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On December 13th, Japanese Imperial forces invaded the Chinese capital of Nanking, killing remnant Chinese troops, murdering innocent civilians, and famously raping many Chinese women. General Matsui Iwane ordered this invasion in hopes of breaking the Chinese spirit. This massacre serves as a moment that defines the destruction of the Chinese army, its capital, and the slaughter and raping of many women (almost 80,000 raped, 300,000 massacred!) -
The word means "Lighting War", and it was a very successful strategy. This strategy consisted of armored vehicles, tanks, infantry, warplanes, and soldiers being sent to bomb, sweep, and crush the opponent in a quick manner. This method is the reason Germany quickly gained so much land, but its downfall is that it killed communication and was quite hasty. -
The invasion was a surprise attack on Poland. The German Luftwaffe destroyed the Poland airforce and carpet-bombed Poland. Many people were murdered and Germany had quickly taken over Poland with their new Blitzkrieg strategy. Hitler initiated this invasion to see an Allied forces reaction. This invasion marked the beginning of the war. -
In May of 1940, Germany had broken through both Belgium and the Netherlands, coming to France and attacking them where they did not prepare. France had prepared for Germany to take a different route than WWI, but they didn't so Germany quickly broke through the small defenses along the Ardennes forest, and with the Luftwaffe, raided and took Paris. French soldiers retreated at Dunkirk, Germany had taken down a great power, and now France was mostly out of the war. -
Not really a full-scale battle, but it was still a huge turning point. In four phases, Hitler sent the Luftwaffe to bomb major cities and destroy ports, and radar centers while fighting against the RAF to take Britain. Yet with the British's use of the radar, they were able to prepare and fend off the Germans while still playing defense. After poor weather and failed raids ended, Hitler pulled back. This was a huge loss for Hitler and meant that Germany was not going to be able to take Britain. -
Japan sent its air force to bomb the ships and docks in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This attack destroyed many of the United States naval ships and planes, but it wasn't as effective as the Japanese had planned. Japan attacked due to their desire to control more Pacific islands for resources, but after 6 months, America came back. This started America's full involvement in the war efforts. -
This battle was fought surrounding the small island of Midway. This battle was the first one that the US was involved in, and using codes they deciphered from Japanese fleets, they successfully outmaneuvered the Japanese and caused huge damage to their navy. This battle showed that the US was a capable opponent against the Japanese, and the damage down to Japan would be crucial to future American victories. -
The Nazis tried to attack the Soviet Union in Stalingrad, but in the end failed. This battle showed the desperation of the Nazis as millions were killed and the German 6th Army was completely destroyed. Germany initiated the attacks because they felt that it was important to take control of south Russia and gain access to more oilfields. Overall, this battle was extremely costly to both the Soviet Union and the Nazis, but it decimated the Nazi's chance at a future victory. -
After the defeat of the Axis Powers in North Africa, the Allies headed to Italy through the "toe" and with assistance from the Italian government (who wanted to surrender and have Mussolini gone), they were able to bypass the Nazis and the Italians that were still under the fascist ideology. Italy then agreed to surrender (on purpose). Mussolini was taken by Nazis to "rule" with a puppet government. This invasion basically marks the end of Mussolini's rule and the freeing of Italy. -
American, British, and Canadian forces landed along the beaches of Normandy, France in hopes to liberate France from the Nazi control. It is one of the largest military assaults in history, and even if it didn't go as planned, it succeeded. Different sections of soldiers attempted to flank and close in on the Germans, and after 3 months of machine gun fire, they succeeded. This marks the liberation of France and the loss of the only thing Germany really had left. -
The Allies, while pushing through Reich territories, came across concentration camps and tried to free them. American forces freed camp Ohrduf, and the British tried to liberate Bergen-Belsen. Disease and lice spread like wildfires, so the British burnt down the camp to stop the spread. These camps being liberated led to Germans speeding up the extermination, but the Allies started putting in efforts to find and stop the cruelties which led to the eventual freeing of the remaining captured. -
Germans attempted to use the Ardennes to divide French, British, and American troops, but the Nazis, despite breaking through initial American lines, were cut off and encircled by the Allies. Hitler's initial goal to split the Allies and encircle them was so he could force a peace treaty and then capture Antwerp, Belgium to focus on the East again. This loss due to tactical errors and the loss of German reserves marks the true downfall of the Nazis in the war and the invasion of Germany itself. -
It was a huge and costly battle between the Marines and the Imperial Japanese Army. American forces landed on Iwo Jima which was the most defended place on Earth. They pushed forward, losing 20,000 men in the process. The iconic picture of the troops planting the flag was taken when they seized the summit of Mount Suribachi, mostly putting an end to the battle. Only 200 Japanese survived, and America had done what they intended: set up a spot for an invasion of Japan's mainland. -
This battle was the most bloody in the Pacific Theater. It introduced kamikaze warfare and revealed the gruesome honor code of the Japanese in war. American troops sunk the ships of the Japanese, despite losing many of their own to kamikaze ships. Yet, despite the Japanese sacrifices, they were overwhelmed and lost 110,000 men. General Ushijima committed ritualistic suicide, and the battle was over. This battle served as the takeover of the final island between the Allies and mainland Japan. -
The Americans had created the nuclear bomb, and now that Harry Truman took office after FDR's death, he had to decide whether to invade Japan, or bomb it. The invasion seemed to be the worst (ending in >1 million dead for both), so Truman decided that they would have to bomb instead. American troopers dropped the first bomb on Hiroshima on August 6th, but due to the Japanese response with more fighting, on the 9th, they dropped the second bomb on Nagasaki. This bombing officially ended the war.