The hottest WWII Substack posts right now

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Top World Politics Topics

'We must get through this!'

Wrong Side of History • 360 implied HN points • 17 Feb 26
đź’ľ History WWII
  1. The Allied night raids on Dresden created a massive firestorm that killed thousands, with many people suffocating in cellars after following official sheltering advice.
  2. A second wave shifted targets into residential outskirts and public gathering places, destroying hospitals, cultural sites, and shelters and causing huge numbers of refugee and homeless casualties.
  3. Survival often came down to small acts or chance—choosing to leave a cellar, what shoes you wore, or help from neighbors—and the city’s aftermath involved mass cremations and forced cleanup that provoked lasting moral controversy.

How Holocaust Denial Became Mainstream

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 862 implied HN points • 27 Jan 26
đź’ľ History WWII
  1. As firsthand memory of the Holocaust fades, its meaning is increasingly contested and denial or distortion is spreading.
  2. The language used to fight racism and antisemitism has become formulaic and often empty, so it no longer effectively counters hatred and needs updating.
  3. The Holocaust underpins modern ideas like crimes against humanity and the postwar order, but those achievements are now threatened by historical distortion and revived antisemitic lies.

Holocaust Remembrance Day

Points And Figures • 639 implied HN points • 27 Jan 26
đź’ľ History WWII
  1. The liberation of Auschwitz and survivors' testimonies are haunting but uplifting, and preserving their stories is vital so future generations can learn what happened.
  2. Antisemitism is rising and becoming normalized, so saying "never again" is not enough — we must take real, active steps to stop it.
  3. Survivors' lives and contributions show how much was lost in the Holocaust, and honoring their memory means staying vigilant and remembering every day.

This is what Trump's favorite dictator did to the "vermin" who were "poisoning the blood" of his country

Lucian Truscott Newsletter • 4461 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics WWII
  1. During World War II, British soldiers liberated Bergen-Belsen concentration camp where tens of thousands of Jews were found dead or dying.
  2. Photographs show the aftermath of the camp's liberation, including emaciated survivors being treated and bodies being buried in mass graves.
  3. The historical atrocities of Nazi concentration camps serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of hateful ideologies and propaganda.

The SS, The Holocaust, and Yaroslav Hunka

Foreign Exchanges • 982 implied HN points • 10 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics WWII
  1. The SS was founded as an organization primarily concerned with perpetrating genocide.
  2. The Waffen-SS, a military branch of the SS, played a role in the Holocaust through participation in mass shootings and supplying guards for concentration camps.
  3. Holocaust denial is becoming more prevalent in society, reflecting a concerning trend of forgetting or even praising the perpetrators of atrocities.
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Fullbore Friday

CDR Salamander • 864 implied HN points • 16 Jun 23
đź’ľ History WWII
  1. Even if you can only go 80% speed, as long as your weapons are good, you can still go
  2. Luck and tactics can play a big part in naval battles
  3. Admiral William "Bull" Halsey's strategy during the Battle of Cape St. George was very successful, earning it the nickname "Trafalgar of the Pacific"

The Art of Propaganda

The Forgotten Files • 373 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
đź’ľ History WWII
  1. The post discusses how propaganda was used to shape public perception in America and Japan during WWII.
  2. Various examples of propaganda materials from the WWII era are showcased, including maps and leaflets.
  3. The materials highlighted demonstrate the different strategies and messages used in propaganda to influence attitudes and actions.

Sunrise: Japan's Leap for Empire

Big Serge Thought • 3 implied HN points • 20 Feb 26
đź’ľ History WWII
  1. The Pacific War was a uniquely vast and complex conflict fought across a contiguous oceanic theater, using air, submarine, surface, and amphibious forces and often resembling positional, continental-style warfare despite being fought from the sea.
  2. Japan had no single coherent grand strategy; the protracted war in China turned into a crippling resource sink that forced mobilization, worsened Army–Navy rivalry, and pushed Tokyo into desperate, contradictory choices that made southern expansion and confrontation more likely.
  3. U.S. policy of escalating economic pressure—most importantly the effective oil embargo after Japan’s move into Indochina—helped corner Japan and create the political will for war, and the eventual American victory relied not just on industrial overmatch but on decisive early battles and operational innovations like the fast carrier task force, amphibious doctrine, and submarine warfare.

Ninety Years After the Reichstag Was Set On Fire

The Planet • 373 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
đź’ľ History WWII
  1. History serves as a reminder of the dangers of fascism and the importance of resisting injustice.
  2. Individuals who stand up against oppression inspire others and highlight the power of activism.
  3. The burning of the Reichstag 90 years ago paved the way for the Nazi dictatorship, showcasing the manipulation of tragedies for political gain.

Battle of the Bulge Episode 2: The Malmedy Massacre

Letters from an American • 6 implied HN points • 12 Jan 26
đź’ľ History WWII
  1. It focuses on the Malmedy Massacre during the Battle of the Bulge and the horrific violence that took place there.
  2. The material is harrowing and hard to watch because it confronts the human cost of a massacre up close.
  3. The broader lesson is that authoritarian governments can be brutally indifferent to individual lives, treating people as expendable.

Lost Over Dunkirk

Military Aviation Videos • 19 implied HN points • 28 Apr 24
đź’ľ History WWII
  1. The story recounts the heroic adventures of Spitfire Ace Gordon Olive, showcasing his skill and bravery during the Battle of Britain.
  2. Gordon Olive's recount of chasing and bringing down a Messerschmitt 111 with his Spitfire highlights the plane's effectiveness and the intensity of aerial combat during WWII.
  3. Despite facing dangerous situations, Olive's quick thinking and skill as a pilot allowed him to escape and continue fighting, showcasing the courage and resilience of military aviators.

Glory, Glory What a Hell of a Way To Die

The Radar • 39 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
đź’ľ History WWII
  1. The Battle of the Bulge was a significant event in history where American soldiers showed remarkable resilience and determination.
  2. Amid harsh conditions, the soldiers fought bravely and unitedly for each other rather than personal glory.
  3. Brig. Gen. Anthony McAuliffe's response of 'NUTS!' exemplifies the defiant spirit and resolve of the Allied forces during the battle.

Top Fighter Squadrons of WWII

Military Aviation Videos • 19 implied HN points • 17 Apr 24
đź’ľ History WWII
  1. The top fighter squadrons of World War II achieved remarkable aerial victories, with certain units surpassing 200 kills, showcasing the bravery and skill of the pilots.
  2. Fighter squadrons like No. 303 (Polish) Squadron RAF and USMC VMF121 'The Green Knights' made significant contributions during key battles, such as the Battle of Britain and the Pacific War, with their aggressive tactics and exceptional success.
  3. Jagdgeschwaders like JG 51 and JG 52 of the Luftwaffe had an immense impact during the war, achieving thousands of victories, with top aces like Gerhard Barkhorn and GĂĽnther Rall emerging from their ranks, showcasing the intensity and devastation of air combat.

5 Historical Quirks to Spot in... King's Cross Station

Londonist: Time Machine • 0 implied HN points • 29 Sep 23
đź’ľ History WWII
  1. King's Cross Station has 5 historical quirks worth noticing, including a missing duck, an unnoticed milestone, and London's newest WWII repairs.
  2. The author of the post, Matt Brown, shares favorite historical sights in the well-known area.
  3. The post is for paid subscribers, but a 7-day free trial is available for access to the full post archives.