Ww2 was probably the first time when advanced weaponry systems were used on a large scale, and one where nations decided it was time to strengthen what you have in your arsenal if you need to be taken seriously. Jan 18, 2018 world war ii was fought from 1939 to 1945 and saw variety of weapons used in the field. These interesting facts about world war ii are just some of the little known facts regarding the war. John moses browning designed several weapons used in world war ii, including the m1911 handgun, the m1897 shotgun, the m2 machine gun, m1918 bar, and the m1919 machine gun. The types of vehicles varied greatly on the theatre of war and particular battle conditions. A must read go through book for a ww2 fanatic, or even if you are slightly interested in warfare. Fission weapons are commonly referred to as atomic bombs, and fusion weapons are referred to as thermonuclear bombs or, more commonly, hydrogen bombs. May 22, 2019 one of the most common infantry weapons used by u. After conquering france, hitler planned to defeat his greatest rival, the great britain. A comprehensive directory of the military weapons used in world war two, from field artillery and tanks. The following article on ww2 vehicles is an excerpt from barrett tillman dday encyclopedia. The number of us soldiers in the war was 16,112,566. Weapons such as hand grenades and portable artillery systems are also featured in this listing.
Hundreds of massive weapons were manufactured by the united states, germany, great britain, japan, the ussr, and other countries. World war 2 required a massive outpouring of manufacturing capabilities, giving rise to one of the worlds largest industrial producers in the united states of america. This article needs additional citations for verification. The efficient engine of this destruction was the gatoclass sub, the backbone of the u.
Im going to cover only machine guns since there were so many weapons used on both world wars, i could go on forever with this. M101 howitzer 105mm still used in us and worldwide as late as in 2014. Once they realized that they wont be able to penetrate it the commander of the allied forces in italy began thinking about alternatives and what he could do. This list does not consist of all weapons used by all countries in world war ii. There are more than 500 separate items of equipment used between 1939 and 1945, from combat handguns to massive aircraft carriers. More than 600 fullcolor artworks accompany entries that feature a detailed history of each weapon s design and. This is a list of infantry weapons which were in mainstream use during world war ii. During world war ii, the worlds major powers set their sights on. M116 howitzer 75 mm also known as 75mm pack howitzer m1 76 mm gun m1. There is much discussion about how it stacked against world. Britain did not fight alone, the war also involved many countries. As a result, the widespread and often desperate fighting led to many new inventions, from computers, to jet engines, to atomic bombs.
By the time japan surrendered on september 2, 1945, world war ii had claimed 60 million lives and many of the worlds great cities. Each of the combatant nations had spent staggering amounts of money designing and building powerful weapons, and were here to look at some of the most influential. Created by the nazis for use in operation sea lion, the planned but never executed invasion of the uk, the tauchpanzer, literally meaning diving tank, was designed to be dropped off the coast, travel underwater on the sea floor, and clank ashore, ready to provide fire support for soldiers landing on the beaches of britain. Interesting facts about world war ii technology at one point the united states used the native american language of the navajo peoples as a secret code that the germans were unable to crack. Iii lee enfield rifle in service at the beginning of the war, supplemented and replaced by the.
Weapons of world war ii capstone library capstone publishing. Extensive selection of new and used military history books. Throughout all of the theaters of ww2, indian soldiers were noted to have fought with distinction. Four of every five german soldiers killed in the war, died on the eastern front. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Also carry submarine, naval, maritime, aviation and aerospace books. By the end of world war i, scientists working for both sides had evaluated some 3,000 different chemicals for use as possible weapons. Antitank weapon, any of several guns, missiles, and mines intended for use against tanks. Were there any guns that were used in both ww1 and ww2. The backstory of weapons employed in world war 2 on land, sea and air was the intense focus of the scientific tech communities to create the means for the greatest devastation. List of world war ii weapons of the united kingdom wikipedia. Nuclear weapon, device designed to release energy in an explosive manner as a result of nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, or a combination of the two.
I t was introduced, also issued in large number to the ldv. From actionpacked eyewitness accounts such as guadalcanal diary to devastating holocaust memoirs like the diary of anne frank and night to the thrilling espionage tale of operation mincemeat, world war ii is the subject of some of the most fascinating and influential nonfiction books ever written each year, seemingly dozens of new titles emerge to offer fresh perspectives and uncover. Sterlingpatchett machine carbine mark 1 british submachine. A lavishly illustrated compendium of military hardware covers everything that fought in the air, on the ground, and on the seas during world war ii. Springboard to final victory camera book by henri, usmc 95 pp 1945 iwo jima. Surprisingly, yes there were guns used by both sides of both world wars. Use the dropdown menu above to list weapons by country. World war ii, to date, caused more destruction and cost more money than any other conflict. List of common world war ii infantry weapons wikipedia. A posed picture of a sherman of the us army with infantry fighting from the tank.
The illustrated encyclopedia of weapons of world war ii a comprehensive guide to weapons systems, including tanks, small arms, warplanes, artillery, ships and submarines. History, development, service, specifications, statistics, pictures and 3d model. Weapons such as hand grenades and portable artillery systems are. This is part 2 of the 30 kickass and interesting facts about world war 2. An explosive shell is fired high into the air and explodes on impact. Ww2 was probably the first time when advanced weaponry. Russia alone suffered more than 21 million casualties more than any other country involved in the war. People have used weapons in warfare, hunting, selfdefense, law enforcement, and criminal activity. World war ii was fought from 1939 to 1945 and saw variety of weapons used in the field.
Here is a list of 12 little known ww2 german weapons. Technology was used to formulate precise rations food given to soldiers to make sure they got the right amount of nutrition and energy. Australia austria belgium china czechoslovakia denmark finland france germany greece hungary italy japan norway philippines poland russia sweden switzerland united kingdom united states. The second world war witnessed the introduction of hundreds of cuttingedge and often bizarre weapons, many of. Weapons also serve many other purposes in society including use in sports, collections for display, and historical displays and demonstrations.
However, many of these inventions were downright bizarre, and this list aims to explore the inventions which. Springboard to final victory camera book by henri, usmc 95 pp 1943 u. Helmets, uniforms, and other miscellaneous equipment used in ww2. Here is a list of the 10 deadliest weapons of world war ii. On this page we list facts about many of the weapons invented and used during world war one. World war 1 facts for kids national geographic kids.
In a war that featured blitzkriegs, v2 rockets, and nuclear weapons, its easy to forget about some of the more oldtimey weapons and tactics used during the conflict. Hitlers plan to invade britain in the summer of 1940 was called operation sea lion. At one point the united states used the native american language of the navajo peoples as a secret code that the germans were unable to crack technology was used to formulate precise rations food given to soldiers to make sure they got the right amount of nutrition and energy new medicines were developed during the war including advances. The book provides the vital statistics of each weapon as well as a brief history of it. There are a total of 70 ww2 british guns 1939 1945 in the military factory. A suggestion from winston churchill was that they launch an operation that would move forces behind the gustav line at anzio that would result in. World war ii saw rapid technological innovation in response to the needs of the various combatants.
Lots of history books have been written on world war 1 facts and why it started. Martinienfield used as a reserve arm by commonwealth troops from india, new zealand, etc. After the allies invaded italy in 1943 they came at a halt at the gustav line at cassino. List of world war ii weapons of the united states wikipedia. Facts and data for germanys special weapons programme world war ii germany by david porter jan 1, 2010. World war ii weapons for sale at online auction rare. The 5 most bizarre weapons of world war ii business insider. Army ambulances and medical vehicles in world war ii.
Click here for a great selection of books about ww1 weapons. Flag images indicative of country of origin and not necessarily the primary operator. M114 155 mm howitzer also known as m1 155 mm howitzer. Hopefully both kids and adults will find this information useful. May 16, 2020 us m4 sherman medium tank series with 75mm gun of ww2. It is not simply war stories, but sixtyfive interviews with soldiers and marines specifically relating their experiences with the us infantry weapons in combat during world war ii and in the korean war. Feb 07, 2019 unsubscribe from the infographics show. Because of those many, unfortunately the additional effort to specify each individual references is too hugh. Here we are in 2020 and we still have armchair quarterbacks who want to evaluate the correctness of a strategy executed during a time they know absolutely nothing about. In about 300 pages devoted to weapons, with most pages having 2 weapons, probably somewhere in excess of 500 of the most important weapons of ww2 are covered in a handy, well printed, and astonishingly inexpensive book.
Chlorine was the first lethal deadly gas used on a large scale in april 1915 at ypress, by the german military. The improvement on the machine gun made it to be more effective and longer lasting on the field than compared to the ww1 machine guns. It cost more money, damaged more property, killed more people, and caused more farreaching changes than any other war in history. This is a list of infantry weapons which were in mainstream use during world war ii 19391945. The bren and its czech equivalent have been used by armies all over the world, even to this day. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. Participation included significant efforts in north africa against the germans and general rommel, in the cbi defending the homeland against the japanese, in both italy and germany in europe, and helping to liberate singapore and hong kong. The comprehensive guide to over 1500 weapons systems, including tanks, small arms, warplanes, artillery, ships and submarines.
There are sections on the rifles used in the war, submachine guns, planes, boats, tanks, and a whole lot. It took more than 1,100 lives and caused panic among the enemy lines. This is a list of weapons organized alphabetically by. The plan was for the us fifth army to attack the gustav line and in doing so draw the opposing forces south while the vi crops land at anzio. Sep 04, 20 this is part 2 of the 30 kickass and interesting facts about world war 2. The war, and its global reach, challenged manyanation to rise up and fight the axis spread, which was led by german leader adolph hitler in europe, and the empirical reach of. This article focuses on ww2 vehicles used by americans, the british, and germans. Through the course of the war, weapons of all types evolved greatly and increased incomplexity. The stg 44 abbreviation of sturmgewehr 44, assault rifle 44 is a german selectivefire rifle developed during world war ii that was the first of its kind to see major deployment and is considered to be the first modern assault rifle. Thompson american submachine gun used in large numbers until the sten gun was introduced. Musket, bayonets and cannons werent the only deadly weapons to haunt the battlefields of the 1860s. This device is easy to manoeuvre and can be used by one man alone. See the most ridiculous weapons ever used in battle during world war 2.
Find your favorite military history books at much lower prices compared to other booksellers. The encyclopedia of weapons of world war ii, by numerous authors but edited by chris bishop, is a nonfiction book covering a massive array of weapons from world war ii. Ww2 weapons and equipment, tanks, aircraft, rifle, machine gun. Bursting with facts, this book is a treasure trove for anyone interested in. Because of those many, unfortunately the additional effort to. Homepage ww2 picture my familys history world war two facts. The encyclopedia of weapons of world war ii by chris bishop.
There are sections on the rifles used in the war, submachine guns, planes, boats, tanks, and a whole lot more. World war ii greatly advanced technology and the weapons developed helped shape the postwar world. Best sellers, newest to oldest oldest to newest price low to high price high to low title. Countries from all over the globe fought in world war ii. There are more than 500 separate items of equipment used between 1939 and. Weapons of world war ii by alexander ludeke goodreads. It offers an excellent overview of the diverse weaponry used by both the axis powers. World war ii was the most destructive conflict in history. Entries are listed below in alphanumeric order 1toz. The taj mahal was covered with a huge scaffold during ww2 to make i. There is much discussion about how it stacked against world war iis other underwater. The first response to the introduction of tanks during world war i was a variety of grenades and largecalibre rifles designed to penetrate tanks relatively thin armour or disable their tracks.
Torpedo junction weapons and militaria books world war 2. Here are 11 weapons from wwii you probably never knew existed. A discovery by nuclear physicists in a laboratory in berlin, germany, in 1938 made the first atomic bomb possible, after otto hahn, lise meitner and fritz strassman discovered nuclear fission. For the first time, powerful new weapons and vehicles were used at sea, on land and in the air resulting in. All information, data and statistics used in the web ww2 weapons had been compiled from a variety of sources and the large, over decades collected, library of the author about military history, ww2 and weapons. Although it was difficult to aim, this weapon was the most destructive of those used in the civil war. The book is mostly a series of short stories describing a secret operation, codebreaking or weapon that occurred in ww2. World war ii was total war every person, every business, every service was involved. Enfield pattern 14 p14 used as a marksman weapon until the no. Click on different weapons and items to find out more about them. There isnt a lot of detail in the stories but the stories are interesting.
Check out this book to find out more about the weapons used. What were the changes in weapons comparing ww1 and ww2. The differing opinions of these men is fascinating. Interesting facts about militarism and main causes of ww1. Some of the stories i had heard before but many i hadnt. They may not be the best or the most destructive, but theyre the ones that did the most to. The first thing that the reader must know about this book is that it is a gun book.
Among them, the atom bomb is perhaps the most wellremembered weapon, the effects of which were felt decades after the end of the war. Jan 25, 2015 the efficient engine of this destruction was the gatoclass sub, the backbone of the u. A comprehensive directory of the military weapons used in world war two. New and used military books about 20th century weapons and warfare. On this page you will also find links to interesting information about many of these deadly weapons. Many different weapons systems evolved as a result.
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