-
Blitzkrieg
Blitzkrieg was the German term of "Lighting War", which essentially was an all out assault of a country with the full utilization of an army. Germany used this tactic when attacking Belgium, the Netherlands, and France, which was majorly successful in taking each of the countries over.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/blitzkrieg -
Germany invades France
Germany invaded France as part of Blitzkrieg, and was primarily successful from bombing air bases which were strong points in France. This was an incredibly important win for Germany, because it led a path for the Germans to attack Britain, whom were a dominant force for the allies.
http://www.sparknotes.com/history/european/ww2/section2/ -
Battle of Britain Begins
In the summer and fall of 1940, the German air force and the Royal air force engaged in dog fights over Britain. This lasted for nearly 11 months, only for the German force to fail to gain air superiority, striking a major blow to their advance in the war.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-britain -
Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa was Germany's full assault on the Soviet Union, in which over three million German soldiers attacked. Germany ultimately lost, which was an incredible turning point in the war because it forced Germany to fight a two front war.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/operation-barbarossa -
United States/Britain Exchange
Before the US joined the war, they recognized that Britain needed aid in the war effort. Therefore the US gave all kinds of war supplies to them in an effort to help them fight the axis.
My Brain as well as a little bit of commonsense.com -
Pearl Harbor Bombing
On this date, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, giving a devastating blow to the US. The Japanese managed to destroy every possible naval ship, and more. This was the US's greatest fleet, which was a major disadvantage in the war effort.
Class notes -
War Officially Declared
The day following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the US declared War on Japan and Germany
Class Notes -
Bataan Death March
After the US surrender of the Bataan Peninsula, the Japanese forced 75,000 Filipino and American troops on a horrid 65-mile trek. Thousands died, had to face intense heat, as well as faced terrible treatment from Japanese guards.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bataan-death-march -
Battle of Midway
This was one of the most major battles in the war, due to the Japanese losing which had a major blow to their navy. This allowed the US to move into a more ideal offensive position, giving them an advantage to winning the war.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-midway -
Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad was the successful Soviet defense of the city of Stalingrad against the Germans. This stopped their advance, and was a turning point in the war for the allies to begin to win.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-stalingrad -
Warsaw Ghetto Uprising
The Jews in the Nazi-occupied Poland creating armed uprisings against the deportations to extermination camps. This inspired other Jews in other districts to do the same thing as well.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/warsaw-ghetto-uprising -
D-Day
The Battle of Normandy, D-Day, was the allied liberation of Western Europe from Nazi control. It is remembered as the biggest battle in history, in which over 150,000 American, Canadian, and British troops stormed over 5 beaches stretching over 50 miles.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/d-day -
Battle of Iwo Jima
The Battle of Iwo Jima was an amphibious invasion of the Japanese area of Iwo Jima, and despite the tactical advantage that the Japanese held, the marines were able too wipe out the defending forces, taking the base.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima -
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was a sudden blitzkrieg against allied forces in the Ardennes Mountains, in which the US took a bulge like appearance. General George S. Patton was able to have a counteroffensive, and fended off the German troops.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-the-bulge -
Liberation of Concentration Camps
At the beginning of the 1945 year, Germany was in retreat, and had to leave behind their concentration camps. On the 27th of January, Soviet Soldiers liberating the greatest of concentration camps, Auschwitz.
https://www.ushmm.org/outreach/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007724 -
US Bombing Japan
The first bomb dropped by the US was in the city of Hiroshima, in which 80,00 died on impact, and 90% of the city was leveled. A few days later, another bomb was dropped in the city of Nagasaki, killing nearly 40,000 people. This crippled Japan and forced them to surrender from the war.
