"This was your grandfather's. He was one of the Navy's first frogmen during World War II. [...] But after the war, his country forgot about him. So, he went back to the sea, scavenging and surviving with his wit... and this knife."

―Jesse Kane to David Kane about the knife of his father.^[src]

World War II^[1], or the Second World War^[2] (often abbreviated as WWII^[3] or WW2), was a global war that started in 1939 and ended in 1945.^[4]

This war involved a vast majority of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis. Various advanced weapons were made during the war, and the Axis conquered many countries in Europe, Africa, and Asia. However, the war ultimately ended in favor of the Allied Powers.

Background[]

"Germany is an immensely proud nation. They will never surrender."

―Sir Patrick Morgan^[src]

In 1918, Ares predicted that Humans would continued to create various kinds of warfare. He particularly stated this about Germany as he previously mentioned that it was a proud nation.^[5] This proved to be true when Adolf Hitler rose to power and provoked World War II after invading Poland.

History[]

Outbreak of War (1939 - 1945)[]

The conflict began on September 1, 1939, provoked by Hitler's attempts to conquer Europe.^[6] Additionally, Wonder Woman fought in the conflict^[7] and a fighter plane remained buried in Greenland during the war.^[3]

Raid of the Louvre Museum[]

During their campaign to conquer Europe, the Nazis invaded France and placed the country under Nazi occupation. During the occupation, they ransacked the Louvre Museum in Paris on June 12, 1940.^[8][6]

America's Involvement[]

The United States of America entered the war as an Allied Power after the Attack on Pearl Harbor by the Empire of Japan in 1941, which was recorded by the Daily Planet amongst others.^[9]

According to Amanda Waller, the United States Navy collaborated with Mafia networks during the war to protect warships.^[10] Additonally, many American soldiers sailed from Tricorner Yards in Gotham City to Europe to fight in the conflict.^[11]

The grandfather of David Kane fought in World War II as one of the Navy's first "frogmen" (code-named "Manta" for his stealthiness). It is not known how well he performed, or what exactly he did during the war, but based on Jesse's testimony, his deeds apparently earned him the respect and admiration of his peers.^[12][13]

End of World War II[]

On September 2, 1945, World War II ended following after Hitler committed suicide, marking the defeat of the Nazis and other Axis powers, including Japan.^[6][9]

Aftermath[]

Germany was divided and occupied by the Allies, with the western parts of the country under Western influence and the eastern parts under Soviet influence. Germany would remain divided throughout until the country's reunification near the end of the Cold War.

Shortly after the end of the war, many Nazi scientists and war criminals who fled Europe sought refuge in Corto Maltese and were granted asylum there. They later built Jotunheim and conducted unorthodox experiments under the protection of the Herrera Family until the Herreras betrayed them and had all the fugitives murdered.^[14] Additionally, the United States of America decided to forget about what Manta had done during the war; and thus, he returned to the sea and survived by scavenging and using his wits.^[12]

On May 30, 1948, the Fawcett Central School set up a war memorial to honor the teachers and students of the school who served in the war during 1939-1945.^[15] A wall in the Old Bailey Courthouse also commemorated the events of the war, as the dates of the conflict were placed.^[4]

Combatants[]

Allied Powers[]

• Australia
• Belgium
• Brazil
• Canada
• China
• France
• Greece
• India
• Mexico
• Poland
• Soviet Union
• United Kingdom
• United States of America

Axis Powers[]

• Germany (Nazi Party)
• Italy
• Japan
• Thailand

Behind the scenes[]

• The Flying Fox was partially inspired by World War II fighter jets.^[16]

References[]

External links[]

• World War II on Wikipedia
• World War II on DC Database