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Germany invades Poland
This was a key start in WWII, as Germany invades Poland causing 4 union countries: Britain, Australia, New Zealand and France to declare war on Germany. It's the beginning of WWII and the cause for WWII. -
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WWII started and ends
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France surrenders to Germany
On May 10th the Germany new tactic - Blitzkrieg begins. This is an important method used by the German army to create high-speed attack used tanks supported by fighter plans and dive-bombers. On 21st June 1940, France was crushed, surrendered to Germany, France had to sign an armistice. Great Britain now stands alone against the Axis powers. -
The battle of Britain
On July 10th 1940, Germany launches an air attack on Great Britain, the opposing sides clashed in the air over the United Kingdome. On July 10th 1940, the Luftwaffe targeted airfields, military installations, ports and cities, killing 15 000 British civilians. Over 500 British airmen lost their lives to reject the Nazis control of the air. This is a significant turning point of WWII – Britain’s victory, saved the country from a possible occupation by German forces by proving that their air power -
Operation Barbarossa
On 1941 June 22nd Germany and the Axis Powers attack USSR – a neutral country which sign a core policy since 1920s, they attacked Russia with huge army force of over four million troops. Three- quarters of Germany’s armed forces was used on this attack, as well as some other armies from the Axis Powers. But the blitzkrieg tactic were ineffective this time. Rain turned the roads to mud and the German army was forced to a very slow pace. By December, the harsh Russian winter crushed the German adv -
Japanese bomb the American fleet at Pearl Harbour
On the 7th of December 1941, hundreds of Japanese fighter planes attacked the American naval base at Pearl Harbour. Destroyed half the US naval fleet and killed 2,355 US servicemen and 68 civilians. Franklin D. Roosevelt has wanted to involve in the allies’ movements for many times, but most Americans opposed this involvement. This attack offered Roosevelt public support and declared war the very next day. British gained another strong ally. -
Japanese bomb Darwin
On 19 February, it’s the date for one of Australia’s greatest ever disasters. Darwin was crushed with two separate Japanese air raids. With lightly defended town, the Japanese inflicted heavy losses upon the Allied forces at little cost to themselves. This highly panicked attack made Australia lost at least 243 people. -
First Japanese defeat at the Battle of Midway
On June 1942, it was considered to be the most crucial and decisive battle of World War II. The Battle of Midway inflicted devastating damages on Japan’s naval strength when the United States Navy destroyed 4 of its aircraft carriers. This battle occurred on Saipan in the Mariana Islands and was launched by the U.S. -
Australians fight the Japanese along the Kokoda track, Papua, preventing them from taking Port Moresby
The Kokoda Track was the most significant battle fought by Australians in WWII, with more than 600 Australians killed and 1680 wounded in the Australian’s side and many other soldiers wounded in Japanese’s side. The Japanese original plan was to overtake Port Moresby – an important defence of Australia. But the Australians pushed the Japanese back the where they came, By November, the Japanese were forced to retreat and abandon their plan. They retired to Buna, Gona and Sanananda. -
American forces push back the Japanese forces island by island
The Philippines campaign or the Battle of the Philippines was the American and Filipino campaign to force back the Imperial Japanese forces that occupied the Philippines island by island. “Island Hopping” is the phrase given to the strategy create by the U.S to gain back the control and military bases of the small islands in the Pacific. The main idea was to concentrate more on the important islands that were not well defended by would support the drive to the main islands of Japan. Although thi -
allied bombing of Dresden
Between 13th and 15th of February 1945, 722 heavy bombers of RAF (British Royal Air Force) and 527 of the USAAF (United States Army Air Forces) dropped more than 3900 tons of high explosive bombs and incendiary devices on the city. Resulting in 100,000 casualties from Germany. -
Allies enter Berlin and Hitler commits suicide
April 1945, the Red Army entered Austria and quickly approached Berlin. Allied aircraft were bombing German territory rapidly, sometimes would destroy a city over one night. In the first several months of 1945, Germany put up a fierce defence; but still lost many territories. In April, Allied forces pushed through the German defensive line in Italy. As the Soviets took Berline, Adolf Hitler committed suicide on April 30th. The Germany quickly surrendered unconditionally afterwards on all fronts -
The end of war in Europe
This day was highly celebrated for victory in Europe. Generally known as the V-E Day or simply V Day was the public holiday celebrated to record the Germany’s final surrender of its armed forces. This day indicated the end of war in Europe. -
Japan rejects the Allied offer of armistice
The Potsdam Declaration is a statement that called for the unconditional surrender of all Japanese armed forces. Only July 26, 1945 the U.S, Britain and China release the Potsdam Declaration announcing the terms for Japan’s surrender. It stated in the terms that: “We will not deviate from them. There are no alternatives. We shall brook no delay.” With the warning “prompt and utter destruction” warning the release of atomic bombs. But Japan’s government opposed the acceptance of the Allies’ deman -
Atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
On the 6 August the first atomic bomb was released on the city of Hiroshima, the U.S warned Japan of the ‘ruin from the air’ if it did not surrender. On 9 August the second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. This act forced the Japanese into a surrender at last. -
Japan unconditionally surrendered
On August 14 1945, the surrender of the Empire of Japan was announced. The surrender document was formally signed on September 2, 1945. Officially ending World War II. This day is also known as the V J day or Victory over Japan Day.
