-
A mass killing and ravaging of the Chinese civilians. Most of the city was burnt and destroyed. Lots of war prisoners were executed and tens of thousands were raped by the Japanese. This general for the Japanese ordered these actions to be carried out by the soldiers. He and his lieutenant were later charged for these crimes and executed.
[https://www.history.com/topics/asian-history/nanjing-massacre] -
Blitzkrieg meaning ‘lightning war’ was a german tactic used in invasions to create disorganization in enemy forces by applying combined forces of motorised infantry, tanks, artillery and air support. Its roots come from a Prussian general, Carl von Clausewitz. It is most famously used when the Germans swept through the Netherlands, Belgium and France. It was the main cause for the French surrenduring and giving the Germans the upper hand.
[https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/blitzkrieg] -
-
The Germans used blitzkrieg tactics and swept through Holland and Belgium, and then into France breaking through the maginot line and taking Paris in just 6 weeks. The Germans had gotten their revenge for their defeat in WW1. For the Germans this victory over France made other plans for Europe available as well as bringing a boost of moral for the country.
[https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-France-World-War-II/The-fall-of-France-June-5-25-1940] -
It was a surprise attack by Japanese airforce on the U.S. naval base in Hawaii. It was intended to stop the U.S. from interfering with the Japanese plans for the pacific. However this ultimately led to the U.S. joining the Second World War and helping end the war.
[https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor] -
This was a meeting involving Nazi officials on January 20, 1942. This was held to plan a final solution for their so-called ‘jewish problem’ that they had there in Germany. This marked a turning point for how the Germans treated Jews, originally planned to send them all to Madagascar, but because of the war it was impractical so their new solution was rounding them up into labour camps.
[https://www.britannica.com/event/Wannsee-Conference] -
This battle occured in the Soviet Union. It occurred from August 23, 1942 to February 2, 1943. The Germans sought this city since it meant control over that region of the Soviet Union. It is considered by the Soviets as their greatest victory ever while historians view it as the most important battle of the entire war. This marked the turning point for the Allies because it stopped German advancement into the USSR.
[https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Stalingrad] -
This battle was also codenamed Operation Overlord, and started on June 6, 1944. Some 156 000 troops from America, Britain and Canada landed on 5 beaches along the Normandy region. This was done to create a second front and also liberate France and western Europe. This ultimately led to France being liberated and Germany no longer being able to exploit France for their resources, as well as the end of the war.
[https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/d-day] -
This was the last major German offensive on the Western front. It is called the greatest American battle of the war. The Germans goal was to divide the allied forces in their drive towards Germany. This took place in the Ardennes with very bitter weather conditions. The Germans offensive did fail in the end, this failure paved the way for the Allies to have victory.
[https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-the-bulge] -
A military campaign between the U.S. Marines and the Imperial Army of Japan. This island was important because it had three airfields that could be a staging ground for an invasion of mainland Japan. The Americans won the battle in five weeks. However the island was not even able to be used by American forces but they did rebuild some airfields. This was an ideal emergency landing spot for planes.
[https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima] -
This is the last major battle of the Second World War and one the bloodiest. On April 1, 1945 more than 180 000 American troops diverged onto the island of Okinawa as a final push on Japan. Although this was an Allied victory, the death toll was high on both sides because of kamikaze pilots, poor weather and fierce fighting. This was critical because of how key Okinawa is for an invasion onto mainland Japan.
[https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-okinawa] -
May 8, 1945 is the day that marks the end of the war in Europe. It marks the day the Germans laid down their arms and stopped fighting. The Germans were overwhelmed and the Soviets took Berlin. The countries of the Allies rejoiced in the defeat of the Germans, by putting out flags and banners throughout their cities. This marked Allied victory in Europe, ending conflict in Europe too.
[https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/victory-in-europe] -
An ultimatum that was issued by the USA, Great Britain and China which called for the unconditional surrender of Japan. This declaration was made at the Potsdam Conference in Germany. This was done to try and end the war so no further conflict would happen. The declaration ushered prompt and utter destruction if they didn’t surrender. The Japanese didn't surrender and this showed the Americans that they needed to use other measures.
[https://www.britannica.com/topic/Potsdam-Declaration] -
On August 6 and August 9, 1945 the Americans dropped two Atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This was the first and only time that Nuclear warfare had been used in war. Tens of thousands died from the explosion and also from radiation sickness. This was done to bring a swift end to the Pacific front and the creation of Nuclear weapons basically means that there will never be a full scale war in the world.
[https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bombing-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki] -
On August 14, 1945 Japan announced it had surrendered which effectively ended the wars. This term was also used on September 2, 1945 when Japan formally surrendered to the U.S.S. Missouri. Japan had surrendered after the dropping of the two devastating atomic bombs that were used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
[https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/v-j-day] -
The Soviets were the first to liberate concentration camps and on July 23, 1945 they came across a camp in Poland and as they continued on their way to Berlin. In these camps were hundreds of sick and exhausted people who were left there by the Germans who had to hastily retreat. The Allies came across thousands of dead bodies stacked together too. This led to the cause of many war trials on Nazi officials.
[https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/liberation]