True Comics #18

Major General Lewis H. Brereton took an unconventional path to the skies—a Naval Academy graduate who found his true calling in the Army Air Corps and rose to command vital air operations across two continents. From his cool-headed combat missions in World War I to leading the fight against Japanese forces in the Pacific theater, this is the story of how a daredevil pilot became one of the war's most determined commanders. In 1942, Brereton establishes a base in India to strike at the enemy, proving that determination and tactical skill can make all the difference when resources are scarce.

During the winter of 1941, Bill Caves commands a tanker carrying vital aviation fuel across the Atlantic when a German U-boat strikes, forcing him and his crew to abandon ship in a harrowing escape through burning oil and flames. Rescued by a British trawler, Bill and his men face a choice: seek medical treatment ashore or join the hunt for the submarine that nearly killed them—and they choose vengeance. This true account captures the resolute courage of Merchant Marine sailors who refused to yield in the face of Axis attacks.

For five centuries, Eton College has shaped England's greatest minds and leaders—from military heroes like the Duke of Wellington to poets and statesmen. This non-fiction story explores the school's storied traditions, distinctive customs, and athletic heritage, all while showing how Eton continues to prepare its young men to serve their nation during wartime. From the ancient "fagging" system to the famous Wall Game and rowing rivalries, discover what makes this hamlet school a global institution.

Playing cards have traveled the globe for centuries, shaped history in unexpected ways, and found their place in American culture from colonial times to the present day. This illustrated account traces the origins of card suits and their meanings, explores how playing cards journeyed from China and India to Europe and the New World, and reveals the fascinating true stories of moments when a single card became a tool for diplomacy, defiance, or military survival. From messages written on cards during wartime to modern "spotter" decks designed to train soldiers in aircraft identification, these humble cardboards reveal a surprising legacy behind every shuffle and deal.

Lord Selkirk saw an opportunity to help Scotland's displaced farmers find new homes in Canada's wilderness, and he acquired control of the Hudson Bay Company to make it happen. But rival fur traders in Montreal launched a ruthless campaign to drive the settlers out—through bribes, intimidation, and ultimately violence—forcing Selkirk himself to lead a rescue mission through the frontier. His determination to establish a permanent colony transformed the Canadian West and secured a future for the poor and homeless he'd sworn to protect.

Two American newspaper men sailing the Caribbean in 1940 stumble onto rumors of Nazi U-boats refueling at secret island depots—and their "snooping cruise" uncovers a sprawling spy ring operating out of Belize. When America enters the war and the evidence becomes impossible to ignore, the U.S. Army takes action to dismantle the operation and track down the man running it all. This true account follows the investigation and pursuit that would break one of the war's most dangerous Caribbean conspiracies.

This is a table of contents / chapter introduction page with educational historical illustrations and captions, not a narrative story with plot or character development. There is no story arc, conflict, or dramatic action to synopsis. SKIP

Jumbo, a young African elephant acquired for the Paris Zoo in 1861, grows into a beloved giant at London's Zoo where he delights generations of children—including Queen Victoria's own grandchildren. When the legendary circus owner P.T. Barnum offers $10,000 for the twelve-foot colossus, all of London protests, but Jumbo eventually makes his way to America and discovers a new life in the circus alongside a small elephant companion named Tom Thumb. This true chronicle follows the remarkable elephant from his capture in the Belgian Congo through his years of devoted service under the big top.

When Pearl Harbor is attacked, a small contingent of U.S. Marines stationed on Wake Island must scramble to mount a defense against overwhelming Japanese forces. Drawing on ingenuity and grit—improvising aircraft from salvaged parts and holding their ground through waves of bombardment—these fighting men refuse to surrender. Their fourteen-day stand becomes a testament to Marine courage in the face of impossible odds.

Mary Borden proved that women belonged on the front lines when she drove ambulances through the battlefields of World War I, earning the Croix de Guerre for her fearless service—but when war erupted again in 1940, she answered the call once more, this time navigating the scorching sands of North Africa to rescue the wounded under fire. Her unwavering determination to serve across two wars makes this a remarkable true-life account of courage against impossible odds.