John Reginald Gorman – The Amazing Irish Kamikaze Tank Buster
In WWII, the Germans had a reputation for their formidable technology. What they did not consider, however, was the formidable Irish reputation for bullishness. John…
Rudolf Witzig: Commander of the Eben Emael Fortress Attack
Few men can say that, at the age of 23, they led an attack of historical significance. That is exactly what happened to Rudolf Witzig,…
A Devout Christian, he Joined the Nazi Regime: A Strange & Lonely Hero, SS Officer Kurt Gerstein Who Tried to Save Jews
A devout Christian, he joined the Nazi regime and then later tried to oppose it. When that did not work, he hatched a new plan…
How Hitler Transformed the German Officer Corps Before and During WWII
As leader of Germany, Hitler transformed the officer corps. It brought fresh blood into the army. It also created problems, some of which eventually led…
Gun-Jumpers: Americans who fought in Canadian Ranks During WWII, before their Country joined the War, risking not only their lives, but their US Citizenship as well
As Great Britain entered WWII on September 3, 1939, its trusty ally, Canada, followed, just one week later. The United States was officially neutral, but…
Fearless Escapes Over (And Under) The Berlin Wall
When the Second World War was finally over, Germany was divided up into four occupation zones among the Allied forces. Berlin was also divided up…
In WWII, Some German Officers Took A Big Risk And Stood Up To Hitler
Adolf Hitler was not a man willing to listen to the opinions of others. Despite evidence to the contrary, he consistently believed he knew better…
After Victory At D-Day, Fierce Fighting In The French Countryside
Following the D-Day landings, the Allies faced a difficult challenge. The countryside of Normandy is made up of bocage – dense terrain full of winding…
March to Surrender: A German Operation in the Dying Days of WWII
WWII did not end with Hitler’s suicide. As the Allies advanced across Germany from east and west, soldiers were attempting to find the safest places…
Wounded in Action – Powerful German Officers of WWII
Modern warfare distances commanders from the action. The commanders of WWII in German armies, however, often put themselves close to the front lines. Along with…
The WWI Experience of Germany’s WWII Commanders
WWI shaped the German army of WWII. Bitterness at their loss encouraged Nazism among the Germans and created scores of highly driven soldiers. The experiences…
Erwin Rommel in the Invasion of France in WWII
Erwin Rommel is usually remembered for commanding German forces in North Africa during WWII. There, his mastery of tank combat brought surprise victories and a…