Insane Facts About World War II

Pre-War Developments

• Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945): Japan's ambition raised global concerns.
• Nazi PR Offensive (1930s): Heavy military investment; surprised Europe with military strength.
• Origin of "Nazi": Originally called "Nasos," derived from a Bavarian word meaning stupid.
• Swastika Symbol: Originally religious, meaning fertility and good fortune.

Early War Strategies and Events

• Nazi Death Ray: British engineer Robert Watson-Watt debunked Nazi death ray rumors, advancing radar technology.
• Appeasement: Territorial concessions to Hitler in Czechoslovakia failed to prevent war.
• Hitler-Stalin Pact: Non-aggression pact between Germany and the Soviet Union.

Initial War Outcomes

• Invasion of Poland (1939): Devastating loss for Poland against Germany and Russia.
• Phoney War: Britain initially dropped propaganda over Germany rather than engaging directly.
• Finland vs. Russia: Finland initially resisted Soviet invasion but eventually signed a peace settlement.

Major Invasions

• Invasion of France (1940): Germany's rapid advance through Luxembourg and Belgium, leading to refugee crisis.
• Miracle of Dunkirk: Notable evacuation of Allied troops from France.

Domestic Effects of War

• Hitler's Catholic Persecution: Attempted to undermine and control religious symbols and figures.
• Counterfeit British Currency: Failed Nazi attempt to destabilize British economy.
• Degenerate Art Exhibition: Nazi crackdown on art deemed "unpatriotic" backfired.
• Aryan Baby Campaign: Nazi propaganda using an Aryan baby image, ironically sabotaged by a Jewish activist.

Shifts in the War

• Battle of Britain: British RAF used the Dowding System to effectively counter Nazi air raids.
• Operation Barbossa (1941): Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union, considered Hitler's major blunder.
• Pearl Harbor (1941): Prompted US entry into the war; Germany declared war on the US.

Technological and Strategic Developments

• Nazi Biological Weapons: Hitler rejected chemical/biological warfare due to WWI experiences.
• Manhattan Project: US collaboration with Canada and Britain on atomic bomb development.

Notable Personalities and Events

• William Patrick Stuart-Houston: Hitler's nephew who fought for the US.
• Max Heiliger Account: Used by Nazis to transfer looted Jewish assets.
• Danish Resistance: Successfully evacuated Jewish population to Sweden.
• Master Sgt. Roderick Edmonds: Defied Nazis to protect Jewish POWs.

Post-War and Legacy

• Unresolved Soviet-Japanese War: No formal peace treaty signed post-WWII.
• Advancements in Medical Tech: Blood transfusions saved many lives.

Odd and Surprising Facts

• Rudolf Hess's Parachute Mission (1941): Attempted negotiation with Britain, ended in arrest.
• Hollywood Stars in WWII: Many celebrities served, including Walter Matthau and David Niven; John Wayne exempt due to injury.