Secret Weapons of World War II - Hardcover

Breuer, William B.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0471372870 ISBN 13: 9780471372875

Publisher: Wiley, 2000

Synopsis

Critical Acclaim for Secret Weapons of World War II

"Breuer has produced yet another collection of rip-roaring tales. . . . A delightful addition to the niche that Breuer has so successfully carved out."
-Publishers Weekly

"It is Breuer's portrayal of the competition for technological superiority between the Allies and the Nazis that grabs the reader and shows the significance of each wartime discovery and invention."
-State Journal-Register, Springfield, Illinois

In the fast-paced, suspenseful Secret Weapons of World War II, noted military historian William Breuer chronicles the clandestine battle that occurred between the brilliant scientists and codebreakers of the Allies and the Axis powers. Re-creating the covert missions, hoaxes, spying, conspiracies, and electronic sleuthing, Breuer deftly uncovers the spectacular feats of the fascinating men and women who determined the outcome of the war-providing an unprecedented look at the least-known operations and plots conducted by both sides.

About this title

Book Description:

In this ingenious volume, victory or defeat in the twentieth century's climactic conflict depended on the secret war of wits that occurred between the scientists, mathematicians, and codebreakers on each side. This is a fascinating look at the behind the scenes duel to develop the winning weapons of World War II.

From the Inside Flap:

In his previous books Unexplained Mysteries of World War II, Undercover Tales of World War II, and Top Secret Tales of World War II, William Breuer revealed the riveting untold stories of the Second World War, tales of derring-do, espionage, and unsung heroism that few history books record. Now, in Secret Weapons of World War II, this first-class historian chronicles the clandestine battle that occurred between the brilliant scientists and codebreakers of the Allies and the Axis powers.

Here are the extraordinary tales behind the ingenious weapons and technological wizardry that determined the outcome of the war. From radar, huff-duff (high frequency direction finding), invisible radio beams, and "Perfectos" to secret codes, electronic guidance systems, homing devices, and submarine detection equipment, Breuer deftly exposes the gargantuan efforts employed by both adversaries and the fascinating details of the high-stakes warfare waged behind the well-known scenes of combat.

Re-creating the covert missions, plots, hoaxes, spying, conspiracies, and electronic sleuthing, Breuer goes beyond the famous military leaders and statesmen to give an entirely fresh and startling perspective of the Second World War. He deftly uncovers all the spectacular feats of those who determined the outcome of the climactic struggle of the twentieth century–the brilliant codebreakers, scientists, and mathematicians–to provide an unprecedented look at the least-known operations and plots conducted by both sides. In Secret Weapons of World War II, you will:

• Attend the midnight meeting where Winston Churchill, desperate and waving a cigar for emphasis, launched the idea for a pet weapons project–a gigantic mousetrap in the sky that would snare Luftwaffe bombers.
• Meet the young genius Reginald Jones, a member of the British Secret Service and the scientist who hatched Operation Jay, an intricate hoax that bamboozled German scientists and ended Germany’s devastating long-range bombing campaign.
• Shadow former American schoolteacher Frank Rowlett as he and his small team of scientists crack the Japanese diplomatic code called Purple, now known as the greatest success in the history of United States intelligence.
• Witness the curious-looking truck known as the "secret weapon that was shipped in from Mars" that later played a crucial role in the outcome of the war.

Packed with more than seventy riveting tales, Secret Weapons of World War II displays Breuer’s signature blend of dynamic storytelling and meticulous detail. Vivid, fast-paced, and suspenseful, this engrossing volume captures the human drama of the men and women–many as eccentric as they were brilliant–who raced to beat the enemy to the discoveries that turned the tide of war.

About this edition

• Publisher: Wiley
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0471372870
• ISBN 13: 9780471372875
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 256