-
German Blitzkrieg
The word "Blitzkrieg" means "lightning war." It is a method of warfare that developed in Germany between 1918 and 1939. It was introduced in World War I but was used a lot more in World War II. This military tactic combines both land and air action and is focused around the speed and mobility of the attack. The combination of forces would drive a breach in enemy defences and let the German tank division quickly enter the breached area.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/blitzkrieg -
Fall of Paris
The Germans took control of Paris. The people of Paris faced the dreadful French defeat and a German occupation of their city. More than two million citizens of Paris fled. German police began arresting Parisians. Then, canadian troops came in and assisted the liberation of the citizens in Paris.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germans-enter-paris -
Pearl Harbor
On December 7, 1941 the Japanese launched a surprise attack on the US Naval Base Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The next day on December 8, the United States entered World War II. Early in the morning on December 7, more than 350 Japanese planes attacked about 33 American ships on orders of Vice-Admiral Chuichi Nagumo. America sustained a loss of nearly 170 aircraft destroyed and 160 damaged that morning. Around 3,700 Americans lost their lives.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor -
Wannsee Conference
The Wannsee Conference was held in Wannsee on January 20,1942. There, Hitler brought up the idea of the "Final Solution.' The Final Solution was basically an idea to get rid of the whole Jewish population. Hitler authorized this mass murder in 1941. This resulted in the death and discrimination of most Jews.
http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005477 -
Bataan Death March
The Bataan Death March took place after the United States surrender of the Bataan Penninsula. After the surrender, over 75,000 Fillipino and American soldiers were forced to march the prison camps. The soldiers marched through horrible conditions and were treated poorly by Japanese guards. A lot of the soldiers ended up dying.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bataan-death-march -
Battle of Midway
Six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese formed a plan to sneak up on U.S. forces. However, the Americans knew the Japanese plans and prepared their own trap for the Japanese. The Japanese were led by Admiral Yamamoto and the United States was led by Commander Fletcher.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/battle-of-midway-ends -
Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Salingrad is considered to be the greatest battle of the Great Patriotic War. The battle was intended for the Soviets to gain control of Staligrad. The Soviets were sucessful. This battle resulted in about two million deaths.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-stalingrad -
D-Day
On D-Day, allied troops landed on the coastline to fight Nazi Germany on the borders of Normandy in France. Dwight Eisenhower considered it to be a crusade. The purpose was to defeat Hitler and his troops.More than 9,000 allied soldiers were killed.
http://www.army.mil/d-day/ -
Liberation of Concentration Camps
Auschwitz was the largest killing center and concentration camp. The soviets liberated Auschwitz on January 27, 1945. A majority of Auschwitz prisoners were forced into death marches led by the Nazis. When the Soviets arrived, they found very few living prisoners.
http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005131 -
Battle of Iwo Jima
The Battle of Iwo Jima was an American invasion that was intended to gain a needed base near the Japanese coast. American air and naval forces landed on February 19. Conditions were difficult but American troops won the battle after a month. It took approximately 36 days for U.S. troops to defeat the Japanese.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima -
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was the longest battle fought on the Western Front in Europe during World War II. It took place in Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, and the Ardennes. Hitler's goal was to break up the Western allies. After many attacks, the battle resulted in an allied victory.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-the-bulge -
VE Day
VE Day is the day that the German troops finally surrendered. They surrendered to the Soviets after losing a large amount of soldiers in Prague. The surrender was declared with a final cease-fire. Europeans still celebrate this day, even today.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/victory-in-europe -
Battle of Okinawa
The battle of Okinawa, also known as Operation Iceberg, took place in April-June 1945. It resulted in the largest casualties with over 100,000 Japanese casualties and 50,000 casualties for the Allies. The Japanese navy and army mounted mass air attacks by planes on one-way suicide missions.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-okinawa -
Dropping of the Atomic Bombs
The first atomic bomb was dropped over Hiroshima by the American fighter plane, Enola Gay. Instead of invading the Japanese mainland, Harry Truman decided it would be less dangerous to drop the bomb. Over 80,000 people were killed.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/atomic-bomb-dropped-on-hiroshima -
VJ Day
VJ Day stands for Victory over Japan day. This ended World War II. The Japanese surrendered to the allies. The surrender is recognized on August 14 and 15.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/v-j-day
