World War 2
-
Eugene Bullard was an extraordinary figure in history whose courage, resilience, and determination helped him overcome significant racial and social barriers. He was not only the first African American military pilot but also a soldier, entertainer, and spy who played a significant role in both World Wars. Despite his achievements, Bullard’s story remained largely unrecognized
-
Louisa Gould was a remarkable woman whose bravery and selflessness during World War II exemplify the resilience of the human spirit. As a resident of Jersey in the Channel Islands, she lived through the German occupation from 1940 to 1945. Despite the dangers she faced, Gould risked her life to protect others, ultimately paying the
-
According to the Joods Monument-Jewish Monument, seven Dutch Jews were tragically murdered at Bergen-Belsen on this day, 80 years ago. Today, I am remembering one of them: Naatje Morpurgo-van Wijnbergen. Naatje was born in The Hague on March 11, 1874, and was murdered in Bergen-Belsen on January 30, 1945, at the age of 70. She
-
The sinking of the Titanic may be history’s most infamous maritime disaster and the torpedoing of the Lusitania, the most notorious wartime naval tragedy. Yet, both—with death tolls of approximately 1,500 and 1,200, respectively—are overshadowed by the fate of the MV Wilhelm Gustloff. On January 30, 1945, the German ocean liner was struck by torpedoes
-
Erich Ludendorff was a prominent German general during World War I, a key strategist in Germany’s military operations, and an influential political figure in the turbulent years that followed. He played a central role in shaping the German war effort, particularly in the later years of the conflict, and was instrumental in the development of
-
Introduction Theresienstadt, a Nazi concentration camp and ghetto established in 1941, was unique among the camps in that it played a dual role: both as a site of suffering and as a tool of deception. One of the most sinister aspects of this deception was a propaganda film produced by the Nazis in 1944, often
-
Last night, during the Holocaust Memorial Day commemorations in London, Prince William delivered a heartfelt tribute to his great-grandmother, Princess Alice of Battenberg, in a moving speech. I wasn’t aware of his paternal great-grandmother’s involvement in the Holocaust. Princess Alice of Battenberg, a member of the British royal family and mother of Prince Philip, Duke
-
Audie Leon Murphy was an American soldier, actor, and songwriter. He was widely celebrated as the most decorated American combat soldier of World War II. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary heroism on January 26, 1945, near Holtzwihr, France. The Medal of Honor citation describes actions that exemplify remarkable bravery, leadership,
-
Earlier this week, I wrote a blog post featuring quotes from Holocaust survivors. Among them, I came across a powerful statement by Simon Wiesenthal: “For your benefit, learn from our tragedy. It is not a written law that the next victims must be Jews. It can also be other people. We saw it begin in
-
Two lives so brief, their stories untold,In shadows of darkness, their fates took hold.Nehemia Levy Cohen, born with winter’s breath,In Amsterdam’s arms, unaware of death.Roosje van der Hal, spring’s gentle child,From Groningen’s heart, her laughter wild. On January’s day, the cold tracks groaned,Two babes were taken from the love they’d known.To Westerbork’s gates, where the
History of Sorts 