World War 2 | War History

Could Hans Tragarsky Be The Unknown German Soldier In This Famous Image?

Hans Tragarsky standing in uniform, with an ammunition belt around his shoulders

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

152 mm German naval gun along the Atlantic Wall

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

US Marines aiming their weapons in the field

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

Still from 'The 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

Judy Garland performing before a group of civilian workers

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

Two portraits of Witold Pilecki dressed in his Auschwitz prisoner uniform

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

Michael Caine standing on a red carpet + Bernard Jordan waving from a car

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’

Ralph Fiennes, Ben Kingsley, Liam Neeson and Steven Spielberg on the set of '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

Kenneth More and Laurence Olivier dressed as women

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

American sniper looking through a gap in a broken wall

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

Wreck of a Nakajima B5N2 on the ocean floor

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?

Type VIII U-boat at sea

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…