World War 2 Midterm One

John Cairncross

British communist, worked at Bletchley Park, passed info to USSR

Spitfire

Britain's best fighter plane used especially in the Battle of Britain.

Knut Haukelid

1/6 Norwegians hired in February 1943 by the British to disable Norsk Hydro. The six accomplished their mission, destroying half a ton of heavy water. When the Germans planned to move to ship their heavy water back to Germany in February 1944, Knut Haukelid recruited two Norwegians and together they blew a hole in the ferry transporting the heavy water. This mission was successful as well, ultimately destroying any German hopes of creating a nuclear bomb.

Navajo Code Talkers

300 Native Americans from California recruited by the government in a language that the Japanese couldn't understand. Had funny phrases for modern technology like iron fish = submarines

Manhattan Project

A highly secretive American program launched by FDR in 1942 to test if a nuclear bomb was feasible. Its legacy includes ending World War 2 when the US dropped the first nuclear bombs on Japan.

Philippe Pétain

A leading French general who distinguished himself in WWI but when he used those same tactics in WW2, France ended up fighting an entirely defensive war. One those tactics was the Maginot Line, which the Germans powered through and were able to nearly take out French from doing much else in the war.

Importance of moral gray areas in a thriving democracy

A necessary prerequisite for people living democracy is for people, who have opposing points of view, to live together. It rests on compromises, finding a middle ground despite differences. It's important to understand reality as complexity. In the past 20 years, there have been trends towards increased polarization.

Hiroshima

After the Germans had surrendered in May 1945, the Japanese refused to accept Allies demands for surrender and the Pacific War continued. Manhattan Project proved successful in July 1945. In August 1945, the nuclear bomb Little Boy was dropped on Hiroshima by an American B-29 bomber, killing about 80,000 people. Injury and radiation brought the total number of deaths to potentially 150,000. Effectively ended the war for the Japanese.

Nagasaki

After the Germans had surrendered in May 1945, the Japanese refused to accept Allies demands for surrender and the Pacific War continued. Manhattan Project proved successful in July 1945. Three days after the bombing of Hiroshima, the US dropped another bomb on Nagasaki. Six days after the bombing of Nagasaki, Japan announced its surrender to the Allies. Ethical justification still debated.

Studs Terkel (significance)

American author and journalist most famous for his oral history report of WW2 called "the Good War." To his surprise, he discovered that people who lived during the war looked back with nostalgia. He found that the war gave people a sense purpose.

Maginot Line

Branchild of Petain's outdated military strategy. Once penetrated through the Ardennes Forest, Germans were able to power through take out the French almost completely from the war.

Georgi Zhukov

Architect of the USSR war effort and Stalin's supreme military commander. Also the student of Tukhackevsky. Given more responsibility when Stalin got rid of him. Protected Russians from the Operation Barbarossa. Integral in battles at the Stalingrad and Leningrad. Ultimately helped take over Berlin.

Kursk

Battle between Germans and the Soviets in July 1943. Battle for the Germans represented the final offensive they were able to mount in the Eastern front. Gave the Soviets the strategic initiative for the rest of the war. British intelligence of Germans intentions given to the Russians. Could protect in advance. Tank Battle

Dunkirk

Battle of Dunkirk marked the end of the Phoney War. The Germans using Blitzkrieg advanced through the Ardennes Forest and trapped the British and French armies around Dunkirk. 330,000 men were trapped there as setting targets. Operation Dynamo used to get as many men as possible off the beaches. Germans never launched a full scale attack at Dunkirk, as they awaited order from Hitler. Was one of Hitler's fatal mistakes of the war, as 338,000 soldiers were evacuated at Dunkirk. May 1940.

Messerschmitt 109

Best German fighter plane used in Operation Eagle. Escorted Heinkel 111 and Dornier 17

RAF

Britains "Royal Air Force" led by Hugh Dowding. Critical factor in the Battle of Britain, the first air vs. air battle against the Luftwaffe. Significant because had the RAF not defeated the Germans in the air, the Germans could have easily taken control of England on the ground because it had superior land forces.

Colossus

British code breaking machine developed by Alan Turing. First installed in January 1944. Developed at Bletchley Park. Significance was that it helped British win at the Battle of Britain.

Hawker Hurricane

British fighter plane used in the defense of Britain

Spitfire

British single seated fighter plane used by the RAF during the war. Was produced in greatest numbers than any other British aircraft. Designed to be short range and highly accurate. Maneuverable and could climb quickly. Was one of the main RAF fighters during Battle of Britain along with the Hawker Hurricane.

Klaus Fuchs

Canadian scientist who occasionally worked with American scientists during the Manhattan project. He then passed on his knowledge to the USSR, and at the end of the war his knowledge put the Russians about a year closer to building an atomic bomb.

Operation Barbarossa

Code name for German invasion of Russia in 1941, effectively breaking their non-aggression treaty. 3 million Axis soldiers invaded along a 2000 mile front. More forces were committed to this Eastern front than any other theater in history. Germans won many decisive victories but their luck turned as the Soviets were able to protect Stalingrad in 1943. 4/5 German soldiers killed in World War 2 died on the Eastern front.

Hugh Dowding

Commanding, head officer of the RAF during the Battle of Britain. Credited with playing an essential role in Britain's defense and defeat of Hitler's plan to invade England.

Alan Turing

Credited with forming the concepts of algorithm and computation with Turing machine-considered the basics of computer. Played critical role in the Battle of the Atlantic when he cracked the Enigma machine. Battle of the Atlantic was crucial because it provided the supply lines.

Erwin Rommel

Decorated German Officer. Led German/Italian force in North Africa against the British. Back and forth battles British. When he needs reinforcements, he can't get them because so much of the supplies are being dedicated to the Eastern front against Russia.

Jewish Science

Degrading term used by Hitler. He delegated "the race for the bomb" a second priority because he was skeptical of the science since it was discovered by a Jew. Ultimately, Germans never able to complete the creation of an atomic bomb and ultimately this science officially ended the war for the Allies.

Juan Pujol

Double agent for the British. Operated out of Lisbon, Portugal, hated the Nazis. Britain originally turned down his offer to spy for them, so he established himself as a spy for Germany and then went to Britain requesting to be a double-agent and was accepted (1942). Ran own ficticious spy ring - 27 fabricated characters. Received major decorations from both sides. Instrumental in convincing Axis that D-Day would only be a diversion to pave way for larger invasion in another part of France, caused Axis to station majority of troops elsewhere.

Guadalcanal

First major offensive battle led by the Allies against Japan. Take Japanese by surprise and in a bloody battle they were victorious. Intended to capture to eventually neutralize the Japanese hold on Rabaul. Significant because it halted any further Japanese expansion attempts. More American offensive operations in the Pacific were successful and led to Japanese surrender.

Ardennes Forest

Forest bordering France and Germany. Where the German blitzkrieg entered France on May 10, 1940 through Belgium and around the Maginot Line. French incorrectly assumed it would serve as a natural behavior. Significant because Germans were able to occupy France and essentially take them out of the war.

Luftwaffe

German Air Force that headed by Herman Goering and established in 1935. Instrument to contributing to German victories and Western Europe. During Battle of Britain, despite causing major damage to RAF infrastructure and British cities during the Blitz, it did not achieve victory. Allied bombing campaigns in 1942 gradually destroyed the Luftwaffe's fighter arm. Last ditch air superiority effort at the Battle of the Bulge in 1945 but with little supplies, it proved ineffective and disbanded in 1946.

Heinz Guderian

German architect of blitzkrieg. Like De Gaulle in France, he kept up with changing military trends but had the backing of the government unlike De Gaulle. Blitzkrieg referred to the German attack strategy that would wear out a single spot in the defensive line --> break through and create havoc on defensive communications and supply lines. Army was very mobile. Luftwaffe and Panzer divisions were effective at punching holes through the enemy line

Panzer

German armored divisions with tanks. They were the only divisions not to move on foot horses; 9 Panzer divisions attacked France. Talk about Blitzkrieg and effectively taking out France of the war.

Friedrich Paulus

German commander in the Battle of Stalingrad in Feb. 1943. Successful advance towards Stalingrad but less successful attack. The battle ended when Soviet forces encircled and defeated 265,000 Axis personnel. While in Soviet captivity, he became a vocal critic against he Nazi regime.

Stuka

German dive bomber. Designed to carry out blitzkrieg; slow, low flying, accurate bomber equipped with sirens to intimidate enemy soldiers, psychological warfare.

Messerschmitt 109

German fighter plane. Destroyed all Russian planes it came came in contact with on the Eastern Front in Operation Barbarossa. Significance was that the Me 109 made more aerial kills than any other aircraft in the war; it's technology kept up with the best the Allies had.

Blitzkrieg (continue)

German for "lightning war." Refers to the German attack strategy.

Norsk Hydro

German heavy water plant in Norway that began production in 1935. Allies decide to destroy the plant to inhibit German development of nuclear weapons. Plan two raids before destroying key components of the electrolysis cycle. Significant because if Germans had continued research here, they could have had access to nuclear weapons.

V-4 (created by Wernher von Braun?)

German long range ballistic missile. Referred by the NAzis as the Amerika Projectil designed to reach the coast of the US with over 2500 mile range. Could by guided with subs in the Atlantic, but never became operational.

Enigma

German machine used to transmit German military messages. Eventually cracked by Alan Turing with his Colossus machine. Intelligence gathered from it was called Ultra by the British. Found at U-Boat.

Hochdruckpumpe (V-3)

German rail gun used for long range strikes. Possessed a 450 ft barrel that could hit London from Holland. Never ended up working since progress was constantly impeded by Allied bombing. Poor state of German railway network and lack of ammunition

U-boat

German submarine essential in the development of the Battle of the Atlantic. Primarily used to take down Allied convoys in the Atlantic. Wreaked havoc on Allied supply lines until about 1943. Allowed for German strangulation of Russia and Britain from the outset of the war until 1943. Allied capture of U-boat gave them access to Enigma machine. Diesel powered so they had to run on the surface 98 % of the time. Only submerged to strike. Sank over 1000 British ships in 1940. GB could only receive 38% of its important because of the U Boats.

Wolf Packs

German submarine warfare tactics. Submarines would encircle British convoys and escorts. Wreaked havoc on supply lines.

Hermann Goering

Head of the German Luftwaffe. Led Operation Sealion with the task of eliminating the RAF in order to clear the way for for an amphibious landing attack. Luftwaffe inflicted damage the British air bases and even their people but failed to cripple any one sector causing the overall effort to fail.

Huff-Duff

High-Frequency Direct Findings. Devices such as radar, sonar, search lights, depth charges. Essential in the battle of the Atlantic.

Humint

Human intelligence. Spies, infiltrating. More dangerous and less fruitful than sigint. Russians had a huge advantage because they could recruit communists across the globe.

Significance of accidental German bomber raid on London August 25, 1940

Instead of attacking factories, German bombers accidentally bombed London in August 1940. Britain sought to take revenge on Berlin. And Germany under the instruction of Goering switched their focus of bomb raids from airplane factories to London. If Germany had continued to bomb the factories, they would have probably defeated in the RAF.

Enrico Fermi

Italian physicist that is credited with creating the first nuclear reactor beneath the football field at UChicago. Part of the Manhattan Project after leaving Italy in 1938 because his wife was Jewish.

Zero

Japanese fighter plane manufactured by Mitsubishi during 1940-1945. Most capable carrier-based fighter in the war. Had excellent maneuverability and was very long range. Less effective by the final years of the war but continued to serve in a front line role for the Japanese. During the final years of the war in the pacific, the Zero was adapted for use in kamikaze operations. Japanese produced more Zeros than any other combat aircraft. Significant because it was used to bomb Pearl Harbor. Decline in power against Allies --> Japanese lost many pilots during Midway and Coral Sea

JN-25

Japanese naval codes.

Midway

Key battle in the Pacific in 1942 that occurred just 6 months after Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. US navy inflicted devastating blow to Japanese fleet. Japanese were hoping to ensure their dominance in the Pacific. American codebreakers helped the US secure victory by discovering the date and location of Japanese attacks. Japanese from then on had difficultly resupplying. Turning in the Pacific theater.

Heavy Water

Key ingredient for nuclear weapon creation for the Germans. Process to create sufficient amounts for a bomb would take several years. German production of an nuclear bomb could have obviously had huge implications for the war, but the Germans were never able to get their program off the ground.

Compiegne Forest

Large forest in France that was the site at which the Germans signed the Treaty of Versailles after losing World War I. Same location after the Battle of France where the French signed their surrender agreement with Germany. June 1940.

Battle of the Bulge

Major German offensive campaign launched through the Ardennes Forest. Surprise attack caught the Allied forces completely off guard. US bore much of the attack and incurred highest casualties compared to all other war operation. Ultimately depleted Germany's armored forces. German personnel and Luftwaffe sustained heavy losses. German's ultimately lost the war due to operational failures including depleted supply lines

Sir Robert Watson-Watt (more significance)

Major contributor in the development of radar. Gave RAF enough warning for German air strikes. Significant becomes intelligence eventually becomes actionable.

Coral Sea

Major naval battle in 1942 between the Japanese and the Americans/Australians. Significant because it was a war fought in the ocean but there were no boats attacking one another but aircraft carriers. Japanese were able to sink many American ships but it was strategically decisive for the Allies. Lost significant resources and fleet carrier, ultimately leading a loss at Midway.

El Alamein

Major turning point in the North African Campaign. British stop Rommel and the Germans from taking El Alamein and access to the Suez canal, which would give them access to the oil fields in the middle east. Significant because it revived Allied morale since it was its first major decisive victory.

Heineken 111

Medium sized German bomber used in Operation Eagle in the Battle of Britain.

Panther Tank

Medium sized German tank used from 1943-1945. To replace the Panzer and counter the Soviet T-34. It was one of the best tanks in the war in terms of fire power and protection but less impressive in terms of mobility, reliability and cost. Started off badly at the Battle at Kursk.

Dornier 17

Medium-sized German bomber used in Operation Eagle in the Battle of Britain.

United Nations (significance)

Military alliance formed in Jan. 1942 comprised of the USA, USSR and GB as a reaction to the Tripartite Pact

Soviet-Finnish War

Military conflict between the USSR and Finland from 1939-1940. Began with the Soviet invasion in 1939 and ended with the Moscow Peace Treaty in 1940. Expelled by the League of Nations for the illegal attack in 1939. Because Stalin purged so many high level officials in the army, his Red Army, although significantly greater and more advanced, was repelled by the Finnish for several months. Hitler was not impressed and encouraged him that Germany would be able to defeat the USSR)

Sherman Tank

Most numerous battle tank used by the US. Reliable and mobile but outclassed by German tanks. However, it was easy and cheap to produce and repair. Many were distributed to the British and Russians as part of the Lend-Lease program. Proved successful at El Alamein, so Americans decided not to invest as much in tank development.

"Iron Fish"

Navajo name for U-boat submarines. Modern technology funny names. Talk about effects on the war in the pacific.

ULTRA

Not only helped crack German codes, but another avantage was that it gave Britian intellegence on the Soviets' movements.

Quantitative Sigint

Number of messages sent between two locations indicated significant importance and helps pinpoint which messages should be translated. Can gauge geographic importance by monitoring the frequency of the chatter.

Otto Hahn

One of three German scientists in 1939 who discovered that splitting uranium through a process called nuclear fission could release tons of energy. Won the Nobel Prize for his discovery The implications for his discovery were nuclear warfare. The Germans were never able to get their nuclear bomb program off the ground, while the US was able to secure victory with their own program.

"The Good War" (significance)

Oral history report written by Studs Terkel. In the interviews Terkel conducted, he found that WW2 provided a sense of moral clarity, especially for Americans. The war provided an opportunity to band together and launch an all-out campaign against an unquestionably evil aggressor.

Charles De Gaulle

Philippe Petain's student who advocated for mobility and tank warfare. Kept up with changing strategical and technological realities. Proved to be prophetic.

Joseph Rochefort

Placed at Pearl Harbor to crack JN-25 - name for Japanese naval codes

Lend-Lease

Program under which the US lent other Allied nations food, oil, materials, weapons, aircrafts among other things between 1941-1945. Significant this essentially canceled American's position of neutrality and was a decisive step away from American neutrality that had dominated US foreign relations since 1931.

Some chicken ! some neck!

Quote by Winston Churchill one year after the Battle of Britain. December 1941: Churchill's response to Hitler's declaration that "Britain will have its neck wrung like a chicken"

Never before in the field of human conflict have so many owed so few

Quote by Winston Churchill referring to the debt owed by the British to the RAF

Operation Sealion

Refers to Germany's amphibious invasion plan for GB in 1940. The first step was to eliminate the RAF so that an amphibious landing could take place. The Germans failed to rule the skies and Operation Sealion was postponed and eventually abandoned in October 1940.

Second Front

Refers to Stalin's wish that the Allies would open up another front in Europe to take the pressure off of the Russians on the Eastern front. At this point in 1942, Germans were pushing deep into rush towards Stalingrad. US and Brits didn't feel like they were ready enough strategically and technologically to enter into war with Germany in Europe. British reluctantly invaded in 1944.

Operation Torch

Refers to the British-American invasion of French North Africa during the North African Campaign, which started in Nov. 1942. A proposal that acted in place Second Front Stalin hoped for. Attack would clear Axis powers from North Africa and improve naval control of the Mediterranean Sea. Prepare for an invasion of Europe in 1943.

Danger of moral oversimplification

Refers to the idea that we cannot let the atrocities that happened during the war the only things we see. There are many gray areas for every country that needs to be examined. To lose sight of this complexity is a historical fail. World is not simple and we must accept complexity as the rule and unambiguity as the exception. Every choice is fraught with moral ambiguity. An example of `

Normandy

Refers to the invasion of the Allies in Normandy in 1944. It was the largest amphibious invasion ever with more than 5,000 ships. Began liberation of Allied forces in Nazi-Occupied Europe and the destruction of German armed forces. Ensured Germany would never be able to concentrate all of their military power against the Soviet Union, thus forcing the surrender of Germany.

Phony War

Refers to the quiet 8 month period right (1939-40) at the beginning of the war, when the Allies had officially announced war on Germany after its invasion of Poland in 1939 and its blitzkrieg in 1940. Lack of military operations for the Allies on the Western front.

T-34 Tank (significance)

Russian tank that is often credited as the best in the war. Surprised Germans at Operation Barbarossa as they thought they were going up against an inferior army.

Karl Doenitz

Senior submarine officer for the Germans. Used wolf packs of U boats to cut through convoys. Wreaked havoc on Allied supply lines until 1943. Allowed for German strangulation of Russia and Britain for significant time.

Sigint

Signals intelligence. Intercepting messages, eavesdropping. More than human intelligence.

Radar (significance)

Significant contributor to the development of radar in 1939. Significant because it allowed the British to anticipate German air strikes. Particularly critical at the Battle of Britain.

Sir. Robert Watson-Watt

Significant contributor to the development of radar. His work in the Air Ministry in Britain resulted int eh design and installation of aircraft detection and tracking stations. Came just in time for the outbreak of World War 2. System was essential in helping the RAF win the Battle of Britain.

Stalingrad

Site of the Battle of Stalingrad in Russia in 1942-1943. Regarded as the bloodiest battle in history. Inflicted heavy losses on the German side--arguably the most decisive war in turning the tide. Significant because Germans were never able to advance further into Russia. They also had to commit significant resources they were using in the West to make up for these losses.

20th Century Geopolitics: The Hourglass

Term used to describe the transitions of political ideologies and global powers in the 20th century. Beginning: 6 global powers and 3 ideologies (communism, fascism, democracy). Middle: 2 ideologies: communism and democracy. Bottom: multipolar order with many ideologies. Took many decades to reach the bottom. Significant because WW2 was essential in destroying one of three and ultimately paving the way for others.

Earn this

The last line from Captain Miller to Private Ryan in Saving Private Ryan. Based on the premise that it is wrong to forget the men who fought in the war and their sacrifice. World War 2 and the men who gave their lives is meant to be more than just a memory. Wearing a "hat of commemoration" is important in our review of the war.

All historical narratives are perspective constructions

The main point behind the idea moral oversimplification. Our knowledge of history comes from narratives that are in themselves perspectival constructions. This might be obvious but has profound implications. It's important to approach each narrative as its own perspective, not as something that did indeed happen.

P-51B

The top fighter plane in WW2 that belonged to the US. Carried extra fuel tanks to get farther into Europe and dropped its empty fuel tanks along the way. Very long range bomber escorts. Significant because control of the skies was essential to have a successful invasion into Germany.

V-1

Unmanned German jet bomber. Referred to as a "Doodlebug." Could be easily shot since it was very slow and straight flying.

The Age of Uncertainty (????)

Value shift from religious to secular. Loss of general feeling of values of WW1 - decrease in religious. Economic downturns. Disillusionment.

Tom Brokaw's The Greatest Generation

Visited 40th anniversary at Normandy. The title of his book but a term that refers to the generation that endured the Great Depression, then went on to fight World War 2, as well as those who stayed home and made a material contribution in the war effort. He argued that it was the greatest generation because people fought not for, fame and recognition, but because "it was the right thing to do"