World War II | War History

John Finn: The First Person to Receive the Medal of Honor During World War II

Vessels shrouded in smoke at Pearl Harbor + Military portrait of John Finn

For the United States, the first day of the Second World War came on December 7, 1941 with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. During…

William Dunham: The US Air Force Hero Who Spared His Enemy’s Life

Four Republic P-47 Thunderbolts in flight + Military portrait of William Dunham

Brig. Gen. William Dunham was a highly-decorated US Air Force hero. His achievements during World War II and beyond are well-documented. However, his most notable…

Photos of Queen Elizabeth II’s Service During the Second World War

Ian Harvey
Queen Elizabeth II tinkering with a car engine while Elizabeth the Queen Mother watches

A lot has been discussed regarding how the latest generation of the British Royal Family presents itself. This has primarily had to do with how…

Photos of George Patton You Probably Haven’t Seen Before

George Patton sitting with his four grandchildren

Gen. George Patton went down history as one of America’s most beloved military figures, and his popularity was only exceeded by his accomplishments on the…

Remy Van Lierde: The WWII Air Ace Whose Helicopter Was Attacked By the World’s Largest Snake

Desert landscape + Cobra with its mouth open + Bristol Sycamore Type 171

Col. Remy Van Lierde would be worth studying for his incredible military exploits alone – the fact he claimed later in life to have encountered…

Amazing Innovation or Billion Dollar Blunder? The Norden Bombsight

Thomas Ferebee crouching beside a Norden bombsight outside of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress 'Enola Gay'

The United States went “all in” on the Norden bombsight before the Second World War, subsequently doubling down on it and its variations during the…

Maynard Harrison Smith Was Given Two Options: Go to Jail or Join the Army – He Wound Up Receiving the Medal of Honor

Henry L. Stimson placing the Medal of Honor around Maynard Harrison Smith's neck

Often, war brings out traits in people they never quite knew they possessed. The most outwardly confident and confrontational individuals can turn out to be…

Pearl Harbor: The Worst Military Decision In History?

Aerial view of Pearl Harbor during the Japanese attack

The morning of December 7, 1941, is a date remembered across the world, particularly by American citizens. That morning, the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) caught…

John Wayne, Draft Dodger? Why the Duke Never Served In World War II

John Wayne as Lt. Col. Benjamin H. Vandervoort in 'The Longest Day'

John Wayne is undeniably one of the most popular actors in American history. His vast legacy of films set the standards for years to come…

No, Polish Cavalry Never Charged German Tanks at Krojanty

Jay Hemmings
Polish cavalrymen sitting on horses

Ask many armchair historian when the last ever cavalry charge took place and most will tell you it happened during World War II. They’ll likely…

Republic P-47 Thunderbolt: The Most Produced American Fighter of World War II

Republic P-47 Thunderbolt in flight

The “Juggernaut,” the “Jug” – whatever you want to call it, the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt was an absolute beast in the skies over Europe and…

The BBC’s Coded Messages to the French Resistance During World War II

French Resistance member sitting in front of a radio

One of the best-known films about the Second World War is The Longest Day (1962), which centers around D-Day. In a number of scenes, members…