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In the summer of 1940, an air battle known as the Battle of Britain was fought primarily over southern England. Germany intended to acquire air superiority in order to invade Great Britain following the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk and the Fall of France. One of Britain's most significant triumphs, it demonstrated to Germany that it could be destroyed, enabling Britain to continue fighting, and ultimately gave the Allies a foundation. -
Japan attacked the US naval station in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, early on December 7, 1941. In order to destroy the US pacific fleet and break the determination of the American people, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. Approximately 350 Japanese aircrafts launched a surprise attack that resulted in destruction or serious damage of 18 US naval warships, including right battleships, 300 US aircraft, and the deaths of 2,403 men. -
During the Battle of Midway, which took place from June 3–6, 1942, the United States completely destroyed Japan's first-line carrier strength and the majority of its most skilled naval pilots. With the disaster at Midway, the Japanese assault in the Pacific was overturned and the United States started taking offensive action in the Pacific. The Imperial Japanese Navy would not be able to recover from the loss of four carriers and more than 100 trained pilots. -
One of the Second World War's most important engagements on the Eastern Front was Stalingrad. In and around this strategically significant city on the Volga river, which bore the name of the Soviet dictator, Josef Stalin, the Soviet Union dealt a devastating blow to the German Army. It signaled the turning of the tide of war in favor of the Allies and stopped the German march into the Soviet Union. -
Nearly 7,000 U.S. Marines perished during the 36 days of warfare on the island. There were 20,000 more injuries. 216 Japanese soldiers were taken prisoner by Marines; the remaining ones were killed in battle. Finally, on March 26, 1945, the island was deemed secure. After both sides had lost a significant number of lives, the Americans won the battle of Iwo Jima on March 26, 1945.