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Features

Patton’s First Victory

US troops got hammered at Tunisia’s Kasserine Pass. But at El Guettar, General George Patton proved his men were a match for the best Nazi troops in the desert. By Eric Grenier

Web Extra: From our article archive

FACING THE FOX

The GIs in Tunisia’s Kasserine Pass were in trouble. Their equipment was outdated, their leadership was weak, and Desert Fox Erwin Rommel was aiming his army straight at them.

Red Tails Chief

Colonel Ben Davis, Jr., leader of the Tuskegee Airmen–a.k.a. the Red Tails–fought Nazis in the air. On the ground, he fought the US Army’s brass. By Eric Ethier

Web Extra: Footage

Red Tails on the Silver Screen

George Lucas brings the story of the Tuskegee Airmen to movie theaters across the country in January 2012.

Crash Course

The US military purchased a quarter-million warplanes during the war. That was relatively easy. The hard–and dangerous–part was training enough pilots to fly them. By Drew Ames

Web Extra: Footage

Ronald reagan learns to ID the Japanese Zero

Future president Ronald Reagan stars in a US Army Air Forces training film that teaches pilots how to recognize planes.

Web Extra: Footage

straighten up and fly right

A US Navy film teaches pilot trainees how to level their planes, climb, glide, and more.

Marlene Dietrich, Secret Weapon

German-born movie star Marlene Dietrich unleashed her sultry voice on Hitler’s boys in uniform, givin them the blues with her radio broadcasts. By John E. Stanchak

Web Extra: From our Article Archive

‘NO LIQUOR, BUT DAMNED GOOD ANYWAY’

Where could a GI enjoy the best big bands, dance with the ladies, and rub elbows with the likes of Marlene Dietrich? Only at the Stage Door Canteen.

Departments

Kilroy Was Here

A note from our editor: "The Hand-Off"

V-Mail

Letters from our readers

Home Front

Johnny Reb and GI Joe

Pinup

Lauren Bacall

I Was There

A Sailor’s Holiday…on Mogmog

Landings

Los Alamos, Birthplace of the Bomb

Link

The official Los Alamos Historical Society website

War Stories

Readers’ memories of the war

Flashbacks

Print ads from the war years

Books and Media

Our take on the latest releases

Theater of War

Back to Bataan

78 RPM

Drummer Gene Krupa

Web Extra: Footage

Take It Away, Gene

Gene Krupa steals the show from Barbara Stanwyck in Ball of Fire.

 

WWII Events

A calendar of present-day happenings

GIs

Aide to the Ship’s Surgeon