World War 2 | War History

Japanese-American Soldiers, The Nisei: The Purple Heart Battalion

When Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941, Japanese-Americans became enemy aliens and were sent to internment camps. One responded in a most spectacular way. Daniel…

Saving Sara Matuson: How 10 POWs Risked Their Lives to Save One Woman

Life in a prisoner of war camp could be hard and dangerous during the Second World War. It was even more so for ten British…

Irish Guard – Awarded Victoria Cross For Single-Handedly Charging over 100 German Soldiers and Sending Them All into Retreat

Many men had many a war story or two to tell their grandchildren by the end of the 2nd World War.  But it is unknown…

British Intelligence – Transforming Aerial Reconnaissance in World War Two

Like other European nations, the British discovered the value of photo-reconnaissance (PR) during the First World War. Seeing a new way to learn about the…

These WW2 Railwaymen Gave Their Lives to Prevent a Munitions Disaster

Close your eyes and imagine an act of wartime courage. What do you picture? A soldier carrying a comrade to safety? A captain buying his…

One Secret Agent Who Helped Pave the Way for D-Day

Many agents served in secret during the Second World War. Sent behind enemy lines, they risked their lives gathering information and supporting acts of resistance…

How Britain was Unprepared for World War Two

In retrospect, the outbreak of the Second World War seems both obvious and inevitable. However, to many people at the time, particularly in Britain, there…

“It all happened so fast” – Army veteran shares story of WWII service, Central Missouri Honor Flight

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…

“That’s how they did things” – Veteran shares story of WWII Navy service in the Pacific

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…

Second World War Naval Reservist Was Awarded the VC After Surviving 31 Air Attacks in 4 Days

At the start of the Second World War, thousands of reservists were called up to serve in the armed forces of Britain and other European…

The One-Armed Warrior Who Was Awarded The Victoria Cross

Some soldiers are so pig-headedly persistent that they go down in legend; including one who did so with only one arm. George Albert Cairns was…

Learning the Luftwaffe’s Secrets: How Intelligence Gathering Shaped the Battle of Britain

In WWII the Battle of Britain was fought in the air. A victory was achieved through the skill and courage of the rightly revered fighter…