World War 2 | War History

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…

Clive Owen to Star in Historical Thriller ‘Kristallnacht’

Clive Owen standing on a red carpet

British actor Clive Owen has starred in many big-name productions, notably King Arthur (2004), Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2006) and Valerian and the City of…

How Did Benito Mussolini Die? The Demise of Italy’s Fascist Dictator

Benito Mussolini walking with soldiers + Portrait of Benito Mussolini

Benito Mussolini was one of the world’s major leaders at the onset of the Second World War. Becoming Italy’s prime minister in 1922, he’d sought…

After Renouncing Her German Citizenship, Marlene Dietrich Dedicated Herself to the American War Effort

Marlene Dietrich standing with a group of soldiers

German actor Marlene Dietrich was one of the most famous faces of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Moving to the United States after her breakthrough role in…

Would You Want to Live in a Former German Bunker? Now’s Your Chance!

Exterior of Bunker Six Eighty One

A former German personnel bunker has been converted into a three-bedroom luxury home on the tiny island of Guernsey. Built in 1942 by the German…