I-17 & the Shelling of the Bankline Oil Refinery – February 23, 1942 – by Martin K.A. Morgan
Thanks go to Marty Morgan for this wonderful article. Two months after Pearl Harbor, World War II raged around the world in places like the Philippines…
Fake Pipes and Mixed Signals: Military Intelligence in North Africa in WWII
The North African campaigns of the Second World War are remembered for their tank battles, vast deserts, and colorful commanders. One of the most critical…
Private George Watson Went Down with the Ship and many years later received the Medal of Honor
Durig the course of a war gallant actions are not bound by race, nationality, or cause. Wherever men fight, some will distinguish themselves from the others.…
Sergeant Major Stanley Hollis, Recipient of the Only Victoria Cross for D-Day
The D-Day landings on June 6, 1944, saw many acts of courage. One man stood out and achieved the distinction of being the only person…
The Japanese Diplomat Who Saved Thousands of Jews During WWII
Chiune Sugihara, better known as Sempo, was a Japanese diplomat who came to prominence during WWII. Sugihara was responsible for saving the lives of thousands…
U-Boat 96, and the film Das Boot
In 1981, a film was released which is still cited as one of Germany’s greatest cinematic triumphs. It followed the exploits of U-96, a German…
Great Military Deceptions of World War Two
Military intelligence was vital to the Second World War. Trickery abounded, as commanders tried to deceive opponents about their plans. Tricking Rommel at Alamein Intelligence…
How the British Military Learned in Advance About the V2 Rocket – and How They Responded
The V2 rocket and its predecessor V1 had the potential to transform the Second World War. The world’s first long-range unmanned missiles, they were a…
The RAF and the Luftwaffe: Different Ways They Approached WWII
One of the most crucial conflicts of the Second World War was between the air forces of Britain and Germany. The Royal Air Force (RAF)…
British Naval Intelligence: Well Equipped for WW2 But Often Lacking Material
At the outbreak of the Second World War, much of the British military were not equipped for dealing with military intelligence. The exception was the…
A Doctor Created A Fake Typhus Epidemic and Saved 8,000 Jews During WWII
At the outbreak of WWII, a young Polish doctor was finishing his medical studies and looking forward to using his skills for the well-being of…
John D. Bulkeley, Commander of the USS Endicott – A daring attack in WWII
On August 17, 1944, the USS Endicott, captained by Lieutenant Commander John D. Bulkeley, blew up two German ships, using only a single 5” gun.…