World War 2 | War History

Shizuya Hayashi: The Japanese-American Soldier Who Showed Astounding Bravery on His First Day of Combat

Members of the 100th Infantry Battalion lined up along a road + Shizuya Hayashi looking to the side

During the Italian Campaign in World War II, German soldiers faced a sight they’d never expected: Japanese-American soldiers. These men were members of the 100th…

No legs, No Problem: The Incredible Story of RAF Ace Douglas Bader

Douglas Bader sitting on the exterior of a Hawker Hurricane

It made sense that most Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots would be superstitious when one considers how much could go wrong, but if Wing Commander…

Charles Lightoller: The Titanic Second Officer Who Helped Evacuate Over 120 Men at Dunkirk

Allied soldiers standing on a beach + Portrait of Charles Lightoller

The sinking of the RMS Titanic is an infamous event in history. Most people know about the iceberg and the fact there were too few…

British Man Builds World War II-Era Anderson Shelter in His Back Garden

Trad Casey sitting in an Anderson Shelter

A World War II enthusiast has created a historical man cave by building a sunken Anderson Shelter in his back garden in Dorset, United Kingdom.…

Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport is Named for the US Navy’s First Air Ace of World War II

Two Grumman F4F Wildcats in flight + Edward "Butch" O'Hare dressed in his pilot's attire + Medal of Honor

Few pilots have the innate skill in the cockpit that Edward “Butch” O’Hare did. The US naval aviator was a natural, and over the course…

Edward VIII: The Duke of Windsor’s Relationship With Germany Caused Major Issues in World War II

Edward VIII sitting before a microphone that's been placed on a desk

When thinking of controversial figures in the British Royal Family, odds are Edward VIII, the Duke of Windsor, comes to mind. A former king who…

Over 80 Years After Being Sunk By the Japanese, the ‘Dancing Mouse’ Has Been Found

USS Edsall (DD-219) at sea

The wreck of the US Navy destroyer USS Edsall (DD-219), better known as the “Dancing Mouse,” has been identified off the coast of Australia. The…

Kristallnacht: The ‘Night of Broken Glass’ That Served as a Precursor to the Holocaust

Woman standing at the entrance of a store that has had its front windows smashed

Kristallnacht was one of the darkest events to occur in the lead up to the Holocaust and World War II. Occurring on the night of…

Famous POWs: Celebrities Who Were Held Captive By the Enemy During World War II

Clive Dunn as Lance Cpl. Jack Jones in 'Dad's Army' + Donald Pleasence as Ernst Stavro Blofeld in 'You Only Live Twice' + Denholm Elliott as Marcus Brody in 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade'

We’re all aware that many famous individuals served in various capacities throughout the Second World War. Some were ground troops, fighting on the battlefield, while…

Leonard T. Schroeder: The First Allied Soldier to Land on Normandy on D-Day

Soldiers with the 4th Infantry Division wading through water from a Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel (LCVP) + Military portrait of Leonard T. Schroeder

Leonard T. Schroeder Jr. holds a unique place in history as the first Allied soldier to set foot on Normandy during D-Day. Leading Infantry Rifle…

Trent Park: The Lavish British Estate That Held (and Spied on) High-Ranking German POWs

Exterior of the mansion at Trent Park + Wireless operator with the British Air Ministry listening to a radio

Nestled in north London, Trent Park is an impressive mansion with a history dating back to the late 18th century. Once owned by Sir Philip…

Trails of Hope: Honoring the Service and Sacrifice of Poles During World War II

Guest Author
Four members of the No 303 Squadron RAF standing in uniform

In 1939, as the Führer and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin divided Poland between themselves, but they never broke the nation’s free spirit. In the years…