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German Blitzkrieg
Germany's blitzkrieg approach was characterized by extensive bombing early on to destroy the enemy’s air capacity, railroads, communication lines, and munitions dumps, followed by a massive land invasion with overwhelming numbers of troops, tanks, and artillery. After the German forces had plowed their way through, devastating a swath of territory, infantry moved in, picking off any remaining resistance. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germany-invades-poland -
Germany's Invasion of Poland
During this invasion German forces, under the control of Adolf Hitler, bombarded Poland on land and from the air. They invaded Poland to regain lost territory and ultimately rule their neighbor to the east. The German invasion of Poland was a primer on how Hitler intended to wage war–what would become the “blitzkrieg” strategy. Great Britain would respond with bombing raids over Germany three days later. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germany-invades-poland -
Battle of Britain
During this battle, Britain defended against a series of intense German air raids conducted by the Luftwaffe. The air attacks, intended to prepare the way for a German invasion, were directed against British ports and Royal Air Force (RAF) bases. The RAF was outnumbered but succeeded in blocking the German air force through superior tactics, advanced air defenses, and the penetration of German secret codes. https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Britain-European-history-1940 -
Operation Barbarossa
This operation began when Germany launched its invasion of the Soviet Union. Nazi leader Adolf Hitler predicted a quick victory, but after initial success, the brutal campaign eventually failed due to strategic blunders and harsh winter weather, as well as a determined Soviet resistance and attrition suffered by the Germans. German troops' failure to defeat Soviet forces in the campaign signaled a crucial turning point in the war. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/operation-barbarossa -
Pearl Harbor
Previous to the attack, U.S.-Japanese relations were rocky, especially after Japan's alliance with the Axis Powers. This aerial attack by the Japanese occurred on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor on Oahu island, Hawaii, catching the U.S. off guard. More than 180 aircraft and vessels were destroyed and more than 2,300 military personnel were killed. The event unified the American public and Congress declared war on Japan on Dec. 8. https://www.britannica.com/summary/Pearl-Harbor-attack -
Wannsee Conference
On this day, 15 high-ranking Nazi Party and German government officials gathered at a villa in the Berlin suburb of Wannsee to discuss and coordinate the implementation of what they called the "Final Solution of the Jewish Question" (mass killing). The SS envisioned that some 11 million Jews, some of them not living on German-controlled territory, would be eradicated as part of the Nazi program. -
Battle of the Coral Sea
The United States, having broken Japan’s secret war code and forewarned of an impending invasion of Tulagi and Port Moresby, attempted to intercept the Japanese armada. Four days of battles between Japanese and American aircraft carriers resulted. Although Japan would go on to occupy all of the Solomon Islands, this confrontation caused the loss of many valued experienced pilots and aircraft carriers. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-battle-of-the-coral-sea-begins -
Battle of Midway
This battle began as the Japanese naval forces sought to seize Midway Island by engaging the numerically inferior U.S. Pacific fleet. When U.S. intelligence broke the Japanese naval code, the U.S. prepared for the assault and its bombers struck Japan’s carrier force. Japan was unable to match the U.S. air power and abandoned efforts to land on Midway. The battle brought their Pacific naval forces to parity, marking a turning point for both. https://www.britannica.com/summary/Battle-of-Midway -
Battle of Stalingrad
This battle began when German forces invaded the Soviet Union and advanced to the suburbs of Stalingrad. Once the Germans reached the center of the city, the determined Red Army engaged them in fierce street fighting. In November, the Soviets counterattacked and encircled the German army, who surrendered by February. While the battle was one of the most bloody in history, it ultimately turned the tide of WWII in favor of the Allied forces. https://www.britannica.com/summary/Battle-of-Stalingrad -
Warsaw Ghetto Uprising
Experiencing horrible living conditions in the Warsaw ghetto and with the threat of deportation to extermination camps such as Treblinka, a violent revolt arose among residents of the Jewish ghetto. The Warsaw uprising inspired other revolts in extermination camps and ghettos throughout German-occupied Eastern Europe. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/warsaw-ghetto-uprising -
D-Day (Normandy Invasion)
This extensively planned, deceptive invasion began on June 6 when some 156,000 American, British, and Canadian forces landed on five beaches along a 50-mile stretch of the heavily fortified coast of France’s Normandy region. Having fought their way across the countryside in the face of determined German resistance, the forces were able to liberate all of Northern France and eventually the rest of Western Europe, beginning the end of World War I. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/d-day -
Battle of Iwo Jima
Shortly after its attack on Pearl Harbor, Japan gained control over much of Southeast Asia and the central Pacific. Due to this, the U.S. assumed command of Allied forces in the Pacific theatre and mounted a counteroffensive that incorporated a strategic combination of land, air, and naval assaults on the island of Iwo Jima. It was a costly victory for the U.S. and proved the Japanese military’s willingness to fight to the last man. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Battle-of-Iwo-Jima -
Potsdam Declaration
Two months after Germany surrendered, Allied leaders gathered in Potsdam, Germany, to discuss peace settlements, among other issues. However, although the European phase of the conflict had ended, the war continued in the Pacific theatre as Japan remained committed to fighting. This declaration was an ultimatum issued by the U.S., Great Britain, and China, calling for the unconditional surrender of Japan. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Potsdam-Declaration -
Atomic Bombings
In late July, Japan’s militarist government rejected the threatening Allied demand for surrender in the Potsdam Declaration. Due to the threat of an incredibly fatal fight, Truman ordered the drop of an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, and then three days later, on Nagasaki. These bombs killed thousands, instantly and overtime with radiation. Due to this, Emperor Hirohito announced unconditional surrender in WWII. https://www.history.com/.amp/topics/world-war-ii/bombing-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki -
Battle of the Bulge
Lasting 6 weeks, this battle was the last German offensive on the Western Front, an unsuccessful attempt to divide the Allied forces and prevent an invasion of Germany. The battle began with the German's counterthrust into the Ardennes region of Belgium, catching the Allied forces unprepared. This was initially successful but was halted by Allied resistance and the Germans withdrew in January after both sides had suffered heavy losses. www.britannica.com/summary/Battle-of-the-Bulge