Shahan Russell

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

Articles by Shahan Russell:

Vera Atkins: Incredibly Brave British SOE Squadron Officer of World War Two

Early in WWII, the Germans were marching through Europe, and Britain was next. On July 16, 1940, the British prime minister, Winston Churchill, declared, “Set…

Japan Tried To Set The U.S. West Coast Ablaze in WWII- It Nearly Worked

Most believe that those at Pearl Harbor were the only casualties on American soil during WWII. Not true. There were more in Oregon. The Japanese…

The Youngest (Confirmed) British Soldier of World War One

In 1998 Richard van Emden’s book, Veterans: the Last Survivors of the Great War was published. Later it became the basis of a 2009 television documentary.…

“I guess they didn’t know I was a Marine” – Heroism and Honor at Guadalcanal

Despite being the smallest of America’s Armed Forces, the US Marine Corps are considered the cream of the crop. There is a good reason for…

When The British Sank The French Fleet At Mers-el-Kebir To Stop It Falling Into German Hands

Unable to stop the German advance in Europe, British soldiers fled through the Port of Dunkirk with French help. Weeks later, the British thanked their…

How Churchill’s Relative Survived a Concentration Camp

During WWII, the Germans caught an Allied spy. Fortunately, she had a famous relative – British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Odette Marie Céline Brailly was…

When The US Dumped Over $10 Million Worth Of Choppers Into The Sea

One of the most iconic images from the fall of Saigon did not happen in Saigon. It happened at sea where sailors pushed helicopters off their ships.…

Nancy Wake – They Called Her The “White Mouse” – Incredible Allied SOE Agent of World War Two

When the Nazis occupied France in WWII, they faced a serious threat. By 1943 it was so dangerous, they offered 5 million francs for its…

Rudolph Hess: The Nazi Who Flew to Britain in 1941 to try to Make a Peace Deal

Rudolf Walter Richard Hess was born on April 26, 1894, in Alexandria, Egypt to a wealthy family of Bavarian merchants. At 14, he was sent…

Giorgio Perlasca – The Heroic Italian Businessman Who Saved Thousands Of Jewish People By Posing As A Diplomat

Everyone knows what happened to the Jews in Europe in WWII. They are also aware of the fact some people risked life and limb to…

Wartime Movie Making – The Fleet That Came to Stay, 1945

In 1945 the United States Navy’s Photographic Services Branch made a movie in an attempt to encourage Americans to buy war bonds. They were so…

Marie Marvingt – In 1915, the French government gave her permission to fly bombing missions over Germany

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,…