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Nazi Germany invades Poland
Germany's growth to the Sarrland, Sudetenland, Austria and the Rhindland all were given the "okay" by Britain and France (Due to the policy of appeasement). But, on this day Germany invaded Poland following the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. This was the invasion which showed the world Nazi Germany's "Blitzkreig", the next generation of military tactics. This for the most part was a decisive victory for the Germans and the official start of World War 2 in the European theatre. -
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World War Two in Europe
The bloodiest, biggest, most brutal battle that has ever been seen in Europe, The Second World War -
Britain declares war on Germany
After the ultimatum the British issued to Germany to pull their troops out of Poland expired, Britain was obligated to declare war on Germany due to an earlier agreement with Poland (Poland's neutrality was violated). -
France declares war on Germany
After a similar ultimatum was issued and expired, France declared war on Germany due to the same agreement as Britain with Poland -
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Battle of the Atlantic
Hitlers plan to stop the supplies going to Britain. Most of this battle was fought using German U-boat wolf packs. Many merchant ships, military ships and civilian ships were lost during this battle. In the end Germany never did sever the supply line between Canada, The United States and Britain -
Canada declares war on Germany
Due to the Statute of Westminister Canada was not automanically at war with Germany. The decision was Parliament's and they voted "yes". -
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Phoney War
The Phoney War was a period of inactivity when the German Military was rearming and the Allies were waiting at the Maginot Line -
German invasion of Norway and Denmark
Operation Weserübung. This was the end of the Phoney war and the Blitzkrieg began again. Just like Poland, these two Countries were defeated by the German war machine -
German invasion of the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Belgium
Using the Blitzkrieg tactics Germany quickly took over these three countries. Another decisive victory for the German War Machine -
German invasion of France
After the conquest of smaller European contries, Hitler decided to invade France -
Allied Evacuation of Dunkirk
The German's had reached the French port of Dunkirk. The British Navy brought hundreds of fishing boats, pleasure crafts, merchant ships and ferries to rescue 340 000 stranded soliders across the English Channel and bring them back to England. -
North African Campaign begins
The Desert War (operation Torch) was fought for 3 years and was a massive Tank war. The Axis powers needed to control the Mediterranean's access points for any chance of victory: the Strait of Gibraltar and the Suez canal. This would allow access to the oil rich Middle East. The allies needed this point to attack the soft underbelly of Europe (Italy). -
France surrenders
The French army was no match for the German war machine. Britain (commonwealth too) was now alone in the war against Germany. -
Battle of Britain begins
With France conquered Germany's next target was Britain. The Luftwaffe needed air superiority so the land forces of Operation Sea Lion could land (German land invasion of Britain). The Germans started bombing military installations. -
The "Blitz"
The Luftwaffe bombed many civilian targets (residential areas) day and night constantly -
German invasion of Greece and Yugoslavia
Tending to Italy's wishes, Germany decides to in vade Yugoslavia and Greece -
Germany launches Operation Barbarossa
Hitler's invasion of Russia after giving up on invading Britain. Hitler breaks the non-aggression pact in 1939 and invades Russia because of the abudant raw materials and room for labour camp expansion. This would become some of the bloodiest fighting in the War. -
Siege of Leningrad begins
Hitler wanted to capture this city has it had massive industrial strength (11% of all Russia's production). The German army then circled the city and cut off all the supply lines (except Lake Lagota). Many people starved and died because the Red Aramy did not surrender. -
The Dieppe Raid
Operation Jubilee.The Canadian invasion of Dieppe is the most well known Canadian military tradgedy. Due to British superiority beliefs, Unforeseen events and lack of tactical support, the Canadian's lost 907 troops in 9hours. -
The Battle of Stalingrad
One of the bloodiest battles in Human history because of the disreguard for civilian and military targets. Hitler's ambiton to take Stalingrad is speculated to be one of the reasons for the Wehrmacht to be defeated by the Red Army. The Germans needed to pull back, and this was a turning point in the War. -
Tunisia Campaign
A series of battles fought in the North Africa campaign (mostly tanks). The campaign opended with a swift wave of German and Italian victories, but later ended in a Allied decisive victory. This is where Rommel's Afrika Korps were defeated by way of numerical superiority. -
The Battle of Kursk
One of the biggest armoured clashes of all time. The Germans hoped weaken the Red Army's fighting potential. The Germans also needed to win this battle to gain the trust of her allies who thought of withdrawing from the war. The battle was fought near the Russian town of Kursk. The result was a total collaspe in the German eastern front, Desisive Russian victory. -
Sicilian Campaign
Operation Husky, After several victories in the North African campaign the allies could attack the "soft underbelly" of Europe The Allied solidiers fought against heavy resistance from Italian and German forces. The Allies eventually proclaimed victory which lead to the removal of Benito Mussolini and the new Italian government surrendered. The German's still occupied mainland Italy. -
Battle of Ortona
This battle was dubbed 'Little Stalingrad" because of the intense close quarter combat. The Canadians were faced against a tough battle hardened German battalion in the Adriatic Sea town of Ortona. This battle resulted in a hard fought Canadian victory and easied the push for allied forces up the boot of Italy. -
D-DAY- ALLIED INVASION OF NORMANDY
Operation Overlord, The biggest amphibious in all of human history. The beaches of Normany were split into five main sections Gold, Sword, Juno, Omaha, Utah, and were to be taken by British, Canadian and American forces. Now two western fronts were open to liberate Europe. -
Liberation of Paris
After months of intense fighting in the Southern France campaign, the Americans had reached Paris. Paris had been ruled by a Nazi puppet government for 4 years, allowing the French Republic to take over. -
Battle of the Scheldt
The Canadians were given the task clearing the Scheldt River from the Germans. This was becasue the Scheldt river connected Antwerp to the North Sea. The Canadians fufilled this task and supplies could be delivered for the final assualt on Germany. -
Battle of the Bulge
As a last ditch attempt to stop the Allies, Germany made a counter attck on the advance. The Americnas encured heavy losses (bloodiest battle for them 89 000 casualties), but in the end the attempt was crushed. The allies countined to move on into Germany. -
Battle of the Rhineland
The Canadians began to push back the Germans back over the Rhine River and out of the Netherlands. The Canadians fought through mud and flooded fields. The Allies eventually pushed through but with a loss of 5300 men. This victory however opened the way for the liberations of Holland, The Netherlands and Berlin -
Battle of Berlin
Russia had a significantly bigger army at the time and invaded Berlin. The amount of anti Russian propaganda in Berlin at the time caused the young and the old fight against the Russians. The Russians were eventually the ones who saw the end to the Third Reich -
Liberation of the Netherlands
The Canadians were given the special task of liberating the Netherlands. As the Germans reatreted they flooded the countryside by destroying dykes and dams. The Dutch people had been starving and their fuel supplies were cut off. After another hard fought battle the Canadians sucessfully liberated the Netherlands -
VE DAY- NAZI GERMANY SURRENDERS
With Hitlers suicide and the allied invasion of Berlin the Nazi's agreed to an unconditional surrender on all fronts. The Second World War on the Europe was over. VE day was declared
