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Dunkirk Evacuation
British & French troops are surrounded by the advancing German Army (Wehrmacht) at Dunkirk, France. The British are unable to withstand the German attack. British and French forces are forced to evacuate out of the port of Dunkirk. About 338,226 men were rescued by only 800 boats. -
Period: to
European Theater
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Battle of Britain
The German Luftwaffe relentlessly bombards British cities and military bases in an effort to weaken British morale and defences. -
Battle of Stalingrad
German forces push on through Europe. German forces then invade the U.S.S.R (Russia) and are stopped at Stalingrad in an attempt to take Stalins namesake city. For months, the Red Army (Russian army) withstood the force of the German army, until the German casualties became too high. German forces retreated out of Stalingrad on February 2, 1943. -
Battle of Kursk
Russian forces halt the advancing German Panzer and Tiger divisions at Kursk. Russian forces are directly ordered by Stalin himself to not retreat. The Germans Panzer and Tiger tanks had more armor, but the Germans were unable to withstand the Russian T-34's that outnumbered the German tanks 2-1. After a few weeks of fighting, German forces ran out of their reserve units, and had to retreat on august 23, 1943 -
D-Day
Allied troops landed on the Beaches of Normandy including Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword, to bring down the German defensive wall that blocked any allied offensive. When the German defense fell, it allowed Allied troops to push on and the Germans retreated. -
Battle of Caen
Soon after landing on the beaches of Normandy, allied troops pushed on to liberate strategic cities in France. Caen was important because it was located beside the Orne River. Troops were able to move quickly across the River. Allied troops were met with German resistance. Allied troops proceeded to surround the city of Caen, and cut off German supply. The allies soon took Caen to find it in rubble. -
Operation Market Garden
British, American, Canadian, and Polish airborne troops had to secure the bridges that cross the Meuse River before the Germans could destroy them. The allied troops, unknowingly landed by 2 panzer divisions and were unable to hold off the German counter-attack, resulting in an allied loss. -
Battle of the Buldge
German troops push the allies back in the Ardennes in a last ditch effort to turn the tide of the war. About 13 German assault divisions attack allied troops in the Ardennes, pushing the allies defensive line back. German forces quickly ran out of resources and began to pull back. The allies were able to handle the German troops and began to push them back. -
Battle for Berlin
Berlin, Germany is completely surrounded by the Russian army. German soldiers and citizens fought to keep the Russian army from entering Berlin. Soldiers, and citizens set up defences around Berlin to stall the Russian advance. -
Battle of Berlin
German soldiers and citizens are unable to hold off the Russian assault and Berlin falls to the Russian army. Adolf Hitler, unwilling to be captured, committed suicide. -
War in Europe Ends
Germany surrenders to the allies.
