INSTANT ARTICLES | War History

North American X-15: The Fastest Manned Rocket Aircraft Ever Developed

North American X-15 in flight

Known as the fastest manned rocket aircraft ever flown, the North American X-15 is an engineering marvel. It made the first manned flights to the…

Operation Unthinkable: Winston Churchill’s Plan to Invade the Soviet Union

Winston Churchill aiming a Thompson "Tommy Gun" while standing with American soldiers

The “Big Three” heads of the Allied countries during the Second World War – British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, US President Franklin D. Roosevelt and…

Seven Reasons Why the Italian Forces Performed So Poorly During World War II

Italian soldiers walking down a street while waving white flags

When it comes to the Second World War, France is often made the butt of the joke for its surrender to Germany in 1940. However,…

Carcano: The Italian Firearm That Has Been Completely Forgotten By History

Lee Harvey Oswald holding his Carcano rifle and a newspaper in his backyard + John F. and Jacqueline Kennedy riding in a car with Texas Governor John Connally and his wife, Nellie Brill

On a sunny November day in Dallas, Texas, Lee Harvey Oswald leaned out the sixth-floor window of the Texas School Book Depository and aimed his…

Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat Meaning: Does Fortune Actually Favor the Bold?

Fortune cookie cracked open with a slip of paper reading "fortune favors the bold"

The Latin phrase fortis Fortuna adiuvat – which translates to “fortune favors the bold” or “fortune favors the brave” – has a long and storied…

The Cessna O-1 Bird Dog Flew Missions in Korea and Vietnam

Cessna O-1 Bird Dog in flight

Following the Second World War and the creation of the US Air Force, the US Army was in need of a new observation and liaison…

Grease Gun: The US Military’s Longest-Serving Submachine Weapon

Infantryman aiming an M3 "Grease Gun"

When the lightweight and cheap US Submachine Gun, Cal. 45, M3 was introduced into service in 1944, it was intended for use across all theaters…

Why Do American Military Enthusiasts Put George Patton on a Pedestal?

George Patton standing in military uniform

George Patton is among the most famous American generals of all time. Known as “Old Blood and Guts,” he made a name for himself during…

The M202 FLASH Has Been in Pseudo-Retirement for Decades – Why?

Clare Fitzgerald
US Marine aiming an M202 FLASH while another kneels beside him

The US military has designed a number of rocket launchers for use in combat. Some have seen years of service, while others have seemingly faded…

Downing of Extortion 17: The Single Deadliest Incident of the US War in Afghanistan

Samantha Franco
Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopter in flight

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

Clare Fitzgerald
Destroyed Iraqi tanks in defensive entrenchments

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 Remarkably Effective WWII-Era PIAT Anti-Tank Weapon

Rosemary Giles
Two soldiers lying on the ground while aiming a PIAT

By 1942, the Second World War had dragged on for three years. The British had seen a good deal of combat in various theaters, frequently…