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Germany invades Czechoslovakia
Hitler demanded that a German speaking section of Czechoslovakia, called the Sudetenland, become part of Germany. Britain and France agreed to Germany’s takeover of the Sudetenland on the condition that Germany sign a written promise that Hitler would make no further territorial demands -
The Soviet-Nazi Pact
Early in the war, representatives from the Nazi party and the Societ Union met and signed the Societ-Nazi pact that guaranteed the two countries would not attack each other. By doing this Germany protected itself from having to fight a two front war. The pact was broken then the Germans attacked the soviets two years later -
The Invasion of Poland
Conducted by Germany and the Soviet Union, it marked the beginning of World War II in Europe. They invaded from the north, south and west. Polish forces had to withdraw many times and waited for help from the British and the French which was very limited. The Germans took over -
Phony War (Sitzkrieg)
In the beginning of the war, it had been declared by each side but no large force had been launched on a land offence. No one was doing anything to attack the other side. -
Canada Enters the War
Seven days after Britain and France delcared war on Germany, Canada did too. This was Canada's first indepenant declaration of war. By the end Canada would possess the fourth-largest air force and third-largest naval surface fleet in the world. -
The invasion of Norway and Denmark
Also known as Operation Weserübung, Germany invaded Norway because they believed France and Britain had wanted it. There was iron ore in Norway Hitler wanted. -
The Invasion of France and Belgium
The Germans pushed to cut off and surround the Allied units that were in Belgium. The Germans then invaded France and captured that, keeping French soldiers as prisoners. -
Holland Surrenders to Germany
Dutch generals decided resistance is futile and ordered their men to surrend to Germany. They were shocked Germany had attacked Rotterdam. They had a little more casualties than germany in that four day fight, but lots more civilians were killed. -
The Miracle at Dunkirk
Over 300 000 troops were evacuated from Dunkirk and the surrounding beaches. They were rescued from a German advance. -
The Fall of France
The Franch soldiers put up a good fight, but the Germans pushed the French south, eventually signing an armistice with France that let Germany control the Northern part. The nazis thought they would lose more men in the capture of France, but were surprized at the low casualties. This started a war fever in Germany -
The Battle of Britain
It was an air campaign waged by German Air Force against the United Kingdom. It was the first major campaign to be fought entirely by air forces. It was also the largest and most sustained aerial bombing to that date. Germany failed to gain air superiority, and that is considered the turning point of the war for the Allies -
Operation Barbarossa
This was the code name for Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union. Over four million soldiers invaded the USSR and was the largest invasion in the history of warfare. In the end the operation failed. -
The Attack on Pearl Harbor
It was a surprize attack conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy in Hawaii. 188 American aircraft were destroyed; 2402 Americans were killed and 1 282 wounded. The Japanese had much less loses. This lead to the United States joining the war.
