Adam CR wrote:Schwerer Gustav.

this immediately brought to mind:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_highway

did you know it was part of our defense system so they could move nuclear missles around?

oh, by the way, also helped the housing, auto and oil industry.

Nanking Massacre

Unit 731

that is the worst of the worst and also a morbid and fascinating read.

For those who thought they were just a band: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gang_of_Four

While you're looking up German cannon, check out the page on Krupp.

The family-owned Krupp Stahlwerken was one of the largest steel foundries in Germany for over 300 years, and were Germany's largest arms manufacturer for over 100 years, until the Nuremburg trials of the late '40s.

They have now merged with the Thyssen Corporaration to form a publicly-traded company, the ThyssenKrupp AG, which no longer manufactures armaments.

Incidentally, the huge German cannon "Big Bertha," a product of the Krupp Stahlwerke, was actually named after the daughter of Friedrich Alfred "Fritz" Krupp, who inherited the entire family fortune upon his death.

The Wikipedia page is OK for a basic overview, but if you're interested in how a small, family-owned steel tableware company can grow into the largest war machine manufacturer in Europe, check out William Manchester's excellent book, The Arms of Krupp 1587 - 1968.

simmo wrote:William ‘Bendigo’ Thompson - an absolutely mental bare knuckle boxer

This is fascinating.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kee_Bird

I was obsessed with this plane after seeing a Nova on it as a kid.

Here's a lost WWII aircraft I was sort of obsessed with when I was in high school...

The story is so sad and tragic...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_be_Good_(aircraft)

I even built a diorama of the crash site when I was in high school.

Benny wrote:Nanking Massacre

Unit 731

that is the worst of the worst and also a morbid and fascinating read.

Wow.... that was depressing. I don't think I can even begin to describe how horrible that was.... but fascinating though. I don't know whether to thank you or go and hang myself somewhere.

Adam CR wrote:Ekranoplan.

One of the bands on our label just came out with this album:



Called Ekranoplan.