World War II Technology and Weapons
The Atomic Bomb: Three Jewish scientists who fled to the United States wrote a letter to President Roosevelt warning him about the German advancements in nuclear weapons. These scientists include Albert Einstein, Leo Szilard, and Eugene Wigner. In an attempt to create the first atomic bomb, Roosevelt set up the Manhattan Project. Scientists Robert Oppenheimer, David Bohm, Leo Szilard, Eugene Wigner, Rudolf Peierls, Otto Frisch, Felix Bloch, Niels Bohr, James Franck, James Chadwick, Emilio Segre, Enrico Fermi, Klaus Fuchs, and Edward Teller, all helped to create the atomic bomb. On July 16, 1945 the first atomic bomb was successfully tested. On August 6, 1945 President Truman ordered the atomic bomb to be dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. About 200,000 people died due to the atomic bomb. On August 10, 1945 the Japanese surrendered to the United States.
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Planes used in World War II
Royal Air Force Aircrafts:
Avro Lancaster: This aircraft was created January 9, 1941 by the British. It was the best Royal Air Force bomber during World War II. It could travle 287 mph and would fly for about 1,600 miles. The aircraft could carry 22,000 pounds of bombs. Supermarine Spitfire: This was a fast fighter plane used by the British in World War II. The aircraft could reach a speed of 350 mph and could ascend 2,500 ft per minute. This was a very successful aircraft for the Royal Air Force. |
The Luftwaffe Aircrafts:
Dornier Do 17: This aircraft was originally a passenger aircraft, but in World War II, Germany made it a bomber. It could reach 255 mph with a range of 721 miles. This bomber could carry 2,200 pounds of bombs. Mersserschmitt Bf 109: This aircraft was a fight plane built by the Germans in World War II. Before the Battle of Britain it was considered the best in the world. It could reach a speed of 379 mph and could travel for 410 miles. |
The United States Air Force Aircrafts:
B-29 Superfortress: This was a U.S. bomber that was created in 1942. This could hold ten men, fly at 358 mph, and had a range of 4,100 miles. The bomber could hold ten machine guns and 20,000 pounds of bombs. This was the plane to drop the atomic bombs on Japan. Republic Thunderbolt: This was a U.S. fighter plane used in World War II. It reached up to 433 mph and could fly for 550 miles. This plane was armed with two machine guns and 300 pounds of bombs. |
The Red Army Air Force Aircrafts:
Lavochkin LaGG-3: This was a fighter plane developed by the Soviet Union in 1939. It could reach 348 mph and travel for 404 miles. It had three machine guns and carried 440 pounds of bombs. Tupolev Tu-2: This was a bomber produced by the Soviet Union in 1942. It carried about 6,000 pounds of bombs and three machine guns. It could reach 342 mph and had a range of 1,243 miles. |
The Japanese Air Force Aircrafts:
Aichi D3A1: This was a bomber made by Japan in 1939. It was known for sinking the most Allied ships in the Japanese Air Force. It carried 813 pounds of bombs, could reach 240 mph, and fly for 915 miles. Nakajima Ki-27b: This was a Japanese fighter plane built in 1936. It reached 292 mph and flew for 1,060 miles. It was armed with two machine guns and 220 pounds of bombs. |
Warships used in World War II
The Hornet: This was an American aircraft carrier. It was built in 1941 and was out at sea during the Pearl Harbor attack. In April of 1942 it was used for the bombing raid on Tokyo. The Hornet was used in the Battle of Midway and was sunk in the Battle of Santa Cruz in October of 1942.
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The Bismarck: The Bismarck was a German battleship built in 1940. It was considered the most powerful warship at the time. In an encounter with the Royal Navy in May of 1941, the Bismarck sunk the Hood killing 1,421 British sailors. However, suffering from severe damages the Bismarck was sunk by the Royal Navy on May 26, 1941. The sinking of the warship ended German superiority at sea.
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The Ark Royal: The Ark Royal was a Royal Navy aircraft carrier built in 1938. It was the only modern aircraft carrier owned by the British in World War II. It was fast and could maneuver easily. It was considered the best aircraft carrier in the world. The Ark Royal helped in the sinking of the Bismark in May of 1941. It was sunk in November of 1941 and only lost one crew member.
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The Yamato: The Yamato was a Japanese battleship bulit in 1941. It was considered the most heavily armored ship in the world. The Yamato took part in the Battle of Midway and Battle of Leyte Gulfe. It was sunk in the Battle of Okinawa April 7,1945.
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Guns used in World War II