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German Invasion of poland
Germany invaded Poland as a result of the Germany-Soviet Pact which allowed Germany to invade Polland without the concern that the Soviet could help Poland in fighting back. After only a couple weeks into Germany's invasion the Polish army was defeated. This defeat of Poland effected World War II because Germany controlled Poland so they were not free to attack again and many Polish citizens were murdered and imprisioned by German forces. -
Battle of Britain
German and British air forces had an attack in the sky over the United Kingdom. Britain's air force was victorious in this attack. This was a turning point for World War II beacuse Britain was saved from a ground invasion and possibly a occupation by German forces since they won. -
Operation of Barbarossa - Russia
Germanys' invasion of Russia was the largest military attack of World War II. Hitler was planning this attack on Russia since 1940 and it was said that he lost interest in the Battle of Britain because he was so fixed on a plan to defeat Russia. He codenamed his plan Barbarossa. The attack targeted Moscow, Leningrad, Ukraine, and Kiev. Germany advanced quickly but Russia was suprisingly triumphant! This was a huge turning point in World War II because Hitler's attacks began to decrease. -
Battle of Moscow, Russia
Nazi Germany invaded Moscow with a goal to swiftly defeat Russia. Germany was not successful, and Russia was triumphant, putting an end to Hitler's conquest. When Russia defeated Nazi Germany, Hitler's conquests were finally broken and started to come to an end. -
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Battle of Stalingrad, Russia
This was a crucial battle between the Soviets and Germans which played a major role in ending WWII, defeating Nazi Germany, and bringing on the downfall of Hitler. The German Sixth Army initiated an attack on Stalingrad city centre and quickly captured the city but Soviet counterattack by the 13th Guards Rifle division recaptured the hill where the battle began. This was a long and fiercely fought battle with a huge number of casualties. It ended with the Germans surrendering. -
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Battle of Kursk, Russia
The battle of Kursk was considered one of the most significant battles of the Eastern Front. The German army attempted to encircle the Soviets armies around Kursk. This German attack was beaten back by the Soviets and is considered a major turning point in the war between Germany and the USSR. This battle marked the last offensive the Germans were able to launch on the Eastern front and is seen as a turning point in the Soviets taking the strategic advantage in the war. -
D-Day, France
D-Day occured on the beaches of Normandy, France and marked the beginning of the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe. D-Day is considered a major turning point in WWII as it was the first time the Allies risked an attack of the Germans in Northern Europe. The Americans and British had assembled a huge force of men and materials in Britian. By the first nightfall, American and British troops secured a foothold in previously Nazi-occupied Europe. -
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Battle of the Bulge-Lux/Belgium
In the Battle of the Bulge, the American divisions were surrounded by German forces but were able to resist and fight on through harsh winter conditions. General George Patton led attacks on the Germans and the Americans eventually won. Following the American victory the Germans were never again able to launch attacks on this scale against Allied forces. -
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Battle od Berlin
During the Battle of Berlin, The Russian Red Army marched across Poland and into Germany and greatly outnumbered the Germany forces when they finally reached Berlin. Many casualties occured on both sides but the eventual Soviet victory destroyed the German forces and marked the end of Nazi Germany and WWII in Europe. -
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Hiroshima/Nagasaki- Japan
On August 6th, 1945 an American bomber dropped the world’s first offensively intended atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. The explosion killed 80,000 people and destroyed 90% of the city. Three days later, on August 9th, 1945 a second atomic bomb was dropped on the Japanese city of Nagasaki killing about 40,00 people. These attacks led to the end of WWII. On August 15th, 1945 Japanese Emperor Hirohito surrendered marking the end of WWII.
