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Germany Invades Poland
Germany launched blitzkrieg, utilized air squads, and bombed the following cities in Poland. The Polish were extremely outnumbered. Poland's army of two million men was easily defeated, many of whom were on horseback against German tanks. The British declared war on Germany on September 3. In result, WWII began and Britain mobilized with France. https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/media_oi.php?ModuleId=10005070&MediaId=1231 https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/media_oi.php?ModuleId=10005070&MediaId=1102 -
The Battle of Britain
Air campaign waged by the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) against the United Kingdom. It was the 1st major campaign to be fought entirely by air forces, and proved that air power could be used to win a war. It was one of the turning points of World War Two. The battle also prevented Germany from invading Britain with ground forces. Diary Entry (civilian, G.B soldier, German soldier) -
The Signing of the Lend-Lease Act
This treaty allowed America to support any country that was fighting against the Axis powers (with both goods and funds). The treaty helped prevent war from spreading to the U.S, as well as, relieve war debts from WWI -
Germany Declares War on the U.S.
4 days after the Japanese bombing at Pearl Harbor, HA. Germany supported their ally, Japan (who the U.S. declared war on December 8, 1941). The U.S. would join the Allies as they fought against the Axis Powers. -
Operation Barbarossa/The Battle of Stalingrad
The Soviet Union fights German forces for 6 months. The Germans positioned three army groups along the eastern frontier: north pointed towards Leningrad, the central group towards Moscow, and the South toward Stalingrad. The German forces bomb the city of Stalingrad (now Volgograd), creating one of the most bloodiest battles in history- nearly 2 million casualties (About 500,000 were Soviet soldiers KIA.) The Germans surrender on February 2, 1943. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJ3bzg-Tvt4 -
Invasion of Siciliy & Italy
"Operation Husky" was a large-scale amphibious and airborne, followed by 6 months of land combat. The goal of the operation was for the Allies to control Sicily. In result, the Italian Campaign launched and the US military suffered 300,000 casualties. -
D-Day
The Western Allies successfully invaded northern France. In result, the German Army units in France were defeated. Paris was liberated and the Western Allies continued to push back German forces. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82RTzi5Vt7w -
Battle of the Bulge
Major German offensive campaign in the Ardennes forest region (in Wallonia, Belgium, France, and Luxembourg) This was Germany's last desperate attempted to split the Western Allies. They implemented surprise blitzkrieg tactics against the Allies. However, General George S. Patton was successful in maneuvering Allied defenses and defeated the German Army. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCQBSf1rb7o&t=2s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBeXRvdlmyY -
1st Concentration Camp Liberated by U.S.
US forces liberated the Buchenwald concentration camp near Weimar, Germany. https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/media_oi.php?ModuleId=10005131&MediaId=1134 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHcJtU9dr6I https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/media_oi.php?ModuleId=10005131&MediaId=2970 https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/media_oi.php?ModuleId=10005131&MediaId=1087 -
Germany Surrenders
German forces surrendered in Italy, and in Western Europe in early May. On the Eastern Front, Germany surrendered to the Soviets on May 8. -
Hitler Commits Sucide
Around 3 pm, Adolf Hitler killed himself by gunshot in his Führerbunker in Berlin. His wife, Eva, committed suicide with him by taking cyanide (poison). That afternoon, in accordance with Hitler's prior instructions, their remains were carried up the stairs through the bunker's emergency exit, doused in petrol, and set alight in the Reich Chancellery garden outside the bunker. Records in the Soviet archives show that their burnt remains were recovered. -
V-E Day
May 8th, marked the Allies formal acceptance of Nazi Germany's surrender of its armed forces. The day was celebrated as it officially marked end of the war in Europe, after 6 years. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuhnGbkvu8o
