World War I Facts You Might Not Yet Know

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World War I Facts You Might Not Yet Know

Hopefully you'll come away knowing something you didn't know before.

Published 9 months ago in Wow

There are more facts, figures, and stories about World War II than even the most dedicated historians will ever know.

But if you're still interested in learning more about the "The War," it's worth checking out this collection of 15 facts and stories you might not know. They won't give you a history degree, but hopefully you'll come away knowing something you didn't know before.

1
Bill Millin, a Scottish bagpiper who was among the first waves to invade the beaches on D-Day. Piper Bill walked up and down Sword beach playing highland tunes. Some Germans who claimed to have seen him didn't shoot because they believed he was crazy. He lived through the war, and died August 17, 2010.

2
Jumping Joe Beyrle of the 101st Airborne escaped a POW camp to the Soviet line, and became the only known person to fight for both the USA and Red Army in the war.

3
The recorded speech Emperor Hirohito gave to unconditionally surrender was the first time the general population of Japan had ever heard his voice.

4
The city of Zwolle, in the Netherlands, was liberated from the Nazis almost singlehandedly by a Canadian, Leo Major from Quebec. He ran around and caused enough racket for the Nazis to believe they were under attack by a larger force, and warned them about an upcoming artillery barrage, causing the Nazis to withdraw from the city with minimal civilian casualties.

5
US Soldiers stationed in Italy attempted to get coffee locally, but the Italians did coffee differently; the espressos and cappuccinos you get at your local shop today. Regular, water-through-grounds brewed coffee was unheard of. To alleviate this problem and satiate the soldiers' palates, the Americano was born. Espresso diluted with hot water to simulate regular coffee.

6
A group of Koreans fought for Japan, were captured by the Soviets and conscripted into their army until they were captured by Germany, and then conscripted into their army as well. After fighting for Japan, the Soviet Army and Germany, they were captured by the US Army in France.

7
Concealing the real D-Day plan was critical. Operation Mincemeat saw the British throw a body into the Mediterranean with false orders to confuse the Germans prior to the attack.

8
Japanese soldier Hiroo Onoda did not surrender until 1974, after being stranded in the Jungle for decades.

9
They also set up an army using cardboard cutouts and inflatable tanks to trick the Germans into concentrating their forces and leaving Normandy open.

10
Tsutomu Yamaguchi was on a work trip to Hiroshima when the atom bomb went off. He then returned to his job/home in Nagasaki and was describing the blast to his unbelieving boss when the Nagasaki bomb went off. He survived both atom bombings.

11
John Malcolm Thorpe Fleming "Jack" Churchill, better known as "Mad Jack" Churchill had the only confirmed enemy kill of the war using a longbow and arrow.