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German Blitzkrieg
Blitzkrieg was the term used by Germany to describe the method of offensive warfare. It was designed to strike swiftly with focused blows at an enemy by using mobile and easily maneuverable forces. These included armored tanks and support from the air as well. They believed these attacks would result in quick victories and reduce losses. Although this did not help them win the war, many battles resulted in success. -
Germany's invasion of Poland
Germany justified invading Poland by accusing the nation of persecuting ethnic Germans and plotting with other Allied powers to attack Germany. The military faked an attack on a German radio station, placing blame on the Polish, in order to incite this violence and allow Hitler to order "retaliatory" action against Poland. The result was a takeover of the nation within a mere week, and Hitler's empire continued expansion. -
Fall of Paris
Germans invaded France and the Low Countries, ending the Phoney War during the Fall of Paris, aka the Battle of France. One main operation included Germany sending troops to cut off and surround Allied powers that had entered Belgium. But, many of the BEF and French soldiers were able to evacuate from Dunkirk. The Germans attacked the larger area of France, ignoring the Maginot Line, for the second operation. Following this, Italy declared war, the French government fled, and Paris surrendered. -
Battle of Britain
During this battle, the Luftwaffe (Germany's Nazi air force) took to the skies against the British Royal Air Force. The battle consisted of relentless air raids throughout Britain and the English Channel, as well as Germany in retaliation. The RAF managed to hold off the Luftwaffe, even as they were bombarded day and night. The battle was a vital turning point in the war and it showed the resilience of the country’s military and people as it allowed them to remain free from Nazi occupation. -
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor was located in Hawaii and served as a naval base for the U.S. Around 8 a.m. on Sunday 12/7/1941, the Japanese planned a devastating surprise attack. They were able to damage around 20 American vessels, which included 8 battleships and 300+ planes. Over 2,000 Americans died and another 1,000 were wounded. A day after the attack, President Franklin D. Roosevelt petitioned Congress to declare war on Japan, and the U.S. was brought into WWII. -
Battle of Midway
This battle was a key point for the war within the Pacific Theater. Once Americans managed to break Japanese codes, they realized Japan was targeting Midway in an attempt to dominate the area. Aircraft were sent off to attack the base but the US's carrier forces were slightly east and ready to retaliate. Japan's planes soon headed back to their carriers to rearm and refuel, so the US chose to attack the fleet. The US took some hits along the way but succeeded in getting the Japanese to retreat. -
Battle of Stalingrad
The bloodbath between Russia and Nazi Germany didn't spare civilians, fought in close quarters, and men starved and froze as winter set it. Stalingrad was a vital industrial city, but Hitler also wanted to invade for propaganda purposes (it also shared a name with Russia's leader). As Germany advanced, Russia grew desperate and began to take severe actions like burning cities when hope was lost so Nazis couldn't use anything. The losses were tremendous and by late 1942 the city was in ruins. -
Warsaw Ghetto Uprising
The violent uprising included members of a Jewish ghetto in Warsaw, Poland, which was occupied by Nazis. They set up an armed uprising to stop deportations to extermination camps run by the Nazi party. This act helped inspire others like it in ghettos and camps across Europe (specifically Eastern) in areas occupied by Germans. This event was a courageous act by Jews and showed a sense of bravery as they rebelled against oppression and the violent crimes they were being subjected to as a group. -
D-Day (Normandy Invasion)
D-Day liberated Western Europe from Nazi control when American, British, and Canadian forces landed on beaches along the Normandy region of France. Extensive planning went into this large deception, which was meant to mislead Germans. Although it was a bloody process, all of northern France was successfully liberated by late August, and this vital turning point in the war helped fuel the Allies in their courage to fight the Axis powers and end the war. -
Battle of the Bulge
Hitler attempted to divide the Allies as they approached Germany for his last major offensive of the war. The battle occurred in the Ardennes region of Belgium and the German troops failed to split France, Britain, and America with this strategy. Frigid conditions meant soldiers were likely to suffer even more losses and this paved the way to victory for the allies nearing the end of the war. -
Liberation of Concentration Camps
Towards the end of the war, soldiers were met first-hand with the horrors Jews and other persecuted people were subjected to. Majdanek in Lublin, Poland was the first major camp to be liberated as the Soviets advanced west. Near Weimar, Germany, US forces freed the Buchenwald concentration camp. Earlier, underground resistance got control to prevent desperate atrocities often committed as guards across Europe retreated. Troops also freed Flossenbürg, Dora-Mittelbau, Dachau, Mauthausen, etc. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
This iconic fight between US Marines and Japan's Imperial Army took place 750 miles off of Japan's coast on an island with 3 airfields that might serve as a staging facility. After weeks of bloodshed and hardship, America succeeded, but the strategic value of Iwo Jima is questioned. The army and navy weren't able to use the island as a staging area, but construction battalions still rebuilt airfields for American pilots to use in case of emergencies and the landing site saved many lives. -
Battle of Okinawa
This was the final big battle of the war as the Navy’s 5th fleet joined 150,000+ US Army and Marine troops to arrive in a final approach toward Japan. Operation Iceberg's goal was to successfully invade this group of islands. The fight did result in an Allied victory, but there were significant losses on both sides due to fierce fighting on all fronts (land/sea/air) and poor weather, as well as the skilled kamikaze fighters' abilities. -
Potsdam Declaration
The Potsdam Conference was held by Allied governments after the defeat of Germany and a declaration was also issued regarding terms of unconditional surrender for Japan. This addressed occupation, disarmament, and territorial sovereignty, and the Japanese government rejected it at first. The declaration did not mention the emperor. After the atomic attacks and the Soviet Invasion of their territory, Japan agreed. -
Dropping of the atomic bombs
President Truman knew Japan was a highly nationalistic and prideful nation, so surrender was not an option. He chose to drop atomic bombs rather than prolong the war by invading and risking millions of American lives. It was hoped that only one bomb (Hiroshima) was needed, but when fighting didn't cease another was sent in as well (Nagasaki). Nothing like this had been seen before, so world history was altered completely. The casualties and sheer impact of such an unseen weapon were terrifying.