World War 2 | War History

The Greatest Raid of World War II: The St Nazaire Raid

On 28 March 1942, British forces launched one of the most daring operations of the Second World War. Now known as “The Greatest Raid of…

The Charge of The Polish Cavalry Against German Tanks in 1939 – It Turned Into A Modern Myth

Poland had a long history of horsemanship, and its light cavalry called Uhlans (Tatar word for “Hero”, or “Rider”) were the pride of its army.…

The American Jewish Mobster Who Hunted Down Nazi Sympathizers in the USA And Secured NY Harbor

When the phrase “organized crime” is muttered, it’s easy to conjure up images of the bright lights, spinning slot machines, or the card tables of…

From The Tank Museum: Naming Deborah – Mark IV Tank In Cambrai

In 1998 Philippe Gorczynski from Cambrai found a Mark IV tank (female) buried beneath a field in the village of Flesquiéres, on the Cambrai battlefield.…

A Difficult Time For The United States – US Rationing of Goods During WWII

David Herold

Ever wondered what the distribution of food and other scarce resources looked like during the World War II? It was a difficult period for the…

Battle of Taranto – A Precursor to Pearl Harbor

David Herold

Out of all the battles that took place during WWII, there are some that have had a deep impact on both sides. The Battle of…

Sergeant “Smokey” Smith VC: “I Don’t Take Prisoners, I’m Paid to Kill Them”

Jeff Edwards

If you ask any combat infantryman, you will hear that there are men who make their life easy in garrison and men who make their…

Raoul Gustaf Wallenberg, A WWII Hero – He Saved Many Lives, But His Final Fate Is Still Not Certain

Many people saved Jews during WWII, but one person was perhaps unique for three reasons. First; he became a citizen of six different countries simultaneously.…

The Axis Powers: How A Handful Of Individuals Changed The World

David Herold

The Second World War was a transformative event in global history. More than a hundred million soldiers took part in the hostilities. Sixty to eighty…

‘Corsair Fleet’ – The Brave Civilian Crews Who Took On Nazi Submarines To Protect the American Coast

Gabe Christy

While many people know the story of the “Little Ships of Dunkirk,” Great Britain was not the only nation to call upon its civilian sailors…

The Day Japan Lost Her Airforce – “It was just like an old-time turkey shoot down home”

“Why, hell, it was just like an old-time turkey shoot down home!” This comment from a pilot from the USS Lexington refers to the Battle…

“What we went through” – James Belshe, WWII Veteran Earns Purple Heart for Injury Sustained in the Philippines

War History Online proudly presents this Guest Article by military historian Jeremy P. Amick. “Seventy-something years ago,” described Eldon, Mo., veteran James Belshe, a “wide-eyed…