WWII Quarterly Summer 2014

Blitzkrieg 1940: From the Invasion of Holland to the Fall of France

The ancient Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu wrote, “Go forth to the enemy’s positions to which he must race. Read more

WWII Quarterly Summer 2014

Vierville-sur-Mer: Cracking a Critical Draw at Omaha Beach

Shortly after 8 am on June 6, 1944, a German officer overlooking the Vierville-sur-Mer Draw on Omaha Beach reported that the soldiers defending the beach were repelling the Americans: “The enemy is in search of cover behind the coastal zone obstacles. Read more

WWII Quarterly Summer 2014

From the Philippines to Borneo: A PT Boat Skipper’s Life

When the four members of the Japanese surrender delegation climbed aboard the deck of PT-375 on September 8, 1945, the boat’s skipper, Lieutenant Henry “Hank” Blake, directed the men to an open area on the forward deck where the Japanese could be closely watched for any signs of treachery. Read more

WWII Quarterly Summer 2014

The Port Chicago Disaster

In the summer of 1944, with American forces battling their way ever closer to the Japanese home islands, the need for ammunition in the Pacific was hitting its peak. Read more

WWII Quarterly Summer 2014

Battle of Reipertswiller: The 157th Infantry’s Heroic Stand During Operation Nordwind

By mid-January 1945, the famous Battle of the Bulge, a massive and fatal failure for the Third Reich, was virtually over. Read more

WWII Quarterly Summer 2014

Bovington Tank Museum

If armored vehicles are your interest, the Tank Museum at Bovington Camp, Dorset, is your holy grail. This cavernous museum, measuring 50,000 square feet, holds the world’s finest and most comprehensive collection of over 250 armored vehicles from 26 countries. Read more

WWII Quarterly Summer 2014

Why the Douglas SBD Dauntless Had Such a Stunning Combat Record

On August 7, 1942, Petty Officer 1st Class Saburo Sakai was piloting his Mitsubishi A6M2 “Zero” fighter in the skies over Sealark Channel in the Solomon Islands. Read more

WWII Quarterly Summer 2014

Commandos Crack Hitler’s Atlantic Wall

After successfully fighting seasickness during the crossing of the English Channel, Lance-Corporal Ted Brooks of Number 48 (Royal Marine) Commando arrived on Nan Red Beach—which formed the left flank of Juno Beach—on the morning of June 6, 1944. Read more

WWII Quarterly Summer 2014

Low Level, No Guns

Major Sam P. Bakshas woke up that morning with the secrets in his head.

Bakshas was one of the men flying B-29 Superfortress bombers from three Pacific islands—Guam, Saipan, and Tinian. Read more