Assassination Attempts on Hitler’s Life

http://members.iinet.net.au/~gduncan/assassination_attempts.html

Hitler contributed alot to Germany during the war, he was their leader. But this link above shows Assassination Attempts on Hitler’s Life. Many people tried to kill him during the war and outside the war because things had gone to far and hitler was to blame for this. So the link takes you to a site where they peoples name who tried to kill hitler and the information, about the whereabouts of the location and how it was prevented.

Holocaust

At the extermination camps with gas chambers all the prisoners arrived by train. Sometimes entire trainloads were sent straight to the gas chambers, but usually the camp doctor on duty subjected individuals to selections, where a small percentage were deemed fit to work in the slave labor camps; the majority were taken directly from the platforms to a reception area where all their clothes and other possessions were seized by the Nazis to help fund the war. They were then herded naked into the gas chambers. Usually they were told these were showers or delousing chambers, and there were signs outside saying "baths" and "sauna." They were sometimes given a small piece of soap and a towel so as to avoid panic, and were told to remember where they had put their belongings for the same reason. When they asked for water because they were thirsty after the long journey in the cattle trains, they were told to hurry up, because coffee was waiting for them in the camp, and it was getting cold.

WWII Animals

In world was 2 many animals were used to fight or carry messages. Dogs were used as suicide bombers as bombs were strapped to there backs and they would sprint to the enemy and explode. The soviets used them to go to explosives, tanks, armored veichles, etc. The idea was a disaster when against big armies because the dogs would get confused. Pigeons were proposed to be able to guide bombs but the idea was turned down. Instead the pigeons were used to send messages to the other forces. The animals that really contributed to the war would revieve Dickin Medals which was a bronze medal that had the words "For Gallantry" and "We also searve" engraved on it. In WWII 54 medals were awaded. 32 to pigeons, 18 to dogs, 3 to horses and one to a cat. The pigeons got awards for succesfully sending important messages. The dogs got it for rescuing people. The horses got it for controlling traffic, following flying bombs (aircrafts carrying a large explosive warhead), and remaining calm in a fire. The cat got it for disposing many rats on a ship even though it was injured. One dog, Judy, was rewarded a Dickin Medal. She was on a ship and pointed to a ship long before anyone on the ship could see it. The shipw as sunk and all of the crew, including judy became prisoners of war. Doing what she could to help out, she would find food and raise moral in the prison. She is the only animal to have officially been registered as a Japanese prisoner of war.

Fun Facts on WW2

• The first German serviceman killed in the war was killed by the Japanese (China, 1937)
• The first American serviceman killed was killed by the Russians (Finland 1940).
• 80% of Soviet males born in 1923 didn't survive World War 2
• The highest ranking American killed was Lt. Gen. Lesley McNair, killed by the US Army Air Corps.
• Between 1939 and 1945 the Allies dropped 3.4 million tons of bombs, An average of about 27,700 tons of bombs each month.
• 12,000 heavy bombers were shot down in World War 2
• 2/3 of Allied bomber crews were lost for each plane destroyed
• 3 or 4 ground men were wounded for each killed
• 6 bomber crewmen were killed for each one wounded
• Over 100,000 Allied bomber crewmen were killed over Europe
• There were 433 Medals of Honor awarded during World War 2, 219 of them were given after the receipiant's death
• From 6 June 1944 to 8 May 1945 in Europe the Allies had 200,000 dead and 550,000 wounded
• The youngest US serviceman was 12 year old Calvin Graham, USN.
• He was wounded in combat and given a Dishonorable Discharge for lying about his age. (His benefits were later restored by act of Congress).
• At the time of Pearl Harbor, the top US Navy command was called CINCUS (pronounced "sink us"), the shoulder patch of the US Army's 45^th Infantry division was the swastika, and Hitler's private train was named "Amerika". All three were soon changed for PR purposes.
• Germany lost 110 Division Commanders in combat
• 40,000 men served on U-Boats during World War 2; 30,000 never returned
• German Me-264 bombers were capable of bombing New York City but it wasn't worth the effort.
• A number of air crewmen died of farts. (ascending to 20,000 ft. in an un-pressurized aircraft causes intestinal gas to expand 300%!)
• Germany lost 40-45% of their aircraft during World War 2 to accidents
• The Russians destroyed over 500 German aircraft by ramming them in midair (they also sometimes cleared minefields by marching over them). "It takes a brave man not to be a hero in the Red Army". - Joseph Stalin
• The average German officer slot had to be refilled 9.2 times
• The US Army had more ships that the US Navy.

Holocaust

The most important part of the Holocaust began on January 30, 1933 when Hilter became Chancellor. Shorty in February 1933, there was a big fire at the Reichstag (German Parliament building), without any proof set by an arsonist but possibly set by the Nazis, which gave the Nazis the advantage to secure total powers for Hitler. (note that Hitler was Chancellor that time, not president). Hitler’s boss, President von Hindenburg, an honest and aged World War I German hero, completely disliked Hilter but couldn’t try to prevent him at this stage of the very near end of his life.

Hilter became president and kept the Chancellor position also after von Hindenburg dies. The approval of Hitler’s total powers was put to the German people’s approval by 90%.

The Holocaust actions continued dring 1935-1937. Jews were banned from serving in the military(which they had proudly served in WWI). One event that occurred in 1936 also took pressure off Jew citizens temporarily. In March 1938 Austria fell into Nazi camp as they were forced into a union with Germnay.

1939 was a very active year for the Nazis as they tried to take over Czechoslovakia and started WWII by conquering Poland which contained over 3 million Jews(the largest Jewish population of all country in Europe). It was also a active year in the Holocaust as ill-treatment of the Jews were speeded up.

The WWII holocaust with its curel act against the jews, was one of the most terrible events in the history of mankind. Over 6,000,000 people died in the Holocaust.

Failure of Appeasement

During the 1930s, many politicians in both France and Britain came to see that the terms of the Treaty of Versailles had placed a limiting condition on Germany that were unfair. Hitler’s actions were seen as understandable and justifiable.

When Germany began to re-arm in 1934, many politicians felt that Germany had a right to re-arm to protect their country. It was also argued that a stronger Germany is, the more it would prevent the spread of Communism to the west.

In 1936, Hilter argued that because France had signed a new treaty with Russia, Germany was under threat from both countries and that it was extremely important to German security that troops were stationed in the Rhineland. France was not strong enough to fight Germany without British help and that time Britain was not prepared to go to war. Besides, many believed that since the Rhineland was a part of Germany, it was reasonable that German troops should be stationed at there.

In May 1937, Neville Chamberlain became Prime Minster of Britain. He believed that the Treaty of Versailles had treated Germany badly and that there were a lot of problems involved with the Treaty that need to be put right. He also felt that giving in to Hitler’s demands would cause another war.

This policy, adopted by Chamberlain’s government became to known as the policy of Appeasement.

Here is the common political cartoon associated with the Non-Aggression Pact.

THE CHALLENGE:  Use Soapstone to construct a point of view statement for this cartoon....post it under comments.

This American propaganda encourages their soldiers to continue fighting the Japanese, who are portrayed as killers. The American soldiers are supposed to stay on task and massacre all these murdering Japanese. The picture given in the propaganda and the cutout of the newspaper article further strengthens the proof by the Americans that the Japanese are not worthy to stay alive. Not only does this propaganda distinguish the enemies, but it also motivates the soldiers to fight on...

History of the Luftwaffe

One of the strongest weapons in Germany is the Luftwaffe. Luftwaffe was one of the strongest, most doctrinally advanced, and most battle-experienced air forces in the world when World War II started in Europe in September 1939.

When the WWII started, Luftwaffe was one of the most modern, powerful and experienced.The Luftwaffe became an essential component in the "Blitzkrieg". Operating as a tactical close support air force, it helped the German armies to conquer the bulk of the European continent in a series of short and decisive campaigns in the first nine months of the war. It experienced its first defeat by "The Few" of the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Battle of Britain in 1940 as it could not adapt into a strategic role.

Sadako Sasaki and The Thousand Paper Cranes

An ancient Japanese legend promises that anyone who manages to fold a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish by the crane. The wish may be a long life or recovery from an illness or injury, the crane in Japan is considered to be one of the holiest creatures (other than the dragon and the tortoise), and is said to live for a 1000 years.

Sadako Sasaki was a 12 year old Japanese girl who died from radiation sickness, an after effect of the atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. At the time of the explosion in 1945, Sadako was 2 years old, and living about a mile from ground zero. By November 1954, chicken pox had been spotted on her neck and behind her ears, then on January 1955, purple spots had began to form on her legs. Soon enough, she was diagnosed with leukemia, something her mother called an atom bomb disease. In the year 1955 she was hospitalized, but her chance of recovery was almost zero, in fact, she was given at the most, a year to live. On August 3, 1955, Sadako's best friend, Chizuko Hamamoto came to visit and folded a gold piece of paper into crane. At first Sadako didn't understand why Chizuko was folding a crane, but then Chizuko told her the story about the paper cranes. Wanting to quickly recover, Sadako decided to continue folding cranes, though lacking paper, she would instead use medicine wrappings and anything else she could find that could be used as a substitute for paper. But, she never got better. With her family around her, Sadako died on the morning of October 25, 1955.

After her death, Sadako's friends and schoolmates published a set of letters in order to raise funds to help build a memorial to her and all of the children who had died from the after effects of the atomic bomb. In 1958, a statue of Sadako holding a golden crane was built in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. At the foot of the statue is a plaque that reads:

"This is our cry. This is our prayer. Peace in the world."

Hopefully, the story will help remind our generation and future generations the horrors of the atomic bomb, and how it killed innocent children and people. The atomic bomb is another destructive weapon that shouldn’t ever be used or produced again.

Events (mostly about Japan)

1937: Japan goes to war with China
July 1939: Roosevelt announces that Treaty of Commerce and Navigation will not be renewed
July 2, 1940: U.S. Congress passes Export Control Act
August: Japan declares greater East Asia co-prosperity sphere
September 27: Japan signs Tripartite Pact with Germany and Italy
January 1941: Yamamoto prepares plan for attack on Pearl Harbor
July: Japanese troops occupy Indochina
October: Hirohito gives general approval for Pearl Harbor attack
November 8: Hirohito approves formal battle plan for attack in December
November 26: Japanese attack fleet sets sail from Japan
December 7: Japan launches surprise attack on Pearl Harbor
December 8: United States and Britain declare war on Japan
December 11: Germany declares war on United States

"Never Again"

Yad Vashem is a museum-university-memorial to what Israeli's refer to as the Shoah or "burning." I have been there 3-4 times as a teacher and as an explorer desiring to unlock the fundamental problems that the Holocaust presents to rational and ethical human beings.

There are certain parts of Yad Vashem that will always remain with me. There is a room that is totally dark except for one, small pocket of light that is refracted and reflected off mirrors to present millions of smaller pieces of light into the dark room...Each tiny piece of light is meant to represent each child that died in the Holocaust.

Another section is a garden that memorializes the "Righteous Among the Nations" or gentiles (non-jews) that risked death to help save Jewish lives. Yad Vashem as a university explores these cases using historical methods to bestow the title of Righteous Among the Nations to individuals who acted courageously in the face of genocide.

I urge you to explore this web site and to keep in mind a cultures necessity in collecting their histories for future generations.

7 FUN FACTS.

DID YOU KNOW?

- From 1939 until WWII end, the Allies dropped 3.4 million up tons of bomb, mostly in the industrial of the German's cities.

- For four man wounded, one were killed.

- 40,000 men work in the U-Boats but 30,000 died. :(

- Chances of your death of being a japanese pilot is 74%.

- When the Allies reached the Rhine, one of Germans most important source of clean water. They pee’d on it, including Churchill himself. - -"

- 40 to 45 % of German planes were destroyed by accidents.

- When the Canadians and Americans troops reached the island of Kiska, 21 person died in a fire fight….between the American and Canadian.

Burma-Thailand Death Railway in World War 2

The railway was built from Kanchanaburi, Thailand to Burma to be a path to send supplies for the Japanese. More than 280,000 prisoners were forced to build the railway 10 days in a row and had only one day off. Obviously, around ten thousand people didn't survive. It was one of the most cruel, terrifying labour camps in the world history.

Cruelty and callousness were able to be observed in this labor camp. People who were sick and felt too tired to work were all beaten up or being torture to death. Workers were also starving and there was none of medical care. In the records, there were about 90,000 deaths but in reality, the death rate could go up to 150,000 as no records of them were kept.

Not only the prisoners were being tortured. The officers who were too kind to obey the order (to beat people who didn't work so hard) would be captured and bodily tortured in the prison for a month. Many of Japanese soldiers were left out and were told that their lives meant nothing, if they died, there'd be plenty to be replaced.

However, the construction took around 8 months. With the terrifying occurrence during the building of the railway made people call this the Death Railway. Therefore, some part of the railroad still left for us to see in Kanchanaburi and some in Burma. It was one of the terrible things happened in our history due to the inhumanity of 'humans'

by: Pupp

Invasion of Poland

The decision of Adolf Hitler to invade Poland was a gamble. The Wehrmacht (the German Army) was not yet at full strength and the German economy was still locked into peacetime production. As such, the invasion alarmed Hitler's generals and raised opposition to his command - and leaks of his war plans to Britain and France.

Hitler's generals urged caution and asked for more time to complete the defences of the 'West Wall', in order to stem any British and French counter-offensive in the west while the bulk of the Wehrmacht was engaged in the east. Their leader dismissed their concerns, however, and demanded instead their total loyalty.

Hitler was confident that the invasion of Poland would result in a short, victorious war for two important reasons. First, he was convinced that the deployment of the world's first armoured corps would swiftly defeat the Polish armed forces in a blitzkrieg offensive. Secondly, he judged the British and French prime-ministers, Neville Chamberlain and Edouard Daladier, to be weak, indecisive leaders who would opt for a peace settlement rather than war.

Facts about Japanese -Japanese's aggressiveness

Has anyone wondered why Japanese never let the enemy caught them after losing a battle as a prisoners? Every time they were about to lose, they wouldn’t let others to capture them but they’d commit suicide. Also, the Banzai charge and Kamikaze attacks were the attacks that used the pilot to fly to the specific target and simply do the bombing suicide. So, why did the Japanese use a lot of suicide tactics in the World War II instead of surrendering or just ‘Hit and Run’?

According to what I’ve read, one interesting fact about Japan in the World War II was how people never gave up or surrendered. If they were about to capture, they’d self-scarified to prevent from capturing as prisoners. The only group of people who got captured was because they were too badly injured and couldn’t disembowel themselves. Japanese believed they’d die rather than being caught and needed to go serve another country. It was warrior’s tradition to have the belief that they had to die with honor to their country.

For the Kamikaze attacks, with great eager from their leaders, Japanese had their intention to make high accuracy attack to the target. Therefore, it happened to be suicide drives to American ships. Also, it saved Japan’s fuel because it’d be a one-way trip to the target. The pilots had no fear to die, they believed they'd get a place in heaven after done an honor to their beloved country.

Figure one~

Hara-kiri

(Disembowelment)

by: Pupp

Nazi Medical Experiments

Adolf Hitler surrounded himself with a small clique of fanatical, ruthless henchmen - a violent group of outsiders who rose to power in the Third Reich and established political and economic institutions of legitimized terror. Hitler's henchmen were found to be quite psychologically normal. They were men of fine standing, husbands who morning and night kissed their wives, fathers who tucked their children into bed. But they were men often seen as the very personifications of evil. Inhuman acts were an everyday occurrence - killings, mass gassing of men, women and children, brutalities, cruelties, tortures, atrocities, medical experiments .. The Nazi doctors would torture Jewish children, Gypsy children and many others. Patients were put into pressure chambers, tested with drugs, castrated, frozen to death, and exposed to various other traumas. At Auschwitz Josef Mengele (picture above), The Angel Of Death, did a number of twin studies, and these twins were usually murdered after the experiment was over and their bodies dissected.

*watch a slide show of pictures during the experiments here--http://www.genocide.capote.dk/

Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler.

Mein Kampf

by Adolf Hitler

Mein Kampf was a book written by Adolf Hitler in the 1923, after he was sentenced to go to jail for five years for the cause of taking part in the Beer Hall Putsch. The title of this book 'Mein Kampf' in english meant 'My struggle'. Mein Kampf was a title short for Viereinhalb Jahre (des Kampfes) gegen Lüge, Dummheit und Feigheit, or Four and a Half Years (of Struggle) Against Lies, Stupidity and Cowardice. The book was a mixture of autobiography, political ideas and an explanation of the techniques of propaganda. In this book Hitler also described the Germans as the Aryan race, which basically means that they're the master of races. Hitler believes that Germans as the Aryan race, should have the rights to take over all the lands. However, Hitler also believed that the Aryan race was being threatened by the Jews, who he described as dirty, liars, lazy, and etc,. In Mein Kampf Hitler declared that: "The external security of a people in largely determined by the size of its territory." If he won power Hitler promised to take over Russian's land that would give both protection and living space for the German people.

-Tutu.

♥

Brief Information about the Pacific War.....

Do you know that the Pacific war is one of the cause that lead to WW2? Yes it does and here is a brief summary of the Pacific War. The Pacific War was at first a conflict between the Empire of Japan and the Republic of China, but it grew bigger and bigger and finally becomes part of the second World war. It started when USA, the allied of China, stop giving oil resources to Japan, and since Japan was the greatest country of the east, they think they should get what ever they wanted and so they bomb the Pearl Harbor [Hawaii] of the United states of America. That was a big mistake of Japan because USA had better weapons and the event eventually made the USA mad. So the USA react by using the atomic bomb to bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki a province of Japan.

THE FALL OF FRANCE

After the Germans successfully drove the British out of France, they launched a new attack on the French, driving them back to all fronts. Later on, Hitler’s ally, Mussolini of Italy, declared war on France and an Italian army invaded southern France. As the Germans advanced, the French government fled from Paris in confusion and the Prime Minister resigned and was replaced by a retired army general, Marshal Pétain. Marshal Pétain signed an armistice or cease-fire(an agreement to temporary stop the war in which each side agrees with the other to suspend aggressive actions), with the Germans. According to this armistice, the Germans occupied all northern and eastern France. The south was to be governed by Marshal Pétain (based in the town of Vichy). In less than a year, the Germans had conquered six European nations. Only Britain was still at war with Germany. Hitler believed that Britain doesn’t want to fight anymore so he offered to make peace on moderate terms but however, Churchill rejected them and chose to fight on. Hitler therefore ordered an invasion of Britain by the combined air, sea and land forces of Germany. The British prepared to resist invasion. Over a million men joined a volunteer defense force (Home Guard) and are willing to die fighting instead of giving up.