World War 2 | War History

German Generalleutnant Ernst-Günther Baade Wore a Kilt Into Combat During WWII

Ernst-Günther Baade and another German officer looking over documents at a table

There certainly wasn’t a shortage of kilt-wearing soldiers during the Second World War, whether they be men who were proud of their Scottish heritage or…

The Disastrous Operation Aphrodite Killed JFK’s Brother

Three Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses in flight + Military portrait of Joseph P. Kennedy Jr.

The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and Consolidated B-24 Liberator were two of the most extensively used heavy bombers of the Second World War. While they…

Edward ‘Babe’ Heffron: The ‘Easy’ Company Machine Gunner Who Ran Through Enemy Fire to Try and Reach His Friend

Group photo of "Easy" Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division + Edward "Babe" Heffron sitting with his comrades

Edward “Babe” Heffron was one of many American heroes to come out of the Second World War. In particular, he served with E Company, 2nd…

Looking Back At the Red Army’s Liberation of Auschwitz

Red Army soldiers speaking to child prisoners at Auschwitz

The phrase arbeit macht frei – “work sets you free” – were emblazoned on the sign at the entrance of Auschwitz for prisoners to read…

Josef Mencik: The Last Knight Who Stood Up to the Germans in World War II

AI rendering of soldiers standing around a knight on horseback

When the Germans went to invade Czechoslovakia during the Second World War, it was believed they wouldn’t experience much, if any, retaliation. However, they were…

Maurice Rose: The Highest Ranking US Officer Killed By the Enemy In Europe During WWII

Military portrait of Maurice Rose

Maurice Rose lived through the horrors of the First World War and bravely returned to the battlefield when the global population was plunged into conflict…

Italo Balbo: The Mastermind Behind Mussolini’s Air Force Died a Strange Death

Italo Balbo speaking to a group of men.

There were few in Italy’s governmental hierarchy who disagreed with Benito Mussolini’s decision to side with Germany during the Second World War. One of those…

Terror In the Skies – The Tragic Story Behind the Downing of the B-17G ‘Wee Willie’

Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress 'Wee Willie' falling through clouds after its wing detached

In the closing stages of the Second World War, the Allied forces launched a barrage of air raids over Germany, in an attempt to destroy…

USS Independence (CVL-22): The First Dedicated Night Carrier of the US Navy

USS Independence (CVL-22) at sea

A number of vessels took part in the fighting that occurred in the Pacific Theater during the Second World War. Among the most unique was…

Blohm & Voss BV 141: The Asymmetrical German Aircraft That Shouldn’t Have Been Able to Fly – But Did

Ground crews standing around a Blohm & Voss BV 141 parked on a runway

The Blohm & Voss BV 141 was designed as a tactical reconnaissance aircraft. While passed over by the German Air Ministry for the Focke-Wulf Fw…

USS Salt Lake City (CA-25): The Decorated Heavy Cruiser That Made Waves In the Pacific

USS Salt Lake City (CA-25) at sea

The fighting in the Pacific Theater during the Second World War showed the might of the US Navy. Among those to distinguish themselves was the…

Award-Winning Actor George Kennedy Served Under Gen. George Patton

Portrait of George Kennedy

We’re used to seeing Academy Award-winning actor George Kennedy in tough-guy film and television roles. He was able to draw upon personal experience to do…