World War II | War History

The Good, the Bad and the Dirty: Understanding WWII Letter Acronyms

Envelope with "SWA(L)K" written in pencil on the back

Letter writing was used on all fronts of the Second World War as a way for soldiers to keep in touch with friends and family.…

Wait for Me, Daddy: The True Story Behind the Iconic World War II Photo

Warren Bernard running to his father who is standing in line with other Canadian soldiers

The Wait for Me, Daddy photograph became one of the most famous images to come out of Canada during the Second World War. A seemingly…

Georgios Averof: The Greek Armored Cruiser With An Impressive Service History

Georgios Averof at sea

When historians think of the great powers of the Second World War, Greece doesn’t typically come to mind, but it should, as least when it…

Sinking of the HMT Rohna: The Largest Loss of American Life At Sea During WWII

HMT Rohna at sea

The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 saw 1,177 sailors and crewmen onboard the USS Arizona (BB-39) lose their lives. While a…

The Price of Freedom: The Forgotten Civilian Deaths of D-Day

American soldiers sitting in a landing craft at sea

Operation Overlord, better known as D-Day, is often remembered for being one of the most intense battles in military history. Films like 1998’s Saving Private…

USS Thresher (SS-200): The Most Decorated American Submarine of WWII

USS Thresher (SS-200) at sea

During the First World War, Germany deployed a number of vessels that turned naval warfare on its head. Among them were bigger and more effective…

Poland Dismantles Four Soviet-Era Monuments

Clare Fitzgerald
Soviet-era monument in Glubczyce, Poland

Four Soviet-era monuments have been dismantled in Poland, in both condemnation of the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and to remove symbols of the USSR’s…

Operation Tannenbaum: Why Didn’t Germany Invade Switzerland?

Todd Neikirk
Swiss guard standing in front of a line of sandbags

Switzerland was able to remain neutral throughout the Second World War. As soon as the conflict broke out in 1939, the nation prepared itself for…

Nambu Pistol: The Japanese WWII-Era Weapon That Heavily Featured in the Pacific

Todd Neikirk
Nambu pistol against a white backdrop

In the early 20th century, Japan was eager to improve its military. The country had high hopes of becoming a world power and, in order…

Norman Lear Flew 52 Combat Missions with the US Army Air Forces During WWII

Norman Lear wearing a suit and hat

Norman Lear was one of the most important individuals in the history of the small screen. Active in the industry since the mid-20th century, he…

Germany Hoped the Krummlauf Would Change the Outcome of WWII – It Didn’t

US soldier holding an M3 with a curved barrel

The curved bullet scene in Wanted (2008) wasn’t the first time the concept of having a bullet travel around corners was thought up. In fact, during…

10 Surviving Buildings From Germany’s Era of Power

Aerial views of the Olympiastadion

The long-term effects of war are felt by all sides. This is even more evident in the case of the two World Wars, given the…