How the Black Decree Led to This Mexican Emperor's Doom

A brief respite from the frontlines of the Pacific War sees American troops trying to inject a little comfort into their lives: from more habitable living quarters to enjoying the enemy's hidden supply of liquor.

U.S. Troops in the Pacific Treat Themselves to a Little R&R (2:00)

It's 1942 and the USS Silversides, a U.S. submarine submerged in the Pacific, is frantically trying to dodge depth charges dropped by a Japanese warship. Even a near miss could be catastrophic.

Why Depth Charges Don't Have to Touch a Submarine to Sink It (3:52)

Relive the aerial dogfights and naval clashes of the Battle of the Philippines Sea, thanks to stunning color footage. It is a visual record of the battle that underlined U.S. superiority in the Pacific.

Actual Combat Footage of the Battle of the Philippines Sea (3:25)

In 1935, an old wooden boat was found in a lake in upstate New York. It was the USS Philadelphia - the oldest U.S. gunboat ever recovered, dating back to the War of Independence.

The Oldest American Combat Ship Ever Found (2:39)

For the vast majority of American troops, Saipan was their first experience of tropical living. The heat, the beaches, the swaying palm trees - all offered a welcome respite from the ravages of war.

This Pacific Island Gave U.S. Troops a Chance to Recharge (1:50)

On December 16, 1941, the Italian navy launched a daring attack on three British ships outside Alexandria harbor. At the heart of the operation was a unique weapon: a human torpedo.

How Italy Used Human Torpedoes to Attack British Ships (2:12)

Many WWII naval recruits serving on U.S. ships had never been away from home. To pass the time and strengthen their bonds, they organized several colorful initiation rituals.

Rare Color Footage of WWII Navy Hazing Rituals (2:28)

When a shortage of pilots in WWII forced the U.S. Air Force to recruit women, America was captivated - and the public appetite for the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) became insatiable.

These Women Stepped In to Fill a WWII Pilot Shortage (1:58)

For the U.S., the Battle of Midway wasn't just a turning point in the Pacific, it was also a brilliant naval gamble that paid off in spectacular fashion.

The Wise U.S. Tactic Used to Win the Battle of Midway (3:02)