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What Weapon Had the Largest Impact on the Outcome of WWII?

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  • What Weapon Had the Largest Impact on the Outcome of WWII?

    Hello,

    I am doing a history report for school. I decided to do it on weapons of WWII, but more specifically, the weapon(s) that had the most significant impact on the outcome of World War II. I thought I'd ask for your opinions. The development of which weapon do YOU think played the biggest role?

    Thanks!

  • #2
    Conventionally, the radio frequency sensing proximity fuse.
    In the realm of spirit, seek clarity; in the material world, seek utility.

    Leibniz

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    • #3
      Four-engined heavy bombers of all types. We had 'em, they didn't, and NOTHING could spread destruction so far, wide, and generally. It was quite simply the reason we won.

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by ttreat31 View Post
        Hello,

        I am doing a history report for school. I decided to do it on weapons of WWII, but more specifically, the weapon(s) that had the most significant impact on the outcome of World War II. I thought I'd ask for your opinions. The development of which weapon do YOU think played the biggest role?

        Thanks!
        Ttreat,

        Go to the library and check out Richard Overy's "Why the Allies Won." A relatively quick read with several different reasons (this focuses on the war in Europe), although not all of them have to do with weapons.

        I'd have to go with radio waves in the form of radar and sonar. Radar was critical for the Battle of Britain and future operations in the battle for the air, and sonar helped put the U-boats out of business (there were plenty of tactical changes in convoy procedures as well) and allowed the US to truly bring to bear its logistical capabilities.
        "So little pains do the vulgar take in the investigation of truth, accepting readily the first story that comes to hand." Thucydides 1.20.3

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        • #5
          Thanks, I'll take a look at that!

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          • #6
            Originally posted by shek View Post
            Ttreat,

            Go to the library and check out Richard Overy's "Why the Allies Won." A relatively quick read with several different reasons (this focuses on the war in Europe), although not all of them have to do with weapons.

            I'd have to go with radio waves in the form of radar and sonar. Radar was critical for the Battle of Britain and future operations in the battle for the air, and sonar helped put the U-boats out of business (there were plenty of tactical changes in convoy procedures as well) and allowed the US to truly bring to bear its logistical capabilities.
            Not to nitpick, but sonar does not involve radio waves. OTOH, radar was nearly as important in defeating the U-boats as sonar. IIRC, we killed a lot of surfaced and snorkeling subs that we spotted with radar. I'd probably go with radar in its various forms-vitally effective in nearly every type of warfare.
            I enjoy being wrong too much to change my mind.

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            • #7
              a lot of weapons... the Russian T-34 tank is really up there....

              and for Pacific theatre, its the atom bomb, hands down...
              Cow is the only animal that not only inhales oxygen, but also exhales it.
              -Rekha Arya, Former Minister of Animal Husbandry

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              • #8
                I think I'm leaning towards sonar+radar.

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                • #9
                  I would argue that the submarine is up there as well. Of course, subs were invented earlier, so I don't know if you would include them. But between greatly prolonging the war in Europe, and virtually destroying Japan's economy, subs did pretty well. Heck, we might have forced a Japanese surrender with nothing but strategic bombing and a full naval blockade. Would've had to starve a few million Japanese children to death first, though. Thank God for nukes.
                  I enjoy being wrong too much to change my mind.

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                  • #10
                    I'm going to say the mass-production of the Liberty/Victory ships and to a somewhat lesser extent, the escorts for same.
                    “He was the most prodigious personification of all human inferiorities. He was an utterly incapable, unadapted, irresponsible, psychopathic personality, full of empty, infantile fantasies, but cursed with the keen intuition of a rat or a guttersnipe. He represented the shadow, the inferior part of everybody’s personality, in an overwhelming degree, and this was another reason why they fell for him.”

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Bluesman View Post
                      Four-engined heavy bombers of all types. We had 'em, they didn't, and NOTHING could spread destruction so far, wide, and generally. It was quite simply the reason we won.
                      Agreed.

                      The assault rifle concept (Sturmgewehr) also revolutionized the infantry battle.
                      "The right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world. So wake up, Mr. Freeman. Wake up and smell the ashes." G-Man

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by leibstandarte10 View Post
                        The assault rifle concept (Sturmgewehr) also revolutionized the infantry battle.
                        But it had virtually no effect on the outcome of WWII.
                        I enjoy being wrong too much to change my mind.

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                        • #13
                          Originally posted by Bluesman View Post
                          Four-engined heavy bombers of all types. We had 'em, they didn't, and NOTHING could spread destruction so far, wide, and generally. It was quite simply the reason we won.
                          Couldn't hit the broad side of a barn if they were 10 yards away. Great for morale but pretty useless. Unless they were in a 1000 bomber raid of course.


                          Radar.
                          No sea too rough, no muf* too tough.

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                          • #14
                            The Ronson tank or better known as the Sherman, inferior to German tanks, but mass produced, and upgunned when they sold them off after the war to the Israeli`s, and proved themselves again in their many conflicts, and as an outsider, the developement of Special forces, namely David Stirling founder of the SAS, who played a vital role in both Africa and Europe

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                            • #15
                              Among the war winning weapons were those that didn't kill . Radar and the early computers used for code breaking. Remember, going back to basics, all that is necessary to prosecute war is the will and the capacity.
                              Semper in excretum. Solum profunda variat.

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