World History - World War Ii Terminology

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Airborne Infantry

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troops specially trained to conduct assaults after parachuting from a plane

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Beachhead

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a designated area on a hostile or potentially hostile shore that, when seized and held, ensures the continuous landing of troops and material, and provides maneuver space needed for future operations

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Currahee

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indian cherokee word for "we stand alone" and the motto of Easy Company

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K Rations

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tins containing stew, crackers, candy, and powdered fruit juice. this made up the soldiers' meal in the field

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PT

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physical training

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XO

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executive officer - second in command

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Base of Fire

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a suppressive fire that allows other troops to advance

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Distinguished Service Cross

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a bronze cross, awarded for heroism in combat, next rank to the Medal of Honor

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Drop Zone

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a specific area upon which airborne troops, equipment, or supplies are airdropped; also called "DZ"

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"Flash"/"Thunder"

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code words used by paratroopers during d-day operation to identify each other; one word is the challenge, the other is the response

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"Kraut"/"Jerry"

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slang used by american soldiers to refer to german soldiers or to something used by the german military

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Luger

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a german 9mm automatic pistol

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M1

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a carbine rifle used by the paratroopers; gas powered, semi-automatic, fires up to 15 rounds in succession

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Purple Heart

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awarded for receiving wounds in an action against an enemy or as the result of enemy action

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Zeroed

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to be targeted for a direct hit

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AWOL

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absent without leave

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Infantry

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soldiers trained for ground battles

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Shermans

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the m4 tanks used by the allied forces and known for high speed, reliability, and maneuverability

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Tiger

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german panzer tank - heaviest of the german tanks; the rear armor plate is its only weak point; carries 88mm gun

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Panther

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german panzer tank - largest of the german tanks; sloping armor, wide tracks, strong engine

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Operation Market Garden

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the allied assault intended to end the war; paratroopers jumped into german-occupied holland with the goal of seizing key bridges and leaving germany open for attack

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"Thirty Cal"

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a browning .30 caliber machine gun; designed for mobile offense

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Battle of the Bulge

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the surprise german counter attack through the ardennes forest of belgium

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Plasma

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the liquid portion of whole blood, carrying nutrients, clotting agents, hormones, drugs, waste, and blood cells

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Reconnaissance Patrol

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a detachment of forces sent out for the purpose of gathering info about the activities and resources of an enemy

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Luftwaffe

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german air force

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Panzergrenadiers

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german armored infantry

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Waffen SS

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the fighting branch of the ss (secret service) under the personal command of hitler

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Herman Goering

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hitler
's second in command and command-in-chief of the luftwaffe

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Philippe Leclerc

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commander of the french 2nd armored division; the first military leader to reenter paris after the german occupation

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Omar Bradley

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u.s. general; commander of the 12th u.s. army group responsible for invading utah beach on d-day; first to liberate paris from nazi rule; first of the allies to make contact with the russians in germany

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Douglas MacArthur

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supreme commander of the south pacific; forced to leave the philippines after japan attacked, swore he would get revenge and return

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Chester Nimitz

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commander of the entire pacific naval fleet; instrumental in the raids on midway and eventually japan

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George C. Marshall

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u.s. general of the army, chief of staff, secretary of state, and secretary of defense. organized the troops for d-day; only soldier to ever be awarded the nobel prize for peace

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George S. Patton

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4 star general; most controversial and outspoken in the u.s. army; genius at tank warfare; credited for eliminating the nazis from africa, italy, and rescuing the allies during the battle of the bulge; became one of the most famous generals in the history of the u.s.

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Isoroku Yamamoto

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commander-in-chief of the japanese combined fleet, the planner of the attack on pearl harbor; his always catious demeanor would lead to his downfall

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Hirohito

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124th emperor of japan; forced to surrender to u.s. in 1945, but allowed to remain on the thrown with limited power; japan would become a democracy

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Bernard Law Montgomery

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commander of the 21st army group, which was a part of the 101st airborne division - british general

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Anthony McAuliffe

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artillery commander of the 101st airborne division, acting commander during the battle of the bulge; famous for his reply of "nuts!" in response to advancing german forces' request for his division's surrender

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Dwight D. Eisenhower

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supreme allied commander during WWII; also known as "ike"; later became president of the u.s.