The Battle of Iwo Jima (19 February – 26 March 1945) was a major battle in which the United States Armed Forces landed and eventually captured the island of Iwo Jima from the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II. The American invasion, designated Operation Detachment, had the goal of capturing the entire island, including the three Japanese-controlled airfields (including the South Field and the Central Field),… Read more »
The Home Guard was originally known as the Local Defence Volunteers, LDV. This was considered too much of a title and it became the Home Guard, though the nickname ‘Look, Duck and Vanish’ did stick – rather unfairly as the work done by the Home Guard was very important. The men who would have defended… Read more »
On 5 May 1945, the First Canadian Army was in large part responsible for the liberation of the Netherlands. Ask any Dutchie about Canada, especially those in their senior years and they will surely praise the liberation efforts of the Canadian troops. The liberation came at a critical time for the Dutch people, as thousands were left starving and… Read more »
On June 6, 1944, Allied Forces invaded Normandy and turned the tide of World War II in Europe. More than 100,000 soldiers swept ashore and nearly 10.000 died that first day. By June 22, the Allies had broken out of Normandy heading for Berlin. These stories are the first-hand accounts of the men and women… Read more »
Lydia Vladimirovna Litvyak, Moscow, born August 18, 1921 – Krasnyi Luch August 1, 1943), also known as Lydia Litviak or Lilya Litviak, was a fighter pilot in the Soviet Air Force during World War II. With at least 12 solo victories and at least four shared kills over a total of 66 combat missions, over about two… Read more »