World War 2 | War History

The Unbelievable True Story Behind the Classic Steve McQueen Film, ‘The Great Escape’

Still from 'The Great Escape'

The majority of military and film buffs have seen the 1963 classic, The Great Escape. Starring Steve McQueen, James Garner, Charles Bronson and Richard Attenborough,…

Family Received Letter from US Serviceman 76 Years After It Was Sent

Pfc. Stan Smith, Pfc. Charles Becks, Pfc. Jack Mongold and Sgt. Dominic Renzaglia holding letters

The widow of American soldier John Gonsalves, who served during World War II, is thanking the United States Postal Service (USPS) after the organization delivered…

The USS Alaska (CB-1) Was the US Navy’s Impractical Warship

Sailors manning naval guns aboard the USS Alaska (CB-1) + USS Alaska (CB-1) at sea

The USS Alaska (CB-1) was a large, powerful and extremely capable ship built during the Second World War. Going by statistics alone, one could easily…

How the Soviet Polikarpov Po-2 Biplane Went From Crop Plane to Lethal Weapon

The Soviet Polikarpov Po-2 plane was initially designed to be a crop duster but ended up being surprisingly essential for the Soviets during the Second…

Marina Raskova: The First Soviet Woman To Become A Professional Air Navigator

Meet Marina Raskova, the brainchild behind the little-known all-female night bomber regiment during the Second World War. These ‘night witches’ were so feared that any…

America’s Oldest World War II Veteran Has Died at the Age of 112

Military photo of Lawrence Brooks

The National WWII Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana has announced the passing of Lawrence Brooks, the oldest World War II veteran in the US –…

Remains Discovered In Poland Could Be Members of Elite WWII-Era Reconnaissance Group

Three members of the Long Range Desert Group pointing guns while riding in a Chevrolet truck

Work is currently underway to identify two sets of remains discovered in Poland. It’s believed they date back to the Second World War and could…

These Are the Salaries Paid to US Troops During Each War

Soldier saluting the American flag

Being a member of the US Army is one of the most valiant careers a person can choose. However, the job hasn’t always paid as…

Meet the German Agent in Hollywood Who Altered Iconic Movies

Dr. Georg Gyssling learns of the overtaking of Czechoslovakia, Los Angeles, 1939

What was Hollywood’s real stance towards Nazi Germany in the decade leading up to the Second World War? In the 1930s, the American film industry…

Five Celebrated Military Commanders Who Might Not Live Up To Their Hype

Portrait of George Washington + William Halsey yelling + George Patton in military uniform

Nearly all notable military leaders are surrounded by controversy, usually from those who think they were great – and those who think they weren’t. As…

The USS Intrepid Survived Four Kamikaze Attacks And Continued In Service For Decades

USS Intrepid Docked

The USS Intrepid was an Essex-class aircraft carrier built during WWII. Initially operating in the Pacific Theatre, Intrepid would end up serving a wild 30-year…

Why WWII’s M1 Carbine was Ahead of Its Time

M1 Carbine Worn By Soldier

The M1 Carbine was a small, lightweight weapon that found itself in the hands of many Allied soldiers during WWII. Its relatively small cartridge led…