Lesser-known facts about the father of modern science
Before the persecution of Jews, Hess served in WWI and was a judge. The fact that Hess was married to a non-Jewish woman helped save him. The order was eventually revoked, but despite doing slave labor, he escaped from death.
A year after the war had ended, Knop wrote to Ross’ fiancée, Dorothy Bird. The letter described what he had witnessed, and assured Bird that Ross’ body was treated with respect, and given military honors. Knop also returned some of Ross’ possessions and a photo of Porto Bardia, marked with an “X” to show her where the pilot had died.
In 2007, Tim Ruse (pictured) went looking for more information about his late grandfather, Carl Ruse. Carl Ruse had survived as a prisoner of war of the Japanese. Curiously, Ruse kept a photo of a young Japanese boy until his death.
It turns out the boy helped Carl Ruse by sneaking in extra food while he was at a prison camp. Tim Ruse went to Japan looking for him and actually discovered who the boy was. His name was Fumio Nishiwaki, but he had sadly passed away by then. Tim Ruse did, however, meet his family.
RAF pilot William Ross died when his plane was downed by the Germans while he was targeting a Nazi fuel ship. German soldier Gernot Knop witnessed the RAF pilot’s death.
So, did Saladin take advantage of his enemy, who was now on foot? Not quite. Instead, he sent King Richard two horses. The English king won the battle, but they signed a three-year truce known as the Treaty of Jaffa in 1192.
The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (AZNAC) fought alongside the British in the Gallipoli campaign. At one point, a British soldier was condemned to Field Punishment No. 1, but the AZNAC intervened and managed to free him.
Sources: (Ranker) (Listverse) (TopTenz)
See also: The stupidest excuses for war in history
The siege of the Confederate city of Vicksburg by Union troops began on May 18, 1863 and ended on July 4 of that same year.
During this time, both Union and Confederate troops spoke to each other, and even exchanged newspapers and goods between them.
Troops exchanged gifts, played soccer, and some even visited their enemies' trenches. This was one of the most heartwarming events of World War I.
One of the punishments used during World War I was called "Field Punishment No. 1." This would involve tying one's own soldier to a post or other object for a few hours.
British officer Robert Campbell was captured by the Germans during World War I. Campbell learned that his mother was sick while he was in prison, and appealed to Kaiser Wilhelm II so he could visit her.
Kaiser Wilhelm II agreed to it, but requested Campbell return to prison after he did so. Campbell complied and returned to captivity after visiting his mother.
Then, not only did Hipper captain Hellmuth Heye (pictured) rescue the surviving British sailors, but he even sent a recommendation via the Red Cross for the ship's captain, Gerard Roppe (who died in the incident), to receive the Victoria Cross.
On January 27, 1945, Raymond Halloran bailed out of his damaged B-29, only to be faced with three Japanese fighters heading towards him. While two of the three planes passed by Halloran in a parachute, a third one turned back.
The Royal Navy destroyer HMS Glowworm was hit by the German heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper in 1940. The boiler eventually exploded, killing most of the crew.
In that fighter was pilot Hideichi Kaiho, who simply saluted Halloran (pictured) and left. Halloran landed and survived. Like Charlie Brown and Franz Stigler, these two men also became close friends after the war.
Former American football player Mario Tonelli got his Notre Dame class ring confiscated by a Japanese soldier when he was taken prisoner in 1942 in the Philippines.
In December 1943, the American bomber piloted by Charles Brown (left) was hit by a German fighter piloted by Franz Stigler (right).
But then another Japanese officer returned it to him. It turns out the officer had attended college in California at the same time Tonelli played for Notre Dame!
The Uesugi clan then came to the rescue of the Takeda clan. Kenshin reportedly said, "I do not fight with salt, but with the sword."
Japanese warlords Uesugi Kenshin and Takeda Shingen (pictured) were famous rivals. Then one day a clan called the Hojo cut off the supply of salt in Kai, the home province of Takeda.
Stigler could have destroyed the bomber and killed Brown, but instead he escorted the B-17 out of German airspace. Years after the war ended, the two men became friends.
A Confederate soldier named Richard Kirkland then risked his life by tending to both Union and Confederate soldiers on the open ground. He gathered canteens and helped numerous wounded soldiers.
The ship's captain, Charles McVay (pictured), was then court-martialed for his responsibility in the sinking of the Indianapolis. The commander of the Japanese submarine, Mochitsura Hashimoto, actually testified in McVay's defense.
In 1945, a Japanese submarine sank the USS Indianapolis. A total of 316 of the 1,195-man crew died.
In December 1862, a Union army led by Ambrose Burnside attacked Confederate troops, killing thousands.
On Christmas 1914, British and German troops ceased fire along the Western Front and came together to celebrate the holiday.
A 1940 letter by SS chief Heinrich Himmler revealed that Adolf Hitler had ordered for Ernst Hess to be spared from persecution or deportation. Hess commanded the company of the Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment 16. Hitler (seated, left) served under his command during WWI.
English king Richard the Lionheart was knocked off his horse during a battle against Muslim commander Saladin during the Third Crusade.
War is always a difficult time for those affected by it. But even during the most terrible moments in history, there is space for touches of humanity to stand out. We've been killing each other since the dawn of time, but on many occasions, we have also shown compassion and kindness towards our (supposed) enemies. In this gallery, we revisit some of these acts of kindness.
Click through and discover surprising acts of kindness during wartime.
Acts of kindness during wartime
Touching displays of humanity amidst conflict
LIFESTYLE Humanity
War is always a difficult time for those affected by it. But even during the most terrible moments in history, there is space for touches of humanity to stand out. We've been killing each other since the dawn of time, but on many occasions, we have also shown compassion and kindness towards our (supposed) enemies. In this gallery, we revisit some of these acts of kindness.
Click through and discover surprising acts of kindness during wartime.