-
Period: to
WW2
-
Invasion of Poland
On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland. The Polish army was defeated within weeks of the invasion. From East Prussia and Germany in the north and Silesia and Slovakia in the south, German units, with more than 2,000 tanks and over 1,000 planes, broke through Polish defenses along the border and advanced on Warsaw in a massive encirclement attack. After heavy shelling and bombing, Warsaw surrendered to the Germans on September 27, 1939. This showed the potential Germany had. -
German-Soviet Boundary Friendship Treaty
The German-Soviet Boundary Friendship Treaty is signed between German representative von Ribbentrop and Soviet representative Molotov. Poland is divided into a western zone under German control and an eastern zone under Soviet control. This is important because it shows Germany gaining allies which Hitler will later stab in the back. -
Rotterdam Blitz
After periods of heavy bombing all across Rotterdam, the Dutch surrender to the Germans.
during the German invasion of the Netherlands in World War II. The objective was to support the German troops fighting in the city, break Dutch resistance and force the Dutch to surrender. Even though preceding negotiations resulted in a ceasefire, the bombardment took place nonetheless, in conditions which remain controversial, and destroyed almost the entire city. Leaving thousands homeless. -
Battle of Dunkirk
Allied forces are in full retreat of the Germans, making their way towards the French coastline.
This event is important becasue it shows the might of the German military power. -
Germans mean War
German U-boats are given the green light to attack any and all merchant vessels - whether armed or not - in an attempt to stranglehold the British mainland into submission. -
Seige of Tobruk
The Allies take Tobruk, a key port city vital to North Africa operations. This is important becasue the Allies are showing that they can fight back. -
Hitlers Attack
In Berlin, Hitler reportedly tells his high level officers "I have decided to destroy Yugoslavia". This is important becasue Hitler wants to show how ruthless he is and that he can make damage. Later he ends up capturing and securing Yugoslavia on April 12. -
Battle of Crete
Nazi Germany launched an airborne invasion of Crete under the code-name Unternehmen Merkur (Operation Mercury). Misscomunication caused a loss for the Allies and this event is the first time the Allies made significant use of intelligence from the deciphered German Enigma code; and the first time invading German troops encountered mass resistance from a civilian population. Because of the heavy casualties suffered by the paratroopers, Adolf Hitler forbade further large-scale airborne operations. -
Surrender at Rostov
Adolph Hitler approves of the order for retreat for German forces at Rostov. This is important because it shows that even a powerful dictator has his limits. -
Battle of Kharkov
The Soviets and Germans both dig in within and around the city of Kharkov, preparing to fight another day. This is important becasue it shows the dedication from both the Allies and the Axis powers. Both are ready to keep fighting. -
Leningrad
From the beggining of the German invasion of the Soviet Union Hitler wanted to take the all important port city of Leningrad. This city is the revolutionary heart of the Soviet nation itself. It is an important event because the mass back and forth of control here, left the citizens starving and living in a lack of resources. Showing how far these nations will go for their land. -
Battle of Monte Cassino
The intention here was to break through Rome. American bombers proceeded to drop 1,400 tons of bombs onto it.[6] The destruction and rubble left by the bombing raid now provided better protection from aerial and artillery attacks, so, two days later, German paratroopers took up positions in the abbey's ruins. Between 17 January and 18 May, This is important because the German defenders were finally driven from their positions, but at a high cost from the allied soldiers. -
Nuclear Bombs
The Nuclear bombs were dropped onto Hiroshima, and nagasaki. This is important because it marks the end of WW2 and shows the true power of American, and allied forces.