-
German Troops Invade Poland
Germans launch a Blitzkreig, conquering Poland swiftly, and in turn, Britian and France declare war on Germany shortly after, effectively starting WWII -
Canada Declares War on Germany
Canada enters the war, this time separetly from Britian, which shows our growing independence -
Period: to
Dunkirk Evacuation
European Allied forces quickly retreat over the English Channel via Dunkirk, France, in a massive operation involving using civilian boats. This saves the lives of many allied soldiers that will later push back into Europe during D-day -
France Surrenders to Germany
This results in a brutal Nazi occupation. It furthers Germany's control of Europe. Allied forces take back France later in the war and libertate it after the D-Day landings -
Period: to
Batte of Britian
Britsh and Canadian pilots succesfully defend Britian's skies from German Luftwaffe air-raids on civilian populations. Canadian pilots prove themselves in battle. The RCAF and Canada as a whole, see their first combat in this battle. -
Germany invades it's former ally Russia
Germany turns it's back on it's peace agreement on Russia, by starting an invasion of Russia. This is the begnining of Russia's involvement in the war. They are a military super power, like the US.This starts a long series of battles on the Eastern front throughout the war, between Germany and Russia. Russia eventaully turns the invasion around at Stalingrad and pushes all the way into Berlin, ending in a victort -
Canadian troops arrive in Hong Kong
Canadian troops work with other allied commonwealth forces to defend British Hong Kong from Japanese invasion. This marks the start of combat in the pacific theatre against the Japanese by Canada. -
Pearl Harbour Attack
After Japan bombs Pearl harbour, a large US naval base in the Pacific, the US declares war on Japan and later Germany, starting the US involvement in WWII. -
US enters the war by declaring war on Japan and later Germany
the US opens up combat in the pacific with Japan, leading to many bloody battles. The US also sends troups to the European theatre, where they play a game-changing role in the Italian campaign and D-day, and eventually taking back Europe and winning the war in Europe, as they were one of the top miltary forces of the time. -
Battle of Hong Kong
Allied troops defending British Hong Kong are defeated. This is the first major infantry battle involving Canadian and commonwealth troops in the Pacific theatre, it is a failure and complete loss. -
Canadians vote 3 to 1 in favour of conscription
This action thoroughly pissed off the French Canadiens. Although conscription was never used by Canada in WWII, it showed that they were serious, committed, and willing to use it if necessary. -
Dieppe Raid
A beach invasion is attempted by the Allies to take back Europe. An allied force, primarily comprised of Canadians are sent into the battle. Allied forces are swiftly and brutally defeated, because of many strategic flaws on the Allied behalf. Many lessons were learned from this raid, that developed better warfare for use in the D-Day landings. -
Allies Invade Sicily
Canadians and other Allies such as the US begin the famous Italian campaign with the invasion of Sicily. The Allies slowly invade the Italian Axis forces and move north into the rest of Europe -
D-Day
US, Britian and Canada launch a massive, well-planned beach invasion on Europe involving paratroopers, infantrty, naval bombarments, air bombers, and tanks on the beaches of Normandy, much to the surprise of the Germans. Casualties were high, but the Allies succeeded in this battle and went on to liberate all of Europe and deafeat the Germans. -
Germany Surrenders (VE Day)
Germany gives an unconditional surrender to the Allies after the battle of Berlin is lost, Germany's last city. The war against the nazi-Germans in Europe is finally over. -
US Drops Atomic Bombs on Hiroshima.
This is the first time nuclear weapons are used in combat, marking the start of the age of nuclear weapons. After the second bomb is dropped on Nagasaki, Japan surrenders in fear of further bombs. This also marks the start of the cold war, and the nuclear arms race between the soviets and Americans. -
Japan Surrenders (VJ Day)
Japan surrenders to the Allies (after the second bomb is dropped on Nagasaki) causing the collapse of the Japanese Empire and Emporer. The second world war finally was over.