Henry Johnson, Known as the “Black Death” – America’s First World War Hero
Henry Johnson was a World War I soldier who singlehandedly beat back a German assault while critically wounded. He was a great American hero and…
Some of the Most Effective Melee Weapons of WWI, The Bayonet Was Not One of Them
WWI was a terrifying fusion of old and new. An infantryman might have a slower-firing bolt action rifle, or he could find himself behind a…
Chemical Weapons Created and Used During the First World War
Often referred to as the “Chemists War,” World War I saw the rise of chemical weapons being used on the battlefield. It all began with the…
The Much-Reviled Sir Douglas Haig May Have Been The Best Man For a Terrible Job
Lieutenant George: Great Scott sir, you mean, you mean the moment’s finally arrived for us to give Harry Hun a darned good British style thrashing,…
The Day That The USA Invaded Russia And Fought The Red Army
The US Armed Forces and the Red Army, although great rivals, only once met in battle. Even though during the Cold War a number of…
The Versailles Peace Treaty – Ending The Great War In 1918
The treaty of Versailles was one of several peace treaties which signaled the end of the devastating years of World War I. It sealed the end…
How An Explosion In Northern New Jersey Put 62,000 People Onto The Front Lines Of World War 1
By October 1918, the 1st World War was winding down. It was clear to most observers that the Western Allies would be victorious. Life in…
One Of The Bloodiest Battles In WW1 – The Battle of the Somme
One of the most destructive events of the First World War, the Battle of the Somme was a 142-day campaign including a series of smaller…
As A 16 Year Old Kid, Young Jack Faced Off With The German Fleet And Was Awarded The Victoria Cross
It is estimated that up to one-third of British Sailors in World War I was under the age of 18. Many lied about their age…
The Loyal Messenger Dog Who Saved Countless Lives At Verdun In WW1
A courageous World War I war dog was widely hailed a hero, after battling bravely through no man’s land to deliver a life-saving message to…
The Pals Battalions: Comradeship and Tragedy in the First World War
Few stories better exemplify the spirit of the First World War than that of the Pals battalions. These British units embodied comradeship, courage, unwavering national…
The “Red Zone” In France Is So Dangerous that 100 Years After WWI It Is Still A No-Go Area
The Zone Rouge (Red Zone) is a region near Verdun, France spanning some 460 square miles of mostly virgin forest – at least on the…