The Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress ‘Memphis Belle’ Flew 25 Combat Missions Over Europe
The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress holds the distinction of being the third-most produced bomber of all time, with 12,731 built from 1936-45. The aircraft first…
The Most Impactful Military Vehicles of World War II
In the shadowy chapters of history, battles are often viewed through the prism of generals and troops – their tactics, their bravery and their sacrifices.…
The Hughes H-4 Hercules Was An Absolute Mammoth Of An Aircraft
Several experimental aircraft have been designed over the years, but few (if any) were as large and eye-catching as the Hughes H-4 Hercules. A flying…
The USS Utah (BB-31/AG-16) Was Sunk By the Japanese During the Attack on Pearl Harbor
The USS Utah (BB-31), the second ship in the Florida-class of dreadnoughts, served with the US Navy in various engagements during the first half of…
US Naval Aircraft Celebrate the Signing of the Japanese Surrender Aboard the USS Missouri (BB-63)
Following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by American forces, Emperor Hirohito announced Japan’s surrender on August 15, 1945. Just over two weeks later,…
HMS Sussex (96): The British Heavy Cruiser That Survived a Kamikaze Strike
The British heavy cruiser HMS Sussex (96) was a London sub-class vessel within the Royal Navy’s County-class. Operated by the service between 1929-50, she participated…
The Battle of Wake Island Lifted the Spirits of the American Public
Hidden behind the tragedy of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor is the lesser-known Battle of Wake Island. Enemy attacks were launched on both locations,…
The WWII-Era Disappearance of a Grumman J2F Duck Over Greenland
The Grumman J2F Duck was an amphibious aircraft that served the US military in various capacities during the Second World War. It could operate from…
Panzerbüchse 39: The German ‘Tank Hunting Rifle’ That Saw Action In Poland and the USSR
The Panzerbüchse 39 (PzB 39) was an anti-tank rifle operated by Wehrmacht during the Second World War. The PzB 39 saw use during the invasion…
Exercise Tiger: The D-Day Live-Fire Rehearsal That Resulted In Over 700 Allied Deaths
An immense amount of preparation was involved in ensuring the success of D-Day. The Allies had to make sure they’d achieve the desired outcome, meaning…
RAF Members Preparing to Bomb German Industry Targets During the Battle of the Ruhr
Throughout World War II, the Allied forces – in particular, the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the US Army Air Forces (USAAF) – conducted several…
Can You Spot the Finnish Coastal Defense Ship Väinämöinen In This Image?
Camouflage and optical illusions have long been a key part of conflict. Such tactics were heavily used throughout World War II, with examples being the…