The Decisive Role of Artillery in World War II
World War II commenced in 1939 when Germany invaded Poland, engaging more than 100 million military personnel from 30 nations. The U.S. played a pivotal role, particularly with its artillery in significant battles. Following Japan's assault on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, which resulted in the destruction of 29 Japanese aircraft, the United States joined the conflict. Artillery was essential during Operation Torch in November 1942 and the D-Day landings in Normandy, which featured naval bombardments. In 1944, American gunners faced German artillery during the Battle of the Bulge. By March 1945, over 5,000 artillery units were active in Operations Plunder and Varsity, and artillery proved crucial in the Pacific, especially at Iwo Jima and Okinawa. In September 1945, President Truman approved the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Key facts
- World War II began in 1939 with the German invasion of Poland.
- Over 100 million personnel from 30 countries were involved.
- Axis powers initially gained momentum, with Germany controlling much of Western Europe by 1941.
- Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, leading to US entry into the war.
- American anti-aircraft crews destroyed 29 Japanese planes during the Pearl Harbor attack.
- Operation Torch in November 1942 marked the first major Allied campaign in Africa.
- Artillery was crucial in D-Day landings and the Battle of the Bulge.
- Over 5,000 artillery pieces supported Operation Plunder in March 1945.
- At Okinawa, the Tenth Army fired over 1.1 million rounds.
- Fire direction centers, introduced in the 1930s, were used successfully and are still in use.
- General Patton attributed Allied victory solely to artillery.
- President Harry Truman authorized the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in September 1945.
Entities
Institutions
- New York Public Library
- Smithsonian Institution
- Library of Congress
- United States Tenth Army
- USS Iowa
- USS New Jersey
Locations
- Poland
- Germany
- Denmark
- Luxembourg
- Belgium
- Norway
- France
- Netherlands
- North Africa
- Egypt
- Libya
- China
- Korea
- Taiwan
- Vietnam
- Philippines
- Thailand
- Pearl Harbor
- Hawaii
- Oahu
- Hickam Airfield
- Wheeler Airfield
- Bellows Airfield
- Kāne’ohe Naval Air Station
- Schofield Barracks
- Ewa Marine Corps Air Station
- Morocco
- Algeria
- Tunisia
- Kasserine Pass
- Sicily
- Normandy
- Bastogne
- St. Vith
- Rhine River
- Henderson Field
- Guadalcanal
- Tarawa
- Saipan
- Iwo Jima
- Okinawa
- Hiroshima
- Nagasaki
- Washington DC