Top 10 Weapons that Won World War II
It took more than love and friendship to win this war. From the bazooka, to the M2 Browning, to the P-51 Mustang, these weapons defined a historical battle. WatchMojo counts down the Top 10 Weapons that Won World War II.
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Top 10 Weapons that Won World War II
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It took more than love and friendship to win this war. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 Weapons that Won World War II. For this list, we’re looking at weapons that played a deciding factor in the outcome of World War II.
#10: Bazooka
When up against a massive tank, an infantry unit is obviously at a huge disadvantage. As most weapons did not pack a big enough punch to put a dent in these armored vehicles, the U.S. Army developed the M9A1 Rocket Launcher for the specific purpose of taking down tanks and strongholds. Nicknamed the Bazooka by radio-personality Bob Burns, this weapon launched rockets carrying a dangerous substance called pentolite, resulting in an explosion capable of penetrating around 5 inches of armor. Easy to mass produce and relatively lightweight considering their power, the Bazooka was hailed as a key factor in winning the war by President Dwight Eisenhower.
#9: M2 Browning
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Designed towards the end of World War I, John Browning's M2 machine gun has been employed in nearly every major conflict since the 1930s. Equipped with .50 BMG cartridges, the M2 boasted firepower and accuracy; but, more importantly, the Browning was rather flexible. The M2 was not only used by the infantry, but the gun served as the primary or defensive weapon for many armored vehicles and patrol boats. Due to its stopping power, the Browning was also involved in aerial warfare, allowing the P-51 Mustang to take down enemy aircrafts and damage naval destroyers.
#8: P-51 Mustang
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Produced by North American Aviation before being employed by the British Royal Air Force and U.S. Army Air Forces, this single-engine aircraft is considered the best mass-produced piston-engined fighter of World War II. The P-51 Mustang was powered by a liquid-cooled in-line Allison engine - an experimental decision which paid off by greatly improving the aircraft's range and mobility - and later, the Rolls-Royce Merlin . Equipped with six machine guns, the P-51 could travel over 1000 miles (or over 2000 with two drop tanks), making it the perfect choice to protect American Bomber fleets. In addition to boasting serious destructive capabilities, the aircraft was crucial in gathering intel by flying over enemy territory.
#7: B-17 Flying Fortress
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With a whopping four-engines keeping it in the air, the B-17 lived up to its name. Designed and financed entirely by Boeing, the Flying Fortress was mass produced after the events of Pearl Harbor. Originally armed with five .30-caliber machine guns, the B-17 could carry around 9,600 lbs worth of bombs. Capable of taking a vicious beating, the Flying Fortress and P-51 Mustang formed one hell of a team, leading to the Allied forces dominating the skies. Over the course of three years, the B-17 was used to deliver crushing blows to Rome, Berlin, and multiple Pacific theaters.
#6: M4 Sherman Tank
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Sometimes in war, quantity trumps quality. With the Panzer tanks giving Germany an advantage on the ground, America produced the M4 Sherman as a capable alternative. While less resistant and combat efficient, the M4 Sherman benefited from how quickly and easily it could be manufactured and maintained. During the latter years of the war, nearly 50,000 tanks were deployed, allowing for Allied forces to breach deep into areas controlled by Axis troops. What the M4 Sherman lacked in fire-power, it made up for in speed and mobility, including a Duplex-Drive version that allowed the tank to travel in water while keeping the turret above sea level.
#5: Hawker Hurricane
Best described as a workmanlike aircraft fighter, this is the plane that helped Allied forces through the early days of World War II. Speaking purely in terms of performance, the Supermarine Spitfire had an edge over the Hawker Hurricane, but the latter greatly outnumbered the former. During the Battle of Britain, 1,715 Hurricanes took to the skies, with many ordered to take down German bombers, while Spitfires usually focused on the fighter planes. Hurricanes are credited with taking down more than half of enemy aircrafts during the Battle of Britain.
#4: Essex Class Carriers
The Pacific War was decided just as much in the shipyard as on the battlefield. By 1943, America was starting to take the upper hand against Japan, but they were running low on ships. Right when they were needed the most, a new class of carriers hit the scene and turned the tide squarely in America's favor. With an improved radar system and requiring less time to manufacture, the Essex class was a substantial improvement over its predecessor. Between 1943 and 1950, 24 units were created, each capable of carrying around one hundred planes.
#3: T-34 Tank
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This is the tank that halted Nazi Germany's dominance. Growing suspicious of Joseph Stalin, Hitler set out to conquer the Soviet Union by launching Operation Barbarossa. While initially met with success, this operation quickly turned sour when the Soviets introduced the T-34 Tank. Capable of besting a Panzer on any day of the week, at least prior to the introduction of the Panzerfaust, the Russians kept the invading forces at bay with sheer efficiency. During the war, over 50,000 T-34 tanks were produced, greatly outnumbering the Panzers and overwhelming the enemy troops.
#2: M1 Garand Rifle
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In a fight between a semi-automatic and bolt-action rifle, there will only be one winner. The M1 Garand rifle was used exclusively by the American forces, providing a huge advantage against German and Japanese troops. Capable of firing eight rounds without interference, soldiers equipped with the M1 Garand could simply do more damage than their bolt-action counterparts. The weapon's straightforward design allowed the combatant to easily maintain it. Alongside the M1 Thompson – a submachine gun with a 30-round capacity – the M1 Garand served as America's primary infantry weapon during World War II. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. The Higgins Boat Katyusha Rocket Launcher Avro Lancaster Bomber
#1: The Atomic Bomb
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An explosion heard around the world. Based on Albert Einstein's theories, an atomic bomb works by splitting an atom's nucleus with a single neuron, creating a devastating reaction. The Manhattan Project started in 1939, but the bomb was not completed until 1945. While Germany had already surrendered, a much weakened Japan was unwilling to end the war. Instead of dispatching an army, President Harry Truman approved the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which killed over 200,000 people. Emperor Hirohito announced Japan's surrender soon after, bringing World War II to an end.
