World War 1 or World War II?

[IslandTractor]

I started talking to a younger person at work a few years ago about World War II. Not only could they not tell me who the major players were on each side, Axis and Allies, they could not tell me who prevailed. I don't know what they teach in schools anymore.

To be fair, most of us old farts grew up in the immediate aftermath of WWII and were bombarded with details about the war from families, TV shows and movies. Kids today are removed by at least four or five wars from WWII and they have grown up being bombarded by 9/11, Iraq and Afghanistan. I bet that after high school most of us could not have picked out either Afghanistan or Iraq on a globe/map. I don't think the kids are dumber, just exposed to different history on a day by day basis.

 

[dragoneggs]

I don't think the kids are dumber, just exposed to different history on a day by day basis.

I do.

 

[k0ua]

To be fair, most of us old farts grew up in the immediate aftermath of WWII and were bombarded with details about the war from families, TV shows and movies. Kids today are removed by at least four or five wars from WWII and they have grown up being bombarded by 9/11, Iraq and Afghanistan. I bet that after high school most of us could not have picked out either Afghanistan or Iraq on a globe/map. I don't think the kids are dumber, just exposed to different history on a day by day basis.

I will guarantee you this person knows nothing of world history from any era, including the one they grew up with. On another tack, if you get a chance you need to read "Killing the Rising Sun" It was very good. Yes, it is a Bill O'reilly book along with another author, (Martin Dugard) but I really enjoyed it and learned a few things along the way.

 

[k0ua]

I do.

Yep...

 

[Wagtail]

28/30. Missed the questions on ideology (dumb mistake) and Lend Lease Act timing (visions of old 4 stack destroyers associated with WWI threw me off).

50 obsolete US destroyers were transferred to the Royal Navy (RN) in 1940 in the "Destroyers for Bases" deal. The most famous of them was HMS Campbeltown: HMS Campbeltown (I42) - Wikipedia

 

[IslandTractor]

50 obsolete US destroyers were transferred to the Royal Navy (RN) in 1940 in the "Destroyers for Bases" deal. The most famous of them was HMS Campbeltown: HMS Campbeltown (I42) - Wikipedia

Yes. I just mixed up the old destroyers of WWI vintage with the fact that the lend lease deal actually was done at the beginning of WWII.

BTW, if you like those old destroyers, there is a great science fiction series called "The Destroyermen" you might enjoy. "Into the Storm" is the first book. It it set in the Java Sea and based "loosely" on the action of the Asiatic Fleet at the beginning of WWII. And remember, I said it was science fiction. About a dozen books in the series.

 

[turnkey4099]

No, The Ohka (cherry blossom) was a manned therefore guided cruise missile. Air launched, and rocket powered, with short stubby wings like a cruise missile for control surfaces for the onboard pilot to control the missile to crash in to the target. It was a one way trip.

was a purpose-built, rocket powered human-guided anti-shipping kamikaze attack aircraft[1] employed by Japan towards the end of World War II. United States sailors gave the aircraft the nickname Baka ( "fool" or "idiot")

Thanks, I knew that but like so many other things my memory is fading at 82 years of age.

 

[Looking4new]

Thanks, I knew that but like so many other things my memory is fading at 82 years of age.

No malice here, it just came to me.

Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most.

 

[k0ua]

Doesn't look like there is going to be any takers on the Fritz-X.

Fritz-X was a guided, aircraft delivered, "smart bomb" It was equipped with a radio receiver, with integrated antenna and control surfaces on the bomb fins so that the operator up in the bomber could steer the bomb into the target. The Allies quickly developed a countermeasure in the form of jamming equipment to jam the radio link.

Fritz X - Wikipedia