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Japanese Invasion of China
The Japanese invaded China in 1931 without the approval of the Japanese govrenment. The goal of the invasion was ot seize the Chinese province of Manchuria for the use of its land and rsources that the Japanese did not have access to its own country. The invasion resulted in the show of the stenth of Japanese nationalists, weakness in the Japanese government, and Japan's withdrawal from the League of Nations.
SOURCE: American Anthem Book -
Germany Invasion of Poland
During this invasion, Hitler sent a German criminal disguised in a Polish military unfirom into Poland. Thr criminal was caught by the polish authpoiprities and brought to the Polish-German border and shot. Hitler used this as a reason to say that POland was invading Germany so he sent his troops into Poland. The invasion lasted only a month when Germany completely took control of the country.
SOURCE: American Anthem Book -
German Blitzkrieg
The German blitzkrieg, or "lightning war," began when the Germans invaded Poland and continued to be used throughout the entire war. The blitzkrieg feautured a combination of air attack and fast-moving armored strikes to drive deep into enemy territory.
SOURCE: American Anthem Book -
Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa was when Germany invaded the Soviet Union. It was the largest military operation in history, involving more than 3 million Axis troops and 3,500 tanks. The Soviets won and it became a turning point in the war so far.
SOURCE: http://www.history.co.uk/study-topics/history-of-ww2/barbarossa -
Pearl Harbor
Just before 8 a.m. on December 7, 1941, hundreds of Japanese fighter planes attacked the American naval base at Pearl Harbor near Honolulu, Hawaii. The Japanese managed to destroy nearly 20 American naval vessels, including eight enormous battleships, and almost 200 airplanes. More than 2,000 Americans soldiers and sailors died in the attack, and another 1,000 were wounded. The U.S. then declared war on Japan the following day, inserting America into the middle of World War II.
SOURCE: http:// -
Wannase Conference
This was a conference held by Nazi officials to discuss the 'Final Solution" to the "Jewish Question." This led to use of the gas chambers to be used in the concentration camps and seemed to be the soultion the Nazis were looking for.
SOURCE: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-wannsee-conference -
Kasserine Pass
The Kasserine Pass was the site of the United States’ first major battle defeat of the war.The Americans withdrew from their position, leaving behind most of their equipment. More than 1,000 American soldiers were killed by Rommel’s offensive, and hundreds were taken prisoner. The United States had finally tasted defeat in battle.
SOURCE: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/battle-of-the-kasserine-pass -
Operation Gomorrah
British bombers raid Hamburg, Germany, by night in Operation Gomorrah, while Americans bomb it by day in its own “Blitz Week.” When it was over, 17,000 bomber sorties dropped more than 9,000 tons of explosives, killing more than 30,000 people and destroying 280,000 buildings, including industrial and munitions plants. It resulted in Hitler realizing that Germany was close to defeat.
SOURCE: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/operation-gomorrah-is-launched -
D-Day (Normandy Invasion)
On June 6, 1944, more than 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of French coastline, to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France. More than 5,000 Ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion, and by day’s end, the Allies gained a foot-hold in Continental Europe. The cost in lives on D-Day was high. More than 9,000 Allied Soldiers were killed or wounded.
SOURCE: http://www.army.mil/d-day/ -
Battle of the Bulge
Adolph Hitler attempted to split the Allied armies in northwest Europe by means of a surprise blitzkrieg. A crucial German shortage of fuel and the courage of American troops fighting in the frozen forests of the Ardennes resulted in a major U.S. win in the war. The Battle of the Bulge was the costliest action ever fought by the U.S. Army, which suffered over 100,000 casualties.
SOURCE: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-the-bulge -
Battle of Iwo Jima
The American amphibious invasion of Iwo Jima during World War II stemmed from the need for a base near the Japanese coast. The American amphibious invasion of Iwo Jima during World War II stemmed from the need for a base near the Japanese coast.
SOURCE: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima -
Battle of Okinawa
This battle was the last and biggest battle of the Pacific Islands during WWII. By the end of the 82-day campaign, Japan had lost more than 77,000 soldiers and the Allies had suffered more than 65,000 casualties—including 14,000 dead.
SOURCE: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-okinawa -
VE Day
This day marked vivcotry in Europe for the Great Britain and the United States. Cities in both nations, as well as formerly occupied cities in Western Europe, put out flags and banners, rejoicing in the defeat of the Nazi war “The age-long struggle of the Slav nations… has ended in victory. Your courage has defeated the Nazis. The war is over.” - Stalin -
Dropping of the atomic bombs
On this day, the US dropped the first atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagaski in Japan. Though the dropping of the atomic bomb on Japan marked the end of World War II, many historians argue that it also ignited the Cold War.
SOURCE: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/atomic-bomb-dropped-on-hiroshima -
VJ Day
On August 15, 1945, news of the surrender was announced to the world. This sparked spontaneous celebrations over the final ending of World War II.
SOURCE: www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/September/vjday.htm
