World War 2 | War History

The ‘Illegal’ World War II-Era Forest That Went Unnoticed for Over 50 Years

Overhead view of a forest

In northeastern Germany, near Zernikow, Brandenburg, is a lush pine forest that one could easily get lost in if not careful. Almost everything looks the…

USS Ticonderoga (CV-14): The Aircraft Carrier That Served In Two Wars and Aided In the Apollo Missions

USS Ticonderoga (CVS-14) at sea

The USS Ticonderoga (CV/CVA/CVS-14) was an Essex-class aircraft carrier built by the US Navy during the Second World War. She was the fourth ship to…

How Did the Manhattan Project’s Scientists React to the World’s First Atomic Bomb Test?

Trinity Test mushroom cloud rising into the sky

On July 16, 1945, a military weapons test occurred that forever changed the annals of history – and warfare. Known as the Trinity Test, it…

Niš Incident: The Top-Secret Military Confrontation Between the US and the Soviet Union

Lockheed P-38 Lightnings in flight

During the Second World War, the United States teamed up with the Soviet Union to fight the German threat. That’s why, in late 1944, it…

Emperor Hirohito’s Brother Criticized Japan’s War Crimes In the Second World War

Professor B. Williams and Takahito, Prince Mikasa walking near a building

In the annals of Japanese history, Prince Mikasa holds a unique position as both a member of the Imperial Family and a vocal observer of…

USS Buckley (DE-51): The Destroyer Escort That Took Out a German U-boat With Hand-to-Hand Combat and Grenades

USS Buckley (DE-51) at sea

The USS Buckley (DE-51) was a destroyer escort and lead ship of her class that served with the US Navy between 1943-46. During her wartime…

Casualties of Dunkirk – Mother Laying Flowers At Her Son’s Grave

Jane Thompson laying a wreath at her son's grave

The Battle of Dunkirk remains etched in history as a testament to human resilience and sacrifice. As Allied troops faced imminent defeat on the shores…

The Story Behind a Lockheed P-38G Lightning Wreck Off the Southern Coast of France

Wreck of a Lockheed P-38G Lightning on the seafloor

The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was a versatile and highly capable fighter used by the United States and other Allied countries in both the European and…

World War II-Era Hawker Hurricanes Found Buried In Ukraine

Member of the Armed Forces of Ukraine making notes near the rusty fuselage of a Hawker Hurricane

As the fighting continues to wage on in Ukraine as part of the Russo-Ukrainian War, several World War II-era relics have been unearthed. Not only…

US Navy Identifies Escort Carrier Sunk By Japanese Kamikaze In World War II

USS Ommaney Bay (CVE-79) at sea

The Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) has confirmed the location of the wreck of the USS Ommaney Bay (CVE-79) in the Sulu Sea, off…

Before Starring Alongside Andy Griffith, Don Knotts Served In the US Army Special Services

Don Knotts as Barney Fife in 'The Andy Griffith Show'

Before Don Knotts became a household name for his roles on television and film, he scored some of his first comedy gigs serving in the…

Japan’s Secret Weapon for the Invasion of British Malaya Was… Bicycles?

Man riding a bicycle while holding an umbrella

During World War II, Japan employed a seemingly innocuous ally: the bicycle. As the empire faced logistical challenges and scarce resources, these manually-driven vehicles played…