-
Period: to
German Invasion of France
The German invasion of France in 1940 quickly overwhelmed French and Allied forces, bypassing the Maginot Line and advancing through Belgium and the Netherlands. This led to the fall of Paris, the collapse of French resistance, and the establishment of the Vichy regime, leaving Britain to face Nazi Germany alone. https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/ -
operation of barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa, launched on June 22, 1941, was Nazi Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union and remains the largest military operation in history. Hitler aimed to destroy Soviet forces, seize resources, and expand German territory. The operation culminated in a Soviet counteroffensive near Moscow in December 1941, marking Hitler's first major defeat on land during World War II. https://www.iwm.org.uk/ -
Pearl Harbor
On December 7, 1941, Japan launched a surprise aerial attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, resulting in over 3,400 American casualties and significant damage to the Pacific Fleet. The assault led to the sinking or damaging of eight battleships and the destruction of more than 180 aircraft. The following day, the U.S. declared war on Japan, marking its entry into World War II. www.britannica.com -
Wannsee Conference
The Wannsee Conference was a pivotal meeting of senior Nazi officials in Berlin, where they coordinated the plan of the "Final Solution". The conference aimed to streamline the logistics of mass murder, with plans to exterminate around 11 million Jews. It brought together representatives from various government agencies to ensure cooperation in the process. The meeting solidified the bureaucratic approach to the Holocaust, marking a major step in Nazi efforts.encyclopedia.ushmm.org -
Bataan Death March
The Bataan Death March was a forced 65-mile march of approximately 76,000 American and Filipino prisoners of war by the Japanese Army. During the march, prisoners endured severe physical abuse, starvation, and summary executions, with thousands dying along the way. The event highlighted the extreme cruelty of wartime captivity and became a symbol of the atrocities committed by the Japanese military during World War II. www.nationalww2museum.org -
The Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway was a decisive naval battle during World War II. The United States, using cryptography to anticipate Japan's attack, ambushed the Japanese fleet. The U.S. sank four Japanese carriers, while losing one carrier and fewer personnel. This victory shifted the balance of power in the Pacific, halting Japan's expansion.
https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/battle-midway -
Period: to
Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad was a major turning point in WWII. Nazi Germany aimed to capture Stalingrad to secure oil supplies but faced fierce Soviet resistance. The Soviets encircled and defeated the German 6th Army, marking a decisive shift in the war. The battle resulted in around 2 million casualties and is seen as a key factor in the defeat of Nazi Germany.
https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Stalingrad -
Period: to
Operation Gomorrah
Operation Gomorrah was a Allied bombing campaign against Hamburg, Germany. The operation employed a combination of high explosive and incendiary bombs, igniting massive fires that led to the first recorded firestorm, with temperatures above 1,832°F and winds reaching hurricane force. The raids resulted in widespread destruction and many civilian deaths, marking a milestone in the history of bombing during WWII.
https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/operation-gomorrah-first-firestorms -
Period: to
D-Day
D-Day was the largest invasion in history marking a vital moment in World War II. Allied forces comprising over 156,000 American, British, and Canadian troops landed on five beaches in Normandy, France, initiating Operation Overlord. Despite fierce German resistance and heavy casualties, the successful landings established a crucial foothold in Western Europe, leading to the liberation of France and contributing significantly to the defeat of Nazi Germany.
https://www.history.com/articles/d-day -
Period: to
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was Germany's final major offensive against the Allies in World War II. Over 200,000 German troops launched a surprise attack through the Ardennes Forest, creating a "bulge" in the Allied lines. Despite initial setbacks and harsh winter conditions, American forces, notably the 101st Airborne Division at Bastogne, held key positions, leading to a decisive Allied victory and hastening the end of the war in Europe.
https://www.army.mil/botb/ -
Liberation of Concentration Camps
The liberation of Nazi concentration camps revealed the full extent of the Holocaust's horrors. Soviet forces were the first to liberate a major camp, Majdanek, in July 1944, while American and British troops freed others, including Auschwitz, Buchenwald, and Bergen-Belsen. They discovered emaciated survivors, mass graves, and evidence of mass murder, exposing the atrocities to the world.
https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/liberation-of-nazi-camps -
Battle of Iwo Jima
The Battle of Iwo Jima, from February 19 to March 26, 1945, was a brutal conflict between U.S. Marines and Japanese forces. Despite heavy bombardment, Japanese troops fought fiercely from underground bunkers. The victory provided a strategic base for Allied bombers, symbolized by the iconic flag-raising photo.
https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/Story/Article/4069599/battle-of-iwo-jima-80-years-later-lessons-learned/ -
VE Day
VE Day, on May 8, 1945, marked the end of World War II in Europe. Germany's surrender was formalized on May 7 and celebrated the following day. In the UK, millions took to the streets for parties and dancing, with King George VI and Winston Churchill appearing on the Buckingham Palace balcony. The day symbolized both relief and remembrance for the lives lost during the conflict.
https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/what-you-need-to-know-about-ve-day -
Dropping of the Atomic Bomb
President Harry S. Truman authorized the use of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, aiming to expedite Japan's surrender and avoid a costly invasion. The decision was influenced by the prolonged Pacific War and anticipated high casualties. Truman believed the bombings would end the war swiftly, though the ethical and strategic implications remain debated.
https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/education/presidential-inquiries/decision-drop-atomic-bomb -
VJ-Day
V-J Day, celebrated on August 15, 1945, marks Japan’s surrender, ending WWII. After atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan accepted Allied terms on August 14, 1945. The formal surrender occurred on September 2, 1945, aboard the USS Missouri, bringing immense relief and joy, despite the war's devastating toll.
https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/v-j-day