World War II Vehicles, Tanks, Airplanes, and Guns
World War II, a time in history of great upheaval the world over. Found here in are some of the machines used in that time by the men and women who fought the battles, delivered the supplies, and transported the wounded. Look around and enjoy the historical information, the specifications, pictures and videos of the machines of war that were used in World War II.
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1 March 2015, Germany's K class cruisers
The K class cruisers were built during the 1920s as replacements under the restrictions of the Treaty of Versailles. All went on several world training cruises before World War II.
KMS Karlsruhe:
Imperial War Museum, HU-1017
28 February 2015, Germany's Emden cruiser
The Treaty of Versailles heavily restricted what armament Germany could maintain and develop. The first post war warship was the Emden. It followed World War I light cruiser designs as there was no testing facility for new designs.
KMS Emden at Trincomalee, Ceylon:
Imperial War Museum, HU-1055
27 February 2015, France's De Grasse class Cruisers
Laid down right before the outbreak of World War II the De Grasse wasn't completed until well after the war.
22 February 2015, France's La Galissonnière class Cruisers
Another successful design the La Galissonnière class focused on carrying aircraft by having a hanger for them. A total of six were constructed, three stayed with the Vichy and were scuttled in Toulon and the other three eventually joined the Allies.
Gloire in Naples:
Imperial War Museum, A-24997
21 February 2015, France's Pluton class Cruisers
The Pluton was built as a minelayer but spent much of its prewar career as a training ship. She was lost soon after the war started in a mine loading accident.
21 February 2015, France's Emile Bertin class Cruisers
The Emile Bertin was built as a minelayer and could carry 200 mines.
Emile Bertin from a US Navy publication:
US Navy
21 February 2015, France's Algérie class Cruisers
What might have been the best cruiser built under the restrictions of the Washington Treaty the Algérie had better armor and armament than most other country's cruisers.
20 February 2015, France's Jeanne d'Arc class Cruisers
The Jeanne d'Arc was purpose built as a training ship. Once the war started she did work as a convoy escort and patrol ship.
Jeanne d'Arc in Vancouver in January 1935:
City of Vancouver Archives, CVA 99-2851
16 February 2015, France's Suffren class Cruisers
The Suffren class cruisers were to have better armor protection than the Duquesne class. Three ended up being scuttled in Toulon when the Germans tried to take them over.
Colbert from a US Navy publication:
US Navy
16 February 2015, France's Duquesne class Cruisers
The Duquesne class light cruisers were built under the restrictions of the Washington Naval Treaty. To stay within restrictions and still be armed with 8" guns the armor was very light.
Duquesne with the destroyer Le Fortune in Alexandria Harbor, on April 24, 1942:
Imperial War Museum, A-9938
15 February 2015, France's Duguay-Trouin class Cruisers
The Duguay-Trouin class cruisers were the first French warships produced after World War I.
Duguay Trouin next to submarine Protee with destroyer Basque and cruiser Suffren in the distance:
Imperial War Museum, A-9940
14 February 2015, Australia's Leander class Cruisers
Australia used three Royal Navy Leander class cruisers that were used extensively around Australia and the Mediterranean.
HMAS Sydney loading troops headed to Crete in 1941:
Imperial War Museum, E-1143
13 February 2015, Australia's Country class Cruisers
The Country class cruisers used by Australia were built in Great Britain in the 1920s.
HMAS Australia going through the Panama Canal in March 1935:
US Navy, NH-63062
13 February 2015, Australia's Birmingham class Cruiser
Australia started to build a series of cruisers before World War I. However, Australia didn't have a large ship building industry so it took a long time to complete them. Also World War I delayed construction.
The HMAS Adelaide was the only survivor of the Birmingham class that was used in World War II. It was primarily used for patrolling and convoy escort duties.
HMAS Adelaide:
Australian War Museum, 300081
8 February 2015, Italy's Vittorio Veneto / Littorio class Battleships
The Vittorio Veneto class battleships were designed while there were still under restriction of the Washington Naval Treaty. They could have had 16" guns but Italian industry just wasn't up to the task of building such a weapon.
Roma in 1940:
Italian government
7 February 2015, Italy's Duilio class Battleships
The Duilio class battleships were also built during World War I and were later extensively modernized.
Andrea Doria in May 1919:
Imperial War Museum, Q-14187
6 February 2015, Italy's Cavour class Battleships
Though available for World War I the Cavour class battleships never saw any action. In the 1920s they underwent the most intensive reconstruction of any battleship between the wars.
Giulio Cesare in Taranto on June 3, 1917:
Imperial War Museum, Q-48273
1 February 2015, France's Richelieu class Battleships
In an attempt to keep up with Italian battleship construction the Richelieu class were authorized and four were eventually ordered. The Richelieu was mostly complete by the time of the German invasion and did eventually serve with Allied forces against the Japanese.
Richelieu in New York for repairs:
Office of War Information
