World War II was a global conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945. During this time, many weapons were used by both sides. The two most notable weapons of the war were the STEN, a British submachine gun, and the ABOMB, an atomic bomb developed by the United States. The STEN was a lightweight, low-cost weapon that was easy to produce and could be used in close quarters. The ABOMB was the first nuclear weapon ever used in warfare and had devastating effects on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Both of these weapons played a major role in the outcome of World War II.