanks to director Steven Spielberg’s expert eye and attention to detail.…
Japan Turned to Kamikaze Frogmen to Defend Against a Potential Allied Invasion
In the final stages of the Second World War, both the Allied and Axis powers turned to more extravagant plans in an attempt to bring…
Flying ‘the Hump’ Required Allied Pilots to Fly Over the Himalayas in Terrible Conditions
During the Second World War, the Allied forces in the China Burma India (CBI) Theater faced a formidable logistical challenge in supplying troops and equipment…
The Tank Museum Receives Donation of Letters Written By British Soldier During World War II
The Tank Museum in Bovington, United Kingdom has announced that it’s received a donation of 65 letters dating back to World War II. The correspondences,…
Upcoming ‘Battle Over Britain’ Film Chronicles World War II’s First Major Aerial Campaign
The World War II-era film Battle Over Britain is slated to premiere in theaters in just under a month. Coming from the company behind 2019’s…
Facts About ‘The Great Escape’ – Steve McQueen and Richard Attenborough Didn’t Get Along!
The Great Escape (1963) is one of the best war films ever released – that’s not an opinion, it’s a fact. Starring Steve McQueen, Richard…
Adolf Galland: The Luftwaffe Air Ace Who Survived Being Shot Down Four Times
Adolf Galland is often remembered as one of the most distinguished fighter aces of the Second World War. His remarkable career with the Luftwaffe saw…
Mel Brooks: The Famed Jewish Comedian Who Fought the Germans In Europe
Mel Brooks is arguably one of the most recognizable faces in the realm of comedy. With a career spanning decades, he’s the brains behind some…
From Wartime Necessity to Chocoholic Revolution: Hershey’s World War II-Era Tropical Bar
As the Second World War raged on, the United States faced a myriad of challenges, one of which was ensuring troops remained well-fed and supplied…
HMS Medusa (A353): The Ship That Marked the Way to Omaha Beach in June 1944
The HMS Medusa (A353) – formerly known as the Harbour Motor Defence Launch (HMDL) 1387 – was near Omaha Beach on June 5, 1944, the…
A24 Releases Trailer for Award-Winning Holocaust Film, ‘The Zone of Interest’
The official trailer for the World War II-era movie The Zone of Interest has been released by A24. The feature, which premiered at the Cannes…
Lee Marvin: The Hollywood ‘Tough Guy’ Who Earned His Stripes In the Pacific Theater
Lee Marvin was a mainstay of cinema and television throughout the 1950s and ’60s. Known for his portrayal of villains and tough guys, he was…
‘U-571’ Is So Inaccurate That It Sparked An Official Debate In British Parliament
Imagine: it’s 2000 and you’re sitting on your couch, popcorn in hand, waiting for the newest American war production to appear on your screen. The…
Northrop XP-79: The Flying Wing Designed to Ram Into Enemy Aircraft in Mid-Air
The Northrop XP-79 Flying Ram was a rocket- and jet-powered flying-wing fighter designed during the Second World War for the US Army Air Forces. The…
Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Museum Embarking on Project to Reconstruct WWII-Era Fairey Barracuda
The Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Museum has launched a project to carry out a live rebuild over a period of 10 years of an…
The Real-Life US Marines Behind the Characters of ‘The Pacific’
The Pacific (2010) is one of the most realistic depictions of the fighting that occurred in the Pacific Theater during the Second World War. It…
With the Type 93 Torpedo, the Allies Didn’t Know What Hit Them… Literally
The Type 93 torpedo was developed by the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) during the interwar period and became the most advanced and superior torpedo of…
Behind-the-Scenes Facts About the Popular WWII Film, ‘The Longest Day’
If asked to name a film about the D-Day landings, The Longest Day is likely the first to come to mind. The 1962 feature, directed…
Expedition Produces New Images of Shipwrecks from the Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway in June 1942 was a turning point of the War in the Pacific. While the United States lost a handful of…
Hiroshima Survivor Kiyoshi Tanimoto and the Co-Pilot of the Enola Gay Met on an American TV Show
Rev. Kiyoshi Tanimoto was one of the lucky ones to survive the atomic bombing of Hiroshima by the United States on August 6, 1945. Following…
The True Story Behind the Spaghetti Run in ‘Band of Brothers’
Band of Brothers (2001) is often considered a realistic retelling of the bravery of the men of Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment,…
The True Story Behind the USS Indianapolis Monologue in ‘Jaws’
Jaws (1975) is a thriller and summertime classic directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss and Robert Shaw. The film is based…
Three-Part Docuseries to Highlight Heroics of Women During World War II
The United Kingdom’s Channel 4 and Australia’s SBS have purchased an upcoming three-part docuseries about the Second World War. Titled World War II: Women on…
Easy Company Members: What Happened to the Men of Easy Company After WW2?
The members of Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division are among the most famous American service members of the Second…
North American B-25 Mitchell: The Most Produced American Medium Bomber of World War II
The North American B-25 Mitchell was an American twin-engine medium bomber that saw service throughout the Second World War. Flying in all theaters of the…
The True Story Behind the Court-Martial Scene in ‘Band of Brothers’
Fact and fiction are blended seamlessly in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers (2001), which can sometimes make it hard to determine what really happened and…
Official Teaser Released for Upcoming WWII-Era Miniseries, ‘The Tattooist of Auschwitz’
The Tattooist of Auschwitz, a 2018 book by New Zealand author Heather Morris, is being turned into a television series by British broadcaster Sky and…
Why Albert Einstein Wasn’t Involved In the Manhattan Project
One of the brightest minds of the 20th century, you’d think Albert Einstein would have been among those to join the Manhattan Project and help…
Why Can’t the Public Visit J. Robert Oppenheimer’s Grave?
The release of Oppenheimer in 2023 has increased the public’s interest in the life of the “Father of the Atomic Bomb.” However, one thing no…
‘The Forgotten Battle’ – The True Story Behind the Netflix Film
The Forgotten Battle (202) captivated audiences with its gripping portrayal of a lesser-known chapter of the Second World War. Set in the Netherlands during the…
‘1917’ Producer Bringing Story of Polish Hero Witold Pilecki to the Big Screen
The World War II-era heroics of Witold Pilecki are slated to be depicted on the big screen, thanks to the producer of the 2019 film,…
Roddie Edmonds: The NCO Who Risked His Life to Save Hundreds of Jewish-American POWs
A number of Americans risked their lives to save those in trouble during the Second World War, but few were as brave as Master Sgt.…
The Tank Museum Raffling Off Ride In Tiger 131
The Tank Museum in Bovington, United Kingdom is offering military history fans the incredible opportunity of riding in the only running German Tiger I tank,…
Victory Markings Were Used By Pilots To Show Wins Against the Enemy
It’s undeniable that aerial combat played a pivotal role in shaping the outcome of numerous battles during World War II. The skies were dominated by…
Jamaicans Made Up Over Half of the Caribbean’s RAF Volunteers During WWII
People from all walks of life came together to fight during World War II, defending their countries and upholding the values of freedom and democracy.…
Temporary Graves Were Erected In WWII to Lay to Rest Those Who Died In Battle
The Second World War claimed the lives of millions of servicemen from various nations. As the conflict raged on multiple fronts, the need to bury…
Royal Air Force Airmen Underwent Intense Training Before Taking to the Skies for Missions
The Royal Air Force (RAF) played a critical role in the Allied victory during World War II. Behind the courageous pilots who took to the…
Could Hans Tragarsky Be The Unknown German Soldier In This Famous Image?
The above photo is undoubtedly one of the best-known German images of World War II, showing a soldier carrying ammunition around his shoulders. It’s understandable…
10 Weapons the Germans Used to Fight Against the Allied Advance on D-Day
The turning point for the war in Europe, D-Day saw the Allies execute a daring invasion of German-held France via Normandy. Both sides were equipped…
Nearly 500,000 Purple Hearts Were Made In Preparation for the Proposed American Invasion of Japan
Operation Downfall was a planned military operation by the United States and its allies toward the end of the Second World War. The aim was…
The WWII-Era Heroics of the Real-Life Monuments Men
During World War II, a group of unlikely heroes emerged who were dedicated to preserving the world’s cultural heritage. Known as the “Monuments Men,” this…
Judy Garland Did Her Part For The War Effort By Performing At War Bond Drives
World War II brought about immense challenges and uncertainties. During these dark times, Hollywood played a crucial role in lifting the spirits of the masses.…
Witold Pilecki Risked His Life for the Polish Resistance By Voluntarily Being Imprisoned At Auschwitz
Witold Pilecki was among the many unsung heroes of the Second World War, and his incredible courage and determination left an indelible mark on history.…
Trailer for ‘The Great Escaper’ Shows Michael Caine as D-Day Veteran Jordan Bernard
In 2014, a World War II veteran by the name of Bernard Jordan made headlines after he left his retirement home in Britain and journeyed…
Behind-the-Scenes Facts About ‘Schindler’s List’
Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List (1993) is a powerful and profoundly moving historical drama based on the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who…
Photos That Showcase the Morale-Boosting Drag Performances of WWII
There was certainly no shortage of soldier shows during World War II. On the frontlines, where many of these took place, a lack of women…
Nearly Seven Decades After He Last Held a Rifle, WWII Veteran Ted Gundy Hit a Target From 1,000 Yards Away
At the age of 83, World War II veteran Ted Gundy went viral after demonstrating the incredible marksmanship skills he’d gained during his service. Despite…
Downed Nakajima B5N2 Torpedo Bomber Off the Coast of Papua New Guinea
During the Second World War, the Nakajima B5N emerged as one of the most formidable aircraft in the Imperial Japanese Navy’s (IJN) arsenal. Renowned for…
Did This U-boat Sink Herself With One of Her Own Torpedoes?
In the final month of 1943, U-972 went missing at sea. The U-boat had departed for her first patrol in November 1943 and hadn’t run…
Audie Murphy: The Most Decorated Soldier In US History
Audie Murphy was one of the most famous faces of both the US Army and Hollywood. He valiantly served overseas throughout the Second World War,…
US Marine Taking a Break During the Battle of Saipan
The Battle of Saipan, fought between June 15 to July 9, 1944, was a significant turning point in the Pacific Theater. As part of the…
Trailer Released for ‘One Life,’ Starring Anthony Hopkins as ‘British Oskar Schindler’
A number of individuals went above and beyond to save as many lives as possible during the Second World War. One of them was Sir…
‘Piper Bill’ Millin Played British Commandos from Sword Beach to Pegasus Bridge
Among the heroes to emerge on D-Day was one man known not for his ferocious fighting, but for his astounding ability to play music through…
Celebrations Erupted After Paris Was Liberated By the Allies Toward the End of World War II
The liberation of Paris during World War II stands as one of the most significant moments in France’s history. Its liberation was a turning point…
Mass Piles of Shoes Represent the Number of Jewish Dead at Auschwitz
The Holocaust stands as one of the darkest chapters in human history, with six million Jews perishing during the Second World War. Beyond this staggering…
Soviet Citizens of All Ages Helped the Red Army Defend Against the Siege of Leningrad – Including Children
The Siege of Leningrad, a devastating 872-day blockade of the Soviet city by the Germans during World War II, remains a horrific part of the…