World War 2 | War History

Before Starring Alongside Andy Griffith, Don Knotts Served In the US Army Special Services

Don Knotts as Barney Fife in 'The Andy Griffith Show'

Before Don Knotts became a household name for his roles on television and film, he scored some of his first comedy gigs serving in the…

Japan’s Secret Weapon for the Invasion of British Malaya Was… Bicycles?

Man riding a bicycle while holding an umbrella

During World War II, Japan employed a seemingly innocuous ally: the bicycle. As the empire faced logistical challenges and scarce resources, these manually-driven vehicles played…

Leslie ‘Bull’ Allen Single-Handedly Rescued 12 Wounded American Soldiers at Mount Tambu

Leslie "Bull" Allen carrying an injured American soldier through the jungle

During the chaos of World War II, countless heroes emerged. Among them was Australian stretcher bearer Leslie “Bull” Allen, an extraordinary individual whose courage and…

The World War II-Era British Covenanter Tank’s Issues Made It Immediately Obsolete

A13 Mk III Covenanter tank parked on rain-soaked cement

The Cruiser tank Mk V – or the A13 Mk III Covenanter – was a British tank that saw service during World War II. Manufactured…

Alan Turing’s Efforts to Decode German Enigma During World War II

Alan Turing sitting in a chair outside

Alan Turing was a British mathematician and cryptanalyst who worked tirelessly with a team of codebreakers during the Second World War. Together, they cracked encrypted…

Forget CGI! A B-17 Was Actually Crashed During the Filming of ‘Twelve O’Clock High’

Gary Merrill, Gregory Peck and Dean Jagger as Col. Keith Davenport, Gen. Frank Savage and Maj. Harvey Stovall in 'Twelve O'Clock High'

We live in a world where CGI is commonplace in movies. It’s actually become a selling point to say that flight sequences, such as those…

Why the US Made the Japanese Surrender Aboard the USS Missouri (BB-63)

Aircraft flying over the USS Missouri (BB-63) and other Allied vessels

On September 2, 1945, the Empire of Japan surrendered to the Allies. Ending hostilities, the Japanese agreed to an unconditional surrender by signing the Instrument…

The B-17 Tail Gunner Who Continued to Fight, Even After Being Shot Down

Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress in flight

On November 29, 1943, tail gunner Eugene Paul Moran survived what could have been a horrific crash aboard a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress. While on…

British Soldiers Were Heralded As Heroes Following Dunkirk

Cecil Collins playing the banjo while British soldiers walk around him

In the spring of 1940, the world witnessed a harrowing episode of human resilience and bravery on the shores of Dunkirk. As the Germans closed…

The Harley-Davidson WLA Was Affectionately Dubbed the ‘Liberator’ By American Troops

US Armored Division troops sitting on Harley-Davidson WLAs

During the tumultuous years of the Second World War, the Harley-Davidson WLA played a pivotal role in US military operations. Renowned for its ruggedness, reliability…

Creating the Magnificent US Marine Corps War Memorial

Felix de Weldon standing beneath a plaster cast of 'Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima'

The US Marine Corps War Memorial – also known as the Iwo Jima Memorial – stands as an iconic symbol of valor and sacrifice. Located…

The Japanese Defeat During the Guadalcanal Campaign Was a Turning Point for the Allies

Wreck of a Japanese ship along the coast of Guadalcanal

Above is a photo of an unidentified Japanese ship that the Americans sank during the Guadalcanal Campaign. The vessel was sunk sometime during the fighting…