Technology played an important role in World War II. Major advances in weaponry, communications, and industry by both sides impacted the way the war was fought and, eventually, the outcome in the war.
On the Ground
Tanks - Although tanks were first used in World War I, it was during World War II that tanks became a major military force. Hitler utilized tanks in his fast moving Panzer divisions. They enabled him to quickly take over much of Europe using a tactic called Blitzkrieg, meaning "lightning war." Some of the most famous tanks from World War II include Germany's Tiger tank, the Soviet Union's T-34 tank, and the United States' Sherman tank.
In the Air
Aircraft - The air force became one of the most important parts of the military during World War II. Whoever had control of the air, often won the battle on the ground. Different types of planes were developed for specific tasks. There were small, fast fighter planes designed for air-to-air combat, large bombers that could drop huge bombs on enemy targets, planes designed to land and take off from aircraft carriers, and large transport planes used to deliver supplies and soldiers. Other important advances in aircraft included the first military helicopters and the first jet-powered fighter planes.
Radar - Radar was a new technology developed right before the war. It used radio waves to detect enemy aircraft. The British were the first to employ radar and it helped them to fight off the Germans in the Battle of Britain.
In the Ocean
Aircraft Carrier - One of the biggest changes in naval technology in World War II was the use of the aircraft carrier. Aircraft carriers became the most important ships in the navy. They were able to launch air attacks from anywhere in the ocean.
Explosives
Bombs - World War II saw the invention of many new types of bombs. The Germans invented the long range flying bomb called the V-1 as well as a rocket bomb called the V-2. The Allies developed a bouncing bomb that would bounce across the water and explode once it hit a dam. Other specialized bombs included bunker busters and cluster bombs.
The Atom Bomb - Perhaps the largest leap in technology during World War II was the atom bomb. This bomb caused a massive explosion by using nuclear reactions. It was used by the United States to bomb the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Secret Codes - In order to keep communications secret, both sides developed their own secret codes. The Germans used a machine called the Enigma Machine to code and decode their messages. However, the Allied scientists were able to crack the code giving them an advantage in battle.
Propaganda
New technology was also used to disperse propaganda. Inventions like motion pictures, the radio, and the microphone were all used by governments to broadcast their messages to the people.
http://www.ducksters.com/history/world_war_ii/technology_of_ww2.php
Watch the following short videos and comment on the blog: Tell us one thing you learned about at least three of the weapon videos.
The Sherman Tank
U Boats
Flying Tigers
Guns
B17
Kamikaze
B17- it was a four-engine heavy bomber aircraft
ReplyDeleteKamikaze- it was an aircraft that was essentially pilot-guided explosive missiles (Suicide attack)
Sherman Tank- the U.S. manufactured more than 45 Shermans a day for nearly three years.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI didn't know that the "Sherman Tank" revolutionized the tanks today.
ReplyDeleteThe B17 could hold up to 9,600 lbs of bombs.
The U boats did a lot of damage in WWII.
I learned that the B-17 had 11 to 13 machine guns, I also learned that only 14% of kamikazes hit their targets, I did not know that Gorge invented the car mounted gun and how he did it.
ReplyDeletei learned that U boats attacked at night in groups called "wolf packs", Kamikazes only hit 14% of their targets and was a suicide mission, and that the B17 served in every WWII combat zone.
ReplyDeleteI learned that the B17 bomber weighed 65000 pounds and held over five people.
ReplyDeleteI learned that the Japanese had Kamakazi pilots who were specially trained to commit suicide (:S) and that they were used to sink ships.
I learned that the Flying Tigers' planes were not the best maneuvered and were heavy, but they were well protected with metal and were heavily armed.
Another thing I learned with the B17 Bomber video is that there were only a few in use before WWII but after Pearl Harbor America started to produce them (allot!)
DeleteSherman Tank- the British nicknamed it the “Sherman” after the famed American civil war general.
ReplyDeleteU-Boats- the single hull design could withstand water pressure up to 820 feet.
B-17- the first one went into combat with the U.S. Army Corps in April 1942
U-Boats- That a certain U-boat could signal to others to join it.
ReplyDeleteB-17- Known as the flying fortress
Kamikaze. Over 4000 pilots died. Now that’s sad. :(
Yeah the wolfpack thing was cool.
Deletei didnt know that the tank was the most used weapon,i didnt know that it was that easy to make a weapon,i also didnt know that the b-17 had so much gun power
ReplyDeleteI learned that the Sherman tank weighed 33 tons and could move at speeds of 24-30 mph. I was impressed with how fast it was for that weight. For the U-boats, I learned that Germany built 700 type VII models. For the B-17 video, I learned that 12,726 of them were produced before their production was stopped in May 1945. One thing I love about B-17s is that they have a 'belly.' I love the rotating machine gun under the plane. I thought it was interesting/sad how 4,000 suicide pilots killed themselves, while only hitting 14% of their targets. I wonder if that plan hurt Japan more than helped them.
ReplyDeleteWhat I did not know about WWII weapons were: That the Sherman Tank was named after a American Civil War General. The most common German U-Boats were the type VII. That 14% of the 4,000 Kamikaze pilots did not miss their target.
ReplyDeleteI learned in the:
ReplyDeleteSherman Tank video: Between 1942 and 1946 the U.S. produced nearly 50,000 M4s.
U Boat video: The single hull designed U boat could withstand water pressure up to 820 feet.
B-17 video: The B17's were known as "The flying fortress"
I learned in the first video that some WWII tanks could catch on fire. In the second video I learned how much range a U-boat could have. And in the B-17 video I learned they also called the B-17 the "Flying Fortress".
ReplyDeleteOops didn't noticed Kara had JUST said that. Then in the same video I learned that it was the fastest and heavily armed bomber of it's day.
ReplyDeletefrom the vieios i learned that
ReplyDelete1.the sherman tank was named after the American civil war general and it has a 100-150 mile range
2. the U boat was first built in 1905 by Germans and had a range of 92 miles, and the interior was divided into 6 rooms.
3. the most successful model of the B-17 was the B-17G. its wings were 103'9" long, and the plane was 74'9" long, and weighed 65,000 lbs.
1. I learned that the Sherman tank was the most used tank for the allies
ReplyDelete2. the U-boat was made in 1905 and still used in WWII 1939-1945
3. and the all the B-17 planes dropped 640,000 tons of bombs :-)