As the holidays approach, feelings of joy and merriment begin to seep into our hearts. Even if we’re more than ready to bid the year ado, we can’t help but get sucked into the holiday spirit. It turns out, that spirit can also live on in an active war zone. In 1914, just a few months into World War I, nearly 100,000 troops from opposing sides engaged in a series of impromptu ceasefires, dubbed the Christmas Truce of 1914. 

Instead of mortar fire, there was caroling. No man’s land became filled with enemies exchanging gifts and swapping stories. The (exaggerated) accounts of football matches have become the stuff of legend. 

The Christmas Truce, albeit brief, lives on as a symbol of peace and comradery in the darkest of times. 

Singing From the Trenches

On Christmas Eve, 1914, a British machine gunner named Bruce Bairnsfather, was crouched in a muddy trench in Belgium – a “horrible clay cavity” – as he called it. Suddenly, he and many other British soldiers heard an extraordinary sound: Singing from the German trenches. 

After some rival carolers joined in on the British side, along with some friendly shouting, enemy soldiers actually began climbing out of the trenches! On what was once a stage of death, soldiers became revelers, shaking hands, trading tobacco and wine, and enjoying one another’s company. 
The Christmas Truce also became a time to safely gather fallen comrades for proper burial. The many accounts from different soldiers paint a picture of spontaneous fellowship in the midst of a bloodbath that would soon rage on.

Before the Christmas Truce of 1914

During the first two months of the Great War (no, not that Great War), French and British troops steadily pushed back the German attack that was tearing through Belgium and into France. In order for both sides to maintain their manpower and establish firm positions, they dug miles of trenches from the North Sea to the Swiss frontier. 

In the weeks leading up to the truce, there had been many efforts made to establish peace by groups like the British women suffragettes, and even Pope Benedict XV. On December 7, 1914, the Pope pleaded with the warring governments to establish an official truce. The nations declined. 

With both sides firmly dug in, the harsh winter weather brought damp and muddy conditions that turned to a sudden hard frost. Morale plummeted across the Western Front and the thought of Christmas bringing anything other than more bloodshed was ludicrous. 

Until Christmas finally arrived, and with it, a moment of peace.

When Christmas Came 

It remains a mystery just how widespread the Christmas Truce was. When Christmas came, there were still numerous accounts of fighting across Europe.

In some instances, soldiers who attempted to fraternize with the enemy were shot by commanding officers, whose superiors had grown horrified by these increasingly peaceful attitudes. 

Then, there were the Russian Orthodox soldiers who celebrated Christmas on January 7, with fewer accounts of fraternization. One estimate suggests that the truce most likely extended across two-thirds of the British-held trench line through Belgium. 

While the higher-ups wanted war no matter the holiday, the Christmas Truce was an unplanned event appearing almost magically out of a collective desire to salvage some of the humanity that was being chipped away. 

But as history tells us, this magic did not last long. World War I claimed the lives of nearly 15 million people. The war forever altered the global political and military landscape, not to mention the scars torn across hearts and minds for generations to come.

The post The Christmas Truce of 1914 first appeared on History In Memes.

The Diary of Anne Frank is arguably the most famous accounts of the Holocaust ever published. The experiences her writing recounts are well-known. And, her tragic demise is an eternal reminder of the dangers of fascism and anti-semitism. However, the story that has not been as widely told is about Anne’s father, Otto Frank. Otto was the sole surviving, Frank family member after the Holocaust horrors.

Otto Frank’s story is one of defiance, resilience and sorrow. Moreover, it is a story that still resonates in today’s climate. Let’s learn the untold story of another brave Frank family member.

Otto Frank and His Life Before the War

Otto Frank was born in Germany on May 12, 1889. His parents, Michael Frank and Alice Betty Stern, raised Otto in a liberal Jewish family.

When Otto grew up, he began his own family. Otto met his wife, Edith, at an engagement party. The pair then married two months later. The Frank family expanded with the birth of their two daughters, Anne and Margot. 

In 1933, waves of anti-semitic rhetoric and attacks were coursing through Germany, fomented by the new Nazi regime. As a Jewish family, Otto and Edith understood these acts as warning signs of further, emerging danger. So, that year, they decided to pack up their family and move to the Netherlands. 

After arriving safely in Amsterdam, Otto became managing director at Opekta. Opekta was a pectin and spice company that made jellies and jams. Once the family was situated, he then enrolled his daughters into school.

While these years were relatively peaceful, Hitler was growing more and more aggressive. On May 10, 1940, Nazi Germany invaded Belgium, the Netherlands and France. The consequences of this proved dire for Otto and his family. His ongoing efforts to secure U.S. and Cuban visas were stopped because the Nazis closed the consulates. 

On July 6, 1942, the Frank family began to hide in the Secret Annex. They hid alongside four other people for two years. But on August 4, 1944, they were ultimately discovered and arrested by Dutch police. 

A Family Torn Apart

After spending a few days in prison, the group was taken by train to the Westerbork transit camp. It was a staging area for sending Jewish people to concentration camps across Nazi-occupied terrorities. 

Upon entering Westerbork, Otto was separated from his family and put to work during the day. Fortunately, he was allowed to see them at night. But only a few short weeks later, his family would be torn apart forever. 

Otto and his family were again forced onto a train, but this time was different. They were heading east to the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration and extermination camp. After three days on a tightly packed train, without adequate food and water, they arrived at the camp. 

Upon exiting onto the train platform, the men were separated from the women. And that was the last time Otto ever saw his wife and daughters.

Otto Frank and His Fight to Survive

When the group was being separated, the Secret Annex men stuck together. They worked in different Kommandos, where they would process gravel and build roads. Soon after, the weather was too frigid to continue outdoor work. So, Otto was given the small respite of peeling potatoes. 

 However, after suffering a beating and being severely malnourished, Otto was critically ill. During this time, he only weighed 52 kilos, or 114 pounds. Luckily, his friends and fellow inmates managed to get Otto admitted to the sick barracks. 

In 1945, the Soviets liberated Auschwitz. Though Otto was too sick to move, miraculously, he survived both his ailments and the flight home. Those who were healthy enough to walk were forced to leave with the Nazis – where they were eventually shot.

Ten months after his arrest, Otto returned to Amsterdam on June 3, 1945. Upon his return, he began the search for his daughters. Otto was hoping they had escaped the fate that Edith had suffered. 

Otto met with the Brilleslijper sisters, who were Anne and Margot’s inmates at Bergen-Belsen. Tragically, they revealed to Otto the horrible conditions of his daughters’ deaths. Anne and Margot had died due to illness and exhaustion.  

Upon hearing about Otto’s immeasurable loss, his secretary, Miep Gies, gave him Anne’s surviving diary and other notebooks. Two years after the war, he published Anne’s writing. Her writing shared the Holocaust tragedies with the world.

The post Anne Frank’s Father: Otto Frank  first appeared on History In Memes.

The Polish Army was not the only Allied power that got some help from the animal kingdom – so did the US government! The US military employed thousands of military working war dogs during World War Two. Additionally, Army, Marine Corps and Navy units unofficially adopted thousands of animals when they served in war-torn areas.

So, how did all these dogs end up fighting in World War 2? Keep scrolling to read about how these dogs became an incredible asset for the US military!

How Did These “War Dogs” End Up in WWII?

During their first six months involved in WWII, the US government realized the need for working dogs. There was a great fear of German and Japanese soldiers landing on US shores. So, huge numbers of sentry and guard dogs were needed for the big leagues! The military initially envisioned these dogs patrolling coastlines, protecting industrial facilities and guarding military bases from attack. But, there was just one problem: The US military had no dog program. They also could not wait to breed their own dogs.

Because of this, the Army launched the Dogs for Defense Program, which allowed patriotic citizens to donate their dogs for military service. They Initially accepted almost any breed. However, the Army soon narrowed down the list once they built training centers. Approximately 75% of dogs that ended up being recruited during the war were Doberman pinschers and 25% were German Shepherds. 

What Did War Dogs Do During WWII?

So, how many dogs did military forces adopt during WWII? It is estimated that 1,047 dogs were donated and trained for military service throughout the war. And photographic evidence from the National Archives shows that the practice was widespread. These war dogs successfully served in both the Pacific and European areas.

Working dogs were used as scouts, messengers and attack dogs. They were trained not to bark, alerting soldiers of Japanese presence through special signals. The trained dogs could also detect a human scent up to one-half mile away.

Dogs were also adopted by smaller units at the platoon and company level. Sometimes divisions even had official dog mascots. Though dog mascots were not expected to perform military functions, their role was crucial in keeping troops fighting. Regardless of how official it was, service members adopting animals proved to be a widespread practice. The dogs also a huge morale booster!

What Did The Dogs Do After the War Ended?

In 1945, the military retrained these dogs back to civilian life. All but four dogs were able to be retrained and re-homed. Though it was common to adopt cats, birds, goats and mules, dogs were by far the most popular choice among service members. 

Throughout World War Two, dogs played a crucial part in the US military. Military working dogs served in a variety of roles, both on the home front and in frontline combat. Numerous stories of dogs’ heroism solidified their use for future generations. Of the 1,047 dogs that served, 25 died during their service.

To this day, the US military still uses dogs to fight in wars. Take a look at their intense training:

The post Good Boys: The War Dogs of World War 2 first appeared on History In Memes.

Some things in life you need to see to believe. As World War 2 veteran and Staff Sergeant Leslie Edwards found out, a F-22 Raptor screaming over your head is one of those things.

A lot has changed since the planes of WWII ruled over the skies. Modern technology has changed the way aerial combat is fought. 

Let’s take a deeper look at the F-22 Raptor and how far fighter planes have come since WWII!

US Fighters of WW2

During WWII, the P51 Mustang was the US’s most dominant fighter plane. It performed incredibly and was said to have a 19-to-1 kill to losses ratio. In fact, the Senate War Investigating Committee even named it the most aerodynamically perfect pursuit plane during its existence.

With nearly 5,000 destroyed German planes to its credit, it has taken down more than any other US or Allied fighter. The P51 retired in 1951, making way for the next generation of aircraft. 

Tuskegee Airmen

SSgt. Edwards was part of a unit of African American military pilots called the Tuskegee Airmen. They were the first African Americans to complete training and join the Army Air Corps successfully. 

This remarkable group destroyed hundreds of German aircraft and ground support vehicles. They returned home with 96 distinguished flying crosses, 14 bronze stars, 744 air medals and at least 60 purple hearts.

The F-22 Raptor

When it comes to air superiority, the F-22 Raptor is unmatched. This fifth generation piece of art combines stealth, speed and situational awareness to dominate the air. It’s capable of both air-to-air combat and air-to-ground combat, making it one of the most versatile fighters in the world.

Capabilities of the F-22 Raptor

The F-22 can reach speeds up to Mach 1.8 and even Mach 2 with the afterburners. It can fly at 65,000 feet of elevation and can carry A LOT of weapons. 

The Raptor can outmaneuver any current or projected aircraft with its advanced thrust vectoring, aerodynamic design, and high thrust-to-weight ratio. Its supercruise capability allows it to travel at supersonic speeds without using afterburners. This permits the aircraft to maintain its pace over a tremendous range. 

The Cost of an F-22 Raptor

As you can imagine, these things don’t come cheap. The Raptor is one of the most expensive jets in the world with a price tag of roughly $120 million! The operating cost alone is enough to make your head spin at an estimated $68,362 per hour. 

However, even for those willing to spend the coin, the F-22 Raptor is not for sale. This aircraft is packed with classified technology! And in 1998, congress voted for an amendment that forbids it from being sold or exported to foreign countries.

Beyond the F-22 Raptor

If you want to dominate the air, a continued focus must be on future aircraft development. In 2020, the Air Force stated that it would look to begin retiring the F-22 Raptor to focus on its Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program. 

The budget space freed up in this move will allow the air force to focus on developing the warfighters of our future. 

Conclusion

Air dominance is a race of progress. The aircraft that soared over battlefields in WW2 vastly differ from the modern fighter jets that rule the skies today. And nobody can see that more clearly than the veterans that flew them!

The post WW2 Pilot First Time Seeing F-22 Raptor first appeared on History In Memes.

Without a doubt, the Allies had help from many people, countries, and even animals during World War Two. However, a Syrian brown bear named Wojtek was one of the most unexpected allies. Serving in the Free Polish Army from 1942 to 1945, Wojtek was known for his power, strength, and almost human-like personality. 

But, his service to the Allied cause goes far beyond his cute and cuddly face. Wojtek actually saw combat in one of the fiercest battles of the Italian campaign. 

Polish Soldiers in Iran rescued Wojtek 

In the spring of 1942, the Allies knew the war would last a long time. Because of this, they needed to raise as many armies as possible. One of the ways the Allies thought to do this was to raise new units from prisoners and refugees who had fled conquered countries. Poland was the perfect candidate for this proposal. 

Because the Soviet Union was a German ally before being invaded by German forces, Soviet authorities had hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians stashed away in gulags. With the new agreement inked in 1941, Soviet authorities granted pardons to any Polish man or woman who joined the new army. Known as Ander’s army, after its commanding officer, the unit shipped out in March 1942 to serve in the British army. 

While en route through Iran, 18-year-old Irena Bokiewicz encountered a brown bear cub at a rail station. She convinced her great uncle, to adopt the bear. The Iranian boy selling it said poachers had killed its mother. Taking pity on the bear, the niece convinced an army Lieutenant to buy the bear and that she would take care of it herself. The officer agreed.

Over the next three months, Wojtek, which is short for happy warrior, grew stronger and bigger. Soon, he was the official mascot of the Second Polish Army Corps.

Wojtek Served in Combat in Italy

Before leaving Iran, General Anders had to figure out how to get Wojtek onto a British transport ship. Army regulations forbid mascots or animals from embarking. General Anders enlisted Wojtek as a private in the army to get around this rule. Wojtek was now a soldier with an actual pay account and identity card. 

With the problem of transporting Wojtek out of the way, the next issue was how to employ him. Polish officers agreed that he could be used to haul heavy artillery shells. So, they put him in the 22^nd Artillery Supply Company. After his new assignment, the Polish Second Army Corps arrived in Italy, enduring almost three years of constant combat. 

The deadliest battle the Poles fought in was the Battle for Monte Cassino. Overlooking a strategic height of the infamous Gothic Line, taking the centuries-old monastery was vital to cracking German defenses in Italy. During the months-long battle, the Poles were engaged in heavy fighting, including the 22^nd Artillery Supply Company.

With casualties high, Polish leadership even threw support units into infantry roles. With a shortage of manpower, the company’s commander started using Wojtek to carry artillery shells to the guns. Wojtek is said to have done such a good job carrying crates of ammunition that he was promoted to corporal! 

Though Wojtek handling shells like a human is disputed, at least one British observer claimed he saw him do it. But, regardless of how true the story is or not, Wojtek was a great morale booster for the unit. Here’s some other habits he was known to do:

• Drink beer and coffee
• Smoke (and eat) cigarettes
• Sleep with other soldiers if they were cold in the night
• Salute when greeted

Wojtek’s Legacy

Wojtek was a morale boost during a time when there wasn’t much to smile about. His happy-go-lucky personality made him a hit with soldiers who had endured so much already. After serving in Italy for three years, he was brought to the UK. he was brought along with his unit, where it was disbanded. However, like many Polish soldiers serving the Commonwealth, Wojtek stayed in the UK. 

Wojtek took up residence at the Edinburgh Zoo, where visitors would even throw cigarettes into his enclosure sometimes. He enjoyed his celebrity status until 1961, when he passed away.

The post Wojtek: The Bear Who Fought in WWII first appeared on History In Memes.

The year is 1942 and WWII has left many nations in times of destruction and survival. As warfare ensues on the fronts of many countries, there is a small wooden raft in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Its only passenger is 25-year-old Poon Lim, a Chinese sailor who had been aboard a British Merchant Navy Ship.

Lim, a Chinese native, boarded the ship (the Benlomond) on November 10. His hope was to aid the British who had requested help from other nations. But, the real journey ahead was nothing he could’ve expected.

Poon Lim Drifts Away

To his satisfaction, Lim seized the opportunity to work with the crew of the British ship as a steward. They left from Cape Town with hopes of reaching Suriname, a country on the northeastern Atlantic coast of South America. Thirteen days into their voyage, a German U-boat made contact with the Benlomond. The ship had no chance of survival, and sank 1,200 kilometers east of the mouth of the Amazon river. 

Lim had been thrown into the sea rather quickly and spent his next hours battling to stay afloat. After 2 hours, he finally saw his chance for rest. Lim spotted a raft and made his way over to it. Tired from his unexpected exertion and soaking wet, he finally pulled himself aboard the “Carley Float Life Raft.” He took in his surroundings and was pleased to find the raft was pretty well stocked. He thought to himself that this was more than enough to last him a short trip. He had no idea, he was on a path of solitude for 133 days and what lengths he would have to go to to survive.

Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures

Poon spent his first days the same way I do on vacation. He ate, drank, and tanned with no cares in the world. After all, someone had to be coming to save him. In order to not lose track of time, he tied a knot in a rope signifying the days. He also tied a rope to both his wrist and raft, so he could ensure he would not be bucked from it within the night.

Days passed before he ran out of water. Poon had to come up with a solution quickly. Using both his rain jacket and a canopy, he was able to collect rainwater. His mentality began to change and he was seriously worried help was not coming. Lim even started counting full moons instead of knots. 

The next challenge Poon would face was the hunger. Biscuits and sugar lumps aren’t exactly the diet my doctor tells me to follow, but they were able to sustain him for a while. When the supply went, he knew he needed to find a way to fish. With no weapons, he improvised. Lim was able to make a fishing line out of rope, nails from the raft, and a spring from a flashlight onboard to create hooks. His efforts were effective, and he was able to catch and then eat the raw fish. Not exactly my preference of sushi though.

Realizing his strength was vital for survival, Poon began to tread the ocean waves twice a day. He needed to maintain his muscle mass. Soon the small fish and rainwater were not enough. During one of his fishing attempts, Poon actually caught a shark. Pulling it onto the boat, it began to attack him. He took a water container and bashed it to death. Poon was able to harvest the meat using a knife he had made out of a lid from a tin of meat.  Other ways Poon survived included eating seagull jerky that he made by using sunlight to dry the meat and drinking the blood when water supply was scarce. 

Glimmers of Hope

Lim’s trek was not without hope and disappointment either. During his months at sea he saw both boats and planes with promises of rescue. But at the end of the day, still no one came. The boats completely disregarded him, possibly due to his Asian descent. Once, American planes had spotted Poon and actually dropped coordinates to deploy a rescue team. However, a storm pushed Lim and his meek raft away from the location and the planes were never able to get to him.

Poon Lim Lives Life on Land

On April 5, 1943, 133 days after the Belomond had sunk in the ocean, a frail Poon Lim was pulled aboard a Brazilian ship off the coast of the country. The crew, only speaking Portuguese, was not able to communicate. However, they did give Lim provisions they had. Poon had been the only survivor of the shipwreck, and news of his story quickly spread. He had lost 20 pounds and spent the next 2 weeks in the hospital. He was famous, but at what cost. 

On October 1943, King George VI awarded Poon with the British Empire Medal. Poon would spend his next years traveling and sharing his survival techniques. He would later emigrate to the United States and be awarded citizenship despite the quota on Chinese immigrants being at max. Poon remained a citizen until his death at 72 in 1991. 

To this day, Poon Lim holds the world record for time spent surviving on a life raft as a castaway adrift at sea. When he was told about the record, his only response was “I hope no one will ever have to break it.”

The post One Guinness Record You Won’t Want to Beat: The Survival of Poon Lim first appeared on History In Memes.