Shahan Russell

Shahan Russell is one of the authors writing for WAR HISTORY ONLINE

Articles by Shahan Russell:

Half Blind Japanese Pilot Flies His Damaged Zero For 5 Hours, Then Refused Medical Attention Before Making His Report

During WWII, Sub-Lieutenant Saburō Sakai served as a naval aviator with the Imperial Japanese Navy. He claimed 64 victories, one of which was made after…

Rivalry in the USA – The Toledo War of 1835 – When Ohio Fought Michigan

The Toledo War of 1835 took place between the US state of Ohio and a foreign country – Michigan. Though hundreds joined the conflict, only…

This Fighter Pilot Saved a Bomber Squadron From German Fighter Attacks For over Half an Hour – Alone

During WWII, he single-handedly protected a bomber squadron against German planes… even when he ran out of ammo. They called him the “One Man Airforce”…

Born To Fly: Amy Johnson, Ground-Breaking British Aviator of the 1930s

She was a British aviator in the 1930s who showed what women could do by setting several impressive records. Amy Johnson was born on July…

Vietnam Green Beret Had 37 Wounds And Still Carried On Fighting – He Was Awarded The Medal of Honor

Master Sergeant Raul “Roy” Perez Benavidez was shot several times, suffered two grenade blasts, and got bayonetted while saving the lives of eight men. Despite…

Disease, Starvation, and the Brutal Russian Winter – Why Napoleon’s Invasion of Russia Failed

In 1812, Napoleon’s Grande Armée (Great Army) invaded Russia. Though made up of about 680,000 soldiers, they lost. Historians have given many reasons as to…

The Slave Who Stole A Confederate Ship, Met President Lincoln & Bought His Master’s House

In 1862, Robert Smalls stole a Confederate ship, gave it to the Union Army, freed slaves, and met President Abraham Lincoln. After the war, he…

Neutral Switzerland Has Invaded Liechtenstein 3 times in 30 years – by Mistake

Most people associate Switzerland with mountains, chocolates, watches, and Swiss Army knives. They also think of a peaceful and neutral country that’s fanatic about avoiding…

Marie Marvingt – An Incredible Overachiever in World War One and Beyond

Some people lead such incredible lives; they are almost unbelievable. This lady was definitely one of them. Marie Félicie Elisabeth Marvingt was born on February 20,…

Hanns Scharff – Nazi Germany’s POW “Master Interrogator” Who Used Kindness Not Brutality

The Nazis had a “Master Interrogator” who was so good at getting information out of prisoners that he became a legend. His methods were so…

How Vietnam War POW Doug Hegdahl Tricked His Captors by Playing The Fool

Imagine that it’s the 1960s. You’re an American POW in a North Vietnamese camp, so you have two options: If you want to live, you…

The Wacko Story of Jumpin’ Joe Beyrle – The US Paratrooper who Served in a Soviet Tank Battalion a Hero of Two Nations

War sometimes creates strange circumstances. The following story is about a soldier who became a hero of two nations. Joseph Robert Beyrle was born on…