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Germany invades France
Germany invaded France and captured Paris -
Period: to
Timeline
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Invasions of Poland
Invasions of Poland by USSR and Germany, beginning World War II. Most of Poland is taken in days. -
Germany invades Denmark
Germany invades Denmark, Norway, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg. All fall within weeks. -
Germany invades the USSR
Germany invades the USSR, opening what becomes known as the Eastern Front. -
The Imperial Japanese Navy attacks the US Pacific Fleet
The Imperial Japanese Navy attacks the US Pacific Fleet anchored at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. US enters the war, opening the Pacific Theatre. -
Battle of Stalingrad
Battle of Stalingrad. Germany's entire Sixth Army is lost, and the war begins turning in favor of the Allies. -
D-Day
The Allied Expeditionary Force under Dwight Eisenhower lands on the coast of northern France on what will later be called "D-Day". The "Second Front" that Stalin has been demanding for three years is now open. -
Hitler commits suicide
Hitler commits suicide, shortly before the fall of Berlin and surrender of German forces in Europe. -
USA develops the atomic bomb
USA develops the atomic bomb, and successfully uses it in August to force the surrender of Japan.