The title, “Sinking 12000 Miles: The WW2 Aircraft Carrier That Somehow Survived,” evokes a singular, dramatic saga: a colossal vessel, battered and nearly broken, journeying across an unimaginable expanse of ocean, yet defiantly emerging from the abyss. It’s a powerful image of endurance against overwhelming odds, a testament to the unyielding spirit in the face of utter devastation. While history often fixates on iconic ships and individual heroes, the true narrative of World War II is perhaps best understood through a similar lens, but on a grander, more intricate scale. It is the story of entire nations, each a vital component of a vast, interconnected fleet, navigating the perilous waters of global conflict, often isolated, frequently under siege, yet collectively charting a course towards survival against a tide of unprecedented aggression.
The sheer geographical spread of World War II, a conflict that literally spanned continents and oceans, defines its “12,000 miles” scope. From the dusty plains of Afghanistan to the remote shores of Australia, from the frozen battlefields of Europe to the humid jungles of Southeast Asia, no corner of the globe remained untouched. This global stage demanded an equally global response, where alliances were forged, neutrality was tested, and the very fabric of national identity was stretched to its breaking point. Each country played a role in this unprecedented drama, contributing to the tapestry of human resilience that somehow allowed the world to survive this cataclysmic period. In this sweeping narrative of survival, we journey through the early chapters of the war, examining how diverse nations grappled with the initial shockwaves of conflict, ultimately showcasing the collective spirit refusing to sink.
In this sweeping narrative of survival, we journey through the early chapters of the war, examining how diverse nations grappled with the initial shockwaves of conflict. We will uncover the stark realities faced by those caught in the immediate path of aggression, the intricate diplomatic dances of countries striving to maintain their independence, and the courageous decisions that ultimately shaped their destiny. It’s a story not just of battles won or lost, but of the collective human spirit refusing to sink, navigating through the deepest perils of war with an unshakeable resolve that, in the end, ensured the “aircraft carrier” of global civilization, though deeply scarred, somehow survived.
1. **Afghanistan: The Isolated Kingdom’s Balancing Act**Nestled strategically between empires, Afghanistan, under Prime Minister Mohammad Hashim Khan, meticulously upheld its neutrality throughout World War II. This deliberate policy was strategically driven, hoping that the Axis powers might diminish pervasive British influence stemming from the British Raj and Mesopotamia. It was a careful tightrope walk, navigating treacherous geopolitical currents without directly plunging into the conflict’s depths.
This neutrality, however, wasn’t without its intricate diplomacy. In 1940, the Afghanistan legation in Berlin explored potential territorial gains if the Axis won the war, specifically seeking ethnic Pashtun land between the Durand Line and the Indus River. This audacious ambition showcased a desire to reshape regional power dynamics without direct combat.
Further adding to the intricate web of wartime dealings was the curious case of Amanullah Khan, a former king, whom Western press reported in 1941 was allegedly working as an agent for Nazi Germany. He was “believed he was involved in plans to regain his throne with Axis help.” These clandestine machinations, however, never materialized; following the Axis defeat in Stalingrad in 1943, such plans cooled. Afghanistan successfully maintained its position, “neither suffering an attack nor attacking any other country,” a unique testament to a nation’s ability to remain aloof from the direct fighting.
Military equipment: Great Game
Categories: 19th century in Afghanistan, 19th century in Asia, 19th century in British India, 19th century in India, 19th century in the Russian Empire
Summary: The Great Game was a rivalry between the 19th-century British and Russian empires over influence in Central Asia, primarily in Afghanistan, Persia, and Tibet. The two colonial empires used military interventions and diplomatic negotiations to acquire and redefine territories in Central and South Asia. Russia conquered Turkestan, and Britain expanded and set the borders of British India. By the early 20th century, a line of independent states, tribes, and monarchies from the shore of the Caspian Sea to the Eastern Himalayas were made into protectorates and territories of the two empires.
Though the Great Game was marked by distrust, diplomatic intrigue, and regional wars, it never erupted into a full-scale war directly between Russian and British colonial forces. However, the two nations battled in the Crimean War from 1853 to 1856, which affected the Great Game. The Russian and British Empires also cooperated numerous times during the Great Game, including many treaties and the Afghan Boundary Commission.
Britain feared Russia’s southward expansion would threaten India, while Russia feared the expansion of British interests into Central Asia. As a result, Britain made it a high priority to protect all approaches to India, while Russia continued its military conquest of Central Asia. Aware of the importance of India to the British, Russian efforts in the region often had the aim of extorting concessions from them in Europe, but after 1901, they had no serious intention of directly attacking India. Russian war plans for India that were proposed but never materialised included the Duhamel and Khrulev plans of the Crimean War (1853–1856).
Russia and Britain’s 19th-century rivalry in Asia began with the planned Indian March of Paul and Russian invasions of Iran in 1804–1813 and 1826–1828, shuffling Persia into a competition between colonial powers. According to one major view, the Great Game started on 12 January 1830, when Lord Ellenborough, the president of the Board of Control for India, tasked Lord Bentinck, the governor-general, with establishing a trade route to the Emirate of Bukhara. Britain aimed to create a protectorate in Afghanistan, and support the Ottoman Empire, Persia, Khiva, and Bukhara as buffer states against Russian expansion. This would protect India and key British sea trade routes by blocking Russia from gaining a port on the Persian Gulf or the Indian Ocean. As Russian and British spheres of influence expanded and competed, Russia proposed Afghanistan as the neutral zone.
Traditionally, the Great Game came to a close between 1895 and 1907. In September 1895, London and Saint Petersburg signed the Pamir Boundary Commission protocols, when the border between Afghanistan and the Russian Empire was defined using diplomatic methods. In August 1907, the Anglo-Russian Convention created an alliance between Britain and Russia, and formally delineated control in Afghanistan, Persia, and Tibet.
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2. **Albania: From Occupation to Fierce Partisan Liberation**Albania’s destiny was irrevocably shaped in April 1939 with an Italian invasion, swiftly integrating it into the Italian Empire. Initial support for the Albanian Fascist Party stemmed primarily from “the unification of Kosovo and other Albanian-populated territories with Albania proper after the conquest of Yugoslavia and Greece by the Axis in Spring 1941,” fulfilling Mussolini’s boast of a “Greater Albania.”
However, the illusion of Italian benevolence quickly faded, giving way to burgeoning resistance. By October 1941, small Communist groups, notably under the leadership of Enver Hoxha, established the Albanian Communist Party in Tirana. Their influence surged by “mid-1942,” rallying young people “to fight for the liberation of their country from Italy.” This culminated in the formation of the Albanian National Anti-Fascist Front in September 1942, uniting diverse resistance groups into a formidable National Liberation Army.
The geopolitical landscape shifted again in September 1943 when Germany occupied Albania, dropping “paratroopers into Tirana.” Berlin attempted to establish a puppet state, and some local factions collaborated. Yet, the resolve of the Albanian partisans remained unbroken. They continued their relentless fight, successfully liberating Albania from German occupation on “November 29, 1944.” Moreover, “The Albanian partisans also helped in the liberation of Kosovo and parts of Yugoslavia,” playing a significant regional role against Axis forces.
Military equipment: German occupation of Albania
NativeName: native name,native name
ConventionalLongName: Albanian Kingdom
Status: Client state
P1: Italian protectorate of Albania (1939–1943)!Italian protectorate of Albania
FlagP1: Flag of Albania (1939-1943; crowned).svg
S1: Democratic Government of Albania
FlagS1: Flag of the Democratic Government of Albania (1944–1946).svg
S2: Democratic Federal Yugoslavia
FlagS2: Flag of Yugoslavia (1943–1946).svg
NationalMotto: “Shqipëria Shqiptarëve, Vdekje Tradhëtarëve”,“Albania for the Albanians, Death to the Traitors”
NationalAnthem: Himni i Flamurit
FlagCaption: Flag
Coordinates: 41|31|N|19|48|E,title
Capital: Tirana
CommonLanguages: Albanian language
GovernmentType: Regent,constitutional monarchy
TitleRepresentative: Head of State
Representative1: Ibrahim Biçakçiu
YearRepresentative1: 1943
Representative2: Mehdi Frashëri
YearRepresentative2: 1943–1944
TitleDeputy: Prime Minister of Albania
Deputy1: Rexhep Mitrovica
YearDeputy1: 1943–1944
Deputy2: Fiqri Dine
YearDeputy2: 1944
Deputy3: Ibrahim Biçakçiu
YearDeputy3: 1944
Legislature: Parliament of Albania
Era: World War II
EventStart: German takeover
DateStart: Sat Sep 08 2001 00:00:00 GMT-0700 (Pacific Daylight Time)
YearStart: 1943
EventEnd: Communist Takeover & Liberation
DateEnd: Thu Nov 29 2001 00:00:00 GMT-0800 (Pacific Standard Time)
YearEnd: 1944
StatYear1: 1939
StatArea1: 28,748
StatYear2: 1940–1943
StatArea2: 52,667
StatPop1: 1,063,893
StatPop2: 1,701,463
Currency: Franga
Footnotes: reflist
Group: note
Demonym: Albanians
Today: plainlist
Categories: 1940s in Kosovo, 1943 establishments in Albania, 1944 disestablishments in Albania, Albania in World War II, All articles to be expanded
Summary: Albania was occupied by Nazi Germany between 1943 and 1944 during World War II. Before the armistice between Italy and the Allied armed forces on 8 September 1943, Albania had been in a de jure personal union with and was de facto under the control of the Kingdom of Italy. After the armistice and the Italian exit from the Axis, German military forces entered Albania and it came under German occupation, creating the client-state, the Albanian Kingdom (Albanian: Mbretëria Shqiptare; German: Königreich Albanien).
The Germans favoured the nationalist Balli Kombëtar over King Zog’s Legalists and the occupation was marked by collaboration between them and the Germans. Albania under German occupation retained control of the areas it had received during Italian rule, including most of Kosovo, as well as Western Macedonia, the town of Tutin in Serbia and a strip of Eastern Montenegro. It was the policy of the Balli Kombëtar to have all Albanian populated territories under one state.
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3. **Argentina: A Neutrality Tested on the Southern Seas**Before 1939, Argentina had cultivated a deep-seated tradition of neutrality regarding European wars, largely due to its economic position as “one of the world’s leading exporters of foodstuffs and agricultural products” to Europe, especially the United Kingdom. Initially, while “the government of Argentina was sympathetic to the Allies” and offered “economic assistance to the United Kingdom,” this ingrained political tradition of neutralism held firm.
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, however, intensified “American pressure for Argentine entry into the war.” Relations deteriorated further after a military coup in 1943, as the new plotters were “accused of holding Axis sympathies.” Despite “strong divisions and internal disputes between members of the Argentine military,” which contributed to its continued neutrality, the country eventually faced immense Allied pressure.
Argentina formally “broke relations with the Axis powers on January 26, 1944,” a decisive diplomatic shift. The final step came on “March 27, 1945,” when it formally “declared war.” This late entry did not diminish individual commitment, as “Over 4,000 Argentine volunteers fought on the Allied side.” However, Argentina’s post-war narrative is shadowed by its controversial role as “the principal destination of these escape routes and became a haven for thousands of people associated with the Hitler regime.”
Military equipment: Vito Dumas
Name: Vito Dumas
BirthDate: [object Object]
BirthPlace: Buenos Aires, Argentina
DeathDate: [object Object]
Nationality: Argentines
KnownFor: Single-handed sailing,circumnavigation
Categories: 1900 births, 1965 deaths, All Wikipedia neutral point of view disputes, All stub articles, Argentine sailing biography stubs
Summary: Vito Dumas (Buenos Aires, Argentina, September 26, 1900 – March 28, 1965) was a prominent Argentine solo sailor and adventurer, known for his remarkable achievements in long-distance single-handed sailing. Dumas excelled in various fields, including swimming, athletics, photography, painting, and writing. However, it was his indomitable spirit and unparalleled solo sailing expeditions that truly distinguished him as one of the greatest solo navigators of all time.
Dumas embarked on daring voyages that were deemed impossible, not only due to the challenging routes he chose but also because of the demanding sailing conditions he faced. He braved the vast seas in small wooden boats, devoid of any modern conveniences such as motors, electricity, or crew. These formidable challenges did not deter him but rather fueled his determination to conquer the elements.
Throughout his expeditions, Dumas encountered a myriad of hardships. He battled ferocious hurricanes, suffered from scurvy and severe infections, endured scarcity of water and food supplies, and even faced perilous encounters with whales. His unwavering resolve was tested to the extreme, as he was willing to sacrifice his own limb to save his life. At one point, he contemplated opening the floodgates of his vessel, willing to sink and end his protracted struggle in the vast and unforgiving ocean.
Dumas etched his name in history by becoming the first person to circumnavigate the globe solo along the treacherous “southern route.” This route, previously considered impassable since the 16th century when European explorers set sail, came to be known as the “roaring forties” – a circumnavigation along the 40th parallel in the southern hemisphere, unobstructed by land masses and subjected to the relentless onslaught of fierce winds and monumental waves. Admirable sailors such as Moitessier, Robin Knox Johnston, and Chichester regard Dumas as their esteemed “Maestro” in the art of navigating through tempestuous conditions.
Dumas documented his extraordinary voyages in four books: Sólo rumbo a la Cruz del Sur (Heading towards the Southern Cross alone), Los cuarenta bramadores (Alone through the Roaring Forties), El crucero de lo imprevisto (The cruise of the unexpected), and El viaje del Sirio (The journey of the Sirius). These captivating accounts of his maritime escapades have been translated into numerous languages, with The Roaring Forties now considered a timeless classic in nautical literature.
Dumas received countless accolades and honors throughout his illustrious nautical career. His expeditions garnered worldwide attention, gracing the pages of newspapers, magazines, and news programs, both within and beyond the maritime sphere. Furthermore, he was bestowed with the highest distinctions in various countries, and his legendary status was immortalized in popular songs, comic strips, and films.
In recognition of his pioneering contributions to solo navigation, Vito Dumas was honored by the Cruising Club of America with the prestigious Blue Water Medal, awarded “Without Date”, the most esteemed recognition a sailor can receive.
Even decades after his awe-inspiring journeys, Vito Dumas continues to be revered within the nautical community and remains an enduring figure of inspiration. His extraordinary achievements and unwavering spirit continue to captivate the imaginations of sailors and adventurers worldwide.
Single-handed circunnavigation through the Roaring Forties.
On 27 June 1942, while the world was in the depths of World War II, he set out on a single-handed circumnavigation of the Southern Ocean. He left Buenos Aires in June, sailing LEHG II, a 31-foot ketch an acronym representing “four names which marked my life”. He had only the most basic and makeshift gear; he had no radio, for fear of being shot as a spy, and was forced to stuff his clothes with newspaper to keep warm.
With only three landfalls, the legs of his trip were the longest that had been made by a single-hander, and in the most ferocious oceans on the Earth; but most of all, it was a powerful retort to a world which had chosen to divide itself by war. He recounted the experience in his book Los Cuarenta Bramadores: La Vuelta al Mundo Por la “Ruta Imposible” (Alone Through The Roaring Forties).
He donated his boat to the Argentine Navy for training, but after a few years it was neglected, and was finally wrecked against a pier at the entrance of La Plata’s port in 1966. A wealthy Argentine yachtsman paid to have it restored and donated it to the Argentina Naval Museum in Tigre, a coastal river town on a backwater of the River Plate. The LEHG II is now on display in Tigre, which is a short train ride from Buenos Aires.
Dumas was the inspiration for an Argentine tango entitled Navegante, written by Jaime Yanin (music) and José Horacio Staffolani (lyrics). It was recorded in Buenos Aires on 5 August 1943 by the Orquesta típica of Carlos di Sarli, featuring Roberto Rufino on vocals.
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4. **Australia: A Nation Forged in Global Fire**Australia’s commitment to the Allied cause was immediate and unequivocal, becoming “among the first countries to announce it was at war with Germany, on 3 September 1939.” Prime Minister Robert Menzies articulated this profound connection, stating that “the British declaration legally bound Australia,” thus initiating “a state of war between Australia and Germany.” This decision quickly mobilized a nation of “around seven million” people, with “more than one million Australian men” eventually serving.
Despite being “ill-prepared for war,” the Australian government swiftly dispatched military assets globally. “Squadrons and personnel” served with the Royal Air Force, and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) commenced operations against Italy in June 1940. Later, the Australian Army “entered the North Africa campaign and fought in Greece.” “German submarines and raiding ships operated in Australian waters throughout the war,” underscoring the conflict’s global reach.
The war took a dramatic and personal turn with “the outbreak of hostilities with Japan in late 1941.” “Japanese aircraft launched a bombing attack on Darwin in February,” followed by “smaller air raids on Australia, 1942–43.” With this direct threat, “the Australian war effort was concentrated in south-east Asia and the South West Pacific Area,” deeply “involved from January 1942 in Malaya, the Dutch East Indies and the Australian territory of New Guinea.” The “Kokoda Track campaign” and broader New Guinea campaign became the focal point until 1945, a brutal struggle where “Disease and starvation claimed more Japanese lives than combat.”
Military equipment: Climate change in Australia
Categories: All Wikipedia articles in need of updating, All Wikipedia articles written in Australian English, All articles with unsourced statements, All articles with vague or ambiguous time, Articles with excerpts
Summary: Climate change has been a critical issue in Australia since the beginning of the 21st century. Australia is becoming hotter and more prone to extreme heat, bushfires, droughts, floods, and longer fire seasons because of climate change. Climate issues include wildfires, heatwaves, cyclones, rising sea levels, and erosion.
Since the beginning of the 20th century, Australia has experienced an increase of over 1.5 °C in average annual temperatures, with warming occurring at twice the rate over the past 50 years compared with the previous 50 years. In 2025, the Australian Government reported “high confidence” that the global temperature rise “will stabilise some” at the increase of 1.5-3 °C. Recent climate events such as extremely high temperatures and widespread drought have focused government and public attention on the effects of climate change in Australia. Rainfall in southwestern Australia has decreased by 10–20% since the 1970s, while southeastern Australia has also experienced a moderate decline since the 1990s. Rainfall is expected to become heavier and more infrequent, as well as more common in summer rather than in winter. Australia’s annual average temperatures are projected to increase 0.4–2.0 °C above 1990 levels by the year 2030, and 1–6 °C by 2070. Average precipitation in the southwest and southeast Australia is projected to decline during this time, while regions such as the northwest may experience increases in rainfall.
Climate change is affecting the continent’s environment and ecosystems. Australia is vulnerable to the effects of global warming projected for the next 50 to 100 years because of its extensive arid and semi-arid areas, and already warm climate, high annual rainfall variability. The continent’s high fire risk increases this susceptibility to changes in temperature and climate. Meanwhile, Australia’s coastlines will experience erosion and inundation from an estimated 8–88 centimetres (3.1–34.6 in) increase in global sea level. Australia’s unique ecosystems such as the Great Barrier Reef and many animal species are also at risk.
Climate change also has diverse implications for Australia’s economy, its agriculture and public health. Projected impacts include more severe floods, droughts, and cyclones. Furthermore, Australia’s population is highly concentrated in coastal areas at risk from rising sea levels, and existing pressures on water supply will be exacerbated. The exposure of Indigenous Australians to climate change impacts is exacerbated by existing socio-economic disadvantages which are linked to colonial and post-colonial marginalisation. The communities most affected by climate changes are those in the North where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up 30% of the population. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities located in the coastal north are the most disadvantaged due to social and economic issues and their reliance on traditional land for food, culture, and health. This has raised the question for many community members in these areas, “Should we stay or move away?”
Australia is also a contributor to climate change, with its greenhouse gas emissions per capita above the world average. The country is highly reliant on coal and other fossil fuels, although renewable energy coverage is increasing. National climate change mitigation efforts include a commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 under the Paris Agreement, although Australia has repeatedly ranked poorly in the Climate Change Performance Index and other international rankings for its climate targets and implementation. Climate change adaptation can be performed at national and local levels and was identified as a priority for Australia in the 2007 Garnaut Review.
Climate change has been a divisive or politicised issue in Australian politics since the 2000s, contributing to successive governments implementing and repealing mitigation policies such as carbon pricing. Some Australian media outlets have promoted climate misinformation. The issue has sparked protests in support of climate change policies, including some of the largest demonstrations and school strikes in Australia’s history.
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5. **Belgium: From Neutrality’s Promise to Occupation’s Peril**Belgium, keenly aware of its vulnerable position in Europe, had formally “declared its neutrality in the event of war in Europe” in 1936, hoping to avoid past conflicts. This aspiration was brutally shattered in May 1940 when Germany launched “a surprise attack during its wider blitzkrieg against France,” ignoring all declarations and international law. Despite overwhelming force, “Belgian forces resisted the invasion in the Battle of Belgium for 18 days,” a fierce defense. “The Belgian army and its commander, King Leopold III, surrendered on 28 May 1940,” leading to widespread capture, with many remaining “imprisoned until the end of World War II.”
Under German occupation, Belgium endured immense hardship. A military government imposed “harsh taxes and strict rationing,” and “Hundreds of thousands of Belgians laboured in Germany,” many through forced labor programs. The Holocaust also exacted a terrible toll, with “Around 25,000 Jews and Romani were deported,” tragically losing their lives in Nazi death camps. Yet, a robust “Belgian Resistance comprised numerous groups that fought against the occupation in various ways,” notably “Groupe G,” which ran “a successful campaign of sabotage against railroads.”
In defiance, “Belgium’s elected government fled… to London, where it established the Belgian government in exile.” This government organized the “Free Belgian Forces,” which “participated in the D-Day campaign, the Italian campaign, the landings on Walcheren Island, and the Battle of the Atlantic.” “The Liberation of Belgium began in September 1944 when Allied forces… entered the country.” Though German troops “counterattacked in December with the Ardennes Offensive,” its failure “forced all German troops out of Belgium by February 1945,” with “German V-bomb attacks continued until the end of the war.”
Military equipment: Treaty of Versailles
Name: Treaty of Versailles
LongName: Treaty of Peace between the Allied and Associated Powers and Germany
Caption: Cover of the English version of the treaty.
DateSigned: [object Object]
LocationSigned: Palace of Versailles,Versailles, Yvelines
DateEffective: Sat Jan 10 1920 00:00:00 GMT-0800 (Pacific Standard Time)
ConditionEffective: Ratification
Parties: Collapsible list
Titlestyle: font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left;
Title: Allied and Associated Powers
Depositor: French Government
Languages: French language
Wikisource: Treaty of Versailles
Categories: 1919 in France, All articles with failed verification, All articles with incomplete citations, All articles with unsourced statements, Arms control treaties
Summary: The Treaty of Versailles was a peace treaty signed on 28 June 1919. As the most important treaty of World War I, it ended the state of war between Germany and most of the Allied Powers. It was signed in the Palace of Versailles, exactly five years after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, which led to the war. The other Central Powers on the German side signed separate treaties. Although the armistice of 11 November 1918 ended the actual fighting, and agreed certain principles and conditions including the payment of reparations, it took six months of Allied negotiations at the Paris Peace Conference to conclude the peace treaty. Germany was not allowed to participate in the negotiations before signing the treaty.
The treaty required Germany to disarm, make territorial concessions, extradite alleged war criminals, agree to Kaiser Wilhelm being put on trial, recognise the independence of states whose territory had previously been part of the German Empire, and pay reparations to the Entente powers. The most critical and controversial provision in the treaty was: “The Allied and Associated Governments affirm and Germany accepts the responsibility of Germany and her allies for causing all the loss and damage to which the Allied and Associated Governments and their nationals have been subjected as a consequence of the war imposed upon them by the aggression of Germany and her allies.” The other members of the Central Powers signed treaties containing similar articles. This article, Article 231, became known as the “War Guilt” clause.
Critics including John Maynard Keynes declared the treaty too harsh, styling it as a “Carthaginian peace”, and saying the reparations were excessive and counterproductive. On the other hand, prominent Allied figures such as French Marshal Ferdinand Foch criticized the treaty for treating Germany too leniently. This is still the subject of ongoing debate by historians and economists.
The result of these competing and sometimes conflicting goals among the victors was a compromise that left no one satisfied. In particular, Germany was neither pacified nor conciliated, nor was it permanently weakened. The United States never ratified the Versailles treaty; instead it made a separate peace treaty with Germany, albeit based on the Versailles treaty. The problems that arose from the treaty would lead to the Locarno Treaties, which improved relations between Germany and the other European powers. The reparation system was reorganized and payments reduced in the Dawes Plan and the Young Plan. Bitter resentment of the treaty powered the rise of the Nazi Party, and eventually the outbreak of a second World War.
Although it is often referred to as the “Versailles Conference”, only the actual signing of the treaty took place at the historic palace. Most of the negotiations were in Paris, with the “Big Four” meetings taking place generally at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the Quai d’Orsay.
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6. **Algeria: From Vichy Control to Vital Allied Support**Algeria’s experience in World War II was a complex tapestry woven from colonial rule, Axis influence, and eventual liberation, playing a crucial role in the Allied North African campaign. Following the Fall of France, Algeria, like other French possessions in Africa, initially fell under the sway of Nazi Germany and its Vichy France regime. This period was marked by inherent tension, as the territory was strategically important but its loyalties were divided.
Early in the war, direct engagements unfolded on Algerian soil. The British Empire launched a Royal Navy squadron to attack the port of Mers-El-Kébir, near Oran, due to its concentration of French warships. This naval action underscored Algeria’s strategic value in the Mediterranean. Later, Italian planes bombed Algiers, demonstrating the reach of Axis air power.
A pivotal turning point arrived with Operation Torch on November 8, 1942, a massive Allied offensive aimed at capturing key North African cities. Allies initially faced significant French resistance during attempts to seize Oran and Algiers by naval landing. Overcoming these, they first secured Morocco and then swept into Algeria, ultimately liberating Northern Africa from Axis and Vichy control, a critical step towards opening a new front.
Beyond strategic battles, Algeria contributed significantly to the Allied war effort through its manpower. Large numbers of both Muslim and European Algerians bravely served with the French Army, demonstrating remarkable resilience. These Algerian troops distinguished themselves in General Juin’s French Expeditionary Corps during the arduous Italian campaign of 1943. Their valor was again showcased in Operation Dragoon, the crucial Allied invasion of southern France in 1944, underscoring their commitment to freedom and victory.
Military equipment: Vichy France
ConventionalLongName: French State
NativeName: native name
Status: State under partial occupation (1940–1942),Nazi Germany,Government-in-exile
P1: French Third Republic!French Third,Republic
FlagP2: War Ensign of Germany (1938–1945).svg
P2: German military administration in occupied France during World War II!1940:,German military,administration
S1: German military administration in occupied France during World War II!1942:,German military,administration
FlagP1: Flag of France.svg
FlagS1: War Ensign of Germany (1938–1945).svg
FlagS2: Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg
S2: Italian occupation of France!Italian military,administration
FlagS3: Flag of France.svg
S3: Sigmaringen enclave!1944:,French Government,Commission for the Defense,of National Interests
FlagS4: Flag of France.svg
S4: Provisional Government of the French Republic!Provisional Government,of the French Republic
Flag: Flag of France
FlagType: Flag
Symbol: National symbols of France#Historical emblems
SymbolType: Cartouche
NationalMotto: lang
NationalAnthem: lang
Capital: Vichy,Paris
CapitalExile: Sigmaringen
CommonLanguages: French language
GovernmentType: Révolution nationale
TitleLeader: List of heads of state of France#French State (1940–1944)
Leader1: Philippe Pétain
YearLeader1: 1940–1944
TitleRepresentative: Prime Minister of France
YearRepresentative1: 1940–1942
Representative1: Philippe Pétain
YearRepresentative2: 1942–1944
Representative2: Pierre Laval
TitleDeputy: Deputy Prime Minister of France
Deputy1: Pierre Laval
YearDeputy1: 1940
Deputy2: Pierre-Étienne Flandin
YearDeputy2: 1940–1941
Deputy3: François Darlan
YearDeputy3: 1941–1942
Legislature: National Assembly (France)
Era: World War II
EventPre: Second Compiègne
DatePre: Sat Jun 22 1940 00:00:00 GMT-0800 (Pacific Daylight Time)
EventStart: Philippe Pétain
DateStart: Tue Jul 10 2001 00:00:00 GMT-0700 (Pacific Daylight Time)
YearStart: 1940
YearEnd: 1944
DateEnd: Thu Aug 09 2001 00:00:00 GMT-0700 (Pacific Daylight Time)
EventEnd: Ordinance of 9 August 1944
YearExileStart: 1944
YearExileEnd: 1945
Event1: Operation Torch
DateEvent1: Sun Nov 08 1942 00:00:00 GMT-0700 (Pacific Standard Time)
Event2: Case Anton
DateEvent2: Wed Nov 11 1942 00:00:00 GMT-0700 (Pacific Standard Time)
Event3: Allied advance from Paris to the Rhine
DateEvent3: Sat Jan 01 1944 00:00:00 GMT-0700 (Pacific Standard Time)
EventPost: Sigmaringen enclave
DatePost: Sun Apr 22 1945 00:00:00 GMT-0700 (Pacific Daylight Time)
Currency: French franc
FootnoteA: de jure
FootnoteB: Although the French Republic’s institutions were officially maintained, the word “Republic” never occurred in any official document of the Vichy government.
Categories: 1940 establishments in Europe, 1940 establishments in France, 1940s in France, 1944 disestablishments in Europe, 1944 disestablishments in France
Summary: Vichy France (French: Régime de Vichy, lit. ’Vichy regime’; 10 July 1940 – 9 August 1944), officially the French State (État français), was a French rump state headed by Marshal Philippe Pétain during World War II, established as a result of the French capitulation after the defeat against Germany. It was named after its seat of government, the city of Vichy.
Officially independent, but with half of its territory occupied under the harsh terms of the 1940 armistice with Nazi Germany, it adopted a policy of collaboration. Though Paris was nominally its capital, the government established itself in Vichy in the unoccupied “free zone” (zone libre). The occupation of France by Germany at first affected only the northern and western portions of the country. In November 1942, the Allies occupied French North Africa, and in response the Germans and Italians occupied the entirety of Metropolitan France, ending any pretence of independence by the Vichy government.
On 10 May 1940, France was invaded by Nazi Germany. Paul Reynaud resigned as prime minister rather than sign an armistice, and was replaced by Marshal Philippe Pétain, a hero of World War I. Shortly thereafter, Pétain signed the Armistice of 22 June 1940. At Vichy, Pétain established an authoritarian dictatorship that reversed many liberal policies, began tight supervision of the economy and launched an ideological campaign called Révolution nationale. Conservative Catholics became prominent. Vichy France exhibited characteristics of fascism, such as political and social engineering institutions and attempts at mass mobilization, totalitarian aspirations in control over the populace and currents within the ideological underpinnings of the regime, although many historians have rejected its definition as fascist and called it authoritarian conservative instead. The state and tightly controlled media promoted antisemitism and racism, Anglophobia, and, after Operation Barbarossa started in June 1941, anti-Sovietism. The terms of the armistice allowed some degree of independence; France was officially declared a neutral country, and the Vichy government kept the French Navy and French colonial empire under French control, avoiding full occupation of the country by Germany. Despite heavy pressure, the Vichy government never joined the Axis powers.
In October 1940, during a meeting with Adolf Hitler in Montoire-sur-le-Loir, Pétain officially announced the policy of collaboration with Germany whilst maintaining overall neutrality in the war. The Vichy government believed that with its policy of collaboration, it could have extracted significant concessions from Germany and avoided harsh terms in the peace treaty. Germany kept two million French prisoners-of-war and imposed forced labour on young Frenchmen. (The Vichy government tried to negotiate with Germany for the early release of the French prisoners of war.) French soldiers were kept hostage to ensure that Vichy would reduce its military forces and pay a heavy tribute in gold, food, and supplies to Germany. French police were ordered to round up Jews and other “undesirables”, and at least 72,500 Jews were killed in Nazi concentration camps. Most of these Jews were foreigners (25,000 from Poland, 7,000 from Germany, 4,000 from Russia, 3,000 from Romania, 3,000 from Austria, 1,500 from Greece, 1,500 from Turkey, 1,200 from Hungary. The Jews of French origin numbered about 24,000 (6,500 French Jews from Metropole, 1,500 from Algeria, 8,000 children of foreign parents, 8,000 Jews naturalized).
Most of the French public initially supported the regime, but opinion turned against the Vichy government and the occupying German forces as the war dragged on and living conditions in France worsened. The French Resistance, working largely in concert with the London-based Free France movement, increased in strength over the course of the occupation. After the liberation of France began in 1944, the Free French Provisional Government of the French Republic (GPRF) was installed as the new national government, led by Charles de Gaulle. The last of the Vichy exiles were captured in the Sigmaringen enclave in April 1945. Pétain was tried for treason by the new Provisional Government and sentenced to death, but this was commuted to life imprisonment by de Gaulle. Only four senior Vichy officials were tried for crimes against humanity, although many had participated in the deportation of Jews, abuses of prisoners, and severe acts against members of the Resistance.
Get more information about: Vichy France
7. **Brazil: A South American Giant Enters the Fray**Brazil, initially neutral under Getúlio Vargas’s dictatorship, gradually transitioned into a vital Allied power, profoundly impacting the war’s trajectory in the South Atlantic and European theaters. The nation’s strategic location became apparent when, by 1941, it allowed U.S. forces to establish bases to patrol the South Atlantic, laying groundwork for crucial logistical support. The United States also constructed several airfields, understanding these would be handed over to Brazil after the war.
This cooperation intensified following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and Axis declarations of war against the U.S. In January 1942, at the 9th Pan-American Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil influenced other American countries to cut diplomatic relations with the Axis Powers. This bold stance drew swift retaliation, as Germany and Italy extended aggressive submarine warfare into the South Atlantic, targeting Brazilian shipping.
The sinking of seven Brazilian merchant ships by the German Submarine U-507 in early 1942 proved the final straw, compelling Vargas to formally declare war against Germany and Italy. This transformed Brazil into an active participant in the Battle of the Atlantic, where its naval forces diligently assisted U.S. and British Navies in combating Axis U-boats and raiders, ensuring vital supply lines remained open and protected.
Brazil’s strategic importance was further cemented by hosting the largest single American air base outside U.S. territory at Natal, and the U.S. 4th Fleet Headquarter at Recife. These bases were instrumental in supporting the critical North Africa campaign, and established a vital air route for USAAF airplanes to India and China. By 1943, Allied naval efforts including Brazil’s had sunk most Axis submarines in the West of the South Atlantic, securing Allied dominance.
In a remarkable demonstration of commitment, Brazil also dispatched the 25,000-strong Brazilian Expeditionary Force (BEF) to the Italian campaign in July 1944. This formidable force fought with distinction in the last two grueling stages: the breakdown of the Gothic Line and the final Allied offensive, contributing directly to the ultimate victory against Axis forces in Europe.
Military equipment: Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nickname: Forest, The Garibaldis, The Reds, The Tricky Trees
Ground: City Ground
Capacity: 30,455
Clubname: Nottingham Forest
Upright: 0.48
Fullname: Nottingham Forest Football Club
Founded: [object Object]
Owner: Evangelos Marinakis
Chairman: Nicholas Randall KC
Manager: Ange Postecoglou
Mgrtitle: Head coach
League: English football updater
Season: English football updater
Position: English football updater
Current: 2025–26 Nottingham Forest F.C. season
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Categories: 1865 establishments in England, All Wikipedia articles written in British English, All articles needing additional references, All articles with unsourced statements, Articles needing additional references from April 2015
Summary: Nottingham Forest Football Club is a professional football club based in West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, England. The club competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football.
Founded in 1865, Nottingham Forest have played their home games at the City Ground since 1898. The club has won two European Cups (now the UEFA Champions League), making them one of six English clubs to have claimed the competition. Forest is the only team in Europe to have won the European Cup or Champions League more often than the domestic championship (one). Additionally, they have secured one UEFA Super Cup, one League title, two FA Cups, four League Cups, and one FA Charity Shield.
The club has competed in the top two tiers of English football in all but five seasons since their admission to the Football League. Its most successful period came under the management of Brian Clough and Peter Taylor in the late 1970s and early 1980s, during which they achieved back-to-back European Cup triumphs in 1979 and 1980.
In Clough’s final decade at the club, Forest won the 1989 and 1990 League Cups. They were also losing finalists in the 1991 FA Cup final and 1992 League Cup final, before relegation from the Premier League in 1993. Upon their immediate return, Forest finished third in the Premier League in 1995, before suffering relegation again in 1997 and 1999. The team returned to the Premier League by winning the play-offs in 2022.
Forest’s main rivalry is with Derby County, with whom they contest the East Midlands derby. In 2007 the Brian Clough Trophy was founded, which has since then been given to the winner.
Get more information about: Nottingham Forest F.C.
8. **Burma (Myanmar): A Colony’s Fight for Freedom**Burma’s World War II experience exemplifies the complex interplay of colonial aspirations, foreign occupation, and the fierce yearning for national independence. As a British Crown Colony, separated from British India in 1937, Burma held immense strategic importance for Allied supply lines, particularly the Burma Road, a crucial conduit for aid to China. However, at the war’s outset, it was tragically deemed a “backwater” and left lightly defended – a decision that proved costly.
Vulnerability became apparent in December 1941 when Japan initiated raids, escalating into a full-scale invasion the following January. Japanese forces swiftly conquered most of the country by April, ceding the Shan states to its ally Thailand. This overwhelming occupation ignited a dual-edged hope among many Burmese: the prospect of Japanese support in expelling the British to achieve genuine independence.
This aspiration fueled the formation of the Burma Independence Army (BIA), spearheaded by the Japan-trained “Thirty Comrades.” Japan declared the colony independent as the State of Burma on August 1, 1943, installing a puppet government led by Ba Maw. However, the illusion of Japanese benevolence quickly faded as many Burmese realized Japan had no true intention of granting real independence.
This growing disillusionment led nationalist leaders like Aung San to take a courageous stand. In August 1944, they formed the Anti-Fascist Organisation (AFO), seeking an alliance with the United Kingdom and other Allies against the Japanese. This shift in allegiance underscored the Burmese people’s unwavering commitment to true self-determination.
Allied forces, including British, Indian, and Chinese troops, launched determined offensives into Burma beginning in late 1944. These culminated in the capture of Rangoon following the pivotal Battle of Elephant Point in May 1945, liberating Burma from Japanese occupation. The brutal years under Japanese rule exacted a terrible human toll, claiming an estimated 170,000 to 250,000 civilian lives. With the war’s end, negotiations began between the Burmese and the British for full independence.
Military equipment: British rule in Burma
NativeName: Burmese language
ConventionalLongName: Burma
CommonName: Burma
Era: Western imperialism in Asia
EventStart: First Anglo-Burmese War
YearStart: 1824
DateStart: Mon Mar 05 2001 00:00:00 GMT-0800 (Pacific Standard Time)
EventEnd: Independence
YearEnd: 1948
DateEnd: Thu Jan 04 2001 00:00:00 GMT-0800 (Pacific Standard Time)
LifeSpan: 1824–1948
Event1: Establishment as Burma Division
DateEvent1: Fri Feb 24 1826 00:00:00 GMT-0752 (Pacific Standard Time)
Event2: Establishment as Burma Province
DateEvent2: Fri Jan 31 1862 00:00:00 GMT-0752 (Pacific Standard Time)
Event3: Upper Burma
DateEvent3: Fri Jan 01 1886 00:00:00 GMT-0800 (Pacific Standard Time)
Event4: British Raj
DateEvent4: Thu Apr 01 1937 00:00:00 GMT-0800 (Pacific Daylight Time)
Event5: Japanese occupation of Burma
DateEvent5: 1942–1945
StatPop1: 10,490,624
StatYear1: 1901 census
P1: Konbaung dynasty!1824–1885:,Konbaung Dynasty
FlagP1: Flag of Konbaung Dynasty (Nonrectangular).svg
P2: State of Burma!1945:, State of Burma
FlagP2: Flag of Burma 1943.svg
S1: Japanese occupation of Burma!1942:,Japanese occupation
FlagS1: Flag of Japan (1870–1999).svg
S2: State of Burma!1943:, State of Burma
FlagS2: Flag of Burma 1943.svg
S3: Saharat Thai Doem
FlagS3: Flag of Thailand.svg
S4: Post-independence Burma, 1948–62!1948:,Union of Burma
FlagS4: Flag of Burma (1948-1974).svg
StatusText: Bengal Presidency
FlagAlt: Flag of Burma (1939–1941, 1945–1948)
FlagType: Flag,(1939–1948)
FlagTypeArticle: Flag of Myanmar
SymbolType: Badge (1939–1948)
OtherSymbol: File:Badge of Burma (1939–1948).svg
OtherSymbolType: State Seal of Myanmar#British Burma
Capital: Mawlamyine
NationalAnthem: God Save the King
CommonLanguages: Burmese language,Rungtu,Meitei language,Hindustani language,Tamil language,Telugu language,Bengali language,Gujarati language,Odia language,Punjabi language,Nepali language,Kunming dialect,Hokkien,Yue Chinese,Hakka language,Standard Chinese,Kedah Malay,Southern Thai language,Northern Thai language
OfficialLanguages: English language
Religion: Burmese folk religion,Nat (spirit),Hinduism,Islam,Sikhism,Jainism,Sanamahism,Taoism,Confucianism,Chinese folk religion,Tai folk religion,Christianity
Currency: Burmese rupee,Indian rupee,Pound sterling
TitleLeader: Monarchy of the United Kingdom
Leader1: Queen Victoria
YearLeader1: 1862–1901
Leader2: Edward VII
YearLeader2: 1901–1910
Leader3: George V
YearLeader3: 1910–1936
Leader4: Edward VIII
YearLeader4: 1936
Leader5: George VI
YearLeader5: 1936–1948
Deputy1: Sir Arthur Purves Phayre
Deputy2: Hubert Rance
YearDeputy1: 1862–1867 (first)
YearDeputy2: 1946–1948 (last)
TitleDeputy: List of colonial governors of Burma
Representative1: Ba Maw
Representative2: U Nu
YearRepresentative1: 1937–1939
YearRepresentative2: 1947–1948
TitleRepresentative: List of premiers of British Burma
Legislature: Legislative Council of Burma
House1: Senate
House2: House of Representatives
Today: Myanmar
CapitalExile: Shimla,Punjab Province (British India),British Raj
Demonym: Indian people
Categories: 1948 disestablishments in Burma, 19th century in Burma, 20th century in Myanmar, All Wikipedia articles written in British English, All articles with unsourced statements
Summary: British colonial rule in Burma lasted from 1824 to 1948, from the successive three Anglo-Burmese Wars through the creation of Burma as a province of British India to the establishment of an independently administered colony out of British colonial English ruled India, and finally independence. The region under British control was known as British Burma, and officially known as Burma (Burmese: မြန်မာပြည်) from 1886.
Some portions of Burmese territories, including Arakan and Tenasserim, were annexed by the British after their victory in the First Anglo-Burmese War; Lower Burma was annexed in 1852 after the Second Anglo-Burmese War. These territories were designated as a chief commissioner’s province known as British Burma in 1862.
After the Third Anglo-Burmese War in 1885, Upper Burma was annexed, and the following year, the province of Burma in British ruled India was created, becoming a major province (a lieutenant-governorship) in 1897. This arrangement lasted until 1937, when Burma was separated from English ruled India and made a separate Crown Colony administered by the Burma Office under the Secretary of State for India and Burma. British rule was disrupted during the Japanese occupation of much of the country during World War II. Burma achieved independence from British rule on 4 January 1948.
Burma is sometimes referred to as “the Scottish Colony” owing to the outsized role played by Scotsmen in colonising and running the country, one of the most notable being Sir James Scott. It was also known for the important role played by Indian immigrants in managing and administering the colony, especially while it was still a part of the British Raj; some historians have called this a case of co-colonialism.
Get more information about: British rule in Burma
9. **Canada: A Steadfast Ally’s Global Impact**Canada’s involvement in World War II was a monumental undertaking, cementing its role as a significant global actor and a steadfast ally against the Axis powers. On September 10, 1939, Canada declared war on Germany, marking the beginning of the largest combined national effort in its history. From a population of around seven million, 1.1 million Canadians served across its Army, Navy, and Air Force, a remarkable national mobilization.
This immense commitment came at a profound human and financial cost. Over 45,000 Canadian lives were tragically lost, and another 54,000 were wounded. The financial outlay was staggering, totaling $21,786,077,519.13 between 1939 and 1950, underscoring the depth of Canada’s investment in the Allied cause.
Canada’s military contributions spanned multiple crucial theaters. Forces deployed to the United Kingdom in 1939. One corps courageously fought in the arduous Italian campaign. Another corps played a pivotal role in Northwest Europe, notably participating in the D-Day landings on Juno Beach on June 6, 1944. By war’s conclusion, the 1st Canadian Army advanced deep into German soil.
Beyond ground forces, Canada’s naval and air power grew exponentially, concluding the war with the world’s fourth largest air force and third largest navy. The Canadian Merchant Navy undertook over 25,000 vital voyages across the Atlantic, bravely ensuring crucial supplies reached the Allies, often under constant U-boat threat. Canada also served as a crucial training ground for many Allied pilots.
The war’s impact resonated profoundly within Canada, leading to significant cultural, political, and economic effects, including the conscription crisis. This national effort not only strengthened the Canadian economy but also established Canada as a major actor on the world stage. Canada was even subject to direct attacks, including in the Battle of the St. Lawrence and the shelling of a lighthouse at Estevan Point in British Columbia.
Military equipment: Impacts of the Gaza war
Categories: 2020s in Israel, 2020s in Palestine, All articles covered by WikiProject Wikify, All articles needing references cleanup, All articles with duplicate citations
Summary: The outbreak of the Gaza war led to an increased dislike of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the government from Israeli citizens due to a perceived failure of leadership on the issue, with increased calls for Netanyahu’s resignation.
Global attention on Hamas had implications for countries like Turkey and Qatar, which have strong ties with Hamas, and the United States was actively working with Qatar to secure the release of hostages.
Hamas’s actions had a significant impact on diplomatic efforts, potentially derailing a US-brokered deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia. The New York Times noted that the prospects of Israeli and Saudi normalization seemed less likely due to concerns about the situation’s escalation and Palestinian rights. Additionally, there were speculations that Iran might have been trying to disrupt relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. On 14 October, Saudi Arabia suspended talks on the possible normalization of relations with Israel.
Various leaders and experts speculated about the potential for the conflict to expand, and even lead to a war between Israel and Iran, with Iranian officials expressing a willingness to intervene if Israel continues military operations or launches a ground invasion against Gaza, further indicating the possibility of region-wide escalation of the conflict.
Ukraine expressed concerns that Russia might exploit the Gaza war to diminish international support for Ukraine, while Russia portrayed it as a Western policy failure. Russian president Vladimir Putin characterized the conflict as an example of the failure of United States policy in the Middle East and suggested it would affect Western support for Ukraine, potentially impacting Russia’s relations with Israel.
The United States launched new sanctions to try and cut off Iranian network funding Hamas.
Since the beginning of the war, Islamophobic incidents have been on the rise in the West, anti-Palestinianism has surged and antisemitic attacks have sharply increased worldwide.
Get more information about: Impacts of the Gaza war
10. **Belgian Congo: The Unsung Resource Powerhouse**The Belgian Congo, a vast colonial territory, emerged as an indispensable economic asset for the Allies during World War II, playing a critical, though often overlooked, role in the global conflict. Despite Belgium’s surrender and occupation, both the Belgian Congo and Ruanda-Urundi remained fiercely loyal to the Belgian government-in-exile. This transformed the colony into a crucial supplier of raw materials that fueled the Allied war machine.
The abundance and strategic importance of resources from the Congo were astounding. The territory produced significant quantities of gold, essential for financing the Allied war effort. Its most critical contribution came in the form of uranium, whose profound significance became fully apparent later. The nuclear bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were constructed using uranium extracted from Congolese mines, highlighting the direct, albeit distant, impact of this African colony on the war’s ultimate outcome.
Congolese troops, organized as the Force Publique, also saw active combat, demonstrating bravery. These forces fought valiantly against Italian forces in the East African campaign, playing a direct role in Allied military operations. Medical troops from the Congo were also deployed to the East-Asian front, providing vital support.
This significant participation and the colonial government’s intensive demands, however, came at a steep cost, leading to widespread strikes, riots, and other forms of resistance from the local populace. These acts of defiance were often met with violent repression by colonial authorities.
Furthermore, in the Belgian mandate of Ruanda-Urundi, the war years were tragically marked by the Ruzagayura famine. Initially caused by drought, its effects were exacerbated by Belgian authorities prioritizing agricultural produce for the Congo to support the Allies, leading to the deaths of between a fifth and a third of the colony’s population. Despite these immense sacrifices, the Congo’s wartime prosperity spurred post-war immigration from Belgium and initiated a significant era of industrialization and urbanization.
Military equipment: Coast (TV series)
AltName: Coast and Beyond (2009–2011),Our Coast (2019-),#Coast Australia
Genre: Documentary film
Creator: BBC Birmingham
Director: Jonathan Barker,Paul Barnett (producer),Nigel Walk
Presenter: Nicholas Crane,Neil Oliver,Mehreen Baig,Adrian Chiles
Starring: Mark Horton (archaeologist),Tessa Dunlop,Dick Strawbridge,Miranda Krestovnikoff,Andy Torbet,Ruth Goodman (historian),Hermione Cockburn,Ian McMillan (poet),Alice Roberts,Brendan Walker (2015–),Helen Arney (2015–),Cassie Newland (2015–)
Composer: Alan Parker
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English
NumEpisodes: 75
ExecutiveProducer: Gary Hunter,William Lyons,Gill Tierney,Emma De’ath
Producer: Steve Evanson
Editor: Mike Bloore,Lauri White,Martin Dowell
Cinematography: Julian Clinkard
Runtime: 60 minutes (approx.)
Network: BBC Two
FirstAired: Start date
LastAired: present
Related: Fossil Detectives
NumSeries: 10
Categories: 2000s British documentary television series, 2005 British television series debuts, 2010s British documentary television series, Articles lacking Episode table templates, Articles with short description
Summary: Coast is a BBC documentary series first broadcast on BBC Two television in 2005. It covers various subjects relating to both the natural and social history of the British coastline and also more recently, that of Britain’s near neighbours. The seventh series followed a different format from previous series. In 2016, reports from the show were repackaged as Coast: The Great Guide (known as Coast Great Guides when broadcast on BBC Four in 2021), an eight part series on BBC Two.
The series is a collaboration between the Open University and BBC Productions, Birmingham. It is also known as the placeholder programme when BBC2 is under a fault in programming.
In December 2013, the first reversion of the series format, Coast Australia, was screened on The History Channel in Australia. Hosted by Neil Oliver, it was the second highest-rated show in the history of the channel. It started airing on BBC Two from 14 May 2014; series 2 was aired in 2015. Coast New Zealand aired in 2016. A similar show, Arfordir Cymru (Wales Coast), is broadcast on the Welsh-language broadcaster S4C and hosted by Bedwyr Rees; three series have aired so far, each of six 23-minute-long episodes, travelling in Pembrokeshire (2014), the Llŷn Peninsula (2015), and Cardigan Bay (2017).
In 2020, BBC Studios produced a refresh of the original series called Our Coast, presented by Adrian Chiles and Mehreen Baig. The new series featured Dumfries and Galloway/South Ayrshire, County Down, Anglesey, and Liverpool.
Get more information about: Coast (TV series)
As our exploration concludes, it becomes clear that the metaphor of the “aircraft carrier that somehow survived” extends far beyond any single vessel or nation. World War II was a brutal test of human endurance, a global maelstrom drawing in countries from every continent, each navigating unique perils and making indelible contributions to collective survival. From Algeria’s pivotal role in North African liberation and Brazil’s decisive entry into the Atlantic battle, to Burma’s complex fight for self-determination and Canada’s immense global contributions, and the Belgian Congo’s indispensable, yet tragic, resource powerhouse status—these stories underscore a shared narrative of resilience. They reveal not just strategic genius and military might, but the unyielding spirit of nations and individuals who, against all odds, refused to sink, ensuring that the battered “aircraft carrier” of global civilization eventually found its way to calmer waters. The intricate dance of diplomacy, the courage of resistance fighters, vast mobilization of resources, and quiet sacrifices made far from the front lines converged to forge a victory that, in its totality, is a testament to the enduring human will.
