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Following non-aggression treaty with Soviet Union, German troops invade Poland. England and France declare war on Germany. Soviets invade Poland from East.
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Denmark, Norway, Nethlerlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and France crushed by German offensive
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Registration of all men between 21 and 35. Limit of 900,000 men in time of peace
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U.S. transfers 50 old destroyers to Britain in exchange for use of eight British Atlantic bases
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German bombers ruin British cities in attempt to obtain British surrender before U.S. entry. Britain's breaking of German code ("Ultra") helps overcome air attacks.
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U.S. would "lend" military equipment to cash-strapped Britain. in return for land.
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Germany begins two-front war with invasion of Russia. Germans halt 15 miles from Moscow in December 1941
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FDR and Churchill agree to war aims, self-determination, and condemnation of Nazism.
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361 Japanese warplanes attack American airfields and shipyards, disabling 19 ships, destroying 200 planes, and killing over 2300 men. Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, Malaya, Philippines soon fall to Japan.
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Congress approves entry into war. Germany and Italy declare war on U.S.
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Carrier-based U.S. planes halt Japanese advance on Australia
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Threat on Hawaii ended as four Japanese aircraft carriers are sunk.
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Huge Allied landing forces Germany to retreat to Tunisia, where they are surrounded by British and American forces.
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Americans take first island in start of island-hopping strategy
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Over 250,000 German and Italian troops are captured and Allies prepare to invade Sicily and Italy.
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In largest amphibious invasion in history, over 250,000 American and British troops land. Germans and Italians escape to mainland of Italy.
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Although Italian troops quit fighting Allies, Germans continue in fierce fighting. Rome finally surrenders on June 4, 1944.
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Allies use 4600 ships to invade German-held France. Suffering heavy casualites, the Allies were able to retake Paris in August.
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60 Japanese ships in largest naval battle in history
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German counteroffensive almost succeeds in retaking Belgium but is crushed with Allied reinforcements.
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American bombers destroy 250,000 buildings and kill 83,000 in massive fire-bombing
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Fighting from caves and bunkers, Japanese inflict 80,000 losses on Americans. Over 30 American ships are sunk by Japanese suicide missions.
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German government issues unconditional surrender to Allied forces.
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180,000 killed, wounded, or missing after atomic bomb is dropped. Two days later Soviet Union enters war against Japan.
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Second bomb is dropped after Japanese delay surrender. 80,000 killed or missing
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Japan surrenders with one term: the emperor must retain his throne.
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http://warchronicle.com/numbers/WWII/deaths.htm
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