Unknown Facts About World War II

World War II was one of the most significant and devastating events in human history. It involved the majority of the world's nations, including all of the great powers, ultimately resulting in the deaths of tens of millions of people. While many of the key events and figures of World War II are well known, there are also many lesser-known facts that provide insight into this important period in human history. In this essay, we will explore some of the unknown facts about World War II.

1. The first shots of World War II were fired in Africa

While the official start of World War II is often considered to be the invasion of Poland by Germany in 1939, the first shots of the war were actually fired in Africa. On September 9, 1939, Italian forces in Libya attacked a British garrison at Fort Capuzzo, marking the beginning of the North African campaign.

2. The US almost went to war with Germany in 1938

In 1938, the US Navy conducted a secret military exercise in the Pacific that simulated an attack on Germany. The exercise, called Plan Orange, was designed to test the readiness of US forces in the event of war with Japan, but it also included a scenario in which the US went to war with Germany.

3. The first military action by the United States in World War II was against Germany, not Japan

While Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor is often considered the catalyst for the United States' entry into World War II, the first military action by US forces was actually against Germany. On April 10, 1941, US destroyers were authorized to attack German submarines in the Atlantic, in an effort to protect American ships from German attacks.

4. The Soviet Union almost surrendered to Germany in 1941

In the summer of 1941, Germany launched a massive invasion of the Soviet Union, known as Operation Barbarossa. The invasion caught the Soviet Union off guard, and German forces advanced deep into Soviet territory. At one point, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin considered surrendering to Germany, but ultimately decided to fight on.

5. The Nazi regime conducted medical experiments on prisoners

One of the most disturbing aspects of the Nazi regime was its use of prisoners for medical experiments. These experiments were often extremely painful and dangerous, and were conducted without the consent of the prisoners. Some of the experiments involved exposing prisoners to extreme temperatures, testing the effects of various drugs, and performing surgeries without anesthesia.

6. The US government interned Japanese Americans during the war

In response to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the US government issued an executive order authorizing the internment of Japanese Americans. Over 120,000 people of Japanese descent, the majority of whom were American citizens, were forcibly relocated to internment camps in the western United States. The internment of Japanese Americans is now widely recognized as a gross violation of their civil rights.

7. The Soviet Union suffered the most casualties of any country in the war

The Soviet Union bore the brunt of the fighting in World War II, and suffered the most casualties of any country involved in the conflict. Estimates vary, but it is believed that between 20 and 30 million Soviet citizens died as a result of the war, including both military personnel and civilians.

8. The US government secretly monitored the mail of Japanese Americans in internment camps

In addition to the internment of Japanese Americans, the US government also secretly monitored their mail. Postal censors read and censored all mail sent and received by Japanese Americans in internment camps, in an effort to prevent any potential subversion or espionage.

There are other many more interesting facts about the world war II. We will cover other facts in our next article.