‘Gilligan’s Island’ Star Russell Johnson Was a Bombardier During the Second World War
Russell Johnson, the talented actor known for his role as Professor Roy Hinkley in Gilligan’s Island (1964-67), led a remarkable life both on- and off-screen.…
Before He Was Obi-Wan Kenobi, Alec Guinness Was Part of the Allied Invasion of Sicily
Alec Guinness is renowned for his iconic roles in such films as the Star Wars franchise and The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957). Behind…
American Liberator Welcomed with Kisses from Elderly French Couple
During the Second World War, the US involvement in the liberation of France stands as a remarkable chapter in history, serving as a turning point…
Clergyman Prays for Fallen GIs During the Battle of Ie-Shima
The Battle of Ie-Shima from April 16-21, 1945 was a crucial engagement in the Pacific Theater during the latter stages of World War II. Fought…
Ryan FR-1 Fireball: The US Navy’s First Jet-Engine Fighter Was Also the Worst Aircraft of World War II
The Ryan FR-1 Fireball was an American fighter designed by Ryan Aeronautical for the US Navy during the Second World War. It was a mixed-power…
Germany Used Circus Elephants to Clean Up Following the Allied Bombings of Hamburg
The image above features Mary from Burma and Kieri from Ceylon, elephants who were brought to the Hamburg Zoo to train for the circus. At…
Sturmpistole: The German Handheld Grenade Launcher That Failed to Match More Powerful Anti-Tank Weaponry
The Sturmpistole was a multi-purpose weapon developed for the German Army during World War II. A modified flare gun, it was capable of firing a…
Before Becoming Hollywood’s Leading Man, Kirk Douglas was Chasing Japanese Submarines In the Pacific
Kirk Douglas is arguably one of the most famous names to emerge during Hollywood’s heyday in the 1950s and ’60s. Known for taking on particularly…
The M18 Recoilless Rifle Obliterated Enemy Machine Gun Nests In Korea
The M18 is a 57 mm shoulder-fired, anti-tank recoilless rifle the US Army equipped troops with during the Second World War and in Korea. The…
Denholm Elliott Scored His First Acting Gigs While a Prisoner of War
Denholm Elliott was known for his versatile performances in numerous films and television shows. However, before he became a famous actor, he was a member…
Chuck Yeager: From WWII ‘Ace in a Day’ to Breaking the Sound Barrier
Brig. Gen. Chuck Yeager is widely regarded as one of the greatest aviators of the 20th century. Best known for being the first pilot to…
The ‘Rats of Tobruk’ Lived Underground During the Second World War
During the Second World War, a remarkable and brave group of Australian soldiers became known as the “Rats of Tobruk” for their tenacious defense of the…