Allied Snipers and Their Effectiveness During the Second World War
Snipers have played an important part in warfare for hundreds of years. The term was first officially used during the American Civil War, but sniper-like…
Richard H. Best: The Only WWII Pilot to Bomb Two Japanese Aircraft Carriers in One Day
Of the four Japanese aircraft carriers sunk during the Battle of Midway – one of the most critical battles to occur in the Pacific Theater…
What Made the Polish No. 303 Squadron the Most Effective Pilots During the Battle of Britain?
At the outset of World War II, the Germans decided to treat Poland like a prize for the taking. What they didn’t realize, however, was…
American Soldiers Teamed Up with Germans and Cossacks to Save Horses from the Red Army
On April 28, 1945, a portion of the American forces set off on an incredibly dangerous and unique mission. Dubbed Operation Cowboy, it saw them…
The Doolittle Bombers Traded Their Tail Guns for Broomsticks
On April 18, 1942, the United States responded to Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor by doing something that had never been done before: launching bombers…
Why the Battle of Ortona Was Nicknamed the ‘Italian Stalingrad’
While initially intended to be a super power on the Axis side during World War II, Italy wound up playing a smaller role in the…
The Battle of Castle Itter Saw Germans Team Up with the American Forces
The Allies fought fiercely against the Germans in both World War I and II. By the end of the Second World War, some Germans were…
Were There German Spies in the French Foreign Legion?
The French Foreign Legion is a historic and elite part of the French Army. It was created in the 1830s as a way to deal…
The Rats of Tobruk: How A German Insult Was Reclaimed as a Proud Nickname
At the beginning of the Second World War, Libya was still an Italian colony. As the only deep port in the eastern part of the…
Lt. Col. Terence Otway Used An Unconventional Tactic to Test His Men
On June 6, 1944, 600 men squeezed into 32 transport planes en route to the Merville Gun Battery in Normandy. Known as the “Red Devils”,…
Tank Ramming Was a Dangerous Tactic Used By the Red Army During WWII
Tanks are undoubtedly some of the most powerful military vehicles ever produced, and they made a world of difference to those fighting in the Second…
The World’s First Ever Gliderborne Attack Allowed Germany to Take Belgium
Between May 10-11, 1940, Belgium’s Fort Eben-Emael was captured by a relatively small group of Germans. It was supposed to be manned by 1,200 soldiers,…