-
Invasion of Manchuria &China
During this invasion, Manchuria (North-eastern China) was invaded by the Japanese military. Japan controlled the natural resources and all their policies. 6 years later in 1937, Japan gained control of the railroad links and coasts of China. During this invasion, the Rape of Nanjing occured. 200,000 civilians were murdered and most of the city was burned. The USA did not support these invasions and put an embargo on the supplies the US had been supporting them with. -
Invasion of Poland
After signing the Nazi-Soviet Nonagression Pact, Germany and the USSR secretly planned to invade Poland. They would divide Poland for the territory. Early in the morning Poland recieved a German lightning war (blitzkrieg), Poland was suddendly attacked from 3 ways. Germany destroyed Polands defenses and demolished their air force. 16 days later on September 17th, the Soviet Union invaded Poland in the east and Poland was defeated. -
Fall of France
In May 1940, Germany attacked France. FRance was already prepared for war. With armies along the border with Belgium and sections of connected fortresses(The Maginot Line). Germany tanks went through a forested area and raced to the English Channel. Germany wanted to attack Britain and France simuntaneously. Germany made mistakes and Britain evacuated its forces from France and thousands of troops escaped. Germans took Paris anyways and France surrendered. -
Battle of Britain
Winston Churchill riled up his country for war with Britain after the Miracle of Dunkirk. Germanys LuftWaffe(air force) fought over the English Channel and England. The British lost 1000 planes but Germany lost more. On top of everything, Germany bombed military targets and residents at London. Hitler postponed the battle after seeing Britain wouldn't give up. -
Invasion of the USSR
Breaking the Nazi-Soviet nonagression Pact, Germany invaded the USSR. This was the largest German military operation of World War II. After months of campaigning, the German army was exhausted. Stalin would not let any of his armies surrender or he would personally get people to kill whoever turned their back from the battle. Germany was not prepared for the cold Russian winters and many were ill and hungry, with no proper nutrition or medicines. Germans eventually retreated to Moscow. -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
For months, after FDR placed an embargo on Japans supplies from the US, Japan and the USA attempted to negotiate an end to the disagreement. Japan wanted to expland and the USA did not support it. Tojo didnt want peace anymore and attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Pearl Harbor was an important US military base in the Pacific. Attacking the US by surprise, 2,500 people were killed, and destroyers, aircraft, and battleships were damaged. The US declared war on Japan without hesitation. -
Battle of Coral Sea
In order to stop Japanese conquest in New Guinea, the USA sent USS Lexington and USS Yorktown to counter Japans move. During a Pacific storm, aircraft carriers battled each other. This battle was the first where enemy warships never saw each other. Both Japan and the USA's airplanes attacked each other. In the end it was a draw. America had a military advantage over Japan due to the strength of aircraft. Thats what would determine the Pacific theatre's loss or win. :) -
Battle at Midway
In one of the most important nval battles, the US defeated Japan. The Japanese thought they were so smart as to bringing their wanting attention to Midway. If they were to take that island then the USA's defenses would go back to California and they would establish a military presence. TOO BAD, the USA interrupted the Japanese's messages and retaliated by sinking four of their aircraft carries and all their experienced pilots. Japan was no longer a threat to Hawaii or Pacific domination. -
El Alamein
Taking place in the deserts of North Africa, the British were battling the Axis powers; Germany and Italy. Allies wanted to force Germany out of Africa to lead to an easier invasion of Italy. The British managed to win the battle in challenging terrains and seized Germans conquest of Egypt and oil supplies from the Suez Canal. -
Battle at Stalingrad
Wanting to seize Soviet oil, Hitler narrowed his sights on Stalingrad, USSR. The struggle was fierce. Germans were killing and bombing everything. Soviets retaliated and captured Nazi forced. After months of starving, illness, and frostbite, the remaining troops surrendered on January 31, 1943. This was the turning point and ended Germanys plans of dominating Europe. -
Battle of Sicily
The British and Americans had their eyes set out for Italy. Sicily was their target considering their wouldnt be a big risk from U-boats. In July, the British and Americans made their landings and the Italians moved out to the mainland once they saw them coming. The 38 day campaign still resulted well, regardless. Mussolini was no longer in power, Allies controlled the Mediterranean and paved a way for an invasion f Italy. Italy surrendered September 3, 1943. -
D-day
a 50 mile fleet of American and British divisions stretched out on beaches in Normandy, France. Before the actual battle, the Allies tricked Hitler into thinking that the battle would be at CAlais and he sent his troops there. The Allies crossed the English Channel and 4/5 of the beaches were not too bad but when American troops landed on Omaha beach, all hell broke loose. The Germans were already prepared. Many drowned and died on the beach. Allies managed to get a toehold in France. -
Battle of the Bulge
Hitler sent Germans in US uniforms to England, They were sent to cut phone lines, cahnge road signs, etc. Then, the Germans surprised the Allies by creating a bulge in the American line (between the English Channel and Alps.) The Allies couldn't use their great airforce because of cloudy skies and bad weather. On December 23, everything cleareed out and the Allies bombed Germans. Germans were evntually pushed out of France and ended up with few reserves and troops. -
Iwo Jima and Okinawa
The Allies' stradegy in the Pacific was the island hopping campaign. 36 days of fighrting during Feb-Mar. eventually lead to the capture of the island Iwo Jima. 23,000 casualties occurred despite the win. 1 month later in Okinawa, a battle was also settled. Okinawa had a vital air base the USA would need to bomb Japan. It was a very expensive battle to figh. 50,000 casualties. Japan was defenseless and USA bombers hit resedential areas and military bases on the Japanese mainland. -
Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Harry Truman made the desicion to go on with the use of the Atomic bomb. Truman backed up his decision by saying that an invasion of Japan would cost approximately 1 million American lives. On August 6, the US dropped the first atomic bomb. In 2 minutes more than 60,000 residents were dead. 3 days later, the second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. The Japanese surrendered on September 2. 60,000,000 people died overall through the months.
