The Red Army Recruited Blind Citizens During the Siege of Leningrad
The Red Army turned to desperate measures following Operation Barbarossa, as they were outnumbered. In one instance, they deployed camels, instead of horses, during the…
National Emergency Command Post Afloat: The ‘Floating White Houses’ for Times of Nuclear War
During the 1960s, America’s Continuity of Operations plans included the National Emergency Command Post Afloat (NECPA). It was one of three parts – airborne, ground…
‘The Battle of Algiers’ Is So Realistic That Guerrilla Groups Took Training Notes From It
The Battle of Algiers (1966) is a powerful and provocative film directed by Gillo Pontecorvo. It covers the Algerian struggle for independence from French colonial…
‘Last Post’ Memorial In Ypres Undergoing Two-Year Restoration
After a century of battling the elements, the Menin Gate in Belgium is about to get some well-earned rest and recuperation. The monument dedicated to…
Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star: The Only US Jet Fighter to See Action In WWII – During Secret Operations In Italy
The Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star, also known as the F-80, was the first jet fighter used operationally by the US Army Air Forces (USAAF). While…
The ‘M*A*S*H’ Death That Stunned America
In an episode titled “Abyssinia, Henry,” the producers of M*A*S*H (1972-83) decided that McLean Stevenson’s character, Henry Blake, was to depart from the show. It…
No. 1426 Flight RAF Flew German Aircraft Decked Out In Royal Air Force Insignia
In September 1942, Rachel and Eddie Jones were enjoying the warm weather at their home near Romsey, England. Rachel had formed a keen interest in…
Yousuf Sediq: The Afghan Interpreter and Special Forces Operator Who Fought Against the Taliban
Over the course of the War in Afghanistan, between 50,000 and 76,000 Afghan interpreters worked alongside the American and coalition forces. They all risked their…
Normandy-Based Historians Create Documentary Honoring Canadian Regiment That Fought On D-Day
A group of historians from Normandy have come together to produce a film highlighting the sacrifices made by Canadian troops before, during and after D-Day.…
The ‘Filthy Thirteen’ Were the Real-Life Paratroopers Who Inspired ‘The Dirty Dozen’
During the Second World War, a group of paratroopers earned a reputation for their unconventional behavior and combat tactics. Known as the ‘Filthy Thirteen,’ they…
Clint Eastwood’s Iwo Jima Duology Accurately Depicts the Battle from Both Sides
In 2006, legendary actor and director Clint Eastwood released two World War II-era films that focused on both the American and Japanese perspectives of the…
MI5 Used Girl Guides As Spies During World War I Because Boy Scouts Gossiped Too Much
World War I was a time of immense upheaval and change. One group that played a surprisingly important role during this time was the British…