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The decision of Adolf Hitler to invade Poland was a gamble. The Wehrmacht (the German Army) was not yet at full strength and the German economy was still locked into peacetime production. Britain and France declare war on Germany two days later, beginning WW2.
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These two actions protect the German trade routes with Sweden (Iron Ore) and assisted Germany to execute her future submarine campaign in the Atlantic.
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Britain and France moved to counter this attack, this was called the 'Battle of France' because Germany was able to go through Belgium and the 'Maginot Line' (to prevent Germany from entering France as they did in WW1) and into France.
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Italy Declares War on the weak Britain and France.
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The Battle of France ends. After the disaster in the Low Countries, the French Army becomes almost totally ineffective, and the Germans easily attack through northern and eastern France. France surrenders and Vichy France was established, which is Southern France, Corsica and the French Colonies that now became essentially allied with Germany.
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An attempt by Germany to gain air superiority, in order to invade Britain, this is one of the most important events of WW2, because it shows how close the war was to home, and how powerful Germany was.
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The Axis Powers formally came into being. Germany, Japan and Italy signed this agreement to mutually support each other in their quest to conquer their spheres of influence.
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The Germans failed and eventually called off the Operation.
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Japan makes a surprise attack on the American naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii declaring war on Britain and the United States, thus bringing the US who is a game changer.
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The United States, led by US president, Franklin D Roosevelt, declares war on the Axis powers
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This victory marks turning point in Pacific War, and leads to the success of later attacks on Japan and Europe
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Germans begin a withdrawal from Tunisia, Africa and the Allied victory in North Africa enables invasion of Italy to be launched
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Mussolini lost confidence as a leader and was ousted out by a group of senior military and politicians with King's approval. His successor, Marshal Badoglio opposed the invasion of Greece and negotiated a armistice with the allies.
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Italy then turns on their old alliance, an declare war on Germany so they will have the assistance and support of the United Nations.
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Allied forces landed on Normandy beaches to begin the liberation of Europe from Nazi Germany.
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Germany surrenders to the Red Army in Berlin.
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A 20 kiloton bomb 'Little Boy' kills 80,000 people, and marking the first use of an atomic weapon, desperation from the US to make Japan surrender.
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The 22 kiloton 'Fat Man' bomb killed 70,000 people, and was the second atomic weaopn to be used, and again to try and put an immediate end to the war, and to prevent the invasion of Japan, saving American and Japanese lives.
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Japanese emperor finally surrenders. The final enemy of the allies has been defeated and the end of WW2 is near.
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All combat is ended, and WW2 is at a close.
