Comments on: When did WWII really begin?

By: Naomi Nagler

Naomi Nagler — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 03:00:42 +0000

Whale, your not the all knowing person here. Rob McGregor didn't say that 1917 was the start of the war. He said that \The dates that Vernon and his brother in-law are discussing happen to be dates that many historians have discussed as viable dates to the start of WWII.\ That means that some people would consider it the start of WW2. But if you think about it, WW2 started on different dates for all countries. 1931 was the official start of the war for Japan who invaded Manchuria. 1935 was the official start of the war for Italy who invaded Ethiopia. September 1, 1939 was the official start date of the war for Germany who invaded Poland. And December 7, 1941 was the date that Japan bombed Pearl Harbor bring the United States into the war. If you think about it, there is no \OFFICIAL\ start date of the war. It started on different dates, in different years, for all countries. So you should really do your homework before insulting and correcting a college professor.

By: Larry C.

Larry C. — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 13:41:23 +0000

Robert K has some very intreresting and valuable comments, including the one to my previous comment. If the Russians open up more and provide more information, Roberts last comment may turn out to be the most correct. I especially give value to Robert's last comment.

By: Robert Kapanjie

Robert Kapanjie — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 03:28:11 +0000

it can be argued that in a larger sense, the whole period of 1870 to 1989 was a quadripartite war, one war fueling the next. First the Franco Prussian conflict, then WW1, WW2, and finally the cold war ending with the Berlin wall. Are now in the midst of another war and not know it ? I think only time will tell.

By: Genius

Genius — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 16:09:52 +0000

All of you are wrong! It started on September 1, 1939!

By: Robert Kapanjie

Robert Kapanjie — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 20:29:55 +0000

It can also be argued that W W 2 began in 1914 and that this whole 30 year period was one of conflict puncuated by cease fires and truces—a second thirty year war in world history.

By: Cari

Cari — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 20:01:29 +0000

Wow you all are something! Though WW2 began in 1939, many believe that Hitler's actions were initiated by 1918's Treaty of Versailles. The treaty ended WWI but caused Germany to take complete blame for WW1 leading Germany to go through a very tough economic time. Hitler came along and promised the people of Germany better living conditions if they followed his lead. So yes, actions were taken in 1939 but those actions were boiling up since 1918.

I guess both answers are correct in a way.

By: jacob

jacob — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 18:03:48 +0000

duh

By: jacob

jacob — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 18:03:23 +0000

it started in 1900s

By: Whale

Whale — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 07:49:26 +0000

Rob McGregor, if you think 1917 is a respectable answer for when WW2 started, then you certainly shouldn't be teaching ANYBODY! WW1 went from 1914-1918, WW2 started on Sept 1, 1939 and went until August 15, 1945 when the Emperor of Japan announced his surrender on the radio(and Sept 2, 1945 as the official date of surrender).

Coddling idiots who claim that WW2 started before the end of WW1 ended doesn't help them, giving them the absolute facts does, you should try that in your classrooms.

whale

By: Robert Kapanjie

Robert Kapanjie — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 22:04:45 +0000

Larry C raises some interesting speculation upon which I might add some further thoughts.
1. If France and Britain had attacked Germany from the west and Germany had run out of ammunition on day 25 as Herr Speer claims , I think it likely that since Germany and Russia were allies at the time ( Sept 1939 )that the Soviets would have supported Germany with necessary munitions until Germany could replenish itself.
2. I'm not sure Russia's procrastination in invading Poland until day 17 was to be certain Poland would be defeated. Rather at the time Russia was occupied in the east fighting the Japanese.After the battle of the Khalkhin-Gol a cease fire was not declared until 9/16, the next day Russia invaded Poland. It is never a good idea to fight a two front war.
3. The allies appeasement in handing over the Sudetenland was probably one of the greatest missed opportunities to prevent W W 2. The German general staff was vehemently opposed to starting a war with Czechoslovakia. There was a conspiracy among the generals that when war was declared that Hitler was to be arrested and forced to resign by the military. As it was, the Munich agreement prevented war and hence there was no arrest and the rest is history. I personally dislike what if speculation but it can be an interesting exercise.