World War II Index/Glossary of Terms

World War II Index/Glossary Home Page

Hungary

This Central European country signed the Tripartite Pact in November 1940, becoming part of the Axis. In March 1944 German troops occupied Hungary.

Husky (Operation Husky)

The code name for the Allied Sicilian Campaign that began on July 10, 1943 with an invasion force of over 160,000 men. It ended on August 17, 1943 when American patrols pushed into Messina.

H.M.S.

His (or Her) Majesty's Ship. The title for British ships, similar to USS for American ships. H.M.A.S. stands for His Majesty's Australian Ship; H.M.C.S. stands for His Majesty's Canadian Ship; and H.M.N.Z.S. stands for His Majesty's New Zealand Ship.

HQ (GHQ)

The acronym for Headquarters or General Headquarters.

Humboldt Bay

Part of New Guinea in the Southwest Pacific, seized by General MacArthur with American and Australian forces from the Japanese in April 1944.

Iceland

This small North-Atlantic island nation was occupied by the United States starting in July 1941.

IFF

The acronym for "Identification, Friend or Foe."

IJA

The acronym for the Imperial Japanese Army.

IJN

The acronym for the Imperial Japanese Navy.

Iraq

The pro-German government of this middle-eastern nation was overthrown by the British in June 1941. Britain then occupied the country.

Italy (Italian Campaign)

This Southern European nation was controlled by fascists led by Benito Mussolini. Part of the Axis. After the Italians attempted to surrender, German forces invaded. The German forces finally surrendered on May 2, 1945. The Italian campaign involved some of the hardest fighting in the war and cost the United States some 114,000 casualties.