-
Invasion of Poland
Germany invades Poland. France and Britain declare war two days later. World War Two had started. -
Dunkirk
The mass evacuation of Allied forces after the Germans cut them off. It was a miracle. Every boat of every size Britian had came to ferry the soliders from France to Britian. This saved the army to fight another day. -
Italy Joins the Axis
Italy joins the Axis and forms the Rome-Berlin Axis Treaty. -
France Surrenders
France surrenders after six weeks of fighting. Vichy is set up as a puppet government. -
Germany attacks Russia
Operation Barbarossa, Germany's plan to attack the Soviet Union. The Germans paved through all the way to Moscow, but were hit by the Russian winter. -
Pearl Harbor
A Japanese surprise attack, led by Yamamoto. Its aim was to destroy the American Pacific fleet and carriers. It is consider a major blow to Americans. Over 2000 service men lost their lives. Japanese had about 70. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TX4sTBJ0tvA -
Pearl Harbor
Japanese sneak attack on the morning of December 7th. It crippled many ships in the US Pacific Fleet but was unsuccessful in destroying its carriers. -
Hitler declares war on USA
After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hitler declares war on the United States. This brings us into the war in Europe and Pacific at the same time. -
Doolittle Raids
Lt. Colonel Doolitte, and famous American Aviator, launches a surprise raid on the Japanese main land. Although not really effective. It showed we could attack Japan and raised moral with troops and civilians at home. -
Battle of the Coral Sea
First defeat of the Japanese, and the first naval battle that only airplanes did the attacking. Niether fleet saw each other. -
Battle of Midway
Considered the turning point of the Pacific, the US was able to destroy four Japanese carriers, serverely crippling the Japanese fleet. -
Beginning of the fighting on Guadalcanal
This is the first of many amphibious landings to take place in the pacific. Marines are able to take the airfield quickly but the Japanese continue to fight for many more months. -
Japanese Evacuate Guadalcanal
The Japanese finally start evacuating their remaining troops from the ilsand after five bloody months of fighting. -
Invasion of Sicily
This mrks the beginning of Allied attacks on Europe. The Allies took Sicily in a few months, and the Italians surrender shortly afterwards. The Germans still continued to fight in the Italian mountains until the end of the war. Considered an Allied victory. -
D-Day
Hailed as the greatest military landing in history. D-Day marks the invasion of France and the beginning of Germany's downfall. It was a bloody fight for all who was involved. Causalties were quite high taking these beaches. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wl1JvYCTDYU -
Battle of Leyte Gulf
A US victory. This marks the first time the Japanese start using kamikazes in the war. -
Battle of the Bulge
The Germans last ditched effort of a counter attack. They launched a surprise attack through the Ardennes in Belgium and Northern France. Although the Germans made a dent, the Allies pushed them back. Victory for the Allies. -
Iwo Jima
Marines launch an amphibious assault on the tiny island. Fighting lasted for about a month. Soldiers there saw some of the bloodiest fighting of the war. -
Okinawa
Final amphibious landing of the Pacific theatre. It was an island considered part of Japan. It was a huge morale boost when it was taken. -
Roosevelt Dies
President Roosevelt dies in office. President Truman succeeded him as new President. -
Hitler Commits Suicide
Hitler took his own life on the 30th of April. Goering was to assume control of the Riech but could not. Admiral Donitz. Donzit then accepts unconditional surrender to the Allies. -
Germany Surrenders
Admiral Donitz surrenders to the Allied forces in Europe. This marks the Victroy in Europe day. -
Hiroshima
Truman allows the US to drop a atomic bomb on Japan. First atomic bomb, Little Boy, is dropped on Hiroshima killing thousands instantly. -
Russia declares war on Japan
After first atomic bomb, Russia declares war on Japan and invades Manchuria. -
Nagasaki
Second atomic bomb is dropped. This time Nagasaki is chosen as the location. Fat Man was the name of this bomb. -
Japan Surrenders
The Emperor and Prime Minister ask for peace with the Allies. -
Formal Surrender of Japan
On the USS Missouri, General MacArthur accepts the unconditional surrender of the Japanese. Now started the occupation of Japan. Truman declares VJ Day, Victory over Japan.
