Five human skeletons have been unearthed at the Wolfsschanze – “Wolf’s Lair,” in English – in Poland. The human remains, found without their hands and feet, were discovered beneath the former residence of the Reichmarschall and are believed to be that of a family. Photo Credit: Michal Fludra / NurPhoto / Getty Images Located in the Masurian woods, the Wolf’s Lair served as the first Eastern Front military headquarters for the Germans during World War II. Today, the site has been largely taken over by nature, but much of the brick structure still remains standing. The home where the Reichmarsc ..read more

When looking back at the stars who dominated the silver screen during the 1950s and ’60s, you’ll find that the majority served in some capacity with the US military. Some saw more action than others, with Western star Neville Brand among those who risked their lives by attacking the enemy head-on, with a complete disregard for his own safety. Neville Brand was awarded the Silver Star for his service in Europe Halls of Montezuma, 1951. (Photo Credit: hilts / MovieStillsDB) Very little is known about Neville Brand’s early life, other than he grew up in Illinois. Following his high school gradua ..read more

A commemoration event to mark the 80th anniversary of Exercise Tiger took place on the afternoon of Friday, April 26, 2024, at Portland in Dorset, United Kingdom. The ceremony was organized in remembrance of the lives lost during the drills. Crowd gathered to watch the Exercise Tiger commemoration ceremony, April 2024. (Photo Credit: Geoff Moore / The Travel Trunk) In April 1944, the Allied forces gathered around Lyme Bay, an area of the English Channel, for a “dress rehearsal” of the D-Day invasion of Normandy. Tragically, many sailors and soldiers lost their lives during the exercise, which ..read more

Jimmy Buffett’s passing on September 1, 2023 was a shock to music fans across the world. The “Margaritaville” singer’s death was attributed to an aggressive form of skin cancer known as Merkel-cell carcinoma, with him having entered hospice care one month prior. Along with music, Buffett was a life-long aviation enthusiast, having obtained his private and commercial pilot’s licenses. He was the proud owner of several historic aircraft, the most famous being the restored Grumman HU-16 Albatross Hemisphere Dancer. Heavily featured in his memoir, A Pirate Looks at Fifty, and a former US Navy sear ..read more

In 2023, the Dutch National Archives unveiled a collection of documents that had previously been classified as “confidential,” as per the customary 75-year term. Among them was a hand-drawn treasure map featuring an “x” denoting the location of buried treasure. Allegedly concealed by the Germans in the waning days of World War II, the discovery ignited a hunt that’s captivating the public’s imagination. For now, the loot remains undiscovered, adding to the intrigue surrounding this elusive bounty. Buried during the fighting in the Netherlands Tanks rolling across a bridge during Operation Mar ..read more

The Arisaka Type 99 rifle was a significant evolution in the realm of military armaments. Born out of necessity in the 1930s, its development reflected a desire to equip the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) with an advanced, reliable weapon; its introduction served to underscore Japan’s commitment to achieving technological parity with other military powers of the time. A need for a more powerful bolt-action rifle Japanese troops stationed in China, equipped with Type 38 rifles, 1937. (Photo Credit: Pictures from History / Universal Images Group / Getty Images) The Arisaka Type 99 rifle came abou ..read more

Germany thought up several strategies to increase its chances of winning World War II, including the breeding of potato bugs to decimate enemy crops and agricultural resources. Arguably the most bizarre tactic entertained during the conflict was the occult. Astonishingly – or, perhaps, predictably, given the prevalent misconceptions held by high-ranking officials – several officers were stark believers in this unconventional approach. Werewolves and vampires Werewolf-like creature that was captured in a German forest in the 1500s. (Photo Credit: Ann Ronan Pictures / Print Collector / Getty Im ..read more

One campaign changed the direction of the Second World War: the Battle of France. The period leading up to the engagement was known as the “Phoney War” and it had lulled the Allies into a false sense of security. Taking advantage of this, Germany developed a strategy based on a concept known as Blitzkrieg – or “lightning war.” By circumventing the heavily-fortified Maginot Line, the military aimed to catch the Allies off-guard. All this preparation paid off, with Germany gaining control of not just France, but also the Low Countries by the end of June 1940. Germany’s Blitzkrieg strategy ..read more

Japanese physician Shiro Ishii presided over a series of abhorrent medical experiments that stand as some of the most egregious atrocities in modern history. Ranging from the development and testing of biological warfare agents to conducting live dissections on victims, the actions of Unit 731 constituted unspeakable crimes against humanity, targeting men, women and children in ways that defy comprehension, even by contemporary standards. Shiro Ishii’s early life Shiro Ishii upon graduating from Kyoto Imperial University, 1920. (Photo Credit: Aising / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain) Shiro ..read more

When its comes to wartime communications, few carry the weight of the infamous Dear John letter. Originating during World War II, these correspondences have become a symbol of love lost and personal sacrifice during times of conflict, showing that combat can sometimes have a negative impact on peoples’ relationships. World War II origins Photo Credit: Archive Photos / Hulton Archive / Getty Images The term “Dear John” letter is believed to have originated during the Second World War, with the first reported instance being noted in The New York Times in October 1943. Milton Bracker, a war corr ..read more