INSTANT ARTICLES | War History

Switchblade 300: The Drone-Like Vehicle Viewed as a Direct Fire Weapon

Cpl. Graham Rouse firing a Switchblade 300 + Switchblade 300 in flight

The Switchblade 300 is a small, loitering unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) used by branches of the US military. Classified more as a direct fire munition…

Kwajalein Atoll: A Pivotal US Army Victory During the Second World War

American troops standing among debris and damage

The Kwajalein Atoll is a ring-shaped coral formation in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The largest and southernmost island in the atoll is Kwajalein,…

The US Military Dropped Pianos Onto the Battlefield with Parachutes During WWII

American soldiers standing around a Victory Vertical piano

During any conflict, it’s important to keep troop morale up. This was especially true during the Second World War, when a large portion of enlisted…

A B-52 Bomber Fire Almost Caused a Chernobyl-Like Incident in North Dakota

Clare Fitzgerald
B-52 Stratofortress in flight + Mushroom cloud

It might come as a surprise to some, but the United States came close to nuclear disaster more than once during the Cold War. The…

The Wardrobe Department Messed Up the Uniforms in ‘Top Gun: Maverick’

Clare Fitzgerald
Tom Cruise as Capt. Pete "Maverick" Mitchell in 'Top Gun: Maverick'

Top Gun fans eagerly awaited the film’s much-anticipated sequel. Its release was delayed by three years, and it earned a whopping $1.487 billion at the…

Peleliu Was One of the Bloodiest Battles in Marine Corps History

Todd Neikirk
American troops making an advance

The Imperial Japanese Army and Navy were known for their rigidity and resistance to change. Owing to the terrain of the land, however, their service…

The A-6 Intruder was the US Military’s Aircraft of Choice During the Vietnam War

A-6 Intruder landing on the USS Nimitz (CVN-68)

Over the course of World War II and the Korean War, the use of aircraft saw a rapid increase. As a result, the technology of…

The Legendary Mauser Karabiner 98k and Its Use Throughout History

German sniper team with Mauser Karabiner 98k rifles fitted with a Dialytan RH36 4×32 telescopic sight in position amongst rubble

During the Second World War, Germany hoped to take over, and the Mauser Karabiner 98k was the weapon they were going to use to accomplish…

The Polish MANPADS Piorun Beats the Stinger In Every Aspect – And Might Replace It

PZPR Piorun with a CTP-1 termovision sight

If someone thought the era of MANPADS was coming to an end, they couldn’t be more wrong. While western NATO countries neglected the effectiveness of…

How the STEN Submachine Gun Helped the British Army During WWII

Soldier with Durham Light Infantry with a STEN Mk III + STEN Mk II

Machine guns began to see use in warfare toward the end of the 1800s, and throughout the 20th century the technology behind the weaponry rapidly…

The Last Stand of the Swiss Guard: A Deadly Fight to Defend Rome from Mercenaries

Todd Neikirk
Painting of the Sack of Rome

History is full of stories about outnumbered armies making brave stands against scores of foes. While the Swiss Guard often look ceremonial with their halberds…

John Levitow: The Lowest-Ranking US Air Force Airman to Receive the Medal of Honor

Todd Neikirk
Tracer rounds in the sky at night + Military portrait of John Levitow

John Levitow came from humble beginnings, but achieved great things. By the time he retired from his career with the US Air Force, he was…