W
Warsaw Uprising, The
The Warsaw Uprising was an attempt by the underground Polish resistance (often referred to as the Polish Home Army) to liberate Warsaw from the occupying German forces during World War II. Operation Tempest, as it was called, began on August 1, 1944. The intent was for it to last only a few days until the advancing Soviet Army reached Warsaw. The Soviet Army, however, stopped just on the doorstep of the city. The reason for their non-engagement was a controversial matter that is still debated today. Without Soviet support, the Polish Home Army was left to endure 63 days of carnage that left Warsaw in utter ruins. Polish civilian deaths were estimated between 175,000 to 200,000, in addition to an estimated 20,000 military personnel lost on both sides. With no military support and a lack of much needed supplies, Operation Tempest ended with the Poles’ surrender on October 2, 1944.
Wasserfall Ferngernkte Flakrakete (aka “Waterfall Remote-Control A-A Rocket”)
The Wasserfall was a fixed platform surface-to-air missle developed in Peenemúnde and manufactured by Flak-Versuchskommando Nord. It had a 235 kilogram (518 pound) warhead with a range of 25 kilometers (16 miles). Used by Germany. Introduced in 1944.
Wahoo (ss-238), USS
The Wahoo was an American Gato class submarine built by Maer Island Naval Shipyard. Commissioned May 14, 1942, she had a displacement of 1,500 tons. On October 11, 1943, she was presumed sunk by Japanese air forces at La Perouse Strait.
Warramunga, HMAS
The Warramunga was an Australian Tribal class destroyer. Commissioned November 23, 1942, she had a displacement of 2,000 tons. She was sold for scrap on February 15, 1963.
The Warspite was a British Queen Elizabeth class battleship. Commissioned March 18, 1915, she had a displacement of 31,000 tons. She was sold for scrap in 1947.
Washington, USS
The Washington was an American North Carolina class battleship. Commissioned May 15, 1941, she had a displacement of 35,000 tons. Post-war, she performed as a troop transport before ultimately being sold and scrapped on May 24, 1961.
Wasp (CV-7), USS
The Wasp was the eighth U.S. Navy aircraft carrier of that name, the sole ship of her class. Commissioned April 25, 1940, she had a displacement of 14,700 tons. She was sunk September 15, 1942 by Imperial Japanese Navy submarine I-19.
Wasp (CV-18), USS
The Wasp was an American Essex class aircraft carrier. Commissioned November 24, 1943, she had a displacement of 27,000 tons. In her post-war career, she played a large role in the Space Program, being designated as the recovery ship for Gemini missions VI, VII and IX. She was retired July 1, 1972 and sold for scrap in 1973.
The Welshman was a British Abdiel class mine layer. Commissioned August 25, 1941, she had a displacement of 2,600 tons. She was sunk by a German torpedo from U617 off of Tobruk February1, 1943.
West Virginia, USS
The West Virginia was an American Colorado class battleship. Commissioned December 21, 1923, she had a displacement of 31,500 tons. She was badly damaged in the attack on Pearl Harbor and on May 7, 1943, was rebuilt at the Puget Sound navy yard. She was placed in reserve in 1947, never again to return to active duty. She was sold for scrap on August 24, 1959.
The Whaddon was a British Hunt class destroyer. Commissioned February 28, 1941, she had a displacement of 1,000 tons. She was scrapped in April 1959.
The Wicher was a Polish Wicher class destroyer. Commissioned July 13, 1930, she had a displacement of 1,400 tons. She was sunk by the German Luftwaffe September 3, 1939.
The Widder was a German auxillary cruiser. Commissioned November 20, 1939, she had a displacement of 16,800 tons. In 1940, the Widder was renamed the Neumark. Her career ended in 1955 when she was wrecked new Bergen.
Wiley, USS
The Wiley was an American Fletcher class destroyer. Commissioned February 22, 1945, she had a displacement of 2,000 tons. She was decommissioned and placed in reserve May 15, 1946, and was never returned to active duty. She was subsequently scrapped at Terminal Island, Los Angeles, California on April 2, 1970.
Wilhelm Heidkamp
The Wilhelm Heidkamp was a German 1936 destroyer. Commissioned June 10,1939, she had a displacement of 3,400 tons. She was sunk April 10, 1940 by British naval forces in Narvik, Norway.
Wisconsin, USS
The Wisconsin was an American Iowa class battleship. Commissioned April 16, 1944, she had a displacement of 45,000 tons. She later participated in the Korean war, as well as Operation Desert Storm. She was decommissioned September 19, 1991 and is currently a museum ship at the National Maritime Center in Norfolk, Virginia.
The Wolf was a German Raubtier class torpedo boat. Commissioned November 15, 1928, she had a displacement of 1,300 tons. She sunk January 8, 1941 when she struck a sea mine in the English Channel off the coast of Northern France.
The Wolfgang Zenker was a German Type 1934-A destroyer. Commissioned July 2, 1938, she had a displacement of 3,100 tons. She was scuttled April 13, 1940.
The Wrestler was a British Admirality W class destroyer. Commissioned May 15, 1918, she had a displacement of 1,200 tons. During the Normandy invasion, she struck a mine off Juno Beach on June 6, 1944 and was sold for scrap July 20, 1944.
