Kamikaze Pilots: The final ceremony included a drink of spiritual concoction that’d ensure success in the mission. Then, he’d wedge himself between 500-pound bombs
“Transcend life and death. Eliminate all thoughts about your life and your death. Only then you will disregard your earthly life totally. You will be…
Toulon and the Whiff of Grapeshot: Napoleon’s First Successes
As Emperor of the French, Napoleon Bonaparte would conquer half of Europe and leave the rest trembling in terror at his approach. But the rise…
Why The Nazis Beheaded a Famous Author’s Sister – Then Sent His Family the Execution Bill
It’s a book beloved by millions, one that’s been read by multiple generations and turned into an equally famous film: All Quiet on the Western…
The Story of an Incapable Nazi Spy and the First Canadian Double Agent: Werner Von Janowski
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police had had little experience with counter-espionage in 1942 when they captured a German spy named Werner von Janowski. The Abwehr…
Sieges, Castles, Trenches and Fortresses – Great Moments in Military Engineering
The career of the military engineer may not have the glamor of the fighter pilot or samurai warrior, but throughout the history of warfare, battlefields…
Rare WWII “Rat Bomb” Sold at Auction
It is incredibly rare to come across one of these camouflaged bombs, but one has surfaced, along with a collection of other unusual weapons used…
When An Israeli Air Force F-15 Landed Safely With Only One Wing
In 1983, on the 1st May, in the middle of an air combat session by the Israeli Air Force taking place in the Negev, an…
Glorious Gloster Single Handedly Charges Chinese Bunker Twice, Threw Grenade With His Last Breath, Saves His Men
It has often been said of both faith and war, that greater love hath no man than the one who lays down his life for…
The Three Allied Fighter Planes that Brought the Luftwaffe to its Knees
The German air force (the Luftwaffe) was probably the strongest air force in Europe at the dawn of the Second World War. It isn’t surprising…
Fromelles: The Worst 24 Hours In Australia’s Entire History – July 19th 1916
Horrifying loss was the defining feature of the First World War. For much of 1916, the focus of that horror on the Western Front was…
This Finnish Ace Took to the Skies Against a Soviet Enemy That Outnumbered them 9 to 1
The 1930’s and 40’s would see a great deal of larger nations preying on the small, but don’t make the mistake to automatically equate small…
First Recipient of Victoria Cross Picked Up Live Enemy Shell with Fuse Still Hissing, Saving The Ship
Valor in the midst of warfare is nothing new and has been the hallmark of gallant stories throughout history. But with every medal a nation…