The grave facts of WW2 history dominate its place in our minds. The loss of an estimated 60 million people over the globe. The devastation of countless cities, cultures, and livelihoods.
Hidden in World War 2 history are WW2 facts of which you may be unaware. Unique tales of small towns, family estrangement, and even cuisine.
Whether you want to impress with trivia or learn new World War 2 facts, our guide has you covered.
Read on for three lesser-known facts about World War 2.
1. Hitler’s Divided Family WW2 History
William Patrick Hitler was born in Liverpool, England, in March 1911. Despite sharing his uncle’s last name, he did not, thankfully, share his ideals.
William met his uncle, Adolf Hitler, in Germany, in 1929. He wrote several articles about his uncle for the British media. Offended, Adolf renounced his family ties to William.
William Hitler tried to join both the British and U.S. armed forces. They rejected him due to his family background.
William then wrote to President Roosevelt. The FBI approved his application, and William Patrick Hitler enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1944. He served for three years and received a Purple Heart for his services.
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2. Lights On for Konstanz
Konstanz is a small German city on the border with Switzerland. It was fair game for allied bomber raids, but its townsfolk had a plan.
Most German cities dimmed their lights to make it harder for bombers to target them. This, of course, made it clear that the bombers were over an enemy city. Konstanz did the opposite, and it saved them.
Using their wits and proximity to neutral Switzerland, Konstanz hid in plain sight. They left all their lights on, tricking the allied bombers they were Swiss. The bombers passed overhead without incident.
3. Hamburger’s Off the Menu
Our humble hamburger, an American classic, was nowhere to be found in WW2. Many vie for the invention of the hamburger. From Athens, Texas, to 19th-century German migrants, to the ancient Romans.
Whoever slapped beef between two slices of bread did us all proud. But in WW2, hamburgers lost their namesake.
Hamburg, the northern German port city, bears a close title to our beloved beef patty sandwich. Bombed by the Allies in WW2, Hamburg was more or less destroyed.
U.S. officials found it distasteful to keep this name. They named hamburgers, Liberty Steaks, until the end of the war.
Looking for More History Facts?
We hope our lesser-known WW2 history facts got you reading. The vast scale of World War 2 means much of it hides in the crevices of military history. But all facts about World War 2 deserve a place on the page.
We chose these facts for their unique character. But there are far graver things hidden in the depths of WW2. For now, though, family feuds, lighting ingenuity, and hamburger aliases will suffice.
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