Operation Torch, November 1942 – Seizing the Oran Airfields
During WWII, death from the skies was a constant threat. The sudden appearance of bombers or fighters on a strafing run could spell doom for…
How 230 American Soldiers Walked Through Enemy Lines to Safety
On February 15, 1943, 230 American soldiers achieved a remarkable escape. Trapped behind German forces during fierce fighting in North Africa, they walked through the…
“He gave his life” – Moniteau County, Mo., soldier killed during Battle of Leyte in World War II
War History online proudly presents this Guest Piece from Jeremy P. Ämick, who is a military historian and writes on behalf of the Silver Star…
The US 503rd Parachute Battalion Seize the “High Ground” From the Axis
When American forces arrived in North Africa in November 1942, the 503rd Parachute Battalion were among the first troops on the ground. A week later,…
Hermann Ramcke, German Marine Turned Paratroop General
In an American prison cell, a former German officer sat writing a letter to his captors. The war was over, but his concern for his…
America’s First Ever Paratrooper Assault – Operation Torch
On the night of November 7, 1942, American forces launched Operation Torch, the invasion of Axis-occupied North Africa. It was an operation that involved several…
Milne Bay – The first Japanese Land Defeat of the Second World War
Reprinted with permission from Australian Bunker and Military Museum Milne Bay is located on the south-eastern tip of Papua. Before World War II, most of the area’s…
Desperate Measures – Two Massive Lies That Shaped the Last Days of WWII
Propaganda played a huge part in WWII. Lies, distortions, and half-truths were spread by all sides to motivate the people and deceive the enemy. In…
“Beyond the Call” – Captain Robert M. Trimble – The Unsung Hero Who Saved 1000 POWs In WW2
During WWII, the American government tricked him into going on a secret and dangerous mission to save lives. After the war, only France and Russia…
In World War Two, The Germans Had Big Plans – Here Are Five Which Did Not Succeed
Throughout WWII, Adolf Hitler’s political ambitions interfered with his plans. Several high-profile military operations were canceled, sometimes against the advice of his commanders. Operation Sealion…
Game Changing Battlefield Technology – The Machine Gun From The Civil War To The Present Day
For nearly as long as there have been guns, military thinkers have looked for ways to make them fire faster. In the late 19th century,…
Half Blind Japanese Pilot Flies His Damaged Zero For 5 Hours, Then Refused Medical Attention Before Making His Report
During WWII, Sub-Lieutenant Saburō Sakai served as a naval aviator with the Imperial Japanese Navy. He claimed 64 victories, one of which was made after…