https://www.earthmagazine.org/tags/world-war-ii/ Recent content in World War Ii on EARTH Magazine Hugo en-US American Geosciences Institute. All rights reserved. Tue, 15 Mar 2016 19:44:02 -0400 https://www.earthmagazine.org/article/benchmarks-march-17-1944-most-recent-eruption-mount-vesuvius/ Tue, 15 Mar 2016 19:44:02 -0400 https://www.earthmagazine.org/article/benchmarks-march-17-1944-most-recent-eruption-mount-vesuvius/ <figure class="earth-figure"> <img src="https://www.americangeosciences.org/static/earth/benchmarks-march-17-1944-most-recent-eruption-mount-vesuvius/Mt_Vesuvius_Erupting.jpg" alt="Mount Vesuvius last erupted in March 1944, seven months after the Allied invasion of Italy. Credit: National Archives." loading="eager" decoding="async"> <figcaption>Mount Vesuvius last erupted in March 1944, seven months after the Allied invasion of Italy. Credit: National Archives.</figcaption> </figure> <p>Four-and-a-half years into World War II, the residents of San Sebastiano, Italy — a Neapolitan village on the western slopes of Mount Vesuvius — had already endured much misery: dictatorial rule, invasion, occupation and bombings. In mid-March 1944, they faced yet another catastrophe, this one a natural disaster that would destroy their town.</p> https://www.earthmagazine.org/article/d-days-legacy-remnants-invasion-linger-beach-sands/ Thu, 05 Jan 2012 06:41:58 -0500 https://www.earthmagazine.org/article/d-days-legacy-remnants-invasion-linger-beach-sands/ <figure class="earth-figure"> <img src="https://www.americangeosciences.org/static/earth/d-days-legacy-remnants-invasion-linger-beach-sands/i-46d-7db-5-1b.jpg" alt="American troops in a landing craft vehicle approach a beach in northern France on D-Day, June 6, 1944. National Archives photo no. SC320901" loading="eager" decoding="async"> <figcaption>American troops in a landing craft vehicle approach a beach in northern France on D-Day, June 6, 1944. National Archives photo no. SC320901</figcaption> </figure> <p>Before dawn on June 6, 1944, more than 160,000 Allied troops began storming the shores of Normandy, France, in what would be the turning point of World War II. Troops poured out of planes and off ships along an 80-kilometer stretch of coastline. More than 5,000 ships and 13,000 airplanes supported the ground troops. The battles were bloody and brutal, but by day&rsquo;s end, the Allies had established a beachhead. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower said the operation was a crusade in which &ldquo;we will accept nothing less than full victory.&rdquo; Less than a year later, the Germans surrendered, and the Western Front of World War II came to an end.</p> https://www.earthmagazine.org/article/how-oil-and-water-helped-us-win-world-war-ii/ Thu, 05 Jan 2012 06:41:58 -0500 https://www.earthmagazine.org/article/how-oil-and-water-helped-us-win-world-war-ii/ <figure class="earth-figure"> <img src="https://www.americangeosciences.org/static/earth/how-oil-and-water-helped-us-win-world-war-ii/i-444-7db-2-f.jpg" alt="U.S. Navy Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless dive bombers over aircraft carrier USS Enterprise after strikes against Palau in March 1944. U.S. Navy" loading="eager" decoding="async"> <figcaption>U.S. Navy Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless dive bombers over aircraft carrier USS Enterprise after strikes against Palau in March 1944. U.S. Navy</figcaption> </figure> <figure class="earth-figure"> <img src="https://www.americangeosciences.org/static/earth/how-oil-and-water-helped-us-win-world-war-ii/i-445-7db-2-f.jpg" alt="The Spindletop oil discovery in eastern Texas in 1901. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division" loading="lazy" decoding="async"> <figcaption>The Spindletop oil discovery in eastern Texas in 1901. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division</figcaption> </figure> <p>World War II U.S. Gen. Omar Bradley is often cited as the originator of the famous military quote: &ldquo;Amateurs study tactics, professionals study logistics.&rdquo; Irrespective of its origins, the adage holds true for most extended conflicts &mdash; and World War II is no exception. Managing logistics for the production, movement and consumption of energy was one of the critical determinants of success during the war.</p>