Weapons and Tactics
Air Warfare
-Strategic and Tactical air warfare were used during the time frame of WWII.
- Strategic Air Warfare is the use the use of bombers to destroy an enemy's industry, cities, and morale.
-Tactical Air Warfare is the use of planes to attack the enemy's troops on the battlefield, usually in
coordinated support of one's own troops.
-The heavy bomber was used to conduct strategic air raids, most notably by
British and American forces in the war against Germany.
-Development of long-range aircraft made bombing raids deep into German-occupied
Europe feasible, but daytime missions were dangerous, and night raids proved
inaccurate and largely ineffective.
-Development of long-range fighter planes, which could offer protection to the
vulnerable bombers, made it possible to carry out daylight raids, which were
more accurate, without heavy losses.
-The primary weapon of tactical strikes was the fighter-bomber. The
fighter-bomber was a fast, heavily armed and armored plane, sturdy enough to
withstand steep dives, rapid maneuvers, and some of the ground fire that its
low-level attacks would encounter.
-Another tactic that was used in WWII air warfare was the use of paratroops and glider troops. The value of paratroops and glider troops was first demonstrated in World War II. Airborne combat troops could be dropped behind enemy lines to seize or sabotage key positions and installations.
-Strategic and Tactical air warfare were used during the time frame of WWII.
- Strategic Air Warfare is the use the use of bombers to destroy an enemy's industry, cities, and morale.
-Tactical Air Warfare is the use of planes to attack the enemy's troops on the battlefield, usually in
coordinated support of one's own troops.
-The heavy bomber was used to conduct strategic air raids, most notably by
British and American forces in the war against Germany.
-Development of long-range aircraft made bombing raids deep into German-occupied
Europe feasible, but daytime missions were dangerous, and night raids proved
inaccurate and largely ineffective.
-Development of long-range fighter planes, which could offer protection to the
vulnerable bombers, made it possible to carry out daylight raids, which were
more accurate, without heavy losses.
-The primary weapon of tactical strikes was the fighter-bomber. The
fighter-bomber was a fast, heavily armed and armored plane, sturdy enough to
withstand steep dives, rapid maneuvers, and some of the ground fire that its
low-level attacks would encounter.
-Another tactic that was used in WWII air warfare was the use of paratroops and glider troops. The value of paratroops and glider troops was first demonstrated in World War II. Airborne combat troops could be dropped behind enemy lines to seize or sabotage key positions and installations.
Naval Warfare
-Submarines were a big deal in WWI, and continued to be used and altered during the span of WWII.
- Beginning in 1940, German submarines used the "wolf-pack" method of attack, with
large groups of submarines making coordinated assaults on shipping convoys. Americans followed their lead when fighting the Japanese in the Pacific and it proved to be very successful there as well.
- The principal weapon of the submarine, and of some surface vessels, was the
torpedo.
-One of the most successful torpedoes was the Japanese "Long Lance," which was
used to sink four cruisers at the Battle of Savo Island (1942).
- The Germans then introduced homing torpedoes guided by the sound of the target ship's
propellers. Aircraft Carriers.
-The most significant development in naval warfare in World War II was the use of aircraft carriers as capital ships—that is, as the main warships of a fleet. Before the war, aircraft carriers were generally viewed as support ships, intended to provide air protection and air reconnaissance for battleships.
- The United States came up with an idea that they named amphibious attacks. So by 1934, the U.S. Marines had developed methods for landing troops and equipment in strongly defended shores. Key elements of amphibious assault were the use of landing craft designed to be beached for easy unloading, close support by naval gunfire and aircraft, and carefully planned logistical support that allowed a rapid buildup of equipment and troops on the beachhead.
-Submarines were a big deal in WWI, and continued to be used and altered during the span of WWII.
- Beginning in 1940, German submarines used the "wolf-pack" method of attack, with
large groups of submarines making coordinated assaults on shipping convoys. Americans followed their lead when fighting the Japanese in the Pacific and it proved to be very successful there as well.
- The principal weapon of the submarine, and of some surface vessels, was the
torpedo.
-One of the most successful torpedoes was the Japanese "Long Lance," which was
used to sink four cruisers at the Battle of Savo Island (1942).
- The Germans then introduced homing torpedoes guided by the sound of the target ship's
propellers. Aircraft Carriers.
-The most significant development in naval warfare in World War II was the use of aircraft carriers as capital ships—that is, as the main warships of a fleet. Before the war, aircraft carriers were generally viewed as support ships, intended to provide air protection and air reconnaissance for battleships.
- The United States came up with an idea that they named amphibious attacks. So by 1934, the U.S. Marines had developed methods for landing troops and equipment in strongly defended shores. Key elements of amphibious assault were the use of landing craft designed to be beached for easy unloading, close support by naval gunfire and aircraft, and carefully planned logistical support that allowed a rapid buildup of equipment and troops on the beachhead.
Land Warfare
- The main tactical and strategic methods that were used in land warfare were tanks, artillery, and small arms.
- The World War II tank was really different from the tall vehicle invented during World War I. Instead of being used to accompany and protect advancing troops or to break the problem of trench warfare, the new tanks were designed for independent offensive action as the spearheads of blitzkrieg attacks.
- They were fast, low, heavily armored, and armed with powerful large- and small-caliber guns.
- One tank that was created during WWII was the Soviet T-34. Considered by some to be the finest tank of the war it had an 85-mm main gun and two machine guns and could reach speeds of more than 30 miles per hour.
- Artillery was another major advancement in WWII which included adaptation of artillery pieces for easy mobility, often by mounting the guns on tracked, self-propelled carriages.
- The recoilless rifle, a lightweight weapon capable of firing a powerful shell, was introduced during this time.
- Hand-carried rocket launchers, such as the American bazooka, were widely used, especially against tanks.
- Larger rockets, mounted in arrays and fired sequentially, were used as anti-aircraft weapons and to lay down barrages.
- The German V-2 ballistic missile was used as a long-range artillery weapon against England, France, and the Netherlands.
-When talking about small arms, the firepower of the individual soldier in World War II was considerably higher than in previous conflicts.
- Most American soldiers, and some troops of other
nations, were equipped with semi-automatic weapons. These weapons required only
that the trigger be pulled repeatedly to shoot; no lever or bolt needed to be
worked to reload the gun from its magazine.
- The main tactical and strategic methods that were used in land warfare were tanks, artillery, and small arms.
- The World War II tank was really different from the tall vehicle invented during World War I. Instead of being used to accompany and protect advancing troops or to break the problem of trench warfare, the new tanks were designed for independent offensive action as the spearheads of blitzkrieg attacks.
- They were fast, low, heavily armored, and armed with powerful large- and small-caliber guns.
- One tank that was created during WWII was the Soviet T-34. Considered by some to be the finest tank of the war it had an 85-mm main gun and two machine guns and could reach speeds of more than 30 miles per hour.
- Artillery was another major advancement in WWII which included adaptation of artillery pieces for easy mobility, often by mounting the guns on tracked, self-propelled carriages.
- The recoilless rifle, a lightweight weapon capable of firing a powerful shell, was introduced during this time.
- Hand-carried rocket launchers, such as the American bazooka, were widely used, especially against tanks.
- Larger rockets, mounted in arrays and fired sequentially, were used as anti-aircraft weapons and to lay down barrages.
- The German V-2 ballistic missile was used as a long-range artillery weapon against England, France, and the Netherlands.
-When talking about small arms, the firepower of the individual soldier in World War II was considerably higher than in previous conflicts.
- Most American soldiers, and some troops of other
nations, were equipped with semi-automatic weapons. These weapons required only
that the trigger be pulled repeatedly to shoot; no lever or bolt needed to be
worked to reload the gun from its magazine.
Animals Used in the War
- The use of animals in WWII was very common. It would help the people that were out fighting know that they had a companion waiting for them back on base. However, there were three main animals that were used for actual purposes during WWII. They were dogs, horses, and pigeons.
- Horses were used to carry soldiers when they were on night patrol, and were also used in the Philippians to carry soldiers into battle.
- Horses and Mules helped to carry gear for many people as well.
- Around 20,000 dogs were used in the span of WWII. Some were trained to carry messages, guard supplies, and even rescue pilots that have crash landed. Of course they were also around to cheer up the soldiers.
- Pigeons were used in almost the same way as dogs were. Since communication was still a little sketchy at the time, pigeons were used as another form of communication between different troops in different areas.
- The use of animals in WWII was very common. It would help the people that were out fighting know that they had a companion waiting for them back on base. However, there were three main animals that were used for actual purposes during WWII. They were dogs, horses, and pigeons.
- Horses were used to carry soldiers when they were on night patrol, and were also used in the Philippians to carry soldiers into battle.
- Horses and Mules helped to carry gear for many people as well.
- Around 20,000 dogs were used in the span of WWII. Some were trained to carry messages, guard supplies, and even rescue pilots that have crash landed. Of course they were also around to cheer up the soldiers.
- Pigeons were used in almost the same way as dogs were. Since communication was still a little sketchy at the time, pigeons were used as another form of communication between different troops in different areas.
WAR ships
UNITED STATES
USS Appalachian (AGC-1)
-The USS Appalachian was an amphibious support ship that was used throughout the course of World War II. This ship went into some of the most intense landing operations that dealt with the support of U.S. Marine units. She was one of the lead ships that U.S. Naval forces led into the Battle of the Pacific.
-Powered by a single shaft turbine engine, the Appalachian could exceed speeds of 16 knots while still holding over 350 crewmen. Eventually, the ship was laid to rest in 1942, having engineers commandeer parts that were needed in other parts of the war.
"USS Appalachian (AGC-1)." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 05 July 2014.
Web. 14 May 2014.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Appalachian_%28AGC-1%29>.
-The USS Appalachian was an amphibious support ship that was used throughout the course of World War II. This ship went into some of the most intense landing operations that dealt with the support of U.S. Marine units. She was one of the lead ships that U.S. Naval forces led into the Battle of the Pacific.
-Powered by a single shaft turbine engine, the Appalachian could exceed speeds of 16 knots while still holding over 350 crewmen. Eventually, the ship was laid to rest in 1942, having engineers commandeer parts that were needed in other parts of the war.
"USS Appalachian (AGC-1)." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 05 July 2014.
Web. 14 May 2014.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Appalachian_%28AGC-1%29>.
JAPAN
Yamato
-The lead ship of the Yamato class of battleships that served with the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. the heaviest and most powerfully armed battleships ever constructed, displacing 2,800 tons at full load and armed with nine 46 cm main guns. This ship unfortunately did not survive the war.
"Japanese Battleship Yamato." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 14 May
2014. Web. 14 May 2014.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_battleship_Yamato>.
-The lead ship of the Yamato class of battleships that served with the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. the heaviest and most powerfully armed battleships ever constructed, displacing 2,800 tons at full load and armed with nine 46 cm main guns. This ship unfortunately did not survive the war.
"Japanese Battleship Yamato." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 14 May
2014. Web. 14 May 2014.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_battleship_Yamato>.
BRITAIN
HMS Belfast
-The HMS Belfast was constructed in 1936, and was launched in 1938. Belfast was initially part of the British naval blockade against Germany. In November 1939 Belfast struck a German mine and spent more than two years undergoing extensive repairs. Returning to action in November 1942 with improved firepower, radar equipment and armor, Belfast was the largest and arguably most powerful cruiser in the Royal Navy at the time.
-The HMS Belfast was made into a museum ship in 1964, where people can go visit her in London, England.
"HMS Belfast (C35)." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 05 Nov. 2014. Web.
14 May 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Belfast_%28C35%29>.
-The HMS Belfast was constructed in 1936, and was launched in 1938. Belfast was initially part of the British naval blockade against Germany. In November 1939 Belfast struck a German mine and spent more than two years undergoing extensive repairs. Returning to action in November 1942 with improved firepower, radar equipment and armor, Belfast was the largest and arguably most powerful cruiser in the Royal Navy at the time.
-The HMS Belfast was made into a museum ship in 1964, where people can go visit her in London, England.
"HMS Belfast (C35)." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 05 Nov. 2014. Web.
14 May 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Belfast_%28C35%29>.
GERMANY
Bismarck
-In the course of the warship's eight-month career, the Bismarck conducted only one offensive operation, in May 1941. The ship was to break into the Atlantic Ocean and raid Allied shipping from North America
to Great Britain. Although it was detected by British forces, the ship continued on into the oncoming confrontation. It destroyed one of Britain's prized ships, and in the process got put out of commission from a hit as well.
"German Battleship Bismarck." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 05 Dec.
2014. Web. 13 May 2014.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_battleship_Bismarck>.
-In the course of the warship's eight-month career, the Bismarck conducted only one offensive operation, in May 1941. The ship was to break into the Atlantic Ocean and raid Allied shipping from North America
to Great Britain. Although it was detected by British forces, the ship continued on into the oncoming confrontation. It destroyed one of Britain's prized ships, and in the process got put out of commission from a hit as well.
"German Battleship Bismarck." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 05 Dec.
2014. Web. 13 May 2014.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_battleship_Bismarck>.