US Naval Aircraft Celebrate the Signing of the Japanese Surrender Aboard the USS Missouri (BB-63)
Following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by American forces, Emperor Hirohito announced Japan’s surrender on August 15, 1945. Just over two weeks later,…
HMS Sussex (96): The British Heavy Cruiser That Survived a Kamikaze Strike
The British heavy cruiser HMS Sussex (96) was a London sub-class vessel within the Royal Navy’s County-class. Operated by the service between 1929-50, she participated…
The Battle of Wake Island Lifted the Spirits of the American Public
Hidden behind the tragedy of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor is the lesser-known Battle of Wake Island. Enemy attacks were launched on both locations,…
The Soviet ‘Hiroshima’ Submarine That Inspired Harrison Ford’s ‘K-19: The Widowmaker’
K-19 was the first submarine of the Soviet Union’s Project 658, the first generation of Soviet nuclear submersibles that carried an armament of nuclear ballistic…
The Real-Life History Behind the British Television Series, ‘Sharpe’
The television series Sharpe (1993-2008) captivated audiences with its portrayal of the Napoleonic Wars. The show skillfully weaves a fictional narrative into historical events with…
Retired Soldiers ‘Strenuously Object’ to Removal of Confederate Names from National Ranger Memorial
Over 100 retired US Army Rangers have signed a letter to Congress, in which they “strenuously object to the defacement and desecration of the National…
The WWII-Era Disappearance of a Grumman J2F Duck Over Greenland
The Grumman J2F Duck was an amphibious aircraft that served the US military in various capacities during the Second World War. It could operate from…
Panzerbüchse 39: The German ‘Tank Hunting Rifle’ That Saw Action In Poland and the USSR
The Panzerbüchse 39 (PzB 39) was an anti-tank rifle operated by Wehrmacht during the Second World War. The PzB 39 saw use during the invasion…
The USS Oriskany Was Purposefully Sunk In the Gulf of Mexico to Form An Artificial Reef
Laid down in the middle of World War II, the Essex-class aircraft carrier USS Oriskany (CV/CVA-34) didn’t see action until after the conflict. She was…
Exercise Tiger: The D-Day Live-Fire Rehearsal That Resulted In Over 700 Allied Deaths
An immense amount of preparation was involved in ensuring the success of D-Day. The Allies had to make sure they’d achieve the desired outcome, meaning…
RAF Members Preparing to Bomb German Industry Targets During the Battle of the Ruhr
Throughout World War II, the Allied forces – in particular, the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the US Army Air Forces (USAAF) – conducted several…
Can You Spot the Finnish Coastal Defense Ship Väinämöinen In This Image?
Camouflage and optical illusions have long been a key part of conflict. Such tactics were heavily used throughout World War II, with examples being the…