WWII Archives

WWII

Anders’ Army: Wladyslaw Anders & the Polish II Corps

By John E. Spindler

On April 21 1945, the Polish 2nd Corps captured the Italian city of Bologna and from the city’s highest tower flew the flag of Poland. Read more

The undisputed gem of Battlefield O'ahu is the USS Arizona Memorial, but there are many other sites worth visiting in the same area.

WWII

What To See at Battlefield O’ahu & the USS Arizona Memorial

by William E. Welsh

The Japanese torpedo bombers came in dangerously low to launch their torpedoes at the battleships on the east side of Ford Island at 8 AM on the morning of December 7, 1941. Read more

WWII

How “The Few” Saved Britain

By Mark Simmons

The legend of 1940, “their finest hour,” has become almost considered fact in Britain. Many felt, as they saw it at the time, the Germans merely had to turn up on her shores for Britain’s defeat. Read more

WWII

Remembering the End of the War in Europe

In May 1945—70 years ago—the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF) sent out a terse, unemotional, 15-word communiqué: “The mission of this Allied force was fulfilled at 0241 local time, May 7, 1945.” Read more

WWII

WWII Espionage: Eric Arthur Roberts, Britain’s Quiet Hero

By Michael E. Haskew

Many times in war otherwise obscure individuals are called upon to take extreme risks in service to their country, and more often than any casual observer may ever know, the heroic deeds of these individuals remain in the shadows, forgotten footnotes or even totally lost due to the passage of time and the continuing sweep of history. Read more

After the fall of France, Britain prepared for the inevitable: Operation Sea Lion, a Nazi invasion of England. So why did it never happen?

WWII

Why Operation Sea Lion, the Nazi Invasion of England, Never Happened

Michael E. Haskew

Without doubt, the fall of France was an unmitigated disaster for the Allied cause. However, for all its failures in command, strategy, and tactics, it could have been much worse. Read more

For turning the tide in the Pacific while incurring no casualties, the USS Washington battleship is one of America's most famous.

WWII

The USS Washington Battleship: How it Turned the Pacific Tide

by Brad Reynolds

Prior to American entrance into World War II, the USS Washington battleship’s initial assignment was escorting supply ships between England and Russia in support of the Lend Lease Act. Read more

Female Spies like Virginia Hall, Amy Thorpe and Barbara Lauwers were large supporters of the Allied war efforts, and some of the most important women in World War 2.

WWII

‪Important Women in World War 2: Female Spies

By Patricia McBride

Mention spies and most people will think of James Bond or Ethan Hunt from Mission Impossible, but most people would struggle to name some notable female spies—apart perhaps from Mata Hari—yet they have always existed. Read more

Billionaire Paul Allen claims to have found the Japanese battleship Musashi, sunk during the Battle of Leyte Gulf.

WWII

Paul Allen Finds Musashi, Sunk During Battle of Leyte Gulf

by James Hart

Today, billionaire Paul Allen has claimed to have found the Musashi, flagship of the Japanese Combined Fleet, sunk during one of the largest naval engagements in history. Read more

As Nurses, Reservists and Corpsmen, those who served in the new female auxiliary units became some of the most important women in World War 2.

WWII

Important Women in World War 2: Women’s Auxiliary Units

by Patricia McBride

Until the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, America had maintained a popular non-interventionist position with World War 2. Read more

WWII

A Hard Mutt’s Life: “Military Dogs” in World War II

By Kevin Hymel

American men left behind a great deal when they left home to fight a world war. They lost their identities, their families, and almost all their worldly goods, but they improvised. Read more

Does Germany still owe Greece war reparations from World War II? Probably, but it's not likely that Greece will ever collect.

WWII

Does Germany Owe Greece War Reparations?

by James Hart

This week, Greece’s new Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras brought the issue of war reparations back into the political foreground during his first speech to parliament. Read more

WWII

WW2 Leaders: Field Marshal Archibald Wavell

by Christopher Miskimon

In late 1940, fortune seemed entirely against the United Kingdom. France had fallen, Italian troops threatened imperial holdings, and Britain’s few allies were still gravely threatened. Read more

Unlike other WW2 leaders, Finland's 'Founding Father,' Carl von Mannerheim was caught in the unique situation of siding with Nazi Germany to recapture his country's independence.

WWII

WW2 Leaders: Carl von Mannerheim, Finland’s “Founding Father”

by Christopher Miskimon

Carl von Mannerheim has often been called Finland’s Founding Father, and for good reason. For much Finland’s history, it was not really a nation at all—just a province of a larger country. Read more

American soldiers move through La Roche, Belgium, during the Battle of the Bulge. Task Force Hogan reached La Roche on December 19, 1944, and Hogan’s men made a stand along with an assault-gun platoon in defense of the town. The remainder of Hogan’s command kept moving northward.

WWII

A Letter from a Bastogne Foxhole

Recently, a close family friend our son’s age gave me a copy of a letter written by his late grandfather, Sergeant David Warman, a member of Company E, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. Read more

WWII

The Rise and Fall of the German U-Boat

By William F. Floyd, Jr.

On the evening of October 13, 1939, the German submarine surfaced off the Orkney Islands in the North Sea. Read more

WWII

Important Women in World War 2: Virginia Hall

By Michael D. Hull

Slender, five feet, seven inches tall, and with a warm smile that belied toughness and leadership ability, Virginia “Dindy” Hall of Baltimore had a wooden leg and a price on her head. Read more

WWII

How The Battle of Iwo Jima Saved American Lives

By Mike Haskew

On February 19, 1945, thousands of American Marines hit the beaches on the Volcano Islands in the Pacific, starting what we call today the Battle of Iwo Jima. Read more

WWII

Letters Home from the Battle of the Bulge

By Flint Whitlock

On Christmas day 1944, during the Battle of the Bulge, Sergeant David Warman, a member of Company E, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, wrote a letter home. Read more