POW James Risner: Attempted to destroy his voice by injuring his own throat. When that failed, he drank a paste made from soap
James Robinson Risner was a remarkable pilot and a man whose tenacity of spirit was only matched by his bravery. Risner ended his career in…
The wounded Arkansas NFL Legend who saved his Battalion’s Position
The world of sports is often said to serve as but a shadow or reflection of war. There are physical rigors, stressful scenarios, and often…
Retired Marine reunited with his M1 Garand after 56 years
Marine recruit Pat Farmer was assigned the weapon at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego in 1960. He signed the receipt card for…
Tanga Fiasco: Poorly Led British Defeated By Germans, And Bees
In the sweltering heat of East Africa, the British received one of their first defeats of World War One. The attempt to seize the port…
Napoleon As Augustus: How He Modelled Himself On The Roman Empire
“I am a true Roman Emperor; I am of the best race of the Caesars – those who are founders.” – Napoleon Bonaparte, 1812. Throughout…
The Deadly Defiant, A Game-Changing British Warplane in WW2
The 1930s were an age of aeronautical experimentation. All around the world air forces were trying new and fascinating designs, searching for the perfect combination…
Meet Chief Dog Sinbad, The Cheerful and Brave Coast Guard Mascot of WW2
The Coast Guard Cutter Campbell steamed out from New York in the winter of 1937. Like most peacetime cutters, she was patrolling the American coast,…
Josef Allerberger and Matthäus Hetzenauer: Two Snipers with Over 600 Kills Between Them
Josef Allerberger and Matthäus Hetzenauer were two snipers in the German Army who left a trail of death and chaos in their wake. The pair…
Battle of Khe Sanh May Have Been The Cause Of The Tet Offensive’s Success
Not only was the Battle of Khe Sanh one of the longest and bloodiest confrontations of the Vietnam War, it also kept American focus away…
Operation Linebacker II – The Massive Bombing Campaign That Brought Peace In Vietnam
Operation Linebacker II was the ultimate oxymoron and a repetition of a favoured American tactic for bringing about peace on an Asian battlefield. Just like…
In These Battles, Fighting Spirit Overcame The Odds To Gain Victory
Battles can be lost for a hundred different reasons. Poor numbers, unwise strategy, inferior weapons, the list goes on. But just occasionally, a fighting force…
9 Feb 1945: Victory at the Colmar Pocket, Germans Eviction From The West Bank of The Rhine
On 9 February 1945, the last German forces on the west bank of the River Rhine were defeated by the French and Americans. The defeat…