Operation Unthinkable: Winston Churchill’s Plan to Invade the Soviet Union
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
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,…
Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat Meaning: Does Fortune Actually Favor 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
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…
The M202 FLASH Has Been in Pseudo-Retirement for Decades – Why?
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…
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 Remarkably Effective WWII-Era PIAT Anti-Tank Weapon
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…
Operation Tracer: The Secret British Military Operation for Gibraltar
Of all the secret operations of the Second World War, none were less appealing than Operation Tracer, which involved spies being buried alive (literally). This…
Odette Sansom: The SOE Agent Who Became the First Woman to Receive the George Cross
In 1942, a young Odette Sansom responded to a call from the British Admiralty, asking for individuals to send postcards or family photographs from the…
The F-117 Nighthawk Had a Relatively Short Service Life with the US Air Force
The Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk was the first ever operational US Air Force stealth aircraft. It proved to be highly successful and effective, operating in a…
Luck of Kokura: The Japanese City That Avoided Atomic Bombing – Twice
Kokura is located on the northern tip of Japan’s Kyushu island. Housing one of the country’s largest military arsenals, it was a key target in…
US Air Force Pilot Richard Ritchie Shot Down Five Enemy Aircraft in Vietnam
On August 28, 1972, US Air Force Capt. Richard Stephen “Steve” Ritchie and Weapons System Officer Capt. Charles Barbin DeBellevue successfully shot down a North…