World War II | War History

Niš Incident: The Top-Secret Military Confrontation Between the US and the Soviet Union

Lockheed P-38 Lightnings in flight

During the Second World War, the United States teamed up with the Soviet Union to fight the German threat. That’s why, in late 1944, it…

Emperor Hirohito’s Brother Criticized Japan’s War Crimes In the Second World War

Professor B. Williams and Takahito, Prince Mikasa walking near a building

In the annals of Japanese history, Prince Mikasa holds a unique position as both a member of the Imperial Family and a vocal observer of…

USS Buckley (DE-51): The Destroyer Escort That Took Out a German U-boat With Hand-to-Hand Combat and Grenades

USS Buckley (DE-51) at sea

The USS Buckley (DE-51) was a destroyer escort and lead ship of her class that served with the US Navy between 1943-46. During her wartime…

Casualties of Dunkirk – Mother Laying Flowers At Her Son’s Grave

Jane Thompson laying a wreath at her son's grave

The Battle of Dunkirk remains etched in history as a testament to human resilience and sacrifice. As Allied troops faced imminent defeat on the shores…

The Story Behind a Lockheed P-38G Lightning Wreck Off the Southern Coast of France

Wreck of a Lockheed P-38G Lightning on the seafloor

The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was a versatile and highly capable fighter used by the United States and other Allied countries in both the European and…

World War II-Era Hawker Hurricanes Found Buried In Ukraine

Member of the Armed Forces of Ukraine making notes near the rusty fuselage of a Hawker Hurricane

As the fighting continues to wage on in Ukraine as part of the Russo-Ukrainian War, several World War II-era relics have been unearthed. Not only…

US Navy Identifies Escort Carrier Sunk By Japanese Kamikaze In World War II

USS Ommaney Bay (CVE-79) at sea

The Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) has confirmed the location of the wreck of the USS Ommaney Bay (CVE-79) in the Sulu Sea, off…

Before Starring Alongside Andy Griffith, Don Knotts Served In the US Army Special Services

Don Knotts as Barney Fife in 'The Andy Griffith Show'

Before Don Knotts became a household name for his roles on television and film, he scored some of his first comedy gigs serving in the…

Japan’s Secret Weapon for the Invasion of British Malaya Was… Bicycles?

Man riding a bicycle while holding an umbrella

During World War II, Japan employed a seemingly innocuous ally: the bicycle. As the empire faced logistical challenges and scarce resources, these manually-driven vehicles played…

Leslie ‘Bull’ Allen Single-Handedly Rescued 12 Wounded American Soldiers at Mount Tambu

Leslie "Bull" Allen carrying an injured American soldier through the jungle

During the chaos of World War II, countless heroes emerged. Among them was Australian stretcher bearer Leslie “Bull” Allen, an extraordinary individual whose courage and…

The World War II-Era British Covenanter Tank’s Issues Made It Immediately Obsolete

A13 Mk III Covenanter tank parked on rain-soaked cement

The Cruiser tank Mk V – or the A13 Mk III Covenanter – was a British tank that saw service during World War II. Manufactured…

Alan Turing’s Efforts to Decode German Enigma During World War II

Alan Turing sitting in a chair outside

Alan Turing was a British mathematician and cryptanalyst who worked tirelessly with a team of codebreakers during the Second World War. Together, they cracked encrypted…