What Are the Origins of These Famous Battle Cries?
Battle cries have long been a powerful tool on the battlefield, rallying troops and instilling fear in enemy forces. These vocal expressions, rich with historical…
The Satsuma Rebellion Featured the Final Battles of the Samurai Era
For centuries, samurai held a prestigious position in Japanese society. Emerging in the 12th century, they were the military elite, famously wielding swords when pressed…
Indian Navy Commandos Successfully Recapture Ship from Somali Pirates After 40-Hour-Long Operation
Indian Navy Commandos took control of a pirate ship in the Arabian Sea after a dramatic 40-hour-long operation on March 16, 2024. The mission, performed…
Yasuke: The Legendary Black Samurai Who Reforged His Life’s Path
In 2021, Netflix released the anime series, Yasuke. It’s based on the real-life African warrior who, after traveling to Japan, became a talented samurai and…
History of Malbork Castle: From the Teutonic Knights to the Second World War
Malbork Castle has a long and rich history that makes it deserving of its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 13th-century castle is…
Ned Kelly: The Australian Outlaw Who Wore a Suit of Armor During His Last Shootout With Police
Edward “Ned” Kelly was an infamous Australian bushranger, outlaw, gang leader and convicted police murderer. He’s best known for wearing a bulletproof suit of armor…
Pancho Villa: The Mexican Revolutionary Who Evaded US Capture For Nearly 11 Months
Pancho Villa was easily one of the most beloved leaders of the Mexican Revolution. Born into a humble sharecropping family, he rose from poverty to…
Charles Brown Never Received His MoH Because He Deserted Before It Was Presented
During the 19th century, Korea was extremely isolationist. Before agreeing to the Japan-Korea Treaty of 1876, it didn’t have an interest in developing trade agreements…
Lost Cosmonauts: The Supposed Victims of the Soviet Union’s Space Endeavors
During the 1960s, rumors circulated that the Soviet Union had been sending people to space long before they announced their first successful launch. Experiments frequently…
Five Men Who Died At the Alamo
Not only was the Battle of the Alamo one of the most famous engagements during the Texas Revolution, it’s regarded as one of the most…
Ivar the Boneless: How a Disabled Viking Warrior Conquered England
The story of Ivar the Boneless has been told for centuries, striking fear into the hearts of Viking children as elders regaled in his most…
Is General Winter Russia’s Greatest Wartime Ally?
He’s been Russia’s ally for centuries, aiding in the defeat of some of the greatest armies in history. From Napoleon to the German Wehrmacht, “General…
Five of the Boldest Military Plans From History
Depending on the strategies being implemented, military battles can go either very right or totally wrong. Some have gone down as the most remarkable in…
Six Authoritarian Countries Where Democracy Is Virtually Extinct
In 2006, The Economist published the first-ever Democracy Index, a system that measures the state of democracy in nations around the world. Ranking countries on…
Battle of Saragarhi: 21 Sikhs vs. 10,000 Afghan Rebels
Between two British forts on the Samana Range stood a signaling outpost. It was operated by a small crew and became the target of a…
Dogs, Emus and Cows – Oh My! Ridiculous Wars Fought Throughout History
War has long been a costly approach to conflict, yet it remains a part of international politics and society. From the assassination of Franz Ferdinand…
Arthur Wellesley: The ‘Iron Duke’ Who Defeated Napoleon at Waterloo
Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, is seen by some to be a contentious figure in British history. A brilliant military leader who aided in…
Alexander Suvorov: The Russian Military Leader Who Erased Napoleon’s Gains In Italy
Alexander Suvorov was a general of the Russian Army during the 18th century, leading his men through incredible victories and rising through the ranks. His…
Fyodor Ushakov: The Russian Naval Legend and Saint Who Never Lost a Battle
Naval power has long been a feature of the world’s most powerful militaries. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Russians had an important advantage…
Prince Henry of Prussia Was Almost a Monarch of the United States
When the United States was in its infancy, most countries were ruled by monarchs. There were some prominent people involved in the Revolutionary War that…
Battle of Kamdesh: Vastly Outnumbered, US Army Troops Defeated Over 300 Taliban Insurgents
On October 3, 2009, more than 300 Taliban insurgents descended upon US Army Combat Outpost (COP) Keating in Kamdesh, Afghanistan. The some 50 soldiers of…
Gods of War: History’s Greatest Warriors Who Never Lost a Battle
Throughout history, the world’s best leaders have, largely, started out as some of the greatest warriors. From the ancient societies of Greece, Rome and Egypt…
Rare Photographs Reveal the Honorable History of Japan’s Samurai
Japan’s samurai were among the most powerful warriors of their time, rising through the ranks of society to become rulers in their own right. Not…
Deadly Military Uniform Designs That Ultimately Got Soldiers Killed
There have been a number of times when fashion outweighed function when it came to military uniforms, sometimes leading to deadly results. The shortfalls that…
Korengal Valley: Why the Region Is Nicknamed the ‘Valley of Death’
Between the mountain ranges bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan lies the infamous Korengal Valley. The area saw some of the deadliest engagements to occur during the…
The Most Fearsome Military Units of All Time
Intimidation plays an important part in conflict, as do teamwork and skill. The most fearsome military units in history combined these three traits, as well…
6-Star General: Only Three Individuals Have Been Promoted to the Prestigious Rank
The rank of 6-star general is so high in the US military’s hierarchy that it’s only ever been given out three times. One recipient was…
Cavalry Scouts Have Been An Integral Part of the US Army for Centuries
The US Army was officially founded on June 14, 1775. Just a few months later, the Cavalry Scouts were created. These soldiers have played an…
Downing of Extortion 17: The Single Deadliest Incident of the US War in Afghanistan
On August 6, 2011, the final flight of Extortion 17 resulted in the single deadliest incident for the US military during the War in Afghanistan.…
Battle of Norfolk: The Largest Tank Battle of the First Gulf War
The First Gulf War consisted of a number of fierce battles between the Iraqi and coalition forces. The first phase of the conflict, dubbed Operation…
The Battle of Kuwait International Airport was the Largest Tank Battle in US Marine Corps History
In the early 1990s, warfare was largely about air superiority, as was shown in the Gulf War. While the tank had once been the king…
The Famous Patton Tank Couldn’t Hold Its Own Against the Indian Army
Over the course of six-and-a-half weeks in 1965, India and Pakistan fought a war – and they didn’t do it alone. The world was watching,…
The US Military Used Tourist Maps to Prepare for the Invasion of Grenada
When the US military invaded Grenada in 1983, troops were grossly unprepared. Knowing little about the country, officials had to get inventive in order to…
The True Story Behind the Events of ‘Charlie Wilson’s War’
Charlie Wilson’s War premiered in 2007. The film boasted such A-list talent as Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts, and was a critical success, earning five…
Tsar Nicholas II Wouldn’t Approve the Russian Army’s New Uniform Until He Tested It Out Himself
Tsar Nicholas II saw himself as not only a member of the royal family, but as a soldier as well. He received a military education…
Historic Deception and Camouflage Techniques Used By Militaries
Deception and military subterfuge have been used throughout history. The aim is to give armies the upper hand by tricking the enemy. The practice dates…
Battle for Hill 3234: The True Story Behind the ‘9th Company’ Movie
On January 7, 1988, 39 men from 9th Company, 345th Independent Guards Airborne Regiment, Soviet Airborne Troops landed on the peak of Hill 3234, along…
Operation Desert Storm: The Battle That Changed Modern Warfare Forever
Operation Desert Storm changed modern warfare as we know it. Newly-introduced stealth technologies, GPS, advanced aircraft radar and missile warning systems employed by the US…
Colditz Castle Was Turned Into a Prisoner of War Camp During the Second World War
Colditz Castle, located in the Saxony town of the same name, has a long history. Dating back to the Holy Roman Empire, it has been…
Time Capsule at Arlington National Cemetery Reveals Preserved Artifacts
In May 2020, archivists and historians at Arlington National Cemetery announced the debut of an online exhibit dedicated to the items found within a 105-year-old…
10 Photos of US Troops Displaying Enemy Flags Like Trophies
The “loss” of a unit or army’s colors refers to the capture of a flag in battle or it being taken away as a form…
The History of Snake Island: From WWI to the Russian Invasion of Ukraine
One of the most contentious places in Eastern Europe is Snake Island. Located 30 miles off the southern coast of Ukraine in the Black Sea,…
Why Did the US Army Attack the Lakota Sioux at Wounded Knee?
On December 29, 1890, soldiers with the US Army opened fire on hundreds of Lakota Sioux. The group of Native Americans was largely unarmed and…
The Last Stand of the Swiss Guard: A Deadly Fight to Defend Rome from Mercenaries
History is full of stories about outnumbered armies making brave stands against scores of foes. While the Swiss Guard often look ceremonial with their halberds…
How Did Bravo Zulu Come To Mean ‘Well Done?’
The military can be a rather thankless place. So when you do get a compliment, it should be celebrated. Arguably, the most famous form of…
Jimmy Carter Once Saved Canada From Nuclear Disaster
Jimmy Carter was a one-term president, but he has long been lauded for his character and empathy. The 39th president of the United States, he…
Did the Term ‘Grunt’ Originate in Vietnam or During WWII?
For decades, infantry soldiers in the US Army and Marine Corps have been called “grunts,” wearing the moniker like a badge of honor. Grunts are…
Is Fort Hood The Most Dangerous Military Base In The United States?
Like everything in Texas, Fort Hood is huge. Today, Fort Hood is one of the largest military bases in the entire world. Located just outside…
Smedley Butler Had an Incredible Career in the US Marine Corps
Smedley Butler was born into privilege, but decided to fight for his country when he was just a teen. He became one of America’s most…
Things People Get Wrong About the Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party is one of the most famous events in American history. However, it has become difficult to separate mythology from fact, like…
The Contentious History of Russia-Ukraine Relations
The history of Russia-Ukraine relations is a contentious one. The pair’s relationship dates back long before the creation of the Soviet Union and has continued…
Racial Tensions and the Zoot Suit Riots of 1943
California is one of America’s largest states and also one of the most unique. During the 1940s, it had a culture all its own and…
John F. Kennedy’s First Casket Was Buried At Sea
The assassination of John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, is one of the most discussed events in the history of American…
The Most Feared Warriors In Military History
Wars have been fought for various reasons over history, with individuals from all walks of life fighting for their own causes. Some fighters have been…
The 5 Most Unusual Military Units in History
On the battlefield, any sort of edge can determine who wins and loses. Over time, countries and their militaries have attempted to throw off opponents…
This Greek Priest Saved 27,000 Greek Jews from Deportation
Damaskinos Papandreou was the Archbishop of Athens from 1941 to 1949. This position made him the highest-ranking priest in Greece, which was under German occupation…
The Sinking of the MV Wilhelm Gustloff Is The Single Largest Maritime Disaster In History
In January 1945 a German transport ship carrying thousands of civilian refugees from northern Europe was sunk in the Baltic Sea. She was torpedoed by…
We Have the US Army to Thank for the McDonald’s Drive-Through
It’s hard to imagine a time when we couldn’t drive up to our favorite fast food restaurant and order from the comfort of our cars.…
The First Successful Drone Strike Occurred in 1944
One of the longest-running missions that have continued throughout warfare is finding ways to reduce human involvement in conflicts. Today, drones have enabled this goal…
FG-42: The ‘Fallschirmjäger 42’ German Paratrooper Rifle
The FG 42 was a powerful automatic rifle developed by the Germans during WWII and served in a similar role to the Browning Automatic Rifle…
The Battle of Bloody Ridge Definitely Earned Its Name During The Korean War
The Korean War saw United Nations and North Korean forces repeatedly bounce back and forth between gaining territory and quickly losing it. UN troops were…
The Battle of Taejon And Its Importance In The Korean War
The Battle of Taejon was a battle that took place early in the Korean War, it was also one of the most important of the…
The M60 Machine Gun Has Withstood the Test of Time, Here’s Why
The M60 machine gun is as much a symbol of the Vietnam War as the peace sign. This weapon was loved and loathed – it…
The Iconic Colt Single Action Army Certainly Earned Its ‘Peacemaker’ Name
The Colt Single Action Army, also known as the Peacemaker, was a handgun that has been seen everywhere from the gunfight at O.K. Corral to…
The HMS Dreadnought (1906) is the Only Battleship to Sink a Submarine
The HMS Dreadnought was a vessel that quite literally changed the path of naval warfare and design philosophy. She brought in a whole host of…
The MiG-31: A Soviet-Era Interceptor That’s Faster Than Any Western Combat Jet Currently In Service
Designed as a slightly more refined and civilized version of the MiG-25 Foxbat, the MiG-31 is an aircraft that has remained mysterious to the West…
The Shotguns of WWII: Model 1897 and Model 1912
Aside from a flame thrower, there are few close-range weapons as deadly as a shotgun. Shotguns are terrifyingly effective at short ranges, as their shot…
Smith & Wesson Model 29: Dirty Harry’s Go-To Pistol
The .44 Magnum, the most … famous handgun in the world. The original quote is about the Smith & Wesson Model 29, a double-action revolver…
The Bofors 40MM Revolutionized Anti-Aircraft Combat
The job of an anti-aircraft gun is surprisingly demanding. It must be able to destroy or deter a fast-moving target by aiming not where it…
The Most Iconic Last Words in Military History: General John Sedgwick
General John Sedgwick was a United States military general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Known as a dependable and brave man,…
Four US Presidents Who Were Battle-Hardened Generals
Considering the President of the United States is the Commander-in-Chief, it’s surprising military experience is not a requirement for the job. Despite this, many former…
The Japanese Knee Mortar That Terrified Enemies
During the United States’ war against the Japanese, they often enjoyed a technical advantage in terms of equipment and weapons. US flamethrowers, semi-automatic rifles, shotguns,…
How the Russians Made the Kremlin “Disappear” During WWII
During the Soviet Union’s clash with Germany during WWII, many of their cities were reduced to rubble. Historically and culturally significant buildings and artifacts were…
The US And Britain Thought This Paint Could Protect Against a Nuclear Blast
When it comes to surviving a nuclear blast, paint is probably the last type of defense you’d consider. However, with the advent of nuclear weapons…
Zimmerit: The Unique Coating Along the Outside of German WWII Armored Vehicles
When looking at German tanks from WWII, you may have noticed a strange texture covering most surfaces of their armor. Although this looks like some…
Lethal Weapons: 5 of the Most Effective Man-Killing Tools in History
Weapons are simply an extension of the capabilities of the human body. In practice, though, they have been extremely expensive and complex, with quite literally…
Little-Known Facts About the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, at Arlington National Cemetery, is one of the most symbolic and hollowed sites in the United States. It represents…
There’s Only One German Dornier Do 335 Aircraft Left In The World
The Dornier Do 335 is one of Germany’s most weird and wonderful late WWII aircraft. Its unique push-pull engine configuration made the Do 335 extremely…
US Marines Took Hawaii in an Illegal Coup
When talking about the US Marine Corps capturing islands, many would think of the island-hopping campaign that took the Corps across the Pacific in WWII.…
Video Footage Shows Extent of Damage Caused by Fighting in WW1
We have all seen photos of the devastating damage left in the wake of the First World War. Cities that were reduced to rubble, large…
The Military is the Reason Why the Amish Have Their Distinctive Beards
The Amish are a group of traditionalist Christian church fellowships known for their relatively “old-fashioned” way of life. As part of living out what they…
The USS Intrepid Survived Four Kamikaze Attacks And Continued In Service For Decades
The USS Intrepid was an Essex-class aircraft carrier built during WWII. Initially operating in the Pacific Theatre, Intrepid would end up serving a wild 30-year…
The Colt Walker 1847: The Most Powerful Sidearm Ever Issued By the US Military
In 1846 the United States Army brought the Colt Walker 1847 into service – a revolver that is the most powerful sidearm ever issued by…
America’s Black Hawk Helicopter Still Has A Lot Of Work To Do
The famous and long-lasting UH-60 Black Hawk, which has been flying since the 1970s, will likely remain in service until the 2030s. The airframe is…
Why WWII’s M1 Carbine was Ahead of Its Time
The M1 Carbine was a small, lightweight weapon that found itself in the hands of many Allied soldiers during WWII. Its relatively small cartridge led…
The USS North Carolina Was a Nightmare for Japan During WWII
The USS North Carolina was a mighty battleship that served throughout the Second World War. She was involved in intense combat on many occasions but…
Did Tin Buttons Cause Napoleon’s Army To Retreat From Russia?
October of 1812 saw a major turning point in Napoleon’s invasion of Russia. Although the French had recently claimed victory at the Battle of Maloyaroslavets,…
The USS Olympia Is a Cruiser with a Battleship’s Guns And A Very Long History
The USS Olympia is the physical representation of the saying “big things come in small packages”. Launched in 1895, the comparatively small cruiser was armed…
These US Military Jets Accidentally Shot Themselves Down
As a rule, most aircraft armed with offensive weapons either attack ground targets or other aircraft. Over the past century, we have gotten pretty good…
Hundreds of WWII-Era Munitions Detonated Off Okinawa
After the discovery of hundreds of WWII munitions this year leftover from the Battle of Okinawa, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force has begun to destroy…
The Tragic Crash that Took Out the B-24 “Hot Stuff” and Its Crew
Over three months before the B-17 Memphis Belle completed 25 missions, the B-24 Liberator “Hot Stuff” had already returned home from its 25th mission. The…
Here’s Why the US Didn’t Attempt To Match Russia’s Titanium Submarines
In 1968 the Soviet Union produced a revolutionary new class of submarines; the Alfa-class. These vessels incorporated a number of advanced and innovative features that…
Why Do US Navy Sailors Have 13-Button Pants?
Navies across the world have traditions, some dating back hundreds of years. Many are so old that their origins have long since been forgotten. However,…
4 Military Advances In Weapons and Machines that Helped Britain Win Battles For Hundreds Of Years
Great Britain has been involved in scraps all over the world for centuries. In fact, it’s estimated that Britain has used military force against or…
These 4 Weapons Created For Combat Were Cheap But Ingenious Game Changers
Sometimes, no matter how tactically adept a military force may be, if an opponent suddenly shows up with a particularly advanced or capable weapon, it…
Stanley Hollis: The Only British Soldier to Earn the Victoria Cross for his Actions on D-Day
Since it was introduced only 1,358 Victoria Crosses have been awarded. One of these was to Stanley Hollis, a soldier in the British Army who…
6 of the Most Disgusting Rations that were actually Given to Soldiers
Military rations have varied significantly over the years and often reflect the era in which they were produced. After a long day of tiring activities,…
Grumman F-11 Tiger: The US Navy’s Second Supersonic Aircraft has a Weird History
The Grumman F-11 Tiger was an interesting fighter from an era that saw rapid and continuous advances in aircraft design. It was the US Navy’s…
5 Of The Most Brutal Tactics in the History of Warfare
War is not known for its friendliness, but throughout history, combatants have often abided by unspoken rules that try to limit unnecessary damage or suffering…
5 ‘Old Hollywood’ Celebrities Who Worked With The OSS To Fight Our Enemies
The Office of Strategic Services, better known as the OSS, was the United States intelligence agency during WWII. It was shut down promptly after the…