World War II Timeline by Riley Newton By Riley Newton Sep 1, 1939 World War II begins Apr 9, 1940 Germany attacks Norway and Denmark May 26, 1940 The battle of Dunkirk begins Jul 10, 1940 The battle of Britain begins Sep 22, 1940 The axis powers are formed Mar 1, 1941 Auschwitz-Birkenau was built Jun 22, 1941 Germany invades the Soviet Union Sep 23, 1941 The first gas experiments took place at Auschwitz. Sep 29, 1941 33,771 Jews were killed in two days at Babi Yar. Dec 7, 1941 Japan attacks Pearl Harbor. Dec 8, 1941 US joins World War II May 7, 1942 The battle of Coral Sea begins Jun 3, 1942 The battle of Midway begins Jul 15, 1942 Jews are deported out of the Netherlands Jun 6, 1944 D-Day Oct 20, 1944 The United States captures the Philippines. Jan 27, 1945 Auschwitz prisoners freed Feb 19, 1945 The battle of Iwo Jima Mar 7, 1945 The Rhine River is crossed by US troops Apr 1, 1945 US invades Okinawa Apr 30, 1945 Hitler kills himself May 8, 1945 V-E Day Aug 6, 1945 The first atomic bomb is dropped on Hiroshima. Aug 9, 1945 Second atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki. Sep 2, 1945 End of World War II or V-J Day