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…
AppleTV+ Tackling London Blitz in New Wartime Movie Starring Saoirse Ronan
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…
When Can We Expect Season Two of ‘SAS: Rogue Heroes’ – What We Know
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…
The Japanese Bolt-Action Arisaka Type 99 Rifle Saw Extensive Use In the Pacific Theater
The Arisaka Type 99 rifle was a significant evolution in the realm of military armaments. Born out of necessity in the 1930s, its development reflected…
Germany Hoped to Weaponize the Occult to Win the Second World War
Germany thought up several strategies to increase its chances of winning World War II, including the breeding of potato bugs to decimate enemy crops and…
The Battle of France Saw a European Power Fall in Just Six Weeks
One campaign changed the direction of the Second World War: the Battle of France. The period leading up to the engagement was known as the…
Shiro Ishii and the Dark Legacy of Japan’s Unit 731
Japanese physician Shiro Ishii presided over a series of abhorrent medical experiments that stand as some of the most egregious atrocities in modern history. Ranging…
The Dear John Letter Was a Symbol of Heartbreak Amid the Terrors of War
When its comes to wartime communications, few carry the weight of the infamous Dear John letter. Originating during World War II, these correspondences have become…
Ending the Deadliest Conflict in Human History: Why Did Japan Surrender in World War II?
The Japanese surrender in World War II brought to a close one of the darkest and deadliest chapters in human history. While the Germans waved…
Upcoming ‘Armour & Embarkation’ Event to Mark 80th Anniversary of D-Day Landings
A recreation of the movements of the American and British forces is scheduled to take place in the county of Dorset in Southern England to…
Mauthausen Was One of the Most Notorious Concentration Camps Operated By the German Regime
Nestled in the picturesque landscape of Austria, the remnants of Mauthausen concentration camp are a somber testament to one of the darkest chapters of the…
Memorial Erected In Honor of American Troops Who Died In D-Day Rehearsal Exercise
Nearly 80 years after the disastrous rehearsal for the D-Day landings, a memorial has been erected in honor of the 110 American servicemen who perished…
Battle of Tarawa Lessons: How the Battle of Tarawa Led to the Creation of US Navy SEALs
Between November 20-23, 1943, 35,000 American troops secured Betio island, part of Tarawa Atoll. This was an impressive feat, as the Japanese had anticipated it…
Last Surviving Crew Member of the USS Arizona (BB-39) Dead At 102
The last survivor of the sinking of the USS Arizona (BB-39) on December 7, 1941, has died. Lou Conter, 102, was a US Navy sailor…
‘Female Schindler’ Diana Budisavljević Saved 7,700 Children During World War II
Throughout the Second World War, several individuals risked their lives to save those being persecuted by the German regime. The most notable names are Oskar…
MoH Recipient John Basilone Ran Headfirst Into Enemy Fire to Defeat the Japanese on Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima
There are few people in American history who are held in such high esteem as US Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone. A Medal of…
15-Year-Old Whose Heroics Helped Shorten World War II Honored By Hometown
The 15-year-old NAAFI canteen assistant whose heroics at sea helped shorten the Second World War has been honored by his hometown. Thomas “Tommy” Brown helped…
Tom Hanks to Host World War II Docuseries for History Channel
It’s no secret Tom Hanks enjoys bringing the events of the Second World War to the big and small screens – just look at Saving…
The B-17 Flying Fortress Saw Use As An Airliner?! 12 Facts About the Iconic American Heavy Bomber
When asked what they think the most iconic Allied bomber of the Second World War was, the majority of historians and aircraft enthusiasts will likely…
America’s Newest National Park is a WWII-Era Japanese-American Incarceration Camp in Colorado
The National Park Service has announced the United States has a new national park. Officially known as the Amache National Historic Site, the location, near…
Wreckage of WWII-Era Douglas SBD Dauntless Discovered In Pacific 80 Years After It Went Missing
In the jungle of Papua New Guinea, a relic from the Second World War has been discovered. The artifact, a downed Douglas SBD Dauntless, went…
Apple TV+ Releasing ‘The Bloody Hundredth’ Documentary, Narrated By Tom Hanks
Apple TV+ has revealed it’ll be premiering a documentary about the 100th Bombardment Group and its famous airmen. Titled The Bloody Hundredth and narrated by…
Unexploded World War II-Era Bomb Found In British Woman’s Garden
Thousands of residents were forced to evacuate after a father working in his daughter’s garden in Plymouth uncovered a bomb dating back to World War…
Battle of Moscow: A Critical Turning Point In the Fight Along the Eastern Front
When we delve into the defining moments of the Second World War, the Battle of Moscow stands out as a turning point that showcased the…
The Tragic Last Stand of the HMS Hood Against Germany’s Prized Battleship Bismarck
The HMS Hood (51), nicknamed the “Mighty Hood,” was the pride of the British Royal Navy, embodying the pinnacle of warship design in the early…
Upcoming WWII-Era Horror Film Loosely Based On Loss of Australian Corvette HMAS Armidale
Shark films are a staple of the horror genre and one Australian filmmaker is looking to meld this style of film with the war genre.…
New Trailer Release for Kate Winslet’s Upcoming World War II Film ‘Lee’
A brand new trailer for Kate Winslet’s upcoming World War II-era drama, Lee, has been released. Based on the life of famed war correspondent Elizabeth…
Paddy Mayne Executed Some of the Most Daring Raids Against Enemy Strongholds During World War II
Paddy Mayne, a figure of both controversy and admiration, stands out for his contributions throughout the Second World War. His leadership in the Special Air…
Was Herbert Sobel Really As Horrible As ‘Band of Brothers’ Made Him Out to Be?
Herbert Sobel is widely considered to be one of the most disliked characters in the war genre, whether that be in film or television. David…
Was the Allied Bombing of Dresden a War Crime or Wartime Necessity?
The Bombing of Dresden, Germany stands as one of the most controversial events of the Second World War and is a stark symbol of the…
An Earache Saved Paul Newman From Certain Death During the Battle of Okinawa
When thinking of the biggest names of Vintage Hollywood, it’s likely Paul Newman comes to mind. The actor, philanthropist and auto racer starred in some…
Battle of Iwo Jima: One of the Bloodiest Battles in US Marine Corps History
As dawn broke on February 19, 1945, a small volcanic island in the Pacific Ocean became the stage for one of World War II’s most…
320th Barrage Balloon Battalion: The Only African-American Unit to Storm Normandy on D-Day
“The conventional wisdom of D-Day is that there were no Black soldiers who landed on those beaches, but the truth is that there were almost…
WWII-Era Anti-Submarine Munitions, Smoke Devices Found Off Los Angeles Coast
Oceanographers working off the coast of Los Angeles, California have discovered that a site previously believed to just be home to toxic chemical waste was…
Johnnie Johnson: The Highest-Scoring Western Allied Air Ace of World War II
Several pilots cemented themselves into history with their skills during the Second World War. One aviator, Johnnie Johnson, did more than the average person, taking…
The Irish Postmistress Whose Weather Forecast Changed the Course of D-Day
Throughout World War II, many individuals went about their everyday lives, unaware of the repercussions of their actions. One of them was Maureen Flavin Sweeney,…