How the Cruiser Olympia Led the Asiatic Squadron to Victory in Manila Bay
In the evening of April 30th, 1898, a message was sent out to the Spanish Admiral Patricio Montojo, commander of the Pacific Squadron at Manila.…
How 60 Coast Guard Cutters Saved Over 400 Men On D-Day
“0530, accompanied invasion barges into shore under severe shelling attacks and with mines going up all around us. 0730, LCF-31 hit by shell 800 yards…
Harriet Tubman: Former Slave Who Led Union Troops Into Battle in 1863
The American Civil War was, at its core, fought over the freedom of states to allow their citizens to keep slaves. During the conflict, many…
How a band of German Pirates Captured 15 Ships During World War 1
On Christmas day, 1916 a Norwegian clipper ship, the Irma, was boarded by the British cruiser, Avenger. There was nothing particularly unusual, the captain spoke…
A Valiant Fight To The Death – 62 Against 3000
“These are not men; they are demons!” This was Mexican Colonel Francisco De Paulo Milan’s response when presented with the only French survivors of the…
WWI – Baptism by gas: The Canadians join the 2nd Battle of Ypres
It was a cool, and calm evening, on April 22, 1915, on the Gravenstafel Ridge Northeast of the town of Ypres, France. Soldiers of the…
Dawn of the Tank Age: the Battle of Cambrai, 1917
For the German troops near the French town of Cambrai, the world exploded into terror and flame on the morning of November 20th, 1917. 1,003…
The Deadly Defiant, A Game-Changing British Warplane in WW2
The 1930s were an age of aeronautical experimentation. All around the world air forces were trying new and fascinating designs, searching for the perfect combination…
John D. Bulkeley, Commander of the USS Endicott – A daring attack in WWII
On August 17, 1944, the USS Endicott, captained by Lieutenant Commander John D. Bulkeley, blew up two German ships, using only a single 5” gun.…
In WW2 This Amazing Woman Fought Japanese In The Philippines, Aided The Resistance, And Resisted Interrogation
Everyone has a story about how they came to join the military. Some do it for the opportunity it presents. Others do it for patriotism. Some are…
An Amazing Story Of Close Combat Over a Small Tennis Court During WW2
Between April 8th and May 13th, 1944 the fate of British troops in Burma was being decided over a small asphalt tennis court. This court…
The Submarine Which Inspired The Movie – U-Boat 96, And The Film “Das Boot”
In 1981, a film was released which is still cited as one of Germany’s greatest cinematic triumphs. It followed the exploits of U-96, a German…