40 Highly Unsettling Details About World War II That Most Textbooks Leave Out

World War II has been the subject of countless books and movies — but most of us know little about the actual conflict. Far more than just a struggle between the Axis and the Allies, WWII was full of strange coincidences, heartbreaking stories, and colorful heroes and villains.

1. An Unexpected Visitor

No American saw the attack on Pearl Harbor coming. That's why when pilot Shigenori Nishikaichi crashed his plane in Hawaii following the raid, locals welcomed him to their town and celebrated his unexpected visit with a luau. Once officials learned of his role in the bombing, a firefight ensued that killed the Japanese airman.

2. Princess Liz, Reporting for Duty

People from all walks of life joined the fray — including Queen Elizabeth. Back when she was just a princess, Elizabeth enlisted as a driver and mechanic in the Auxiliary Territorial Service. Reporters from the 1940s described, "One of her major joys was to get dirt under her nails and grease stains in her hands and display these signs of labor to her friends."

3. The Death Ray

Government scientists developed plenty of unusual weapons in the 1940s. Japan sought to build a "death ray" that would send out lethal electric waves at enemy forces. This sci-fi invention didn't pan out — but it wasn't the only unconventional idea on the Axis side.

4. Meet the Beetles

Looking to cripple enemy supply lines, German officials considered infesting British farms with the invasive potato beetle. Scientists began breeding the pests... but later abandoned the project when they calculated they would need to somehow transport 40 million of the bugs across the sea.