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Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact
Also known as the Soviet-German Anti-Aggression Pact. The pact promised non-belligerence on either side. The pact was ended by Hitler after attacking Soviet Positions in Eastern Poland during Operation Barbarossa on June 22nd, 1941. -
German Invasion of Poland
Was a joint invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany, The Free City of Danzig, and the Soviet Union. The invasion commenced only one week after the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and one day after a false-flag operation against a Polish radio station. Occupation took one month and five days to complete. -
The Fall of Paris
In accordance with their pact with Poland, France declared war on Nazi Germany. The German army tore through France in an astonishing amount of time, and eventually made it to Paris, where Tanks rolled down the street on the 14th and were met with little to no resistance. More than 2 million citizens fled the city as the Gestapo began work with arrests, interrogations, and spying. -
German Blitzkrieg
The German word meaning "Lightning Warfare" the idea of which being a very fast occupation of territory by means of an overwhelming full-frontal assault. The German Blitzkrieg started by using a massive wave of air raids using carpet bombers and high tech dive bombers such as the Stuka. The assault on the ground relied hevily on the advanced German tanks such as the Tiger and Panzer tanks. Along with a massive force of German soldier on the ground -
Operation Barbarossa
Code name for the German invasion of the Soviet Union. The operation was driven by Hitlers ideological desire to destroy communism. The German army began by attacking Soviet controlled East Poland, effectively destroying the Anti-Aggression Act the two countries had signed just before the invasion of Poland. -
Battle of Midway
The United States Navy decisively defeated an attacking naval fleet of the Imperial Japanese Navy near the Midway Atoll. Damage to the Imperial fleet was deemed un-repairable and the battle was called the most decisive and stunning battle in naval history. -
The Battle of Stalingrad
Was a major battle faught between the 6th German Army and the 4th Panzer Division with strong backing with air raids from the Luftwaffe againt the Red Army. The battle was one of the bloodiest battles in the war with over 2.2 million dead. After five months and one week the Red Army finally pushed back the Nazis with the help of Soviet snipers. -
Warsaw Ghetto Uprising
Jewish and Polish uprising in the Warsaw Ghetto that these parties had been relocated too. The revolt began when the residents opposed the Nazis final efforts to move them to Treblinka. The Nazis responded by burning down the ghetto block by block. Over 13,000 residents died. More than half were burned alive. -
Carpet Bombing of Hamburg (Operation Gomorrah)
Allied bombing of the city of Hamburg included strategic bombing missions along with diversion and "nuisance" raids. Specifically targeting ship yards, U Boat pens and oil fields. Operation Gomorrah was one of the largest incendiary bombings during the war. Killing over 42,000 and wounding 37,000 civilians, destroying most of the city. -
Allied Invasion of Italy
Allied amphibious landing invasion of mainland Italy. Opposition to the landing was light and Italian units surrendered almost immediately. German and Italian forces fought back, however the Allies liberated Italy in only a few weeks. -
Operation Neptune (Normandy D-Day Landings)
Allied invasion of Normandy, the largest seaborne assault in history. Allied and German losses were both around 10,000 troops. The Allies found very heavy resistance on the beach with many dug-in machine gun trenches. However Allies eventually prevailed and paved the way to a European liberation. -
Liberation of Nazi Concentration Camps
The first camps were discovered in 1944 by the Soviets. The American forces also liberated several camps. Colonel William W. Quinn spoke about it as; "Our troops found sights, sounds and stenches horrible beyond belief, cruelties so enormous as to be incomprehensible to the normal mind." -Referring to Dachau. -
The Battle of the Bulge
The last major offensive by the German Army during the war. Launched through the dense forests in France, Belgium and Luxembourg. The battle was a surprise attack that caught the Allies completely off guard with the American forces feeling the brunt of the attack. Also suffering the most casualties. -
Victory in Europe Day
Celebrated on May 8th, 1945. To mark the formal acceptance of Germany's unconditional surrender of it's armed forces. Thus marking the end of the war in Europe. The Soviet Union however, celebrated the day on the 9th. -
Dropping of the Atomic Bombs
The United States, with the consent of the UK, dropped two experimental atomic bombs on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. President Truman figured there would be significant American casualties if the US were to invade Japan. But the bombs killed a total of 246,000+, many of which were Japanese citizens. -
Victory over Japan Day
The day in which Japan surrendered to the US and, in effect ended the second World War. Japan surrendered not only due to the tragic dropping of the atomic bombs, but also in responce to a Soviet declaration of war. The formal surrender took place in Tokyo Bay aboard the USS Missouri.
