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The Second World War begins as Britain and France declare war on Germany following Germany’s invasion of Poland.
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German invasion of France, Belgium, Holland, Norway and Denmark. These countries are rapidly defeated by Germany after using speedy attacks.
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Thousands of British and some French troops are evacuated back to the UK from Dunkirk and other ports. -
During the Battle of Britain the German air force, the Luftwaffe, tries and fails to dominate the British Royal Air Force
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Unable to launch an invasion by sea, Germany conducts the Blitz - a series of heavy bombing attacks on Britain’s cities. -
Germany invades her former ally the Soviet Union, which consequently becomes Britain’s ally. This begins the bloody struggle on the Eastern Front.
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Japan attacks the US fleet at Pearl Harbour, involving the US directly in the Second World War. Germany later declares war on the USA, bringing America into the war in Europe.
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Operation Bolero - the build-up of US forces in Britain - begins, in preparation for D-Day.
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Britain and the US agree a strategy of 'Europe first' – in other words, that they will concentrate on the defeat of Germany before turning to deal with Japan. This begins the train of events that would lead to D-Day.