MSN | War History

Cunning Deception Tactics Saved Helsinki from Soviet Bombings in 1944

Jesse Beckett
Residents walking around Helsinki + North American B-25 Mitchell in the air

While often overshadowed by larger combatants, Finland was involved in World War II almost from day one. Just a few months after Germany invaded Poland,…

How Eisenhower Planned to Survive a Nuclear Attack By the USSR

Jesse Beckett
Dwight D. Eisenhower sitting at his desk + Mushroom cloud

Limiting the effects of a nuclear attack can be a tough task, one that many nations took on (mostly in vain) during the Cold War.…

The USS Franklin was the Most Damaged Aircraft Carrier to Survive WWII

Jesse Beckett
Aerial view of the USS Franklin at sea + Crew of the USS Santa Fe watching the USS Franklin burn

The USS Franklin (CV-13) was a member of the Essex-class of aircraft carriers, which had a successful design that served well during World War II…

Four US Presidents Who Were Battle-Hardened Generals

Andrew Jackson + Ulysses S. Grant + Zachary Taylor + Theodore Roosevelt

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…

How the Russians Made the Kremlin “Disappear” During WWII

Hiding The Kremlin 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

Anti Flash White

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

PanzerV With Zimmerit Applied

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…

The US Navy’s P-8 Poseidon Is the Ideal Submarine Hunter

Navy P-8 Poseidon

As the US becomes more focused on China’s nuclear ballistic missile submarines, the Boeing P-8 Poseidon is the aircraft that is doing much of the…

This Marine General’s Sword Somehow Wound Up In A Pawnshop

Military portrait of Homer Litzenberg

Various types of items can be purchased on eBay, with some auctions bringing in thousands of dollars. When Marine veteran Chris Anderson logged onto the…

Norwegian Military Members Required to Return Underwear for Reuse By New Recruits

Clare Fitzgerald
Two Norwegian snipers running across a field

Conscripts in the Norwegian Armed Forces have been ordered to return all aspects of their uniform at the end of their service, including undergarments, so…

Poland Once Declared War On Japan – It Lasted 16 Years

Ship shrouded in smoke + Japanese flag + Polish flag

While Japan allied itself with Germany and Italy during the Second World War, it didn’t support the 1939 invasion of Poland. In fact, the empire…

Black Tom Explosion: German Sabotage on US Soil During WWI

Jesse Beckett
Jersey City pier broken into pieces following the Black Tom explosion

On the morning of July 30, 1916, Manhattan was lit up by a huge flash, before being slammed by an enormous blast wave. Three men and…