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German Invasion of Poland
1.5 million German troops invaded Poland along its border with land Germany controlled. Adolf Hilter referred to it as defensive strategy but Britain and France thought otherwise.
[https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germans-invade-poland] -
Battle of Britain
Britain's Royal Air Force and the Nazi Germany's Air Force also known as the Luftwaffe fought in the skies for control over Great Britain. It was the first battle fought completely in the air. Adolf Hitler assumed that Britain would feel overwhelmed and surrender but, instead Britain overcame them and allowed the British people to stay free. (Lasted from July 10 to October 31, 1940)
[https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-britain-1] -
Operation Barbarossa
June 22 of 1941 ordered his armies to go eastward during a huge invasion of the Soviet Union. The invasion spread along a front from the North Cape to the Black Sea. Barbarossa was a main turning point of WW2, Nazi Germany was forced to fight a two front war against a coalition that prevailed due to the amount of resources.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/operation-barbarossa -
Pearl Harbor
The Japanese unexpectedly attacked the American Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The attack left the U.S. very weak and lead to President Franklin D Roosevelt declaring war against Japan the next day.
[https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor] -
Battle of Stalingrad
This battle was fought between The Russian, Nazi, and Axis forces. Known for being not only the largest but also the longest and bloodiest involvements of modern warfare. It lasted from August 1942 to February 1943 and about 2 million people were injured or killed during the battle. The battle eventually ended in favor of the Allied forces.
[https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-stalingrad] -
Operation Torch
The Anglo-US invasion of northwest Africa originated from the Arcadia Conference. Operation of North Africa was known as Operation Torch that would insure the Mediterranean theater for good.
[https://www.britannica.com/topic/Operation-Torch] -
Battle of Kursk
In July of 1943 the Battle of Kursk took place as Germany’s Operation Citadel was in play. Kursk was a strategic location for Germany. The Battle of Kursk was delayed by Germany so the British were able to crack the German Wehrmacht cod sand informed the Soviets that the Germans were planning an attack. The Soviets won the battle but suffered far more casualties.
[https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-kursk#section_5] -
Battles of Monte Cassino
The Allied forces struggled to capture Monte Cassino after they attempted to overcome Germans located in the Liri Valley and Anzio. After many attempted to capture the abbey the Second Polish Corps succeeded in May 1944.
[https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battles-of-monte-cassino] -
Invasion of Normandy
Over 156,000 American, British, and Canadian troops risked their lives and raided 50 miles of Normandy's heavily guarded beaches of northern France. If it weren't for their sacrifice the allied forces never would have defeated Nazi forces in Europe.
[https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/d-day] -
Battle of Berlin
About a year after Normandy was invaded the Allied force along western Europe came close to completion. On April 12 Eisenhower ordered Americans to move no further than the 50 miles they were from Berlin so the Soviets could capture Berlin. Berlin soon fell on May 2nd.
[https://www.history.com/news/the-final-push-to-berlin-the-history-behind-fury]
