Why Did John F. Kennedy Keep a Coconut in the Oval Office?
Before John F. Kennedy was the 35th President of the United States, he was a lieutenant in the US Navy during World War II. During…
Upcoming Film ‘Never Alone’ Looks at Finland’s Deportation of Jewish Refugees in World War II
Few movies are made about Finland’s role in World War II, especially when it comes to the country’s part in the Holocaust. While many are…
Shizuya Hayashi: The Japanese-American Soldier Who Showed Astounding Bravery on His First Day of Combat
During the Italian Campaign in World War II, German soldiers faced a sight they’d never expected: Japanese-American soldiers. These men were members of the 100th…
No legs, No Problem: The Incredible Story of RAF Ace Douglas Bader
It made sense that most Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots would be superstitious when one considers how much could go wrong, but if Wing Commander…
Charles Lightoller: The Titanic Second Officer Who Helped Evacuate Over 120 Men at Dunkirk
The sinking of the RMS Titanic is an infamous event in history. Most people know about the iceberg and the fact there were too few…
British Man Builds World War II-Era Anderson Shelter in His Back Garden
A World War II enthusiast has created a historical man cave by building a sunken Anderson Shelter in his back garden in Dorset, United Kingdom.…
Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport is Named for the US Navy’s First Air Ace of World War II
Few pilots have the innate skill in the cockpit that Edward “Butch” O’Hare did. The US naval aviator was a natural, and over the course…
Edward VIII: The Duke of Windsor’s Relationship With Germany Caused Major Issues in World War II
When thinking of controversial figures in the British Royal Family, odds are Edward VIII, the Duke of Windsor, comes to mind. A former king who…
Over 80 Years After Being Sunk By the Japanese, the ‘Dancing Mouse’ Has Been Found
The wreck of the US Navy destroyer USS Edsall (DD-219), better known as the “Dancing Mouse,” has been identified off the coast of Australia. The…
Kristallnacht: The ‘Night of Broken Glass’ That Served as a Precursor to the Holocaust
Kristallnacht was one of the darkest events to occur in the lead up to the Holocaust and World War II. Occurring on the night of…
Famous POWs: Celebrities Who Were Held Captive By the Enemy During World War II
We’re all aware that many famous individuals served in various capacities throughout the Second World War. Some were ground troops, fighting on the battlefield, while…
Leonard T. Schroeder: The First Allied Soldier to Land on Normandy on D-Day
Leonard T. Schroeder Jr. holds a unique place in history as the first Allied soldier to set foot on Normandy during D-Day. Leading Infantry Rifle…
Trent Park: The Lavish British Estate That Held (and Spied on) High-Ranking German POWs
Nestled in north London, Trent Park is an impressive mansion with a history dating back to the late 18th century. Once owned by Sir Philip…
Trails of Hope: Honoring the Service and Sacrifice of Poles During World War II
In 1939, as the Führer and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin divided Poland between themselves, but they never broke the nation’s free spirit. In the years…
Clive Owen to Star in Historical Thriller ‘Kristallnacht’
British actor Clive Owen has starred in many big-name productions, notably King Arthur (2004), Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2006) and Valerian and the City of…
How Did Benito Mussolini Die? The Demise of Italy’s Fascist Dictator
Benito Mussolini was one of the world’s major leaders at the onset of the Second World War. Becoming Italy’s prime minister in 1922, he’d sought…
After Renouncing Her German Citizenship, Marlene Dietrich Dedicated Herself to the American War Effort
German actor Marlene Dietrich was one of the most famous faces of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Moving to the United States after her breakthrough role in…
Would You Want to Live in a Former German Bunker? Now’s Your Chance!
A former German personnel bunker has been converted into a three-bedroom luxury home on the tiny island of Guernsey. Built in 1942 by the German…
Actors You May Not Have Realized Served in World War II
Several big-name actors served in World War II – Clark Gable, James “Jimmy” Stewart, David Niven, Henry Fonda, etc. – risking their lives in Europe…
One of the Last Surviving Navajo Code Talkers Has Died at 107
One of the last surviving Navajo code talkers has died. The passing of 107-year-old John Kinsel, Sr. on October 19, 2024, was announced in a…
Chiune Sugihara: The Japanese ‘Schindler’ Who Saved Thousands of Lithuanian Jewish Refugees
Oskar Schindler’s story is known across the world, primarily due to Steven Spielberg’s Academy Award-winning film Schindler’s List (1993), which depicts the German industrialist’s efforts…
Did You Know the Last Ever US Cavalry Charge Into Combat Occurred in World War II?
When you think of World War II, you likely picture aircraft whizzing through the air, tanks firing their massive guns and troops using vehicles to…
British Submarine Found 81 Years After Disappearing Without a Trace
A Royal Navy submarine that seemingly vanished without a trace during the Second World War has finally been located off the coast of Greece. HMS…
What Role Did Naval Warfare Play In the Early Stages of Germany’s Invasion of Poland?
While many focus on the ground invasion when it comes to Germany’s offensive against Poland in September 1939, it’s important to take note of what…
‘Ghost Ship of the Pacific’ Discovered Off the Coast of California
Over 78 years after she was sunk by the US Navy off the coast of San Francisco, California, the wreck of the USS Stewart (DD-224)…
Masamitsu Yoshioka, Last Surviving Pearl Harbor Bombardier, Dead at 106
The last surviving Japanese bombardier who attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, has passed away. Masamitsu Yoshioka, whose death was announced on Japanese social…
The P-47 Thunderbolt Pilot Who Was Escorted to Safety By Two Luftwaffe Fighters
The Battle of the Bulge, which took place between December 1944 and January ’45, was a turning point in the Allies’ fight against the Germans…
World War II-Era Bomb Explodes at Japanese Airport
It’s not an uncommon occurrence for World War II-era munitions to be found throughout Japan, but locating one at an airport is definitely unexpected –…
World War II Film ‘White Bird’ Starring Helen Mirren Slated for North American Release
After years of delays, White Bird will finally be debuting in North American theaters. The World War II-era film, starring Helen Mirren and Gillian Anderson,…
Who Was Elizabeth ‘Lee’ Miller? The True Story Behind the Kate Winslet-Led Movie
Of the correspondents to cover the Second World War, one of the most famous was Lee Miller. Working for Vogue and traveling with the US…
The Controversial Film ‘Defiance’ Brought the Resistance Work of the Bielski Partisans to the Big Screen
As the Axis Powers increased their sphere of influence across Europe during the Second World War, various Resistance groups popped up. With a desire to…
Aaron Bank: The ‘Father of the Green Berets’ Who Revolutionized Special Warfare
The US Army’s Special Forces are among the most elite military groups in the entire world. Famous for their clandestine warfare capabilities, they regularly strike…
Dudley Clarke: The British Army’s Master of Deception Tricked the ‘Desert Fox’ in North Africa
Everyone is familiar with the US military’s Ghost Army, artists and architects whose sole job was to deceive the Germans during the Second World War.…
USS Tang (SS-306): The Decorated US Submarine That Was Sunk By Her Own Torpedo
The USS Tang (SS-306) was one of the most effective submarines to serve in the Pacific Theater during the Second World War. Over the course…
Germany Once Planned to Assassinate Winston Churchill… With Exploding Chocolate
Throughout the Second World War, prominent politicians were the subject of assassination plots. While often unsuccessful, they were a way for everyday civilians, Resistance fighters,…
James Cameron to Bring Film Adaptation of ‘Ghosts of Hiroshima’ to the Big Screen
Academy Award-winning director James Cameron has obtained the film rights for Charles Pellegrino’s forthcoming book, Ghosts of Hiroshima. The nonfiction release, which draws upon accounts…
MoH Recipient Richard M. McCool, Jr. Ignored His Own Injuries to Rally His Men After a Kamikaze Attack
Throughout the Second World War, there were countless examples of bravery and heroism that went well beyond the call of duty. Among those to exemplify…
American Politicians Pushing to Award Bataan, Attu Veterans the Congressional Gold Medal
Two American politicians, Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM 3rd District), have introduced a renewed push to award veterans of the…
World War II-Era Shipwrecks Re-Emerge From the Depths of Danube River
World War II-era vessels once operated by the Kriegsmarine have “risen” from the depths of the Danube, in Serbia. The wrecks, which belonged to Germany’s…
North American Release Date Revealed for Pierce Brosnan WWII Movie ‘The Last Rifleman’
Nearly a year after it premiered on the British streaming service Sky Cinema, The Last Rifleman (2023) will finally debut in North America. The World…
Netflix Releasing Kerry Washington-Led Film About 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion
Netflix has released the trailer for its upcoming film about the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the first and only unit of color with the…
Second Sino-Japanese War: The ‘Asian Holocaust’ That Witnessed Some of History’s Most Horrific War Crimes
The Second Sino-Japanese War was the result of escalating tensions and conflict between China and Japan that had been brewing for decades. When fighting broke…
The B-29 Superfortress ‘Enola Gay’ Forever Changed Warfare When It Dropped the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima
For many, the development of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress was a turning point of the Second World War. Hitting the skies in mid-1944, the bomber…
The Devastating Invasion That Kicked Off the Second World War
September 1, 2024, marks the 85th anniversary of the German invasion of Poland – and the beginning of the Second World War. Beginning with assaults…
EXCERPT: ‘Witty Manny’ – From Prisoner of War to an East German Hospital in Just 11 Months
Here, we continue our eventful World War II story of Emanuel von König, when he arrives in the western suburbs of Berlin on April 20,…
‘Blighty or Bust’ Tells the Story of a Young Soldier’s 2,000-Mile Escape to Freedom in World War II
An English author has unearthed an amazing World War II escape story in a cardboard box of papers and cuttings he bought via an online…
The Touching Story of the Letter Jimmy Stewart Read Before Every Bombing Mission
Famous for his memorable performances in classic films like The Philadelphia Story (1940), It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) and Anatomy of a Murder (1959), James…
Famed Fletcher-Class Destroyers to Undergo Major Restoration Work
It appears two World War II-era warships will live to see another day, thanks to two separate efforts to preserve the vessels. The USS The…
Over 400 Homes Evacuated in Northern Ireland After Discovery of World War II-Era Bomb
Hundreds of homes were evacuated in Newtownards, County Down, Northern Ireland, after a suspected World War II-era bomb was discovered. The “suspected historic piece of…
The Führer Personally Intervened to Ensure Mildred Fish-Harnack Was Punished for Her Resistance Work
Upon the outbreak of the Second World War, and even before, Resistance groups began popping up across Europe. Determined to fight for freedom and to…
The Oft-Forgotten Aleutian Islands Campaign Saw the Fighting of World War II Arrive on North American Soil
The Aleutian Islands Campaign marked the only time fighting occurred on the continental United States against enemy forces during the Second World War. Beginning in…
Josefina Guerrero: The Philippine Spy Who Used Her Illness to Help the Allies Liberate Her Country
Throughout the Japanese occupation of the Philippines during the Second World War, guerrillas actively worked to liberate their country. Among then was a twenty-something woman…
The Only Two Japanese Ships Sunk Off the US Coast During World War II Have Been Found
Over 80 years after they were sunk, the only two Japanese ships believed to have been lost immediately off the coast of the United States…
The Wola Massacre Was One of the Most Horrific Episodes of the Warsaw Uprising
One of the worst episodes of the Warsaw Uprising was the Wola Massacre. In an act of retaliation, German troops systematically slaughtered tens of thousands…
When British Commandos Became Pirates – The True Story Behind ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024), directed by Guy Ritchie, is one of the most exciting World War II-era movies to be released in recent…
Audrey Hepburn Risked Her Life to Help the Dutch Resistance During World War II
When you think of “old” Hollywood, Audrey Hepburn likely comes to mind. Her filmography is impressive, but what if we were to tell you that…
‘Blitz’ Trailer Shows Saoirse Ronan Fighting to Find Her Child Amid German Air Raids on London
AppleTV+ has ramped up its production of wartime releases, and the streaming service’s latest will center around the Blitz on London, United Kingdom from 1940-41.…
Damian Lewis, Chris Messina Join Brendan Fraser-Led D-Day Movie ‘Pressure’
Brendan Fraser has experienced a renaissance (or, should we say, a Brennaissance) since his Oscar-winning role in 2022’s The Whale. It appears he’s continuing to…
The Stories Behind the Most Iconic World War II Propaganda Posters
Everyone is familiar with World War II-era propaganda posters. Often colorful, with phrases written to tug at citizens’ patriotism, they aimed to convince everyone, service…
US Navy Exonerates Black Sailors Court-Martialed in 1944 Port Chicago Disaster
The US Navy has officially exonerated 258 Black sailors in relation to courts-martial imposed following the deadly Port Chicago Disaster in July 1944. Eighty years…
German U-boats Managed to Sink 397 Allied Vessels in Torpedo Junction in Just Six Months
The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest engagement of the Second World War, with the Kriegsmarine reigning supreme in the ocean for much of…
Mickey Rooney Received the Bronze Star for Entertaining Troops on the Frontlines
Mickey Rooney was one of the most celebrated actors from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Known for his work with fellow child star Judy Garland…
There Are Three U-boats Entombed Beneath a Parking Lot in Germany’s Second-Largest City
While it’s not unheard of for wartime sea vessels to be located beneath the earth, it is rare. The most notable instance of this was…
She Was Adopted in the Chaos of the Post-War Era – Over Seven Decades Later, She Discovered a Brother She Didn’t Know Existed
Families were frequently split up during the Second World War, never knowing if they’d be reunited. While attempts were made by survivors to locate their…
USS Sachem (SP-192): ‘The Ghost Ship’ That Served in Both World Wars and Now Sits Abandoned in the Wilderness
There are many abandoned ships across the United States, but few have as storied a history as the USS Sachem (SP-192), which also went by…
‘They Were Expendable’ Actor Robert Montgomery Actually Served in the US Navy During World War II
Robert Montgomery wasn’t just an influential figure in Vintage Hollywood, he was also a dedicated member of the US military. He put his acting career…
Operation Meetinghouse: The Devastating Firebombing of Tokyo During World War II
It’s hard to imagine a worse attack on Japan during World War II than the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, but there was. The…
Volunteers Requesting Help to Save World War II-Era Liberty Ship SS John W. Brown
One of the last remaining operational World War II-era liberty ships is at risk of falling into disrepair and losing its certification from the US…
The March on Rome and Benito Mussolini’s Quest to Turn Italy Into a Fascist Nation
The March on Rome was the start of great political and societal change within Italy. Led by Benito Mussolini, the march aimed to tear down…
John Ford Called Out John Wayne on Set for Not Serving in World War II
In the years following the Second World War, many films were released that detailed the dangers faced by both friend and foe. At the time,…
34 Miles of Tunnels Were Dug By the British Military Beneath the Rock of Gibraltar
A British territory north of Spain, Gibraltar is a beloved tourist destination that experiences naval dockyard actively by the British Royal Navy. Lesser known are…
Tököl Airbase Played a Major Role in Germany’s War Machine – That Is, Until the Soviets Took It Over
Hungary’s history is marked by significant instability. During World War II, it fell under German occupation and, in the Cold War era, the Soviet Union…
‘The Commandant’s Shadow’ Documentary Tells Story of Auschwitz Director’s Son
The Academy Award-winning film The Zone of Interest was among the most talked about in 2023. Now, a documentary about the movie’s subject, Auschwitz commandant…
Calvin Graham: The 12-Year-Old Sailor Who Received the Bronze Star During the Guadalcanal Campaign
It wasn’t unusual for boys to lie about their age to enlist in World War II. Many tried to persuade recruiters they were old enough…
Two Dead Following Crash Involving World War II-Era Aircraft in California
Two individuals aboard a World War II-era Lockheed Model 12 Electra Junior – better known as the L12 – died when the aircraft crashed shortly…
Facts About ‘Das Boot’ – The Most Realistic Submarine Movie Ever Released
If you ask history buffs to name a movie that best shows the realities of submarine warfare during World War II, the majority will say…
USS West Virginia (BB-48): The Battleship That Survived Pearl Harbor and Exacted Revenge on America’s Enemies
The USS West Virginia (BB-48) was one of the many American battleships to see action in the Pacific Theater during the Second World War. Miraculously…
The Capture of U-505 Helped America Crack the Kriegsmarine’s Ultra-Secretive Code
The capture of U-505 by the US Navy was one of the most secretive events of the Second World War. While on patrol off the…
PHOTOS: The World War II-Era German Military Base That Was Occupied By the Soviets
In the forests of Germany, the Wehrmacht built numerous training areas and temporary living quarters for troops. Most of these structures have been demolished, as…
BBC Releases Trailer for Highly-Anticipated Second Season of ‘SAS: Rogue Heroes’
In 2022, BBC premiered SAS: Rogue Heroes (2022-present), a scripted series centered around the Special Air Service’s (SAS) efforts in North Africa. The final episode…
‘D-Day 80th Anniversary’ Documentary Dives Into Turning Point of World War II
A brand-new documentary examining the Allied landings on Normandy has been released. Directed by Bruce Vigar, D-Day 80th Anniversary explores the planning, execution and aftermath…
African-American Medic Who Saved Dozens of Lives on D-Day Posthumously Awarded Distinguished Service Cross
An African-American medic who braved enemy fire to treat hundreds of Allied troops on D-Day is finally being recognized for his bravery. In the lead-up…
Bradford Freeman: The Easy Company Mortarman Who Fought His Way Through Occupied Europe
Bradford C. Freeman, a mortarman who served in the famous 2nd Battalion, Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, played a key role…
Facts About D-Day – The Amphibious Landings That Changed the Course of World War II
D-Day is famous for being a turning point in the fight against Germany during World War II. On June 6, 1944, Allied troops from several…
D-Day Movies Every Military History Buff Needs to Watch
D-Day – the Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944 – was one of the most dramatic moments of World War II. Over the…
Photos of Battery 223 – An Abandoned World War II Military Fortification in New Jersey
Visitors who’ve walked along the beach at Cape May Point State Park, in Lower Township, New Jersey, have likely encountered a reinforced concrete structure dating…
A Bankrupt Oskar Schindler Abandoned His Wife After World War II
Steven Spielberg‘s Schindler’s List (1993) centers around Oskar Schindler, a man who saved over 1,000 Jewish individuals during the Holocaust. While the film briefly mentions…
Royal Air Force Pilot Loses Life After Supermarine Spitfire Crashes Near RAF Coningsby
A Royal Air Force (RAF) pilot has died after the World War II-era Supermarine Spitfire he was manning crashed in a field near RAF Coningsby.…
EXCERPT: ‘Witty Manny’ – How a Man Drilled in Tyranny Became a Thriving Citizen of American Democracy
The following is an excerpt from a 40,000-word manuscript written by Philippe Defechereux about Manny’s life, from growing up in an autocratic environment, to the…
Frontline Heroines Who Refused to Take a Step Back During World War II
There were several unsung heroes in World War II, many of them women. Coming from all walks of life, these brave individuals put their lives…
Official Trailer Released for Kelsey Grammer WWII-Era Movie, ‘Murder Company’
In the lead-up to the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings on D-Day, the official trailer has dropped for a new World War II-era film…
Organizers Looking Forward to 80th Anniversary of Guernsey’s Liberation Next Year
The tiny Channel Island of Guernsey holds the record of being the most fortified place along the German military’s Atlantic Wall. Turning it into a…
The Battle of the Atlantic Was a Never-Ending Fight for Control of the High Seas
The Battle of the Atlantic stretched across the entirety of the Second World War, from 1939-45. The monumental engagement was about more than just naval…
Pacific Wrecks Team Locates What They Believe to Be Richard Bong’s Missing P-38 ‘Marge’
Update – 05/24/2024: The joint-organization team involved in the search for US Army Air Forces (USAAF) pilot Richard Bong’s missing Lockheed P-38 Lightning Marge has…
Hedy Lamarr Helped Develop the Technology Behind Wi-Fi – All the Way Back in World War II
Hedy Lamarr is often celebrated for her captivating performances on the silver screen during Hollywood’s illustrious Golden Age, but behind her luminous facade was a…
Five Skeletons Discovered Buried Beneath the Wolf’s Lair in Poland
Five human skeletons have been unearthed at the Wolfsschanze – “Wolf’s Lair,” in English – in Poland. The human remains, found without their hands and…
Neville Brand Received the Silver Star for Single-Handedly Taking on Enemy Troops Armed With Machine Guns
When looking back at the stars who dominated the silver screen during the 1950s and ’60s, you’ll find that the majority served in some capacity…
Ceremony Held in Dorset to Commemorate the 80th Anniversary of Exercise Tiger
A commemoration event to mark the 80th anniversary of Exercise Tiger took place on the afternoon of Friday, April 26, 2024, at Portland in Dorset,…
Jimmy Buffett Anonymously Donated Two WWII-Era Aircraft to a Museum Before His Death
Jimmy Buffett’s passing on September 1, 2023 was a shock to music fans across the world. The “Margaritaville” singer’s death was attributed to an aggressive…
Operation Market Garden Led to a Decades-Long Treasure Hunt That’s Still Ongoing
In 2023, the Dutch National Archives unveiled a collection of documents that had previously been classified as “confidential,” as per the customary 75-year term. Among…