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The war begins
After Italy's invasion of Ethiopia, the Spanish Civil War and Japan's invasions of China, the USSR and Mongolia, the second world war begins. -
Germany invades Poland
Blitzkrieg (German for "Lightning war") is warfare that surprises the enemy. It consists of mobile forces like tanks and air support above. The tactic was used in several attacks, like the invasion of Poland. -
France and Great Britain declares war on Germany
After this day, the "phony war" begins. In this period, no one did anything. -
The Soviet Union also invades Poland
German troops attacking from the west, while Soviet troops attacks from east. Poland is divided and shared between the two attacking countries. -
Germany invades Denmark and Norway
The German troops invade Denmark and Norway in a short amount of time. -
Germany begins the invasion of France
Blitzkrieg tactics was used in the invasion. -
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The evacuation from Dunkerque
British and French troops were evacuated after being surrounded by German troops. The evacuation was actually called "Operation Dynamo". -
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The battle of Britain
Germany's attacks on several British cities, military bases, and airports. Many innocent people and many children had to leave cities like London, and travel to the countryside. -
Germany launches operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union
Operation Barbarossa is by far, the biggest invasion in terms of attacking troops. More than 3,8 million troops, 4 300 tanks, 4 380 planes, and 7 200 artillery units participate. -
Japan invades the Pearl Harbor naval base
The Japanese navy attacks the American naval base on Hawaii. -
The battle of Midway
The battle of Midway in the Pacific is a naval battle between American and Japanese naval forces. It begins on this day and ends two days later.
Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Midway -
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The battle of Stalingrad - turning point
This was an important battle that changed the war. The Russian victory was the beginning of the liberation of the USSR. This was considered to be the turning point in the war, after five months of fighting. -
The battle of El Alamein
The British and several other troops defeated the German and Italian troops. This battle marked the turning point for the axis powers extension in North Africa. It lasted from this date and to November the 3rd, 1942. -
D-Day
The D-Day: also called "Operation Overlord" was the invasion of France, when Germany had occupied the country. The USA, Great Britain, and Canada participated. -
The liberation of Paris
The French capital of Paris was liberated by French liberation forces and American troops. It started on August the 19th 1944 and ended six days later.
Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberation_of_Paris -
The red army reaches Berlin
The Soviet army; also called "the red army" reached the outskirts of the German capital Berlin. After a 5 year long war, the Germans struggled to defend the city. The Soviets were the first to reach Berlin. -
Hitler's death
Hitler committed suicide in his Führerbunker in Berlin, together with his wife. -
The war ends in Europe
This day was celebrated around the world, after Germany's capitulation. It was called VE-day as in "Victory" or "Victory in Europe". The Japanese have not capitulated, yet. -
The USA drops the atomic bombs
The Americans drop an atomic bomb on Hiroshima. A second bomb was dropped on the city Nagasaki. They killed more than 120 000 people. -
The war ends in Asia / the Pacific
On this date, Japan surrendered after the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It was also called VJ-day as in "Victory in Japan".