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Germany's Invasion of Poland - 1939
Germany invades the Western part of Poland. Later followed by the Soviets invading the Eastern part of Poland on September 17. Although this would last until October 6th, 1939. -
German Blitzkrieg
The German term "blitzkrieg" meant "lightning war." This was a German military tactic used in World War I and again tested in WWII in Poland. This tactic crushed oppents who were in the way of Germany throughout the war. -
Operation Barbarossa
June 22nd, 1941 sent 3million Germans into Soviet Territory. Germany outskilled opponents because they had wiser military strageties which made them the most diffuclt army to fight in the twentieth century. However, Germany failed making Barbarossa the turning point of World War II. -
Pearl Harbor
On the early morning in Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese fighter planes attacked the American naval base. 2,500 people were killed and 1,000 people were wounded.This marked one of the deadliest attack in American history. -
D-Day (Normandy Invasion) 1944
In the early morning of June 6th, 1944, the largest naval task force was sent to the beach of Normandy. Despite the heavy gunfire of German artillery, the Allied invasion was a success. Although it claimed the lives of about 10,000 people and about 30,000 were wounded. This was an important step toward conquering Berlin. -
Battle of the Bulge - 1945
Adolph Hitler sought to split the Allie's armies in Europe through their blitzkrieg tactic. However, as Germans drove deeper towards the heart of the Allied territories, Allie troops took a line up against a large bulge. Despite suffering many casualties, the Allies defense was a success. This was important in World War II because it was one of Hitler's last attempts of regaining power or control. -
Battle of Okinawa 1945
The largest Pacific Island battle of WWII took place on April 1st, 1945. At stake were the air bases that were important to the invasion of Japan. Both sides suffered many casualties moreso the Japanese. The Japanese lost many troops because of their kamikaze pilots. Nevertheless, the Allies were successful which helped protect their resources necessary for the invasion of Japan. -
Liberation of Concentration Camps - 1945
As Allies began pursuing enemy territory, they encountered many concentration camps filled with people who were suffering of starvation and disease. These sightings only eagered the Allies free them. Doing so, many of the German concentration camps hurried to get rid of their evidence and kill off as many Jews as possible. Although many failed and were too late. Auschwitz, perhaps the largest concentration camp, was liberated by the Soviets. Buchenwald had also been liberated by U.S. forces. -
VE Day
Great Britain and the U.S. celebrate in Europe in the defeat of the Nazis. This marked the day that German troops put down their fire arms and surrendered unconditionally. This was one closer to marking the end of World War II. -
Dropping of the Atomic Bombs - 1945
Early this day the Enola Gay American bomber dropped the world's first atomic bomb over the city of Hiroshima. Nearly five and a half hours later, About 140,000 people were pronounced dead by the of that year. President Truman made this decision to not only end the war, but to do so suffering way less casualties. -
Potsdam Declaration - 1945
A day after bombing Nagasaki, the Japanese surrendered. This ultimately led to President Truman ceasing the droppings of the atomic bombs. -
VJ Day - 1945
This day marked the end of World War II as the Japanese unconditionally surrendered to the Allies. The celebration of VE day has lessened now that we are more of Allies with Japan than we were years ago.
