World War 2 | War History

Edgar ‘Cobber’ Kain Single-Handedly Decimated 17 Enemy Aircraft During the Battle of France

Edgar "Cobber" Cain leaning against a Hawker Hurricane Mk I

It might seem strange, but the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) first Flying Ace of the Second World War wasn’t from Britain – he was from…

‘My Way’ Is Based On the Story of Yang Kyoungjong, But Did He Actually Exist?

Jang Dong-gun as Kim Jun-Shik in 'My Way'

My Way (2011) follows the story of a Korean soldier who fights for the Soviet Union, Japan and Germany during World War II. The South…

USS Harder (SS-257): The WWII-Era Submarine That Took Out Five Enemy Destroyers In Four Days

USS Harder (SS-257) sailing close to shore + USS Harder (SS-257) at sea

The USS Harder (SS-257), a Gato-class submarine, served in the Pacific Theater during the Second World War. She was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and…

Before He Was Britain’s Most Popular Leading Man, Kenneth More Served with the Royal Navy

HMS Aurora (12) at sea + Kenneth More as Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller in 'A Night to Remember'

Kenneth More was one of Britain’s greatest actors, both on-stage and on the silver screen. He became a household name, but only after he served…

‘Superman’ Actor Henry Cavill Reveals First Photos from the Set of ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’

Special Operations Executive (SOE) memorabilia on display + Henry Cavill as Superman in 'Man of Steel'

Henry Cavill, best known for his roles in the Superman franchise and Netflix’s adaptation of The Witcher video game series, has revealed the first photos…

Albert Göring Used His Brother’s Name to Help Jews Escape Germany

Albert Göring's mugshot

There’s one Göring who comes to mind when people think of the Second World War, yet some may be surprised to learn there was actually…

Valentin: The German U-boat Pen That Survived Multiple 22,000-Pound ‘Grand Slam’ Bombs

Two images showing the destruction caused by the Grand Slam bombs that were dropped on the Valentin U-boat pen

During the Second World War, the British dominated the waterways. Their naval fleet proved to be one of the biggest threats to Germany and, as…

The Red Army Used Camels to Fight the Germans at the Battle of Stalingrad

Two German soldiers riding a camel

The Second World War saw numerous technological advancements intended to provide distinct advantages over the enemy. Among these were, of course, tanks, which were used…

The Oddest Showdown of World War II? American Blimp vs German U-boat

Blimp hovering over a German U-boat at sea

In what was arguably the oddest battle to take place during the Second World War, a US Navy blimp duked it out with a German…

‘The Dam Busters’ Was Inspired By the Heroics and Heavy Losses of No. 617 Squadron RAF

Still from 'The Dam Busters'

While there are many good war films, few can be considered truly great. The Dam Busters (1955) is one of the few that falls into…

Hero or Traitor? The Unsolved Disappearance of Leonid Khrushchev

Nikita Khrushchev holding papers + Military portrait of Leonid Khrushchev

Leonid Khrushchev, son of Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, served during the Second World War as a fighter pilot for the Soviet Air Force. On March…

Before Becoming a Big-Name Actor, Richard Todd was a Paratrooper Who Fought at Pegasus Bridge

Allied troops standing around Pegasus Bridge + Portrait of Richard Todd

A number of famed Vintage Hollywood actors served during the Second World War. While many enlisted prior to launching their careers, other opted to pause…