The War Years

The War Years is dedicated to bringing World War Two history to life. Our website, YouTube channel, photo galleries, social media and blog posts combine to tell the true stories of the world's most destructive conflict, and keep alive the memories of all those who were lost.

Looking for specific information on some aspect of World War Two? Use our search feature or contact us directly.

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The Story of the Conflict

The story of World War Two is an epic tale of political extremism, racism, territorial expansionism, subjugation and mass murder on an industrial scale. It’s also a story of immense courage, sacrifice, determination, ingenuity and great leadership.

Read the whole story in brief.

TheWarYears1939 dedicated WW2 military history channel. 

TheWarYears1939 - Military History YouTube Channel

Watch over 70 videos that tell the story of every aspect of World War Two military history. Our dedicated YouTube channel has over 3 million views and 1600 subscribers. We take a closer look at the people, vehicles and weapons that had such as devastating and decisive impact on the outcome of key battles throughout the conflict.

Visit TheWarYears1939 video channel now.

The War Years Blog

In the War Years Blog we review military history books, events and museums. We also look at the history of unique World War Two artefacts, militaria, medals and anything else of general interest. Read our latest blog post now.

Featured
The Ghosts of Tangmere

In this blog post we visit Tangmere Military Aviation Museum, once a frontline RAF fighter base during the Battle of Britain and home to the UK's airspeed records. 

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Visit the Home of Fighter Command
Visit the Home of Fighter Command

In this post we visit the former Headquarters of RAF Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain, The Bentley Priory Museum in Stanmore, a suburb of Northwest London. It was here that Sir Hugh Dowding oversaw the air defence of the UK during the dark days of 1940.

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The Museums of RAF Davidstow Moor
The Museums of RAF Davidstow Moor

In this post we visit a former Coastal Command airfield, RAF Davidstow Moor, Cornwall, and its two fascinating military history museums that stand in the shadow of a cheese factory.

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The Miracle of Dunkirk Retold
The Miracle of Dunkirk Retold

In this blog post we take a look at Christopher Nolan’s new war movie Dunkirk.

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The Abbeville Boys Focke Wulf Fw-190A1
The Abbeville Boys Focke Wulf Fw-190A1

In this blog we take a look at the unique history of a piece of engine cowling from Fw-190A-1 Wn.10036. The Fw-190 was part of Jagdgeschwader (JG) 26 "Schlageter" known to the Allies as "The Abbeville Boys". Piloted by Oberfeldwebel Helmut Ufer, the Fw-190 was shot down by an RAF Spitfire in July 1942. 

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Two Books on the Tank War for Northwest Europe
Two Books on the Tank War for Northwest Europe

In this double book review we look at two very different titles that both look at the tank war in Northwest Europe from very different perspectives. Ken Tout's book A Fine Night for Tanks takes an almost forensic look at Operation Totalize. Tank Action by David Render is a very personal portrait of the Allied advanced from the Normandy beaches to Germany from the viewpoint of a junior tank commander.

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Tiger Tank Artefact: Falaise Pocket August 1944
Tiger Tank Artefact: Falaise Pocket August 1944

In this blog post we take a look at a battlefield recovered piece of Tiger tank history from the Falaise Pocket, August 1944.

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Bringing The War Years Bot to Life
Bringing The War Years Bot to Life

In this blog post we announce the launch of The War Years chatbot. The War Years brings WW2 military history vividly to life. Now you can connect to The War Years varied military history resources using our Facebook Messenger chatbot. The War Years provides an overview of WW2 events, photographic gallery, blog, YouTube channel and social media platforms. We also recommend various WW2 living history events, air shows, exhibitions and museums. You can also ask questions about WW2, and we will do our best to answer them. 

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The German War: Crimes and Persecution Complex
The German War: Crimes and Persecution Complex

The German War by Nicholas Stargardt and The Bitter Taste of Victory by Lara Feigel are two WW2 history books that neatly dovetail one another. The German War examines the many, varied aspects of the German war experience from 1939 to 1945 at home and on the frontlines. The Bitter Taste of Victory begins in 1944 as Allied forces, East and West, advance into the shrinking Reich and extends to 1949.

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The BBC's Forgotten Wireless War
The BBC's Forgotten Wireless War

In this review we take a look at David Boyle's book V for Victory: the Wireless Campaign that Defeated the Nazi published by The Real Press. The book briefly tells the tale of an almost forgotten piece of World War Two history. Enthusiastically adopted by foreign governments in exile and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, the V for Victory campaign called for small acts of disobedience and sabotage by the people of Nazi-occupied Europe.

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Photo Galleries

Our World War Two galleries include many genuine photographs of events as they happened plus museum visits, vehicle displays, air shows and battle re-enactments. 

Featured
British Airborne
British Airborne

British paratrooper armed with a No. 4 Lee Enfield .303 rifle. He's wearing the distinctive airborne Denison smock.

Hawker Hurricane
Hawker Hurricane

RAF Battle of Britain Hawker Hurricane, although this one is actually a lifesize fibreglass replica

Sten Gun
Sten Gun

Two British paratroopers armed with 9mm Sten submachine guns. The man crouching has the shoulder pips (rank insignia) of a British Army Captain while the man standing wears the stripes of a Sergeant (Non-Commissioned Officer). Over 4 million Sten guns of different variants were made during the 1940s.

US Army Infantryman
US Army Infantryman

This US army infantryman appears to be armed with a Springfield M1903 bolt-action rifle, 5 round magazine .30-06.

VE Day Anniversary Event
VE Day Anniversary Event

Two World War Two re-enactors dressed as British airborne forces during a mock battle at the Royal Gunpowder Mills VE Day anniversary event, May 2014.

The German Soldier at Rest
The German Soldier at Rest

This photo was taken during the VE Day anniversary event at the Royal Gunpowder Mills, May 2014.

American M3 Half-Track
American M3 Half-Track

This is an anti-aircraft variant of the American WW2 M3 half-track armoured personnel carrier.  

US Army M3 Half-Track
US Army M3 Half-Track

The M3 half-track was extensively produced with about 15,000 units and more than 50,000 derivative variants manufactured

M3 Stuart - Turretless
M3 Stuart - Turretless

A turretless M3 Stuart light tank used by the British in Italy and Normandy during WW2, known as the T8E1 Reconnaissance vehicle.

M40 155mm Gun Motor Carriage
M40 155mm Gun Motor Carriage

The American M40 155mm Gun Motor Carriage was a self-propelled artillery vehicle built on a widened and lengthened M4A3 Medium Tank chassis.

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