Jay Hemmings

Jay Hemmings is one of the authors writing for WAR HISTORY ONLINE

Articles by Jay Hemmings:

No, Polish Cavalry Never Charged German Tanks at Krojanty

Polish cavalrymen sitting on horses

Ask many armchair historian when the last ever cavalry charge took place and most will tell you it happened during World War II. They’ll likely…

WW2 Commando & Korean War Fighter Pilot & Australia’s First Recipient of America’s Air Medal & Purple Heart

While it’s not unheard of for a nation to award a military decoration to a foreign national who has performed an act of exceptional valor…

The Sack Of Baghdad In 1258 – One Of The Bloodiest Days In Human History

When we think of the darkest, most bloody days of human history, our minds inevitably turn to the horrors of modern warfare. We think of…

The 4-Legged German who Flew Against the Luftwaffe

There are few friends more steadfastly loyal than those of the canine variety. During the Second World War, a German Shepherd named Antis proved his…

Famous Cellist Frieda Belinfante Dressed as a Man to Save Jews

Frieda Belinfante was a woman who, blessed with immense musical talent, seemed destined for greatness – at least until the Nazi occupation of Holland in…

The Louisiana Native Guards – The First African-American Civil War Unit To Go Into Battle

While the far more well-known 54th Massachusetts Infantry regiment is usually portrayed as the first African-American unit of the American Civil War to have seen…

The German U-Boat. The Deadliest Hunter Of The Sea -The Destroyer of Souls

The name “U-boat,” an abbreviation of the German unterseeboot which, literally translated, means “undersea boat,” is a name that has become synonymous with swift and…

Nazi Death Camp Prisoners Revolted – A Tale Of Incredible Courage

Auschwitz will always be remembered as the site of one of the most heinous and truly monstrous crimes against humanity in all of history. But…

From Axes to Artillery. Did Medieval Soldiers Suffer From PTSD?

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a serious, often debilitating psychological affliction that is common in survivors of distressing physical, psychological and emotional trauma –…

Barking Mad Major Straps Bazookas To Airplane. Goes Tank Hunting!

War is a significant driver of rapid technological progress and innovation. This principle doesn’t just apply to the superpowers with access to teams of scientists…

‘Cockleshell Heroes’ Raid Ruined Another Unit’s Plans Which Would Have Caused More Damage

Kayaks, or canoes, have been used in warfare for as long as humans have been building boats. However, we tend to think of them as…

The Battle Of Dien Bien Phu – The Last Pitched Battle Fought By A European Colonial Power In Southeast Asia

The Battle of Dien Bien Phu, which took place in northern Vietnam in 1954, marked a major turning point in both the First Indochina War…