Category: Odd Facts
Poison Gas — The Seven Most Feared Chemical Weapons of WWI
“I wish those people who talk about going on with this war whatever it costs could see the soldiers suffering from mustard gas poisoning.” Vera Brittain, First World War nurse “The use in war of…
Ivor Thord – Meet the Swedish Adventurer Who Fought in a Dozen Conflicts With Six Armies on Four Continents
“Thord fought in more than ten wars while serving in the armies of the British Empire, Germany, China, Mexico, Russia and the United States, among others.” FORGET THE Dos Equis beer pitchman, the title of…
Emperor in Exile — Could Napoleon Have Escaped From St. Helena?
THE PREMISE OF Napoleon in America is that Bonaparte escapes from the island of St. Helena. He was banished there in 1815 after being forced from the French throne following his defeat at Waterloo. Napoleon was considered the…
Traitors and Doves – Famous People Who Opposed the War Against the Nazis
“A number of prominent individuals in Britain, the U.S. and elsewhere publicly pushed for peace. Some were celebrated for their convictions; others were vilified as traitors.” UNLIKE 1914, FEW in France or Britain relished the…
Damned Lies – Nine Wars Started Under False Pretexts
“The Tonkin Incident was not the only case of a major war being launched under dubious circumstances. Here are some other examples.” THE GULF OF of Tonkin Incident is remembered as the de facto beginning of full-scale American…
Mustang 2.0 – Did the USAF Really Plan to Modernize the P-51 During the 1980s?
“As recently as the 1980s, the Pentagon considered bringing heavily modified variants of the legendary 1940s warbird back into service. Here’s the story.” WHILE THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE remains on the cutting edge of advanced fighter…