The original Siegfried line (German: Siegfriedstellung) was a line of defensive forts and tank defenses built by Germany as a section of the Hindenburg Line 1916–1917 in northern France during World War I.
However, in English, Siegfried line more commonly refers to the similar World War II defensive line, built during the 1930s, opposite the French Maginot Line, which served a corresponding purpose.
The Germans themselves called this the Westwall, but the Allies renamed it after the First World War line.
The Siegfried Line was a defense system stretching more than 630 km (390 mi) with more than 18,000 bunkers, tunnels and tank traps.
It went from Kleve on the border with the Netherlands, along the western border of the old German Empire as far as the town of Weil am Rhein on the border to Switzerland.
More with propaganda in mind than for any strategic reason, Adolf Hitler planned the line from 1936 and had it built between 1938 and 1940.
This was after the Nazis had broken the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Treaties by remilitarizing the Rhineland in 1936.
A pocketwatch used by the Japanese Navy during WWII. Can also be seen in episode 5 of the first season.
19セイコーでぐぐるとよいでしょう。
Shirley’s “Bug Detector” completes the pun that the Neuroi bug is actually an observation/spy device of sorts, also known as a “bug.”
A covert listening device, more commonly known as a bug or a wire, is usually a combination of a miniature radio transmitter with a microphone.
The use of bugs, called bugging, is a common technique in surveillance, espionage and in police investigations.
First introduced in a slightly different model for the M1938 and then M1940 Tokarev (SVT) rifles, the PU in its final form, as found on the M91/30 Mosin Nagant, measures 6-5/8th inches long and has a 30mm tube.
It had an eye relief of approximately 70mm and the field of view is 4 degrees, 30 minutes.
The PU telescopic sight, along with the longer 4 power PE, was the principal optical device used throughout WWII by Soviet forces. A simple design, it lasted in front line use right through the 1960's and can still be found in use in several third world nations.
The recent influx of Soviet paraphernalia has brought many of these sights into the world market.
These scopes are typically in excellent condition and make a nice conversation piece for any collection.
The Bell X-22 was a United States V/STOL X-plane with four tilting ducted fans.
Take-off was to selectively occur either with the propellers tilted vertically upwards, or on a short runway with the nacelles tilted forward at approximately 45°.
Additionally, the X-22 was to provide more insight into the tactical application of vertical take-off troop transporters such as the preceding Hiller X-18 and the X-22 successor, the Bell XV-15. Another program requirement was a true airspeed in level flight of at least 525 km/h (326 mph; 283 knots).
Three-blade propellers were mounted on four wings and, synchronized through a wave-interconnection system, were connected to four gas turbines which themselves were mounted in pairs on the rear wings.
Maneuvering was achieved by tilting the propeller blades in combination with control surfaces (elevators & ailerons), which were located in the thrust stream of the propellers.
Minna was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross With Oak Leaves and Swords for her 200th kill.
“Wir Wilhelm, von Gottes gnaden, ...” translated to “Us Wilhelm, by the grace of God, ...” was the original phrase on the award certificate, but since there is no religion in the Strike Witches Universe, it has been changed to something that roughly means something about “the protection of our ancestors.”
The eagle in the upper left is the original Reichsadler of the Kaiserreich (2nd Reich).
The signature is of Frederick the Great (Friedrich der Große aka der Alte Fritz/ Old Fritz, 1712-1786). While the signature is that of Old Fritz, it would actually be Freidrich IV who was Kaiser at the time of the episode.
The "F" in the center of the KC is a sign that the award was introduced or reinstituted by Friedrich himself, which means that the date that shows the year where the award was introduced could be 1743, although it's a bit hard to read. (the real Iron Cross was introduced by Friedrich Wilhelm III in 1813 during the Wars of Liberation.)
*1 West: ラテン語由来のドイツ単語で「西」、Wall: 同じくラテン語由来のドイツ単語で「壁・土の防壁・防備」を意味する。
*2 現在のベルギー、オランダ、ルクセンブルクの3ヶ国（ベネルクス）にあたる低地地域
*3 「はやい・おっきい・やわらかい」Ｂパート：芳佳・リーネが訓練で海中に飛び込んだ後、坂本少佐が「浮いてこないな」とつぶやくシーン。
*4 飛行計器型も別に存在した。
*5 製作したシャーリー自身の命名による。
*6 盗聴器をbugという米俗語からきており、法廷などではeavesdroppingやwiretappingという語が使われる。
*7 約16.8センチメートル強
*8 カメラ・双眼鏡・望遠鏡などを使用する際、光学機器の接眼部から使用者の目までの距離のこと。目距離。アイポイント。目から どれくらい離して使うか。
*9 PU型は3.5倍
*10 飛行機のエンジン収納筒
*11 ３枚羽根のプロペラ
*12 叙勲者に勲章とともに与えられる証書
*13 フリードリヒ２世
*14 もちろん、こちらの世界の史実では、その時代にフリードリヒ４世皇帝は存在せず、アドルフ・ヒトラーが総統の地位にあった。
*15 ナポレオン１世の第六次対仏大同盟の一環として行なわれた対プロイセン戦争・ドイツ戦役
