30 amazing facts about the Second World War that will change your way to see it forever

The biggest conflict in history is much more complex than you imagine.


To use the words of the great historian John Keegan, the Second World War was "the biggest unique event in human history, a conflict" fought in six of the seven continents and its oceans. He killed 50 million people in the world, hundreds of the left of millions of other wounded in mind or body and materially devastated a large part of the heart of the country of civilization ".

As such, it has been analyzed and studied from an incalculable number of angles in history books, films, art, and, good, just about every other media.

But, while key figures and events are familiar to the average high schooler that is immersed in history books, such a complex, ever-ever-fascinating time packs a lot of neglected or under-appreciated stories, characters and made for the rest of us. Here are the 30 trivia bits of the Second World War that can make you rethink what you know about it. And if you want to continue diving in the past, you will know everythingThe theories of the greater plot of history that we still creep out.

1
The Nazis came near Plutonium Development

rocket set against a dramatic sky. four missiles ready for launch. Weapons of mass destruction, nuclear warhead

As if the Nazis were not quite sinister, they are surprisingly close to developing the plutonium the substance that manufactures nuclear weapons goKaboom. When the Germans invaded Norway, they took over a factory in the Telemark region that produced heavy water, which was used to create plutonium. But before they are able to produce anything, a band of11 Norwegian commandosSabotaged the factory, triggering explosives in the base without suffering a single victim from them. And for more lessons from the 20th century, here is40 Most myths that lost in American history.

2
Japan worked on a "department of death"

Electricity, lightbulbs, scandalous
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Japanpaid 1 million yento a team of scientists who promised that they could create a "ray of death"Who would use the wave electric energy to kill the man standing miles, taking advantage of Nikola Tesla's innovations. The Japanese is up to a prototype that could kill as far from half a mile, but the target had to stay still during 10 minutes for it to work. And for the most fascinating facts of the past, here is50 incredible historical facts that you did not know.

3
The Swastika dying very different things before Hitler Got Ahold he

close up of a German WWII swastika on a piece of fabric from the war

The symbol of the swastika has become synonymous with Nazis, anti-Semitism and hatred. But it was not always so. The geometric symbol, which draws its name from the Sanskrit expression which means "conducive to well-being or auspicious"appeared in a number of culturesand spiritual practices, jainy to Hinduism with Native American iconography. Damage Hitler had to ruin.

4
Russian soldiers more than a battle died in that all British and American soldiers in the war

Historical reenactment of the Battle of Gumbinnen, World War I, German soldier Kaliningrad region, Russia.

The greater confrontation of the Second World War, the Battle Battle of Stalingrad, which lasted from July 1942 to February 1943, began with the attempt of Germany to capture the industrial city, air attacks included and degenerated into fighting From house to house, with continuous reinforcements in the city on both sides than tens of thousands were killed. Although the powers of the axis suffered between 650,000 and 868,000 victims, theSoviet Union lost more than 1.1 million people.

5
Marine American Command was formerly known as Cincus

Close up of military medals, ribbons, and neck scarves worn by U.S. Navy personnel at the re-enlistment and promotion ceremony on National September 11 Memorial site

Acronym for Commander-in-Chief, fleets in the United States, it was pronounced "sink", Which were particularly awkward after Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941. It was quickly changed Cominch in December 1941 (buyers and his competence was expanded, as we command the Atlantic, the Pacific Fleet and Asian in the process). And really hit your mind, check these30 things in history textbooks that are not just 10 years ago.

6
The German soldier Tallest surrendered to one of the Allied Soldiers Shortest

Band of German WW2 infantery soldiers surrendering. Russia 1941

Maybe the allies were just trying to rub it, but Britannic Corporal Bob rather diminutive Roberts was responsible for the sale, one of the biggest soldiers of the German army. Standing at 7 '6 ", Jakob NackenoverlookedRoberts (5 '3 ") as he accepted his extradition.

"I did not take a lot of opinion from this guy at the time. I have just passed the prisoners one after another after looking for them, "Roberts said later. "But my comrades who looked at the rest of the men have seen this giant with an approach of type me and I knew they and the Germans had a good laugh. »

7
A battle lasted the war

Allied tanker torpedoed in Atlantic Ocean by German submarine during World War 2. The ship crumbled amidships under heat of fire as she settled toward bottom of sea. 1942.

The Battle of the AtlanticRan As long as the Second World War itself, from the moment the British declared the war against Germany, in September 1939, through the German disposal in May 1945 - nearly six years. All the time, the German u-boats were intended to disrupt the supplies of goods ranging from Great Britain fought the Royal Navy, the Royal Canadian Navy and the United States Navy, as well as vessels of Allied Merchants. The Germans were sometimes effective, practically practiced the British for a few periods of the battle - until finally the tide was returned. And learn how the past affects the future, check the30 best relevant historical advice today.

8
Two-thirds of the Soviet men born in 1923 did not survive the war

gate with soviet union symbols

Although some accounts claims 80% of Soviet men born in 1923 died during the war, Mark Harrison, Professor at the Department of Economy at the University of Warwick, won the numbers and created a lower figure, but still amazing : "around two-thirds (more exactly, 68%) of the 1923 male birth cohort did not survive the Second World War,"written on his blog.

9
All Soviet mortality was not related to war

Statue of a praying angel on the grave

This aforementioned statistic mentioned a statistical of 68% another important fact: these men are not all dead in the war. As Harrison explains, the war was not even theThe most importantbecause of the low survival rate of these Soviets. "The 1923 babies were born at a frightful period and have been confronted with a leading future"he wrote. "The country they were born were poor and violent. Between 1914 and 1921, their families had endured seven years of war and civil war, immediately followed by a major famine. Their society lacked modern sanitation, immunization programs. and antibiotics. Infant rate mortality and infant mortality were shocking. "

Those born in 1923 should have survived a major famine in 1932 and the great terror of Stalin in 1937. At the moment when Germany attacked their country in 1941, many had already been decimated.

10
The first American servican died of sacrifice

American B-17 flying fortresses bombs Ludwigshafen chemical and synthetic oil works, Germany. World War2, Sept. 29, 1944

Iowa Native and West Point Graduate Robert M. Peryy was directed to Norway while the Germans began to invade the country, to help evacuate the American leaders of the Swedish border. He reached Sweden with the American Minister Florence Jaffray Harriman. But lost contact with the second part of his party - and decided to return to Norway to search them.

Harriman volunteered to join him, butLost would have said to her, "I certainly do not want to be killed, but your death would be more serious." She chose to stay in Sweden and losing the loss was actually killed when a bomb fell near a rail tunnel in which he was looking for coverage, making the first American victim of the war.

11
The last US service killed was killed in the country of origin of his parents

Unidentified Re-enactor Dressed As German Wehrmacht Infantry Soldier In World War II Hidden Sitting With Rifle Weapon In An Ambush In Trench In Autumn Forest. Photo In Black And White Colors.

Private first class Charley Havlat, born in Nebraska to Czech immigrants, returned to the birthplace of Czechoslovakia of his parents by serving his country. On a barely 12-mile land road in the country, May 7, 1945, Havlat and its platoon were plunged with an enemy machine gun fire. He took a ball at the head and was killed instantly. Neither he nor the German officer who led the ambush that ended his life knew that aThe ceasefire had been announcedOnly nine minutes earlier.

12
A Japanese pilot shot was welcomed on the American territory

Japanese pilot Shigenori Nishikaichi, among those who bombed Pearl Harbor, landed on Hawaii. The inhabitants, ignorant that the Japanese had just defined hostilities with their country, welcomed the fighter enemy graciously, offering him breakfast and eventhrow it a luau-With Nishikaichi catching a guitar and treats the crowd at a traditional Japanese song.

13
This same driver then "invaded" Hawaii

Two B-29 Super-fortresses drop bombs over Malaya as seen from cockpit of third bomber during a run over the important railway yards and repair shops utilized by the Japanese at Kuala Lumpur

The good moments of Nishikaichi have not finished, while the word finally reaches Hawaii from the attack. The pilot was then put in custody, but he had an unexpected ally-Yoshio Harada, a natural born natural Japanese ancestry that was brought to translate for Nishikaichi. Harada decided that the Japanese were more likely to win the war, so threw his efforts for them, steal firearms and break Nishikaichi.

The two then faced Howard Kaleohano, who had shot Nishikaichi of the wreck (and ripped sensitive documents in the process, burning his house on the ground. But before things are farther away, a local attacked and killed the pilot, ending what would be known as Niihau incident.

14
An American division wore a swastika on their uniforms

Closeup of a german uniform from WW2, selective focus
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The 45eThe infantry division focused on their uniform a traditional American symbol of good luck: a pair of inclined bars that intersect in the middle we would berecognize today as the Swastika. For 15 years, this has adorned the uniforms of the members of the division, which contained members of Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona (areas with a rich Amerindian tradition). But as the Nazis rose in power in Germany, the group abandoned the symbol and, by 1939, traded in a Thunderbird design.

15
One of the highest American victims was killed by a friendly fire

Lesley McNair's Lieutenant-Employee was killed by a friendly fire in France, participating in Operation Quicksilver, which disguised landing sites for the Normandy invasion. It was promoted to posthumously in general and is currently the highest military agent buried in the Normandy cemetery.

16
Four general lieutenant Americans were killed in the Second World War

Actor of General George Smith Patton, Jr. stands up in jeep during reenactment parade of World War II in Reading, Pennsylvania

While some reports listed General Lesley McNair as a highest American victim, it is only if you consider his posthumous promotion to the general. In fact, it was one of the four generals of lieutenant killed in action - the others are Frank Maxwell Andrews, Simon Bolivar Buckner, Jr. and Millard Harmon.

17
Queen Elizabeth served as a driver and mechanic

queen elizabeth and david attenborough

When she was simply Princess Elizabeth-the eldest girl of King George Vi-The Future Queen crashed andhis part for the war effortBy serving in the auxiliary territorial service. As she was 18 years old in 1944, the king determined that her training as a princess was more important than her serving alongside her compatriots. But the princess had other projects and devoted himself to the repair of engines and other efforts to help the cause.

18
Hitler's private train was named 'amerika'

Adolf Hitler, on a 12-hour train trip through Italy, May 1938

Adolf Hitler would travel in aFuhrersondazug(Fuhrer's special train), which he would use as a mobile seat. It was equipped with a conference car, an escort car, a car to eat, two sleeping cars and more. Oh, and it wasCODYAMED "Amerika. "It was a strange name for the official transport of Germany - which, apparently, the Nazis came to realize. They changed his name to" Brandenburg "in 1943.

19
A midwife in Auschwitz delivered 3,000 babies

Auschwitz, Poland, October 212017. Electric fence in Auschwitz-Birkenau I, Nazi concentration camp

The Polish midwife Stanisława Leszczyńska, a prisoner of Aushwitz, took responsibility for delivering the children born at the concentration camp, possibly delivering more than 3,000 babies during his time there. Of these, 2,500 did not survive the early childhood in the camp and only 30 of them areestimated to have survivedwhen the camp was released. The work of Leszczyńska was celebrated in 1970, while it was reunited with some former prisoners and their children - they had helped deliver.

20
Hitler executed 84 of his own generals

Hitler speaking in Danzig after the German invasion of Poland. He spoke to the German nation and the World from the main hall of the ancient Artus Court. World War 2. Sept. 19, 1939

With friends like these ... Yes, Hitler was also ruthless and cruel in his treatment of his own military leaders, executing no less than 84 of his own generals over the duration of the war. Most executions were due to the discovery that men comploced against him - especially those found to be part of the legendary nowJuly 20 Land at the bomb.

21
Hitler refused to use biological weapons in combat

GERMANY - CIRCA 1940s: Adolf Hitler stands in a convertible and shaking hands with his fans, Reproduction of antique photo
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Although Nazis scientists were working to develop armed versions of diseases such as typhoid and cholera, Hitler discouraged the use of offensive biological arms to combat, possibly because of its experiences with BioEapons during the First World War.

22
Nazis considered fighting in England with potato beetles

A many drowned Colorado potato beetles in plastic bowl

A type of biological weapons that the Nazis considered as unleashed on their enemies was an army of potato beetles, which they thought they had fallen on England to destroy its crops and cause widespread famine. But scientists understood that almost40 million insectsWould be necessary for efforts if it has had an impact - although several millions have been stored at the time of the end of the war.

23
The powers of the axis worked on a dirty bomb

A post-war model of 'Little Boy', the atomic bomb exploded over Hiroshima, Japan, in World War 2.
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After attempts to develop a nuclear weapon, the powers of the axis considered envisaged to use what they had to detonate a "dirty bomb" on the west coast of the United States, using submarines. Class I-400 from Japan to deliver uranium produced to Germany. But uranium has never done it in Japan - and evenprobably ended up being usedIn the bomb atom dropped on Hiroshima.

24
A soldier fought 100 Japanese soldiers

Japanese officers inspect Maginot Line, after the German defeat of France in World War 2. They inspect the damaged entrance to the elaborate fortifications at Schoenenbourg. Sept. 26, 1940

Talk about knotted odds: John R. McKinney was custody in the Philippines when he was attacked in May 1945 by a large group of Japanese fighters. More than 36 minutes, he fought men using his skills with a m1 rifle, then hand combat, finally killing 38 of their troops, on two waves of combat. His courage of this day won McKinney a medal of honor (and a partially cut ear).

25
There was a "phony war" before the real

Aircraft spotter searches the sky with binoculars during the Battle of Britain. St. Paul's Cathedral is in the background. World War 2

No, it's not like "false news". "PHYON WAR"(or" the phoney war ", if you are English) was the term given in the first months of the war (between September 1939 and April 1940), after the war had officially started but without any major hostility. During this Time, the British accompanied by disaster, with applied electricity outages and defense, but no real action - as long as the Germans attacked France in May 1940 and things were very real, very quickly.

26
Thousands of Koreans died in Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Wrecked framework of the Museum of Science and Industry in Hiroshima, Japan. This is how it appeared shortly after the dropping of the first atomic bomb, on August 6, 1945

The devastation caused by nuclear bombs fallen on Hiroshima and Nagasaki was not limited to Japan. Thousands of South Koreans have also been killed as a result of strikes. More than 20,000 Koreans would have been killed by the bombings because they worked in Hiroshima at the time of the bomb. A few years ago, the association of victims of Korean atomic bombscalledPresident Obama "Offer Apologies" to the Korean people visiting Hiroshima.

27
We thought a man fighting with all sides of the war

Re-enactors Dressed As German Wehrmacht Infantry Soldiers And Russian Soviet Red Army Soldiers World War II Play A Melee Scene About Fighting In Trenches

Many Koreans have been forced to fight on behalf of the Japanese cause - but there is a soldier who is deemed to have fought for everyone. According to legend,Korean soldier Yang Kyoungjong,Who fought for the imperial Japanese army, was then captured and forced to fight for the Soviet Red Army and later the German Wehrmacht. It was during this period that the Allied forces landed in France and Yang was captured by the US military.

28
A pre-teen served in the American Navy

Explosion of a depth charge launched from U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Spencer. German submarine U-175 was sunk and prevented from breaking into center of a large North American convoy. April 17, 1943.

Calvin GrahamFrom Crockett, Texas, was the youngest person to serve in the US armed forces, just 12 years old. He forged the signature and notary buffer of his mother, dressed in clothes of an elder brother and spoke in a deeper voice than natural. He managed to sneak into the navy and served on theSouth Dakotabattleship until it is damaged and taken up in the United States for repairs. Graham's mother spotted him on press images and alerted the army of the duplicity of his son. He was dishloaded but greeted as hero by his hometown.

29
More than 20,000 allied bombers have been lost

Black and white retro image of Lancaster bombers from Battle of Britain in World War Two

We burned a lot of planesduring the war, with 11,965 air force bomber aircraft of the Army Army Army of 11,965 aircraft destroyed during the war - with almost as many battle plans lost on both sides

30
Coca-Cola has been treated as a military necessity

coca cola factory, ready-to-fill bottles on the line

To help provide the beloved gaseous beverage at the boys on the front line, Coca-Cola has created bottling plants in North Africa to produce and produce millions of bottles to men stationed in Europe.

The men expressed their gratitude - for example, a letter from the National Museum of the National World War Museum: "As part of our px ration this week, every man received two brains for whom he paid four francs, and Although some people can debate the question of whether the rye or bourbon are America's national drinks, when I saw the excitement caused by a case of coffin and remarks on the angle pharmacy, I did not think the national drink was absolutely so strong! "And for more fascinating Oases with the past, check these30 crazy facts that will change your vision of history.

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Categories: Culture
Tags: Facts / Fun Facts / history
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