Operation Tonga: 150 British Paratroopers Took the Merville Gun Battery Before D-Day
Then the largest seaborne invasion in history, the D-Day landings were planned down to the last detail. One of the most important parts of this…
Tony Rolt Escaped from POW Camps Seven Times Before Becoming a Successful Racing Driver
It’s safe to say Tony Rolt’s life after the Second World War was just as impressive as his time overseas. Rolt is best known for…
The Tragic Fate of the USS Grenadier (SS-210) and Her Crew
For over 70 years, nobody knew the fate of the USS Grenadier (SS-210). Struck by a Japanese aircraft, the submarine sank to the bottom of…
Mitchell Paige: The MoH Recipient Who Took On 2,700 Japanese Soldiers on Guadalcanal
World War II produced a number of heroes, particularly within the US military. A total of 473 service members were presented with the Medal of…
The MI5 Used Falcons to Catch German Carrier Pigeons
The use of pigeons on the battlefield is often associated with the First World War. Homing pigeons, in particular, were used the most, with the…
Al Schmid: The US Marine Who Continued to Man His Machine Gun After Taking a Grenade to the Face
Al Schmid, an apprentice steel burner, enlisted in the US Marine Corps after hearing about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Once on the battlefield,…
Frogmen: Before Navy SEALs, Underwater Demolition Teams Were Making a Splash on the Battlefield
The Navy SEALs are among the most highly-regarded Special Operations forces in the United States, only made more illusive by stories of their various units,…
Road Workers Were Amazed By An Unexpected World War II-Era Discovery In Chartres
During the six years that made up the Second World War, the Allied and Axis nations deployed an astonishing number of troops and armaments across…
Teresio Martinoli: The Italian Ace Who Flew for Both Sides During WWII
For those who won the war, their flying aces go down in history for their brave actions and heroic deeds. Even those who didn’t win…
Van Barfoot: MoH Recipient Who Singlehandedly Captured 17 German Soldiers and Disabled a Tiger Tank
The Second World War featured countless examples of heroism. Still, the efforts of Van Barfoot stand out to this day. When faced with multiple German…
USS Grayback (SS-208) Found After 75 Years; What Was Onboard Was Unexpected
Seventy-five years after she first disappeared off the coast of Okinawa, the wreck of the USS Grayback (SS-208) was discovered at the bottom of the…
The USS Texas (BB-35) Was Intentionally Flooded During D-Day
The USS Texas (BB-35) saw more combat action in her lifetime than most other US battleships, seeing service in both World War I and II,…