The Key Events That Led to WWII

War doesn’t just start on whim.  It always comes to a tipping point, but before this, there are key events leading up to its outbreak.  World War II was no different.

World War II was an effect of the turmoil left by World War I.  The Treaty of Versailles concluded the war between Germany and the Allied Powers.  However, since Germany lost, the treaty was rather harsh against the Germans.  They were required to pay reparations, but since they lost, the German economy was in ruins, making the burden too difficult to bear.

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In the period before World War II, Japan was expanding rapidly.  But since it was an island nation, the Japanese did not have the natural resources to support their growth.  As an empire, they invaded the likes of Manchuria and China.

Other countries were taken over by dictators who formed fascist governments, with the only objective being creating the biggest empire possible.  Franco took over Spain, Mussolini took over Italy, and Hitler took over Germany, wherein the Nazi party ruled with such power and influence.

Soon enough, Hitler took over Austria, and then Czechoslovakia.  By means of appeasement, other big European countries, like France and Britain, who were interested in keeping the peace thought it would be wise to make Hitler happy, rather than try to go against him.  It turned out that they were wrong, because it only made Hitler bolder.

This imbalance was the perfect condition for war to erupt.  The Axis powers were formed, and soon enough Pearl Harbor was bombed.  That was the beginning of what remains to this day as the biggest devastation known to man.

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Largely because his father served in World War II, John Eilermann became a huge World War II aficionado.  Learn more about war history by following him on Twitter.

A Forgotten Ally? India In World War II

What was India’s role during World War II? While other people think that India was a relatively safe place to live in during the years of the war, the country served as a supply ground for the Allies—against the Japanese—in the Southeast Asian region. In battles of the Tobruk, Kohima, Imphal, and Monte Cassino, many Indian soldiers risked their lives to protect their land and faction. The Fourteenth Army, composed of Indian, African, and British forces, strived to take Burma back for the Allies.

Image source: Wikipedia

Not all Indians went to war as soldiers to support the Allies. Many of them worked behind the scenes as mechanics, shoemakers, cooks, and tailors. There were also women who mined coal until they gave birth. Their work was not as glamorous as fighting enemies, but they made sure the people on their team kept going.

Many Indians died in industrial accidents, like in an explosion in Bombay harbor in the 1940s. A ship full of cotton and explosives was set on fire, which blew warships and left 80,000 locals homeless. Dock and factory workers also suffered from aerial suffocation. These people did not write their memoirs of the war because the fiery, bloody conflict made a way for them to live by getting paid to work. There were also elite South Asians who made a fortune because of the war.

History does not acknowledge much of the importance of India during World War II. India was not directly an ally, but the people did their best to serve their side. Some historians say that India’s effort in the war was not forgotten, but was just simply unknown to many.

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The Impact Of Wwii On The Philippine Islands

World War II spanned continents and sent a ripple of massive change to every single country it touched. Most history lessons talk about the immediate effects of the war in America and Europe; yet for my part, I encourage everyone to remember the Philippines and how it became a critical war point in which both political sides gravitated.

 Image Source: dailymail.co.uk

The Philippines is an archipelago located in South East Asia and was key in the Allies strategy in gaining dominance over Japan. The islands provided Americans the opportunity to sufficiently deploy troops in a relatively safe, and invitingly near area. After setting up base in certain regions, the Philippines became somewhat of an American naval station.

This led to the Japanese invading and laying claim of the country during the latter parts of the war. The invasion led to the massive destruction of its capital, Manila. In fact, history books recall the Battle of Manila as one of the worst in terms of overall structure destruction. It was also during this time that the Japanese fought for control of the Philippine Islands. The overwhelming sense of war drove the naturally independent tribes of the nation to band together. In an unforeseen turn of events, the war caused the Filipinos to work together to neither represent the Allies nor the Axis powers.

 Image Source: dailymail.co.uk

World War II began its end after Hiroshima and Nagasaki were bombed. The Japanese officially surrendered and everyone paused for the horror of what was released. For the Philippine people, however, they too picked up the pieces of a destroyed nation. The war left its traces among the people. They could no longer ignore that they united for a single cause. After only a few short years of working with the United States, the Philippines declared itself an independent nation. Many historians attribute this action as a product of World War II.

My name is John F. Eilermann, an avid World War II enthusiast. I try to learn as much as I can about the war and share my learnings on this Facebook page.

Wwii And Technology: How The War Changed The Way We Live Now

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War is never an easy word to say. Just the very mention of it conjures images of death and destruction. There is a saying that goes something along the lines of “No one wins at war.” There is truth in that, but it would be a very naïve person to think that there have been no benefits to war. I do not mean to offend. By no accounts am I promoting war or death. Yet war has given us certain technologies, which have benefited us.

For example, many people forget that radar and sonar technologies were developed during World War II. Radar is an acronym for RAdio Detection And Ranging while sonar is for SOund Navigation And Ranging. Both of these technologies were constructed for intelligence-building and scanning. German engineers developed the radar technology to improve their attack and counter-attack operations. As both the Axis and Allied powers developed the technology, so did its usage. What was initially used to enhance airplane location and landings were now used to improve communication among groups. When the war ended, the technology was adapted for everyday purposes. The military still uses it, as well as various industries. Similarly, sonar is no longer limited to submarine usage. Many scientists use sonar ] in their researches. 

Image Source: universetoday.com

World War II can be studied in many different ways. I think that its positive effects – as they were – should also be highlighted. Again, I cannot stress the intention behind this. The study of war should be done with an objective mindset, viewing both the negative and positive effects of the experience. I merely wanted to point out that certain aspects of our lives now have benefitted from the technologies spurred by war. 

Hi! I am John Eilermann and I am a World War II buff. I like studying and reading about history and posting some of my insights online. Learn more when you follow me on Twitter.

Reliving The Memory: World War Ii Items Worth Collecting

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In memory of my father and the hundred thousand troops who fought for America, World War II items and memorabilia enable people to keep their memories alive—to relive the honor and pride our soldiers have brought to our country.

My father joined the U.S. Army when he migrated from Hannover at the start of World War II. After his death, I continued collecting items from different parts of the country. For those who want to start a collection, here are some items to consider:

Vintage photos. If you are a visual collector, vintage photos taken during World War II can be a great starting point. You can find a lot of them online with replicas starting from $5. If you are looking for something more authentic, however, get ready to spare hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Autographed photos of famed generals like General Eisenhower, General Patton, and General MacArthur can be worth thousands of dollars apiece.

Uniforms. American and German uniforms are widely available for purchase at online stores like eBay. They come in many styles from a variety of countries. Some of the most popular uniforms include jacket, shirt, and trousers. Other items like helmets and cuffs are also available but are more expensive ranging from $1,500 to $4,000 or more.

Image source: www.museumstorecompany.com

Medals. Considered among the most versatile types of World War II memorabilia, medals can serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made by our soldiers. They come in very small sizes, which make an ideal collector’s item for those who want to save space.

World War II items bring back lot memories about our past as well as lessons about honor and pride. These items serve as a reminder of our history that helped shape what our country is today.

Hello everyone, I am John Eilermann, and I am deeply interested in World War II. Follow me on Twitter for more discussions on World War II items and memorabilia.

A Look Back in History: World War II Sites to Visit in France

For casual travellers, France is a country made for romance, woven around unfalteringly culture-filled cafe terraces, vintage villages, and lace-curtained bistros. But what many fail to appreciate is its rich history, and to this day, reminders of World War II dot the hexagon.

In 1940, the world saw the battle of France and the fall of its third republic. Paris, touted as the city of love, was ablaze with millions of prisoners facing military wrath.

Image Source: www.france-pub.com

 So the next time you visit this great country, here are some historic World War II sites you may want to consider making part of your itinerary:

Pointe Du Hoc. Occupied by English forces during the Hundred Years' War, Normandy is one of the most haunting places to visit in France. In this region lies Pointe Du Hoc, a 100-meter-high cliff on the coast of Normandy in northern France. The site features prominent bomb craters and a memorial and museum dedicated to the battle.

Sainte-Mère-Église. Also found in Normandy, the flat area, also known as “le Plain,” has become one of Europe’s tourist hubs. Due to its role during the D-Day invasion—the first day Western Europe was critically invaded—the site features small museums commemorating the story of the Great War.

Image Source: www.theatlantic.com

Camp de Rivesaltes. The camp, which is situated on a rail route 40 km from the Spanish border, was considered a strategic position for the French army during the Second World War. At the time, the site was used as a detainment camp, where thousands of Jews and over hundreds of children were murdered.

Indeed, France is more than just a place of love. It is a well-preserved republic that encapsulates one of the darkest ages in world history.

Learn more historical facts about World War II from this John Eilermann blog.