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Period: to
WW2
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Sept, 1939. Adolf Hitler provides the final orders for the invasion of Poland.
Five Soviet armies cross into Finland, beginning the Winter War
Finnish defenders keep the town of Nautsi from falling under Soviet control. -
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German Luftwaffe bombers hammer Allied defensive positions in and around the French port city of Dunkirk.
An Italian force of 200,000 soldiers invades Greece.
The Italian invasion force is in full retreat, repelled by a combined Greek resistance and RAF effort after just two weeks. -
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The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbour.
Fuhrer Directive No.28 is issued by Adolph Hitler, calling for the invasion of the island of Crete through Operation Mercury led by General Kurt Student.
The Soviets launch a full-scale counter-attack along a 500-mile front encompassing 19 Russian armies against Field Marshal von Bock's German Army Group Centre near Moscow. -
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The Japanese Army takes control of the village of Kokoda.
Three US and one Australian cruiser are sunk by the Japanese Navy during the morning hours.
The macabre resolution of "not one step backwards" is issued by Stalin to his generals and troops. -
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Operation Husky: Sicily was under the German rule. Americans and British freed Sicily.
British and American authorities work together to formulate the Pointblank Directive - a combined air bombing campaign against the air production facilities of the German Luftwaffe.
US Navy warplanes and warships begin the bombardment of Japanese positions at Makin and Tarawa in preparation for the planned amphibious assaults. -
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The Polish Army preparing a resistance against the Germans in Warsaw.
The British and Americans devise Operation Argument to counter the Luftwaffe threat through a round-the-clock bombing offensive; bad weather postpones any action.
Operation Market Garden is activated. Parachute landings take place at Eindhoven, Veghel, Grave and Oosterbeek. -
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The Fall of Berlin is complete. Soviet forces occupy all major sections of the German capital.
British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in the west coordinates via telegram with Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in the east on launching a combined January offensive. Churchill plans on the 20th as the target date.
The US 77th Infantry Division lands at the Kerama Islands to secure a staging post for the eventual invasion of Okinawa.