After a Luftwаffe pilоt saw the SS kіlling Jеws, he faked illnеss to avoid combаt, missed targets, and tampered with bоmbs. For 20 years after the wаr, he anоnymously donаted 2/3 of his incоme to Jеwish orphаns and Holоcaust survіvors. In 1965, he emigrated to Israеl and convеrted to Judаism.
WWII
Alarm clock production in…
Alarm clock production in the United States was stopped in 1942 to redirect resources to the war effort. Production was restarted in 1944, as too many workers missed their shifts when their alarm clock broke and they could not purchase a new one.
Shoichi Yokoi was a sergeant in the Japanese…
Shoichi Yokoi was a sergeant in the Japanese Army during WW2. He went into hiding after the Battle of Guam, living in the jungle with several others for 28 years, though he was alone for the remaining 8 years. He survived by hunting, primarily at night. He also used native plants to make clothes, bedding, and storage implements, which he carefully hid in his cave. After his capture he returned to Japan, married and became a popular TV personality. “It is with much embarrassment that I return,” he said upon his return to Japan. The remark quickly became a popular saying in Japan.
Hans Münch was a doctor known as The Good…
Hans Münch was a doctor known as The Good Man of Auschwitz because he refused to assist in the atrocities. His experiments were elaborate farces intended to protect inmates. He was the only person acquitted of crimes at the 1947 Auschwitz trials after many inmates testified in his favour.
Wartime psychoanalysts correctly…
Wartime psychoanalysts correctly predicted of Hitler that: As the war turns against him, his emotions will intensify and will have outbursts more frequently. His public appearances will become much rarer, because he’s unable to face a critical audience
The US Army made a tactical deception…
The US Army made a tactical deception unit known as the “Ghost Army” during World War II. This 1,100-man unit created a “traveling road show,” utilizing inflatable tanks, sound trucks, fake radio transmissions & scripts. It was kept secret for more than 40 years until declassified in 1996.
During WWII the American army…
During WWII the American army created Operation Fantasia in which foxes covered in glow in the dark paint would have been released in Japan as a form of psychological warfare. Americans didn’t really understand the Japanese culture and thought foxes would be enough to set them on edge based on what little they knew of Japan’s folk stories. The plan never reached Japan, but they did test it on some DC natives.
Hazel Ying Lee was the first Chinese-American…
Hazel Ying Lee was the first Chinese-American pilot supporting the US Army during WW2. One time, her aircraft made an emergency landing on a farm. The farmer saw her, grabbed a pitchfork, and chased her around the plane, shouting to neighbors that the Japanese had invaded Kansas.
Wearing paper clips was a symbol…
Wearing paper clips was a symbol of rejecting Nazi ideals and racism during WWII.
The 442nd Infantry Regiment was comprised…
The 442nd Infantry Regiment was comprised almost entirely of Japanese American soldiers during WW2. In total, about 18,000 men served, ultimately earning 9,486 Purple Hearts and 21 Medals of Honor, making it the most decorated combat unit in US history.
The only existing film footage of Anne Frank
The only existing film footage of Anne Frank is posted on YouTube by the Amsterdam museum.
The girl next door to Anne is getting married and the footage shows a 13-year-old Anne leaning out of a window to get a good look at the bride and groom.
Britain removed all their road signs…
Britain removed all their road signs during World War II so that if the Germans invaded, they would get lost. These defensive preparations included the removal of signposts, milestones, and railway station signs. Gas pumps were also removed from service stations near their coast.