It would be the brilliant scientist J.R. Oppenheimer a traitor?

On the morning of August 6, 1945, after the detonation of the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, the world discovered astounded that the man had managed to harness the power contained within the atom to create a weapon capable of destruction beyond imagination. This fact was due largely to the intelligence and inspiration of the physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, then only 41 years. Born in New York, the son of wealthy parents of German Jewish origin, he entered Harvard University in 1922, graduating with honors in chemistry three years later. Then he traveled to Europe, where he worked with several people in developing theories that would bring him international fame, returning to the U.S. in 1929 to teach at universities in California.

When the War broke out in 1939, the Germans had knowledge of nuclear fission, and the U.S. government decided to create a secret group of scientists, including Edward Teller and Ernest Lawrence, coordinated by Oppenheimer, to develop new weapon. With the code name Manhattan Project, the ultra priority Army program installed researchers at a laboratory in Los Alamos, New Mexico, closely guarded and exits severely restricted. Oppenheimer fostered an environment of mutual trust and respect that allowed an astonishing progress and with a tireless dedication kept ahead of all the complex events of that effort, even jeopardizing his private life. In less than two years and spending $ 2 billion, the first atomic bomb in history was ready to be tested and soon the Japanese would know its terrible power of destruction.

Los Alamos invention of the atomic bomb was considered the highest point on the U.S. victory over their enemies, saving the lives of about a million soldiers could have died in a possible invasion of Japan After the war, Oppenheimer still a little embarrassed by the consequences of his invention, has agreed to be chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), becoming the most influential adviser on nuclear issues from the government and armed forces. At the time, the West and Stalin’s Russia sought to maintain the balance of forces, with each side devoted to a new arms race by starting the phase of the “Cold War”. Sooner than anticipated in August 1949 the Soviet Union exploded its first nuclear weapon. Although many of the scientists of the Manhattan Project did not support the creation of new weapons, Teller and Lawrence, former employees of Oppenheimer, believed that U.S. security required the rapid development of a hydrogen bomb.

Worried, Oppenheimer has publicly announced its opposition to the new superbomb, becoming the target of an FBI investigation and the envy of other scientists, eager to discredit him. The main one, Edward Teller, dreaming head the new project, suggested that Oppenheimer had made friends with Communists in the 30s and tried to influence the researchers do not work on the hydrogen bomb. The USSR could have figured out how to manufacture an atomic bomb without spying on what they did in America? There could have been treason in Los Alamos? In 1954, J. Edgar Hoover, FBI Director presented a report to the White House in which it supported the accusations that Oppenheimer was a spy agent. A secret process was initiated by the AEC, lasting three weeks, where they were heard over 40 witnesses and produced over 3,000 pages of reports, with full collaboration of the investigation, he underwent interrogation hard and exhausting three days. The scientist was found not guilty of handing secrets to foreign countries, but was stripped of his position at the AEC, for personal satisfaction Teller. Only four days before dying Oppenheimer was restored to the public: on 22 November 63, the same day he would be assassinated, President John Kennedy announced that he would grant the Fermi Award to the physical delivery being made by his successor Lyndon Johnson .

How the Japan used this secret weapon to attack the continental territory of United States.

The idea of using aircraft for observation on board a submarine was not uncommon during the WWII aircraft carrier but use submarines as an offensive weapon was. The Imperial Japanese Navy had planned extensively for such operations, building about 40 of these submersible six different classes, although they were little used. The most dramatic of these transactions occurred on the morning of September 9, 1942, the first of only two confirmed air strikes to the continental United States throughout the conflict. The Japanese submarine I-25, 2,500 tons, has emerged west of Cape Blanco on the Oregon coast and launched a small seaplane Yokosuka E14Y1, piloted by Nobuo Fujita, whose mission was to cause a fire in the dense forests of the region throwing firebombs on Mount Emily. Unfortunately for Fujita, it was raining a lot to dampen the vegetation and prevent the spread of fire. He then returned to the submarine without further incident, but later the I-25 would be the target of an attack by the USAAF bombers managed to escape to on September 29, Fujita launch a second mission.

No serious damage was caused in two air strikes, but the I-25 could sink, with its torpedoes, two tankers that crossed his path before returning to its base. In 1942 the Imperial Navy began construction of the submarine I-400 Sen Toku class, and until then the largest submersible ever built, far larger than their American counterparts, or any conventional submarine postwar, losing in size only to the first submarine nuclear. With displacement of 5,200 tons, measuring 122 meters, each I-400 could carry three aircraft Aichi M6A1 model, specially designed to attack targets of high strategic importance as the Panama Canal and the West Coast of the United States. With a crew

of 145 men, capable of reaching speeds of up to 18 knots, had a range of more than 37,000 nautical miles (69,000 kilometers), enough to turn around around the planet. Were equipped with eight torpedo tubes, one 140 mm cannon on the deck and several anti-aircraft guns of 25 mm. The intention was to build twelve Japanese warships of this class, but only three were commissioned I-400, I-401 and I-402, the latter having been converted to submarine refueling fuel. Aichi M6A1 aircraft were designed to be folded and packed in a small cylindrical hangar 38 meters, located at the stern of the submarine. Planes were compact, high-performance single-engine aircraft and prepared to carry torpedoes as their primary offensive weapon. Theoretically, each aircraft could be removed from the hangar and be prepared to take off in less than 10 minutes.

Aircraft on the deck of the Japanese aircraft carrier submarine I-400 In late 1944, I-400 and I-401 submarine with two smaller aircraft carrier, formed a task force under the command of Captain Tatsunosuke Ariizumi, with the mission to plan and execute attacks on the Panama Canal and a series of attacks with biological weapons (developed and tested by the famous Unit 731) to the largest population centers in the U.S. West

Coast. The operation involving biological weapons, codenamed “Cherry Blossoms at Night,” was canceled in 1945 due to fear of the Japanese High Command that such action would provoke retaliation from the Americans that Japan could not possibly bear. However, the attack on the Panama Canal was authorized. In fact a replica of the locks of the Canal in scale, was built in the Bay of Toyama for the pilots could practice launching the torpedoes. On July 23, 1945 the I-400 and I-401 left its base in separate routes to meet in three weeks after a meeting in mid-ocean, to coordinate the air attack. During this period, while the huge undersea maintained their predetermined routes, Dramatic events were taking place.

After two attacks with U.S. nuclear bombs on Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in early August, the Emperor Hirohito in radio address on August 15, ordered all Japanese forces to surrender and put down their weapons. The commanders of the I-400 and I-401 still considered to continue the mission, but finally obey the orders of the Emperor. All aircraft and torpedoes were thrown overboard and documents relating to the mission were destroyed. When they returned home were intercepted by U.S. Navy east of Honshu. This action was an interesting historical fact: the American commander who took over a captured Japanese submarine was John S. McCain Jr., who would later father of the future naval aviator, an Arizona senator and candidate for U.S. president in the 2000 election, John S. McCain III. The I-400 and I-401 with American crew were taken to the naval base at Pearl Harbour in Hawaii, where they would be thoroughly analyzed by engineers of the U.S. Navy and later sunk in deep water in 1946. Interestingly, during the crossing, were found inside the submarine an enormous quantity of rats and insects, which were promptly exterminated, but until now not known if these vermin were used as guinea pigs to test biological agents.

U-boat type XXI – was a revolutionary German submarine from World War II.
In the design of its hull was a major concern with the hydrodynamics: all structures that could cause some drag (like cannon) were eliminated. The result is that with this new format it has gained more speed when submerged.
Also offered better accommodation for its occupants. He had a freezer for storing food, shower and sink. So a crew that normally would spend weeks at sea on a mission to patrol without showering or shaving have better housing and work.
It was equipped with sophisticated electronic instruments: radar, passive sonar detectors and electromagnetic waves.

Its armament included 23 torpedoes or 17 mines torpedoes + 12. Had six launch tubes located in the bow. It was equipped with a hydraulic system that allowed recharge launch 18 torpedoes in under 20 minutes.

Its maximum speed at the surface was 15.5 knots (29km / h), 17.5 knots submerged (32Km / h) with maximum range of 15,500 nautical miles.

WWII
Division: Normandy, France – 1944

The 12th SS Panzer Division or Hitlerjugend Division (Hitler Youth) was a mechanized division of the Waffen SS unit known as “breaking” the enemy lines. Its main feature was to be formed primarily by soldiers born in 1926, former members of Hitler Youth, while the officers were generally veterans of the Eastern Front. Aware that the Division should be ready for combat as quickly as possible, their commander Gen. Fritz Witt ignored some orders and regulations, focusing on training in realistic combat scenarios and live fire exercises. The result is that the morale of the men of the Hitler was exceptionally high and their relationship with the officers and sergeants was quite informal, but based on mutual respect and loyalty.

In March 1944, with about 20,500 men, Hitlerjugend was deemed ready for active service and was ordered to move to the region of Caen in Normandy, where he would be part of the 1st SS Panzer Corps. The Division was equipped with 81 Panther tanks, 104 tanks Panzer IV, Jagdpanzer IV fighter tanks, armored anti-aircraft Wirbelwind, Wespe and Hummel self-propelled guns and several smaller vehicles for troop transport, reconnaissance and command.

On June 6, when the Allies launched Operation Overlord (D Day), landing on the beaches of Normandy, the 12th German SS unit was the closest to the enemy. In moving toward the beach called “Sword” and “Juno” was severely attacked by Allied bombers that caused delays in the movement of armored enough to take them the element of surprise. With three mechanized infantry battalions and two companies of tanks, General Kurt Meyer had orders to stop the advancement of Canadian troops in that sector, preparing them to an ambush south of Franqueville. With his men maintaining excellent tactical discipline and showing great courage to attack the 12th SS took Canadians disorganized, forcing them to retreat with the battalion Authie Meyer in pursuit. The Hitlerjugend took the towns of Authie and Franqueville, and captured about 150 soldiers of the regiment of Highlanders in Nova Scotia and the crews of the 27th Tank Regiment. Despite the ferocity of the counter-attacks of the 12th SS in the whole battle front on his own responsibility, the Division failed to fail to push the Allies back to the beach.

Fighting in a narrow defensive perimeter on the outskirts of Caen, the remains of the 12th SS was suffering like the rest of the German Army, with a shortage of ammunition, supplies and fuel. Even with all the difficulties the members of this valiant unit would continue fighting in the Normandy region in September 1944 until losing in the period between about 12,000 men killed, wounded or missing. After a brief rest and replenishment, the Division Hitlerjugend still would fight the U.S. Army at the Battle of the Bulge and the Army would face Reds near Budapest, Hungary. In 1944 the camouflage uniforms were already widely used by German Army units, though most with the status of elite troops. This Division of the Hitler soldier is wearing a jacket and pants with Italian camouflage pattern, with the helmet also covered with fabric in the same pattern. In the final period of the war was common to see German units using uniforms supplied by the Italians, since its crippled industrial capacity could no longer meet the demand of its military. He carries a machine gun MG 42, 7.92 mm, which was famous for its reliability, robustness, ease of handling, but mainly for their ability to produce and maintain an impressive volume of fire.