When was the last naval engagement? October 1944 The last fleet engagement for the U.S. Navy was against the Imperial Japanese Navy in October 1944, at Leyte Gulf off the Philippine coast. Like Trafalgar, the Battle of Leyte Gulf was decisive; it spelled the end of the Japanese fleet as a fighting force. Nor did …
Exactly when was the country of Andorra founded?
The present principality was formed by a charter in 1278. It is headed by two co-princes: the bishop of Urgell in Catalonia, Spain and the president of France. Its capital and largest city is Andorra la VellaAndorra la VellaAndorra la Vella means “Andorra the Town“, to distinguish it from the Principality of Andorra as a …
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What does this Swiss banner/blazon/coat of arms/flag stand for?
What is the symbol Swiss coat of arms? The coat of arms of the Swiss Confederation shows the same white-on-red cross as the flag of Switzerland, but on a heraldic shield instead of the square field. The federal coat of arms (eidgenössisches Wappen) was defined by the Swiss Diet (Tagsatzung) in 1815, for the Restored …
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How could Germany afford waging WWII?
The Nazis financed WW2 partly on credit and to a large extent by plunder. First they plundered the German Jews and other Germans they disliked, then the assets and labour of the various countries they occupied. As for oil during the war, the Germans were short of the stuff throughout the war. How did Germany …
Sino-Taiwanese air clashes
What Chinese planes were spotted in Taiwan? The planes included 12 Shenyang J-11 and six Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets, one CASC Rainbow CH-4 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), six Chengdu J-10 and 18 J-16 fighter jets, one Shaanxi Y-8 EW, one Y-8 ASW, one KJ-500 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) plane, and one Guizhou WZ-7 …
What did the average German citizen know about the war?
How do Germans learn about the war? In addition to photo and video documentaries, most schools organize mandatory school trips to holocaust memorials, usually former concentration camps. This does not only apply to history class. Students are also introduced to works of literature tackling the issue of Nazism and ethnic hate in Europe of the …
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WWI: British blockade of Germany (and neutrals)
How did the British navy blockade impact US neutrality? Neutral vessels were theoretically permitted to continue trading, but Britain progressively widened the definition of ‘contraband’ cargo and, from early 1915 began to seize all commodities bound for the Central Powers. This policy made for difficult relations with neutral countries, particularly the United States. How did …
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Did the Germans rule England?
When did Germans rule England? About 300 years ago, on August 1, 1714 — the English Queen Anne died. As a result, the German Elector George Louis of Hanover was proclaimed king of Great Britain in absentia. Are the UK royal family German? The House of Windsor as we know it today began in 1917 …
What incentives were there for Soviet and Chinese politicians to try climb to the top when there was so much history of deposing their own?
Who did the USSR aid during the Chinese civil war? KMT–CCP, the Chinese Civil War and the establishment of diplomatic relations. In 1921, Soviet Russia began supporting the Kuomintang (KMT), and in 1923 the Comintern instructed the Communist Party of China (commonly abbreviated as CCP) to sign a military treaty with the KMT. Why were …
What were the incentives for joining the Roman army before the Marian reforms?
What was the Roman army before Marian reforms? From the founding of Rome, up until the reforms of Marius in 104 BC, the Roman military was a non professional army, made up of land owning citizens. The population was organized into five classes, with the Equestrian class forming the sixth class. What were the rewards …
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