Germanyinvadespoland

World War 2, The European Invasions: Chaos 1939-1940

By mheaston

  • Nazi Germany Invades Poland

    Nazi Germany Invades Poland
    Nazis invade Poland, Fall 1939World War 2 Begins- Warsaw Surrenders 9/27/39

  • Soviet Union Invades Eastern Poland

    Soviet Union Invades Eastern Poland
    In reaction to the German invasion, and the loss of the buffer state of Poland between superpowers Soviet Union and Nazi Germany, Stalin occupies Eastern Poland.

  • Soviet Union Invades Finland

    Soviet Union Invades Finland
    The less-talked about: Soviet invasion of Finland"The Winter War," was mainly due to Soviet territorial concessions to a fascist Finland not being met in Fall 1939. Treaty signed 03/12/40.

  • Nazi Germany Invades Denmark and Norway

    Nazi Germany Invades Denmark and Norway
    Denmark surrenders initially; Norwegian army eventually surrenders 06/10/40.

  • Nazi Germany Invades France, Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg

    Nazi Germany Invades France, Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg
    Hitler in ParisGerman "blitzkrieg" overruns all militaries of the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Luxembourg. Nazi Germany occupies Paris by 06/14/40.

  • The Netherlands capitulate to Germany

    The Netherlands capitulate to Germany
    Shown left is the aftermath of Germany air strikes on the metropolis of Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

  • Battle of Britain begins

    Battle of Britain begins
    The Battle Of Britain 1940The largest air battle in world history took place over the skies of England as the Nazi Luftwaffe mercilessly bombed British civilians, sea vessels, and industries in an attempt to put the British nation into submission.

  • Battle of Britain: Eagle Day

    Battle of Britain: Eagle Day
    Royal Air Force and coalition forces remained resilient- they inflicted heavy losses to German Luftwaffe- eliminating key personnel, in lieu of Air Marshal Goering's escalation of attacks.

  • British First Bombing of Berlin

    British First Bombing of Berlin
    Royal Air Force units execute their first major offensive move with successful sorties into the heart of Germany.

  • Battle of Britain- London Blitz

    Battle of Britain- London Blitz
    Germany's last attempt to strike at the heart of Britain. The British, led by Winston Churchill, withstand the incendiary strikes.

  • Hitler indefinitely postpones mainland invasion of Britain.

    Hitler indefinitely postpones mainland invasion of Britain.
    In recognition of severe losses to the Luftwaffe, Hitler executively ends the Battle of Britain in defeat. The western front would be closed until D-Day 06/06/44.

  • Italy Invades Greece

    Italy Invades Greece
    Italian Dictator Benito Mussolini's forces invade Greece in order to strengthen Axis influence over the entire Balkan peninsula.