Modern | War History

Why Was ‘Casablanca’ Banned In Germany?

Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman as Rick Blaine and Ilsa Lund in 'Casablanca'

Casablanca (1942), a cinematic masterpiece cherished by audiences worldwide, experienced a peculiar fate within the borders of Germany. Despite its popularity, this iconic film found…

‘Gilligan’s Island’ Star Russell Johnson Was a Bombardier During the Second World War

Still from 'Gilligan's Island'

Russell Johnson, the talented actor known for his role as Professor Roy Hinkley in Gilligan’s Island (1964-67), led a remarkable life both on- and off-screen.…

Before He Was Obi-Wan Kenobi, Alec Guinness Was Part of the Allied Invasion of Sicily

Alec Guinness as Obi-Wan Kenobi in 'Star Wars'

Alec Guinness is renowned for his iconic roles in such films as the Star Wars franchise and The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957). Behind…

American Liberator Welcomed with Kisses from Elderly French Couple

American liberator being kissed on the cheek by an elderly couple

During the Second World War, the US involvement in the liberation of France stands as a remarkable chapter in history, serving as a turning point…

How An American GI Grieving During the Korean War Became Known Worldwide

Grieving American GI being comforted by another during the Korean War

Above is a photo of a grieving American GI whose friend was killed in action (KIA) while fighting the Korean War. He was a radio…

Clergyman Prays for Fallen GIs During the Battle of Ie-Shima

Clergyman praying while American servicemen watch from behind

The Battle of Ie-Shima from April 16-21, 1945 was a crucial engagement in the Pacific Theater during the latter stages of World War II. Fought…

Ryan FR-1 Fireball: The US Navy’s First Jet-Engine Fighter Was Also the Worst Aircraft of World War II

Ryan FR-1 Fireball in flight

The Ryan FR-1 Fireball was an American fighter designed by Ryan Aeronautical for the US Navy during the Second World War. It was a mixed-power…

Germany Used Circus Elephants to Clean Up Following the Allied Bombings of Hamburg

Circus elephants Mary and Kieri moving a damaged vehicle from a ruined building in Hamburg

The image above features Mary from Burma and Kieri from Ceylon, elephants who were brought to the Hamburg Zoo to train for the circus. At…

Sturmpistole: The German Handheld Grenade Launcher That Failed to Match More Powerful Anti-Tank Weaponry

German soldier aiming a Sturmpistole

The Sturmpistole was a multi-purpose weapon developed for the German Army during World War II. A modified flare gun, it was capable of firing a…

Before Becoming Hollywood’s Leading Man, Kirk Douglas was Chasing Japanese Submarines In the Pacific

Kirk Douglas as Col. Dax in 'Paths of Glory'

Kirk Douglas is arguably one of the most famous names to emerge during Hollywood’s heyday in the 1950s and ’60s. Known for taking on particularly…

The M18 Recoilless Rifle Obliterated Enemy Machine Gun Nests In Korea

Group of men standing near an M18 recoilless rifle in the snow

The M18 is a 57 mm shoulder-fired, anti-tank recoilless rifle the US Army equipped troops with during the Second World War and in Korea. The…

USS Recruit (1917): The Wooden Dreadnought In Manhattan’s Union Square

USS Recruit (1917) in Manhattan's Union Square

Amid the bustling streets of Manhattan’s Union Square in World War I, an extraordinary sight met passersby. The USS Recruit (1917), a wooden landship constructed…