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Japanese Invasion of China
Japan, eager to conquer all of Asia and to gain control of China's vast amount of natural resources, began to mount a major invasion into China. In 1937, minor skrimishing in the Marco Polo Bridge incident eventually led to the second Sino-Japanese War. Japan eventually recieved aid from Hitler and Nazi Germany and the Japanese managed to kill over 10 to 20 million Chinese civilians. Westerward intervention eventually occurred, and the Japanese turned towards the attack on Pearl Harbor. -
German Invasion of Poland
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germans-invade-poland1.5 million Nazi troops led by Adolf Hitler invaded the country of Poland in order to expand his "master race" and to give "living space" for Germany, and to enslave the natives. German Lutwaffe planes bombed the Polish airfields, disabling the Polish Airforce, German U-Boats and Warships disabled the Polish Navy. Hitler claimed the whole invasion was an act of self-defense, But Britain and France would declar war on Germany September 3rd. -
German Blitzkreig
Also known as "Lightning War", this new warfare tactic was developed by Nazi Germany in order to spearhead a major invasion on all of Europe. It is used to cause chaos within enemy lines, and to attack very quickly and effeciently, then flee in order to recouperate and attack again. This tactic helped Germany conquer Belgium, Poland and France. -
Operation Barbarossa
A massive attack spearheaded by Adolf Hitler, Germany launched a full scale invasion of the Soviet Union on this date. Over 3 million German soldiers, tanks and infantry marched into the Soviet Union and covered over 2,000 miles. Eventually losing, this invasion was considered a massive turning point in WWII for the Allied Forces, mainly as Germany failed to take out a massive superpower. -
Pearl Harbor
On this day, hundreds of Japanese war planes invaded the US Naval Fleet stronghold in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Over 2,000 US soldier and navy crew members has perished, along with 8 huge battleships and 300 airplanes. The following day, FDR officially declared war on Japan, with Germany and Italy retaliating by declaring war on the US. -
Wannsee Conference
On this date, Reinhard Heydrich, along with 15 Nazi Bureaucrats, met to discuss the "FInal Solution" the master plan to eradicate the entire Jewish Population from Europe. The plan included over 11 milion Jews altogether, as these people made up the population in Europe. This was one part in a crazy plan to create a "master race". -
Operation Gomorrah
On this day, British bomber begin a huge bombing sequence on the town of Hamburg, Germany. The United States joins in on the act, with a daily bombing which became known as "Blitz Week". In retaliation for the London bombings which happened earlier, Britain and the United States killed over 30,000 people in the Hamburg Bombings. -
D-Day
Codenamed Operation Overlord, this Allied Invasion included British, American and Canadian Armed Forces. Their objective was to raid and march onto 5 codenamed beaches across Normandy in their invasion to take France in World War II. This battle and invasion was considered the turning point in the war, turning victory towards the Allied Forces. -
Operation Thunderclap
An Allied bombing invasion plan, this was formed in order to devastate the German infrastructure and to cause major casualties and civil unrest in Germany. Planning on bombing Dresden, a city so far east in Germany it was almost forgotten about by the Allied forces, was the main target. The attack was success and caused people to lose trust in Nazi Germany -
Battle of Iwo JIma
The US invasion of Iwo Jima was important as the island could serve as a key cog and base of operation in order to cause full-scale bombing and invasions of the Japanese mainland. Defended by nearly 23,000 Japanese troops, they fought with everything they had, as the Pacific theater was moving strongly towards the Allies. After a month of fighting, the United States stood victorious, with their eyes on Japan. -
Battle of Okinawa
Codenamed Operation Iceberg, this was the LAST front for Japan, as this lost battle could mark a full scale invasion of their country. Over 287,000 American troops landed on the island to assault over 130,000 Japense defenders. At the end, nearly 77,000 Japanese troops stood dead, while the American suffered nearly 14,000 dead. Along the way were captured air bases for use by the US. -
VE Day
On this day, the Allied forces celebrate the day of the official order of surrended given by the Germany, which effectively marked the end of war with Germany and the European theather. The big cog was out of the war, along with Adolf Hitler dead, but the battle was still going on with the United States and the Empire of Japan. -
Hiroshima and Nagasaki
With Japan on its knees and unwilling to surrender, the United States feared the casualties of a full scale invasion of Japan. They eventually turned to use of the atomic bomb, as the first one was dropped on Hiroshima, killing thousands. They still did not surrender, and another was dropped on Nagasaki, and caused the same devastation. A third one was marked for Tokyo, but Japan eventually gave in, as this was the only time atomic bombs were used in warfare. -
VJ Day
This day marked the official surrender of the Empire of Japan, officially ending WWII for good. The formal surrender was in Tokyo, among the USS Missouri. President Truman shortly after declared September 2nd officially be VJ, to celebrate the end of World War II -
Battle of the Bulge
Adolph Hitler, desperate to try and turn the tide of victory to the Axis Powers, tried to split the Allied advance in Europe into two fronts, in order to neutralize the threat. At first caught off-guard, American forces fought tenaciously, and warded off the German assault. General Patton's strategy to provide tank support to the soldiers helped neutralize the German threat, despite large casualties.
