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World War II Articles

Modern history has been indelibly shaped by World War II, and its importance cannot be overstated. Involving the vast majority of the globe’s nations, it was the deadliest conflict in human history, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake.

While World War II remains one of the most studied and talked-about historical fields, there’s so much to unpack that it seems like a truly endless subject. We’re here to break down every angle of the conflict. 

Want to learn more about the Holocaust? Discover the courageous acts of Jewish resistance fighters, or the best nonfiction books, ranging from eyewitness accounts to sweeping historical studies of the genocide. Curious about the experience of soldiers? Dive into our military history coverage, including everything from the attack on Pearl Harbor and torpedo-fueled conflicts in the Pacific to the bravery of the Purple Heart Battalion, a segregated regiment of Japanese-Americans. Then there’s the question of women’s involvement in the war, from daring female spies to battlefield nurses to those who entered the workforce for the first time and held the economy together on the homefront.

Wherever your WWII interest lies, we have a story for you—and many more to come.

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Night Witches: The Fierce, All-Female Soviet Fighter Pilots of WWII

They flew their first mission in June 1942—and quickly developed a reputation for deadly precision.

This Soldier Took Out a Pillbox Using only One Small Bomb and a Combat Knife

His heroic act silenced seven enemy machine guns and captured 25 German troops.

Unbreakable: How Navajo Code Talkers Helped Win WWII

A group of Navajo men came together in the 1940s to create an unbreakable military code.

Léo Major: The "One-Eyed Ghost" Who Single-Handedly Liberated a Dutch Town

Major went above and beyond the call of duty in World War II and the Korean War.

Anne Frank and Her Life in the Secret Annex

A book published by the Anne Frank House profiles the Secret Annex—the Frank family's two-year hideout—and the famous diarist's life inside.

That Time Los Angeles Fought off an Imaginary Japanese Bombing Raid

They called it the "Battle of L.A." There was just one problem—the City of Angels wasn't under attack.

That Time a WWII Bomber Pilot Climbed Onto the Wing Mid-Flight to Save His Crew

His crew tied a rope around his chest and he made his way onto the wing to extinguish the blaze.

Ruth Gruber: The Making of a Trailblazing Female Correspondent

In Ahead of Time, Gruber reflects on the early years of her career, including the assignment that took her back to 1930s Germany.

Nancy Wake: The Fearless Resistance Fighter Who Led Over 7,000 Soldiers Against the Nazis

“Somebody once asked me ‘Have you ever been afraid?’ Hah! I’ve never been afraid in my life.”

Meet the Nightfighters, a Division of Allied Soldiers Who Attacked Nazis with Empty Rifles and Grenades

They launched their attacks under cover of darkness, equipped only with empty rifles, bayonets, and grenades.

That Time Imperial Japan Tried to Bomb the U.S. Using Hydrogen Balloons

Approximately 9,000 balloons packed with explosives drifted toward American shores...

A Most Dangerous Humanitarian Mission: When Allied Pilots Dropped Food Into Nazi Occupied Territory

The best planes for the job were bombers—aircraft that German artillery units fired upon at every opportunity.

Moe Berg: The Boston Red Sox Catcher Who May Have Changed the Course of World War II

The third-string catcher secretly served as a spy for American intelligence during WWII...

Jim Jamison: The U.S. Corporal Who Sought Out Scientists in Post-Nazi Germany

Jamison was part of a top-secret program, similar to Operation Paperclip, that recruited German scientists to work for the U.S. government after World War II.

The Long, Strange History of the Maunsell Sea Forts

The eerie and abandoned World War II relics remain standing to this day.