Many students learn about World War II in school during history class, but it’s not uncommon for them to forget all they’ve learned once those lectures are over. Instead, much of what we know and understand about the war comes from various forms of media. 

There’s a strong chance you’ve seen something about World War II outside of your history lectures, whether it’s the renowned film Saving Private Ryan or the popular video game Call of Duty. 

However, there are a number of strange facts and anecdotes that people simply do not discuss. 

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• Here are five of the most fascinating and little-known WWII facts you probably didn’t know:
• 1. It was in 1974 that the last Japanese soldier surrendered
• 2. During WWII, strange weapons were used, such as the German cannon, which could fire over the sea
• 3. A bear served in the military in Poland
• 4. Gandhi attempted to send Hitler a message of peace
• 5. A stressed-out German commander left his station and went to a spa

Here are five of the most fascinating and little-known WWII facts you probably didn’t know:

1. It was in 1974 that the last Japanese soldier surrendered

It is not uncommon for troops to fight for a cause after their country has surrendered. This is simply the reality of fighting a combat spanning numerous continents and countries. 

But when the final fighting soldier surrenders some thirty years after the combat ends, the situation becomes peculiar.

This is what happened to Teruo Nakamura, a native Taiwanese soldier who enlisted in the Japanese forces at the start of the war. 

While his squad escaped into an Indonesian forest, he assumed the fight was still continuing. He managed to subsist on his own, hunting for whatever food he could find, until he was discovered in December 1974.

2. During WWII, strange weapons were used, such as the German cannon, which could fire over the sea

WWII is recognized for having some really interesting weaponry. The V-3 cannon, a massive weapon capable of hurling missiles from Germany over the sea into England, was one of the most ambitious undertakings. 

Instead of rockets, the V-3 would be a fixed cannon capable of shooting projectiles up to 100 miles over the sea from mainland Europe into the United Kingdom. Fortunately, the gun was never built due to bombing runs that destroyed it before it was finished. 

3. A bear served in the military in Poland

Eden Camp

A company of Polish troops was evacuated from the Soviet Union and made their way to Iran in 1942. They befriended a Syrian brown bear named Wojtek along the journey. He was officially enrolled as a private in the unit. 

From 1943 through 1944, the guys were in Italy, bringing the bear with them. It was useful for transporting large ammunition and immediately became a star among the troops.

Wojtek was eventually discharged after the war and lived in Edinburgh Zoo contentedly until his death in 1963.

4. Gandhi attempted to send Hitler a message of peace

Mahatma Gandhi was one of the world’s greatest peacemakers, although most people are unaware that he was alive during WWII. 

Gandhi was so committed to peace that he attempted to write a letter to Hitler, addressing him as a ‘dear friend’ and praying that he cease the war. However, it is unknown whether the messages reached Hitler.

5. A stressed-out German commander left his station and went to a spa

Heinrich Himmler was one of Hitler’s initial supporters, eventually becoming the chief of the Schutzstaffel (SS) and taking command of Army force Vistula, a force of 500,000 men tasked with protecting Berlin. 

Unfortunately, Himmler, who needed daily naps and massages and only worked a few hours a day, found this assignment far too difficult. Army Group Vistula was eventually overrun, and Himmler resigned. 

He sought solace at the Hohenlychen Sanatorium resort and even attempted to broker a peace accord with the advancing Allied armies.

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Source: tit.edu.vn