15 Best World War II Books for History Enthusiasts (2026)
15 essential WW2 books covering every theater. Narrative histories, memoirs, and visual references ranked.
daniel-mercer··21 min read
April 22 in Military History
Defining Moment111 years ago
First Poison Gas Attack at Ypres
Army· 1915
German forces released 168 tons of chlorine gas from 5,730 cylinders along a four-mile front near Ypres, Belgium. The yellowish-green cloud killed thousands of French and Algerian troops and opened a four-mile gap in the Allied line. Only the Canadian 1st Division's desperate stand prevented a complete breakthrough.
1800s
1864Civil WarArmy162 years ago
Congress passed the Coinage Act authorizing the motto "In God We Trust" on US coinage, first appearing on the 1864 two-cent piece. The wartime measure reflected the religious tenor of Union sentiment during the Civil War.
1900s
1915WWIArmy111 years agoDefining Moment
German forces released 168 tons of chlorine gas near Ypres, Belgium, in the first large-scale chemical weapons attack in modern warfare. The gas killed thousands and opened a four-mile gap in the Allied line.
1918WWINavyMarines108 years ago
The Royal Navy launched a daring night assault on the Belgian port of Zeebrugge, attempting to block the German U-boat base by sinking obsolete cruisers in the canal mouth. Eight Victoria Crosses were awarded for the costly attack.
1944WWIIArmyNavy82 years ago
80,000 US troops under General MacArthur landed at Hollandia and Aitape on the northern coast of Dutch New Guinea, leapfrogging 40,000 Japanese troops at Wewak. The surprise 580-mile jump was one of the boldest moves in the Pacific War.
1951KoreaArmy75 years ago75th Anniversary
The 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, and the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, held a critical position against massive Chinese forces during the Chinese Spring Offensive. Both battalions received the US Presidential Unit Citation.
1951KoreaArmy75 years ago75th Anniversary
Chinese People's Volunteer Army 63rd Army began the Fifth Phase Offensive by attacking the British 29th Brigade along the Imjin River. The Gloucestershire Regiment's stand at Gloster Hill earned a US Presidential Unit Citation.
1970VietnamArmyAir Force56 years ago
The first Earth Day drew 20 million Americans to rallies as the Vietnam War consumed billions in defense spending. Military scientists faced rising scrutiny over Agent Orange and dioxin contamination in Southeast Asia.
1993ModernNavy33 years ago
USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) began Operation Deny Flight, enforcing the UN no-fly zone over Bosnia-Herzegovina from the Adriatic Sea. The carrier's F-14 Tomcats and F/A-18 Hornets flew the first NATO combat air patrols over former Yugoslavia.
2000s
2000ModernCoast Guard26 years ago
Armed US Border Patrol and INS Special Response Team agents raided the Miami home where Cuban boy Elian Gonzalez was staying, using flash-bang grenades to seize him. The pre-dawn operation ended a months-long custody standoff.
2004ModernArmy22 years ago
Former NFL star and US Army Ranger Corporal Pat Tillman was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan. Initially reported as killed by enemy fire, the subsequent coverup and investigation became one of the most controversial incidents of the War on Terror.
Never Miss a Day in Military History
Get daily military history, analysis, and technology delivered to your inbox.
Born on This Day
J. Robert Oppenheimer
Scientific Director, Manhattan Project
Army
Scientific director of the Manhattan Project who led the development of the atomic bomb at Los Alamos. His work produced the weapons that ended World War II. He later opposed the hydrogen bomb and had his security clearance revoked.
Eddie Albert
Lieutenant
Navy
Actor who served as a Navy lieutenant in WWII, earning a Bronze Star for rescuing Marines under heavy Japanese fire during the Battle of Tarawa in November 1943.
Died on This Day
Pat Tillman
Corporal
Army
Former NFL safety for the Arizona Cardinals who enlisted in the Army Rangers after 9/11. Killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan, his death and the military's initial cover-up became one of the most controversial incidents of the War on Terror.
Richard Howe, 1st Earl Howe
Admiral of the Fleet
Navy
British naval commander who led the Royal Navy during the American Revolution and won the decisive Glorious First of June victory in 1794. His tactical innovations influenced naval warfare for decades.
Military Quotes
Frequently Asked Questions
What military events happened on April 22?
10 military events occurred on April 22, spanning multiple centuries. Key events include: First Poison Gas Attack at Ypres (1915), Allied Landings at Hollandia, New Guinea (1944), Battle of Kapyong, Korea (1951), Battle of the Imjin River Begins (1951).
What is the most significant military event on April 22?
The most significant military event on April 22 is First Poison Gas Attack at Ypres (1915). German forces released 168 tons of chlorine gas from 5,730 cylinders along a four-mile front near Ypres, Belgium. The yellowish-green cloud killed thousands of French and Algerian troops and opened a four-mile gap in the Allied line. Only the Canadian 1st Division's desperate stand prevented a complete breakthrough.
What famous military figures were born on April 22?
Notable military figures born on April 22 include J. Robert Oppenheimer (1904–1967), Eddie Albert (1906–2005).
What wars are represented in April 22's military timeline?
Events on April 22 span World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Modern Era, the Civil War, the Vietnam War, covering 10 events across 3 centuries of military history.
How many military branches are represented on April 22?
Events on April 22 involve 5 branches of the U.S. and allied armed forces, reflecting the global scope of military operations throughout history.
What Happened on Your Birthday?
Explore military history from the day you were born.
Related Days by Era
Explore More Days
June 6
D-Day
The Allied invasion of Normandy, the largest amphibious assault in history.
December 7
Pearl Harbor
Japan attacks the U.S. Pacific Fleet, bringing America into World War II.
September 11
9/11 Attacks
The deadliest terrorist attack in history transforms U.S. national security.
August 6
Hiroshima
The first atomic bomb is dropped on a city, ushering in the nuclear age.
May 8
VE Day
Nazi Germany surrenders unconditionally, ending World War II in Europe.
November 11
Veterans Day
Armistice Day marks the end of World War I and honors all who served.
June 4
Battle of Midway
The turning point of the Pacific War as the U.S. Navy destroys four Japanese carriers.
July 4
Independence Day
The Declaration of Independence is adopted, sparking the American Revolution.
Related Articles
The Doolittle Raid: How 16 Bombers Launched From an Aircraft Carrier and Humiliated Imperial Japan
On April 18, 1942, sixteen B-25 Mitchell bombers did something no one thought possible: they launched from the deck of an aircraft carrier, flew 650 miles to Japan, and bombed Tokyo. Every aircraft was lost. The damage was negligible. The consequences changed the war.
daniel-mercer··13 min read
Best WW2 Model Kits: 85+ Aircraft, Tanks & Ships for Every Skill Level
Compare 85+ WW2 scale model kits across aircraft, tanks, and ships. Beginner builds from $9 to museum-grade showpieces at $580. Covers Tamiya, Eduard, HK Models, Trumpeter, and more with honest reviews, trade-offs, and pricing.
jake-morrison··143 min read
386 Aircraft vs 1 Battleship: The Last Voyage of the Yamato
On April 7, 1945, the Imperial Japanese Navy sent the largest battleship ever built on a one-way suicide mission to Okinawa. She never arrived. 386 American aircraft found her first, and sank her in under two hours.
daniel-mercer··13 min read