 |
A global conflict between powerful countries divided into two sides, the Allied and Axis Powers, World War II is in fact the bloodiest conflict in history.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
How the war broke out in brief
The end of World War I was not promising at all. For instance, the Treaty of Versailles, which came out as post world war agreement, restricted Germany in many sense. Germans felt they lost their identity and superiority. As the infamous Adolf Hitler rose up and remilitarized some parts of the country, the Nazis believed that it was the time to prove that only they could take Germany out of international suppression.
On the other side of the world was Japan’s desire to becoming a global colonial block. Thus, Japan conquered Manchuria and China in the 1930s. However, the other powerful countries, United States and United Kingdom, reacted to this by conducting military activities in China. Japan was put into compromise and they unwillingly gave up its resources in China. Japan’s plans of Greater East Asia War in the Pacific then followed.
United States, on the other hand, entered the war after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, one of the U.S. territories, on December 7, 1941. Germany, being an ally of Japan in the Axis Pact, declared a war five days after the Pearl Harbor incident.
5 famous heroes
Behind every war story are stories of bold men, of courageous individuals. They’re the war heroes. They are those who fought fearlessly for their turf, for their principles, and for their assembly.
Famous not only in the Philippines but also in the whole world, Douglas McArthur first made waves in the Philippines when he skillfully and valiantly defended the Bataan Peninsula and Corregidor Island from Japanese occupation. Because of the efforts of this war hero, the Medal of Honor was awarded to him on March 1942.
He was then sent to Australia and became the supreme Allied commander in the Southwest Pacific theater. He left the Philippines with his popular speech wherein he said: “I shall return.” He waited for months before he launched his grand tactic called the Operation Cartwheel, a major counteroffensive against the Japanese forces in Papua New Guinea. The operation gained full victory in 1944 making him deserving to be called the hero war of the Southwest Pacific.
He fulfilled his promise to the Philippines when he invaded Leyte and other islands. Pres. Sergio Osmeña of the Philippines decorated the World War II hero with the Medal of Valor, highest of the military awards in the Philippines.
A chief proponent of the adoption of armored weapons and mobile tactics, George S. Patton is another World War II hero whose activities left a mark in the history of World War II. He made huge contributions in conquering North Africa (1942) and in the capture of Sicily (1943).
His recorded heroic account is his crucial role in halting the German counterattack during the Battle of the Bulge (1944-1945). This war hero was considered to be one of the ablest tank commanders.
Fans of war movies can easily remember World War II heroes from the Allied Powers. However, there was one officer who, despite his participation in the German league or falling under the forces of the Axis Powers, was still able to establish a good name in the end. Erwin Rommel was a German field marshal in World War II.
Rommel became brigadier general in 1939 and then participated as one of the key persons in the Battle of France. He also led the German Africa Corps in North Africa and was later known as the Desert Fox.
When the Allied powers invaded France in 1944, he realized that they lost the war and that condoning to Hitler’s futile desire to continue with the war would be irresponsible. He was found to have betrayed Hitler and committed suicide instead of being executed.
War heroes don’t just include those high-ranking soldiers. War heroes are simply those who took a bold step in the battles. And Bob Dole was one of the many soldiers who have a story to tell.
As a second lieutenant in the Army’s 10th Mountain Division, Dole knew that his responsibility also included saving his colleagues. When Dole was in Italy fighting the Nazis, one of their radio men was shot so Bob Dole did a heroic act by crawling out of his foxhole to aid him. While doing that he was hit and got his right arm damaged. A colleague gave him morphine and after nine long hours lying down in the battleground he was brought to the evacuation hospital.
This World War II hero received a Bronze Star Medal for attempting to help the radio man who was downed.
A prominent military leader, Dwight D. Eisenhower took leadership in the mid-20th-century wartime coalition. He was one of the leaders who were called to duty right after the Pearl Harbor incident.
He commanded the invasion of North Africa (November 1942) which successfully ended in May 1943.
Some weapons they originally developed
Since the World War II was between powerful countries, weapons were also sophisticated varying from one country to another. United Kingdom, for instance, came up with a light mortar used by the British Commonwealth armies. It weighed 10 ½ lb, 21 inches long. It was a good substitute to larger mortars since it was more portable.
The hand grenade also originated from UK. It was used as a standard hand grenade during the war.
Germany also had its own innovation. The German PzKpfw III was developed. It carried a main gun, 5cm long, with better protection.
Armies also used rifles of different types.
The World War II was devastating but the stories of bravery and of courage always bring light to its bitter reality.
http://www.bobdole.org/bio/wwII.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mortar_%28weapon%29
|
|
|
|
Bookmark/Share This Page:
|
