“Do you want to live forever?” – Mowed Down a 200-Man Attack by Himself with a Machine Gun
On 10 June 1918, during the Battle of Belleau Wood, 44-year-old Marine Corps First Sergeant Dan Daly, armed with a pistol and hand grenades, single-handedly…
The First US Soldier to Receive the Medal of Honor in WW2 Volunteered for the Fight that Killed Him
Perhaps that could be said of many in that they volunteered for the fight in World War 2. But with Alexander Nininger, who was already…
Normandy Invasion Beaches From a Different Angle
Ten years or so ago I was lucky enough to fly along the invasion beaches at 800′ in a C-47. If you ever get the…
This German Paratrooper Held An Impressive Record, And May Have Been Part Of The Plot To Assassinate Hitler
Many are aware of the plot to kill Hitler orchestrated by Colonel Schenk Count von Stauffenberg in July of 1944 as it was depicted by…
Fort Drum, the unsinkable concrete ‘battleship’ of Manila Bay
Anyone who pays a visit to Manila Bay will not easily forget the enchanting sight of the ruined concrete fort that looks as if it…
The Pros and Cons of Ancient War Elephants
Elephants are generally peaceful and majestic creatures but throughout history, their size and power were used with devastating results on the battlefield. With the adoption…
Corporal Dunham: He Was The First Marine to Receive Medal of Honor Since The Vietnam War
In the decades following the Vietnam War, there would be conflict, battle, and loss of life. But for the United States Marine Corps whose tradition…
The Dakota Hunter: Ghosts of the Gooney Bird, a magnificent series of photos of the legendary DC-3 Dakota in her final glory
War History Online presents this Guest Piece by Hans Weisman During my multiple expeditions since 1990 in search of the legendary Gooney Bird, I ran…
Japanese-American Soldiers, The Nisei: The Purple Heart Battalion
When Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941, Japanese-Americans became enemy aliens and were sent to internment camps. One responded in a most spectacular way. Daniel…
“My plans are perfect” – The Victorian Generals Disastrously Promoted Beyond Their Abilities
“Brains! I don’t believe in brains.” – Prince George, Duke of Cambridge and Commander-in-Chief of the British army until 1895. The “Peter Principle”, where people…
Saving Sara Matuson: How 10 POWs Risked Their Lives to Save One Woman
Life in a prisoner of war camp could be hard and dangerous during the Second World War. It was even more so for ten British…
Irish Guard – Awarded Victoria Cross For Single-Handedly Charging over 100 German Soldiers and Sending Them All into Retreat
Many men had many a war story or two to tell their grandchildren by the end of the 2nd World War. But it is unknown…