World War 2

Introduction

The start of World War II prompted countries to make large technological advances. With the war raging all around the world, and more and more countries entering the fray, it was especially important for governments to continue to develop new technologies to get a step up on their opponents. Many new weapons, vehicles, and ways of communication were developed and used against the Axis of Power. In today's modern wars, many of these technologies have been improved and are still used in the United States Armed Forces. Still, there is debate on whether or not these new technologies were used properly and humanely during World War II and there modified counterparts in today's society.

Weapon Advancement

Guns

The introduction of automatic guns in WWII led to a change in warfare. The reloading problems were solved by larger clips of bullets and a soldier could attack a larger object or group of soldiers easier. The use of the bazooka allowed soldiers to attack tanks and buildings without setting up demolitions and prevented more casualties since the range allowed soldiers to keep a safe distance.

Tanks

Tanks were used during World War I but were not as advanced as they were in the second. Most of the tanks had radios which improved communication between each other. The tanks themselves were equipped with more armor to protect against the advancing guns. Tanks were also equipped with artillery and assault guns. Turrets gave tanks a very efficient main gun which could attack other armored objects and tanks.

Planes

World War II was the first war that was won in the air. Precision bombing and high-power guns made ground targets more vulnerable and easier to hit. Dog fighting became a major part of the war and won many battles for the US. Planes became more streamlined and the days of the bi-plane were gone. Better engines and plane structures allowed pilots to reach higher speeds and cover more ground.

Ships

The biggest advancement in naval warfare during WWII was the development of the aircraft carrier. This allowed the US to attack Japan more effectively. Planes could reach further distances and were able to return back to the carrier instead of landing in other countries airfields.

Submarines were a big part of the naval battle. The German U-boats were used for stopping and destroying boats that were carrying supplies across the Atlantic Ocean, as well as the Pacific. U-boats were a big problem for the US because they could not be located. The development of sonar helped the US defend against the German submarines.

Communication

Communications is a vital part of war and with the advancements made it helped the US pass and intercept information. The biggest inventions were radar and sonar. These services were used on planes and ships, as well as on the ground as location devices for security. On the other side, there were advances in electronic and optical areas that jammed enemy radar.

Medicine

There were three key advancements in the area of medicine during WWII. The first was in the discovery of Sulfanilamide, or sulfa powder. This medicine was poured on open wounds to prevent infection. Each soldier was given a pouch that was attached to their waist which was easily accessible. The medicine that made the biggest impact during the war was penicillin. Its use saved countless lives during the war with its effects against infection. Plasma was another big addition for wounded soldiers. Plasma was given to soldiers that lost blood during battle, and since they could receive it right on the field it prevented people from dying until they received proper medical attention.

The Atomic Bomb

The Manhattan Project

The Manhattan Project was the first group of people to develop nuclear weapons between 1942-1946. The group was led by Robert Oppenheimer, and Albert Einstein was a key scientist on the project. The group developed two bombs to be dropped over Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The Manhattan Project employed more than one hundred and twenty thousand people and spent more than two billion dollars.

Thoughts

The atomic bomb was the most catastrophic technology developed for