The Second World War ended over 70 years ago, but the people's memory of what they experienced during the war years is not erased, and the events of those days do not leave anyone indifferent. And sometimes, looking at photographs of the war years or reading some stories about past battles, you can come across completely incredible stories that are hard to believe. Of course, it often happens that an event is overgrown with embellished details, but there are unusual episodes in the history of the war that really happened in reality.
1. Capture 1,500 soldiers with one force of persuasion
Private Marine Guy Louis Gabaldon went down in US military history as a remarkably successful negotiator who saved many lives during World War II. Then America was fighting against Japan, and in 1944 the command of the American troops considered various plans for the final defeat of the enemy. As a result of the analysis, landing directly on the islands of the Land of the Rising Sun was deemed inappropriate, as this would lead to colossal losses of personnel.
Instead, the US campaigned to seize Saipan Island, which it decided to make an air base. For Japan, this island was the last frontier and, following the orders of the high command, soldiers fiercely defended it. They were required to kill as many enemies as possible and only then die. Fanaticism was so strong that when it became clear that they were losing the battle for the island, the Japanese began to commit suicide en masse.
The Americans were not particularly worried about the enemy killing themselves, but they were not happy about the long-term guerrilla war. On the other hand, the Japanese might and would like to surrender, but they perceived the Americans as barbarians. Two different cultures collided, not understanding each other. Gai Gabaldon could not calmly look at what was happening, and decided to act independently. As a teenager, he was raised with a Japanese American foster family, so he knew the language, customs and culture of the Japanese well.
One night Gabaldon voluntarily left his post and went into the jungle, from where he brought two surrendered prisoners. For violating the order, he was threatened with a tribunal, but the guy, whose childhood was spent on the streets in criminal gangs, could not be stopped, and he again went to persuade the Japanese to surrender. This time he brought in about fifty prisoners, and the command allowed him to carry out campaign raids. From one such sortie Gabaldon led a whole column of eight hundred people, for which he earned the nickname "Pied Piper from Saipan" based on the tale of the piper from Hamelin. In total, he persuaded about 1,500 people to lay down their arms and not commit suicide.
2. Save your plane by opening fire on it
Pilot Louis Edward Curdes is one of the few American pilots with a the account of the shot down planes of all three countries of the "axis" - the Hitlerite coalition that united Germany, Italy and Japan. But he became a legend in US military history after he rescued the crew and passengers of an American transport ship by shooting it down in the air.
It sounds unusual, the episode happened in 1945, when only a few months remained until the end of World War II. At the time, Curds was serving in an air squadron on missions in the Pacific. On February 10, he and three other pilots received a combat mission to find and destroy Japanese air bases. During the raid, four P-51 Mustangs managed to locate an enemy airfield on Batan Island. When attacking the object, the wingman was hit and fell into the sea. The other two Mustangs went to base for help, while Curds stayed behind to cover the pilot of the downed plane.
Loitering over the water surface, he noticed a transport, which was heading for the very airfield that the four Mustangs stormed. Having flown closer to see the identification marks, Curds realized that the plane was American, and its pilot intended to land on the runway of the enemy base. He tried to interfere with the landing, maneuvering in front of the transporter, but he kept his course firmly and did not even react to a machine gun burst in front of the aircraft. What was to be done in such a situation? Curds could not allow his compatriots to get into trouble, especially since he himself was in Italian captivity, and he understood well what it was.
But getting to the Japanese was much worse because of their extremely cruel treatment of prisoners. And in order to prevent a fatal landing, he carefully shot both engines of the transporter. The plane glided into the sea, and the crew with passengers got over on inflatable rafts. After some time, both them and the downed Mustang pilot were picked up by the Catalina. And Curds added an American one to the flags of Germany, Italy and Japan on the fuselage of his plane.
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3. Broadsword, bow and bagpipes against tanks and bullets
British Lieutenant Colonel John Malcolm Thorpe Fleming Churchill can be called the most extraordinary officer who fought during the Second World War. He was very fond of the excitement of battles and Scotland, and also, it seems, could not live without extreme and adrenaline rush into the blood. For his epic antics during the war years, Churchill even earned the nickname "Mad Jack". He went into battle, armed not only with the standard weapons of that time, but also with a broadsword, bow with arrows and bagpipes. And all this equipment was hanging not just for beauty, but was used in business. For example, on May 27, 1940, during a military operation near the French village of L'Epinette, a British gave the signal to attack, shooting an arrow from a bow at an enemy soldier at a distance of 30 yards (about 27 meters).
Taking part in the landing, during the landing Churchill played the old melody on the bagpipes, and then with the broadsword baldly led his subordinates into battle. At the front, the eccentric colonel not only freaked out, he fought successfully and was nominated for awards for his exploits. For the bravery and salvation of the wounded officer, Churchill received the Military Cross, and for the capture of 42 German soldiers alone - the Order of Distinguished Service.
Interesting fact from Novate.ru: The eccentricity of John Churchill manifested itself after the war, in peacetime. He lived in a country house and traveled to work by train. And every day on the way home he threw his briefcase out the window of the carriage. The passengers were surprised at this eccentricity, and the solution was simple. The train passed by the lieutenant colonel's house, and he sent his things with a precise throw to the backyard.
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People familiar with the history of the war also have a question - why the German tank crews did not wear headsets.
A source: https://novate.ru/blogs/220919/51822/