Wild theories sprang up immediately in the wake of Hitler’s death. He had escaped into the alps, he had been captured and secretly questioned. The Soviets had him. No, the British. He’d fled to Argentina. We’ve all heard the stories. All of these rumors and conspiracies could have been squashed almost immediately. If only Hitler’s […]
It wasn’t always called the Demon Core. In fact, this small sphere measuring just 3.5 inches across originally had the much more benign name of….. Rufus. But what is it and why the name change? What’s In A Name? 1942 is where our story begins. December the 28th and the start of the Manhattan Project […]
The Origin of Coca Cola This story is not one that Coca Cola likes being repeated. To be fair, the origin story of coca cola involves a confederate soldier, addiction, lots of drugs and much more. So I could see why they wouldn’t be keen to advertise it. But it is an interesting story set […]
HMS Trident had a short but fruitful life. This T class submarine was commissioned in 1939 and broken up in 1946. HMS Trident spent most of her life in and around the North Sea. Between 1941 and 1943 Trident managed to sink 6 German supply ships, a German tanker and submarine chaser UJ 1213. She […]
By the mid 1930’s, Charles “Lucky” Luciano was the undisputed head of the Genovese family. He had taken out his main rival, “the boss of all bosses” Salvatore Maranzano and was living the high life. Holed up in the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, living under the assumed name of Charles Ross. It would all soon come […]
Filibuster as used in a military sense. William Walker didn’t spend his time talking to obstruct a vote. No, he invaded countries and tried to take them over! Not once, or twice but three, three times. Not bad for someone who died at the tender age of 36. Early Beginnings William Walker seemed a man […]
Everyone knows about the American Civil War. Or at the very least has heard of it. The war started in 1861 and finished in 1865. Fought between the northern states (the Union) and the southern states (the Confederates), war broke out essentially over the enslavement of black people. Today we are only going to concern […]
A little strange, right? Especially as the continental USA was pretty much unscathed during World War 2. Only once was it bombed. At Fort Stevens on the Oregon coast. But the headline is referring to an incident thousands of miles away in LA. And it happened in 1984. World War 2 bomb lands on patio […]
The unluckiest ship in the world also happened to be a World War 2 destroyer. Commissioned in 1943, she would be sunk only 2 years later. But that’s not what made her unlucky. In fact, sinking was probably the best thing to do with the “Willie Dee”. Atlantic Service Even before leaving port, the ship […]
The fastest war in history kicked off at 9.02am on the morning of August the 27th, 1896. It ended with 500 people (including civilians) dead or wounded just 38 minutes later at 9.40am. The Anglo-Zanzibar War The war began after the sudden death of pro-British Sultan Hamad bin Thuwaini. In accordance with a treaty signed […]