World War 2 | War History

She Was Adopted in the Chaos of the Post-War Era – Over Seven Decades Later, She Discovered a Brother She Didn’t Know Existed

Elana Milman and Juliusz Gorzkoś hugging in a parking garage

Families were frequently split up during the Second World War, never knowing if they’d be reunited. While attempts were made by survivors to locate their…

USS Sachem (SP-192): ‘The Ghost Ship’ That Served in Both World Wars and Now Sits Abandoned in the Wilderness

Celt docked at port

There are many abandoned ships across the United States, but few have as storied a history as the USS Sachem (SP-192), which also went by…

‘They Were Expendable’ Actor Robert Montgomery Actually Served in the US Navy During World War II

USS Columbia (CL-56) at sea + Military portrait of Robert Montgomery

Robert Montgomery wasn’t just an influential figure in Vintage Hollywood, he was also a dedicated member of the US military. He put his acting career…

Operation Meetinghouse: The Devastating Firebombing of Tokyo During World War II

June Steele
Aerial view of Tokyo, Japan, following the firebombing of the city

It’s hard to imagine a worse attack on Japan during World War II than the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, but there was. The…

Volunteers Requesting Help to Save World War II-Era Liberty Ship SS John W. Brown

SS John W. Brown docked at port

One of the last remaining operational World War II-era liberty ships is at risk of falling into disrepair and losing its certification from the US…

The March on Rome and Benito Mussolini’s Quest to Turn Italy Into a Fascist Nation

June Steele
Benito Mussolini standing with members of the National Fascist Party (PNF)

The March on Rome was the start of great political and societal change within Italy. Led by Benito Mussolini, the march aimed to tear down…

John Ford Called Out John Wayne on Set for Not Serving in World War II

John Ford holding a microphone up to his mouth + John Wayne as LTJR. "Rusty" Ryan in 'They Were Expendable'

In the years following the Second World War, many films were released that detailed the dangers faced by both friend and foe. At the time,…

34 Miles of Tunnels Were Dug By the British Military Beneath the Rock of Gibraltar

View of the Rock of Gibraltar + People walking down a tunnel beneath the Rock of Gibraltar

A British territory north of Spain, Gibraltar is a beloved tourist destination that experiences naval dockyard actively by the British Royal Navy. Lesser known are…

Tököl Airbase Played a Major Role in Germany’s War Machine – That Is, Until the Soviets Took It Over

Exterior of a building at Tököl Airbase

Hungary’s history is marked by significant instability. During World War II, it fell under German occupation and, in the Cold War era, the Soviet Union…

‘The Commandant’s Shadow’ Documentary Tells Story of Auschwitz Director’s Son

Gate running along the boundary of Auschwitz and Rudolf Höss' house

The Academy Award-winning film The Zone of Interest was among the most talked about in 2023. Now, a documentary about the movie’s subject, Auschwitz commandant…

Calvin Graham: The 12-Year-Old Sailor Who Received the Bronze Star During the Guadalcanal Campaign

June Steele
USS South Dakota (BB-57) at sea + Military portrait of Calvin Graham

It wasn’t unusual for boys to lie about their age to enlist in World War II. Many tried to persuade recruiters they were old enough…

Two Dead Following Crash Involving World War II-Era Aircraft in California

Lockheed Model 12A Electra Junior in flight

Two individuals aboard a World War II-era Lockheed Model 12 Electra Junior – better known as the L12 – died when the aircraft crashed shortly…