World War 2 | War History

Desmond Doss Was the Only Conscientious Objector to Receive the Medal of Honor in World War II

Harry S. Truman placing the Medal of Honor around Desmond Doss' neck

US Army Medic Cpl. Desmond Doss was an extraordinary figure in the annals of military history who defied conventional norms and exemplified unwavering courage in…

Mont-Saint-Michel Was ‘Liberated’ By One Soldier and Two Reporters In World War II

View of Mont-Saint-Michel

During the Second World War, Mont-Saint-Michel was occupied by German soldiers, making it a highly-visited destination for the enemy. For four years, the French were…

USS California (BB-44): The Battleship That Survived Pearl Harbor and a Kamikaze Strike

USS California (BB-44) at sea

The USS California (BB-64) was the second of two Tennessee-class battleships. The vessel saw service throughout World War II, including being targeted by the Japanese…

Before He Was Herman Munster, Fred Gwynne Served With the US Navy During World War II

Fred Gwynne as Herman Munster in 'The Munsters'

Fred Gwynne, the beloved actor known for his iconic roles in The Munsters (1964-66) and Pet Sematary (1989), led a remarkable life beyond the silver…

Windmill Girls Boosted the Spirits of Servicemen and the British Public During World War II

Royal Navy sailor feeding cake to a Windmill Girl while four other women watch.

Amidst the chaos and uncertainty of the Second World War, a group of women emerged as beacons of light and resilience. Known as the “Windmill…

The Sinking of U-559 and the Ultimate Sacrifice Made By Three Royal Navy Sailors

Submarine surfacing in rough seas

In the midst of World War II, the demise of German U-boat U-559 became a pivotal event in the relentless battle for supremacy beneath the…

Gerhard Barkhorn Was the Second-Highest-Scoring Fighter Pilot In All of History

Gerhard Barkhorn standing in military uniform

Gerhard Barkhorn was a legendary, although contentious, aviator who flew for the Luftwaffe during World War II. Nonetheless, he earned a vast number of aerial victories,…

Four Nuns Were Rescued from Behind Enemy Lines By the USS Nautilus (SS-168)

USS Nautilus (SS-168) at sea

When war erupted in the Pacific, many found their homes situated in areas of conflict. There were also those who were far away from theirs,…

Luftwaffe Pilot Fritz Beeck Was Shot Down By the Battle of Britain’s First ‘Ace-in-a-Day’

British airman sitting in the downed Messerschmitt Bf 109 'Yellow 10'

On August 24, 1940, during the Battle of Britain, Oberfeldwebel Fritz Beeck was one of many Luftwaffe fighter pilots tasked with escorting bombers on their way…

Soviet Sappers ‘Contributed Significantly’ to the USSR’s Defense During World War II

Soviet Red Army sappers wading across a river

During the Second World War, sappers with the Soviet Red Army played a crucial role in military operations along the Eastern Front. These combat engineers…

George Patton Strikes a Pose for the 103rd Infantry Division

George Patton standing among cameramen from the 103rd Infantry Division

Gen. George Patton is undoubtedly one of history’s best-known military commanders, who, while disliked by his superiors, was adored by average servicemen, as shown by…

Joyous American Servicemen Celebrating the Japanese Surrender in Paris

American servicemen and Parisians holding up newspapers in celebration of the Japanese surrender

The image above shows a group of American servicemen and women celebrating the Japanese surrender in front of the Red Cross pub in Paris. Many…