Women in France accused of ‘horizontal collaboration’ during WWII were considered traitors and were publicly shamed following liberation
Following the liberation of France in 1944, photographers and reporters documented numerous scenes illustrating how French communities responded to people suspected of cooperating with the…
With enemy helicopters closing in on American forces, two F-15 Eagle pilots managed a rare air-to-air kill
During the air phase of the Gulf War, Coalition aircraft carried out an extensive bombing campaign against Iraqi military and strategic targets. From January 17…
The most valuable traits of respected military leadership
Leadership extends well beyond formal positions, titles, or visible signs of authority. Its true foundation lies in personal character, a clear sense of direction, and…
While people celebrated the end of the First World War in the streets, some soldiers on the front lines continued to fight after the Armistice was signed
The conclusion of World War I was considerably more complicated than it is often presented in simplified historical accounts. For the Allied powers, victory over…
While working as an Allied spy, actress Josephine Baker attached her intelligence notes to her bra with a safety pin to keep them hidden
Josephine Baker overcame significant racial barriers, became an influential advocate for civil rights and women’s empowerment, and achieved immense popularity in France during the 1920s…
After winning a bet against Dwight D. Eisenhower, Bernard Montgomery demanded his prize: a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
Wartime leadership is not usually remembered for friendly bets, but one such story reportedly emerged in 1943 involving Dwight D. Eisenhower and Bernard Montgomery. According…
The motorcycles that were used by soldiers on the front line of World War II
Although they offered neither the protection nor the firepower of the armored vehicles commonly associated with World War II, motorcycles remained an important part of…
Only a single Medal of Honor was given to a soldier by the United States for actions during the Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway is often considered one of the most consequential naval battles ever fought. In June 1942, three American aircraft carriers confronted a…
Few people realize that Marie Curie brought X-Rays to the front lines of WWI to treat injured soldiers
Marie Curie is widely recognized as one of the most important scientific figures of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Her pioneering investigations into…
Operation Mongoose produced numerous plans to overthrow Fidel Castro but almost none of them made it past the planning stage
During the Cold War, Fidel Castro became one of the most closely watched and controversial figures on the international stage. His government in Cuba was…
The German city of Konstanz survived the Second World War’s devastating air raids by tricking the Allies into thinking it was part of Switzerland
Throughout World War II, the threat of aerial bombardment was a persistent reality, with many European cities facing repeated nighttime attacks intended to catch defenders…
As WWII was drawing to a close, the Führer ordered Felix Steiner’s unit to continue attacking but the commander refused
The Waffen-SS served as the military arm of the SS and became a significant component of Germany’s war effort during World War II. In its…