There are many ghost stories from World War II, and many of them centre around places where battles and other traumatic events occurred. During war, emotions are high, our bodies are tense and our minds are very, very active.
Here are a few examples of ghostly sighting’s on World War II battlefields or places connected with the war.
Ghosts at the Tower of London
The Tower of London has a long history of use as a military fortress and a prison, and it is said to be one of the most haunted places in the world. During World War II, the Tower was used to hold prisoners of war, and many of them reported seeing ghostly figures and hearing strange noises in the middle of the night.
Here are a few examples of ghost stories from the Tower….
The Ghostly Sentry:
One of the most famous ghost stories from the Tower of London involves a sentry who was stationed outside the Jewel House during the war. According to the story, the sentry challenged a figure in a coat who was walking towards him, but the figure did not respond. When the sentry approached the figure, it disappeared. The sentry was so frightened by the encounter that he fainted, and had to be removed from his post.
The Ghost of Anne Boleyn:
Anne Boleyn was the second wife of King Henry VIII, and she was executed at the Tower of London in 1536. Some people claim to have seen her ghostly apparition walking through the halls of the Tower, or standing at the window of the room where she was held before her execution.
On one occasion a British officer based at the tower said he passed her in a corridor. It wasn’t until she walked through a wall that the penny dropped!
The Ghost of the Princes in the Tower:
The Princes in the Tower were two young boys who were imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1483, and who disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Some people claim to have seen their ghostly figures playing in the White Tower, where they were held captive. There ghost like faces were said to have once been caught in the beam of an anti-aircraft searchlight.
The Ghostly Beauchamp Tower:
The Beauchamp Tower was used to hold prisoners during the Tudor period, and many of them left messages and graffiti on the walls. Some people claim to have seen ghostly apparitions of Tudor prisoners walking through the tower, or heard the sounds of footsteps and voices coming from the area. This area was said to be hated by WW2 soldiers stationed overnight there.
Read More: The Forgotten Tank Battle of WW2: The Battle for Hochwald Gap
These ghost stories are part of the rich history and lore of the Tower of London, and while there is no scientific evidence to support them, they continue to be passed down through generations.
The Ghosts of Dunkirk
During the evacuation of Dunkirk in 1940, many soldiers lost their lives, and their spirits are said to still haunt the area. Some people claim to have seen ghostly figures wandering the beaches and the streets of Dunkirk.
The evacuation of Dunkirk in May and June of 1940 was a critical event in World War II, and it is not surprising that many ghost stories have emerged from this event. Among the ghostly apparitions are both soldiers and civilians who lost their lives during the evacuation. Here are a few examples of these ghost stories:
The Ghost of the Mole:
The Mole was a long pier that extended into the English Channel, and it was used to evacuate soldiers during the Dunkirk operation. It saw heavy bombing during the time. Some people claim to have seen the ghostly figure of a soldier walking along the pier, or heard the sounds of footsteps and voices coming from the area. He was seen as recent as 2019!
Ghostly Ships:
Some people claim to have seen ghostly ships sailing in the English Channel, as if re-enacting the evacuation. Others have reported hearing the sounds of boats and engines coming from the area.
Flying Spectres:
The Battle of Dunkirk was also fought in the skies, and many fighter pilots lost their lives during the operation. Some people claim to have seen ghostly fighter planes flying over the beaches, or heard the sounds of engines and gunfire coming from the area.
Ghosts of Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor was the site of a devastating attack by the Japanese in 1941, and many sailors and airmen lost their lives. Some people claim to have seen ghostly apparitions of soldiers and sailors wandering the grounds of the Pearl Harbor Memorial.
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The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese on December 7, 1941, was a devastating event in American history, and it is not surprising that many ghost stories have emerged from this period. Here are a few examples of these ghost stories:
Ghostly Figures on the USS Arizona:
The USS Arizona was one of the battleships that was sunk during the attack on Pearl Harbor. It remains at the bottom of the harbor as a memorial to those who lost their lives. Some people claim to have seen ghostly figures walking on the deck of the sunken battleship. Commonly the sounds of voices and footsteps hve been heard from the decks. Some say they’ve even seen ghostly lifeboats being lowered!
The Ghost of the USS Utah:
The USS Utah was another battleship that was sunk during the attack on Pearl Harbor, and it to still remains at the bottom of the harbor. People claim to have seen the ghostly figure of a sailor walking on the deck of the sunken ship. He walks then stops and looks skywards in defiance.
Read More: Ghost Ships Resurface From Iwo Jima sea bed
Ghostly Planes:
Some people claim to have seen ghostly Japanese planes flying over Pearl Harbor, as if re-enacting the attack. Others have reported hearing the sounds of planes and explosions coming from the area.
The USS Solace:
The USS Solace was a hospital ship that was stationed at Pearl Harbor during the attack. Some people claim to have seen the ghostly figure of a nurse walking the halls of the ship. There are also reports of the sounds of footsteps and doors opening and closing.
These ghost stories are part of the wartime legacy of Pearl Harbor.
The Ghosts of Normandy
Normandy was the site of the D-Day landings in June 1944, and many soldiers were killed in the ensuing battles. Some people claim to have seen ghostly figures walking along the beaches and in the fields where the fighting took place. They wander as if lost.
The D-Day landings in Normandy during World War II was a bloody affair. It is not surprising that so many ghost stories have emerged from this event.
Ghostly Paratroopers:
On June 6th, the night before the D-Day landings, thousands of paratroopers were dropped behind enemy lines to disrupt German defences. Some people claim to have seen ghostly apparitions of these paratroopers still hanging from trees or caught on barbed wire fences, as if frozen in time.
The Ghost of Omaha Beach:
Omaha Beach was the site of some of the bloodiest fighting during the D-Day landings. Hundreds of soldiers lost their lives on this beach. Some people claim to have seen ghostly figures walking along the beach, or heard the sounds of gunfire and screams coming from the area. One such sighting is said to be of an American soldier running up the beach before disappearing.
The Ghost of Pointe du Hoc:
Pointe du Hoc was a strategic point that was captured by American forces during the D-Day landings. Many soldiers were killed at the cliffs during the battle, and some people claim to have seen ghostly apparitions of these soldiers still manning their positions. Some have heard the sounds of gunfire and explosions coming from the area.
Read More: Point du Hoc – The Lost Battlefield
The ghost of a German soldier is said to walk at the top of the cliffs.
Ghostly Tanks:
Some people claim to have seen ghostly tanks still moving across the Normandy countryside, as if they were still engaged in battle. Another story tells of a ghostly British tank that fires its gun and then vanishes. Of a more spooky note, some have said to have heard a German Tiger tank rumbling through the Town of Caen at night.
Read More: The Ten Worst Tanks of WW2
These are just a few examples of the many ghost stories that emerged from World War II. Believe them or don’t believe them. They have now become part of our folklore and like all stories, there is always an element of truth. Isn’t there?
