The Craziest and Hilarious Facts of the World Wars
The two World Wars were periods of immense global turmoil, but they also brought about bizarre, unexpected, and occasionally hilarious moments that remain fascinating to this day. Here are some of the craziest and funniest facts from World War I and World War II:
World War I
Carrier Pigeons vs. Technology Despite advances in technology, carrier pigeons were vital communication tools during WWI. One pigeon, named Cher Ami, saved nearly 200 soldiers by delivering a message despite being shot and gravely injured.
The Balloon Decoys To confuse enemy pilots, some armies deployed inflatable tanks and fake soldiers. From the sky, these looked convincing enough to divert attacks. It was the ultimate prank on a grand scale!
The Christmas Truce In December 1914, German and Allied soldiers in some areas of the Western Front declared a spontaneous Christmas truce, during which they exchanged gifts, sang carols, and even played soccer in no man’s land. The idea of soldiers pausing to play football during a bloody war is both touching and surreal.
Exploding Cakes Spies on all sides got creative with their espionage tools. One bizarre invention was the exploding cake, designed to look like a treat but packed with explosives. It sounds like a plot from a spy movie!
World War II
The “Ghost Army” The U.S. used a secret unit called the Ghost Army, which deployed inflatable tanks, fake radio transmissions, and even sound effects to deceive German forces. Imagine being a German officer realizing you’ve been outsmarted by a rubber tank!
Adolf Hitler’s Peculiar Art Ambitions Before becoming the leader of Nazi Germany, Adolf Hitler aspired to be an artist. He applied to the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts twice and was rejected both times. Some speculate that history might have been very different had he pursued painting instead of politics.
Operation Mincemeat The British intelligence masterminded Operation Mincemeat, in which a corpse dressed as a British officer was dropped off the coast of Spain with fake plans about an Allied invasion. The Germans fell for it, diverting their forces to the wrong location.
Wojtek, the Soldier Bear The Polish Army adopted a bear named Wojtek, who carried artillery shells during battles. He became an official enlisted soldier and even received rations, proving that sometimes the best comrade is a bear.
Nazi Cows Heinrich Himmler, a high-ranking Nazi, ordered the breeding of giant “super cows” to symbolize Aryan strength. The result was aggressive animals that farmers found impossible to handle—an ironic failure of Nazi pseudoscience.
Churchill’s “Cigar Bribe” Winston Churchill once bribed a waiter to put out a no-smoking sign in order to smoke his cigar in a hotel dining room. This was during wartime, when even the smallest indulgences took on great significance.
The Great Emu War Inspiration During WWII, Australian troops humorously referenced their earlier struggle against emus (large flightless birds) when faced with certain “impossible” odds in battle.