The Second World War was the most deadly conflict in world history, as roughly 43 million people lost their lives because of the horrifying event. Most of them were even civilians. China and the Soviet Union are thought to have had the most total casualties of WWII. Also, a number of 5,8 million Polish people died as a result of the war, representing about 20 percent of the prewar population of Poland.
If you’re also among those wondering why so many people died during the Second World War, well, one of the major reasons is that the global military conflict involved the deadliest and most destructive weapons that humanity ever had until that point.
Atomic bombs (USA):
We can’t possibly speak about World War II without thinking about the fabulous destructive power of the atomic bombs and how they demolished the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. The US military landed such bombs on the aforementioned Japanese cities, killing tens of thousands of people.
Flamethrowers:
Flamethrowers can do exactly what their moniker says: projecting streams of burning fuel. This horrifying weapon was used by both Axis and Allied forces, meaning the two military alliances of WWII. The flamethrower was used to clear out trenches, bunkers, and fortified positions.
Sturmgewehr 44 (Germany):
The Sturmgewehr 44 was the first true assault rifle of the world, as it combined the rapid-fire capability of a submachine gun with the range of a rifle. This weapon influenced the development of future firearms and had a major impact on infantry tactics.
Kamikaze (Japan):
The Kamikaze meant “divine wind,” and it represented a tactic employed by the Japanese in which suicide pilots targeted Allied ships with explosive-laden aircraft, causing major damage and casualties.
Submarines:
Submarines, especially German U-boats and American fleet submarines, played an important role when it came to the naval warfare of WWII. The German U-boats targeted Allied shipping convoys, while American submarines disrupted the supply lines of Japan and isolated the Asian country.
Panzer VI Tiger Tank (Germany):
https://youtu.be/boVZuC_siC0?si=BpNvgM59xiz5JUSL
The Tiger tank was renowned due to its impressive firepower and armor and was a fearsome presence on the Eastern and Western fronts. This mechanical monster had an imposing design and a powerful 88mm gun that made it become a symbol of German armored might.
Enigma Machine (Germany)
The Enigma Machine was used by the Germans for encrypted communication, as it was a cryptographic marvel. By breaking the Enigma code, a pivotal achievement for Allied Intelligence emerged, as the strategy provided critical insights into German military plans.
Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire (UK)
We also can’t forget about the Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire of the British forces, as these are two fighter planes that played a crucial role in the Battle of Britain by successfully defending against the German Luftwaffe.
V-2 Rockets (Germany):
The V-2 rocket was a technological miracle of Nazi Germany, as it was the first long-range guided ballistic missile in the world. It had a range of more than 200 miles, and it wreaked havoc on London and other Allied cities, establishing a new era when it came to warfare.
B-29 Superfortress (USA):
The B-29 Superfortress was a game-changer when it came to strategic bombing. It became the carrier for the atomic bombs but was also used a lot in conventional bombing raids over Japan.
World War II represented a military conflict of unprecedented scale and devastation for its time, and hopefully, the world has learned some valuable lessons from it, such as the need to foster diplomatic relations and feelings of compassion and empathy between all people. Otherwise, another global war will most probably destroy the world.
