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Nazi-Soviet Pact
Communist dictator Joseph Stalin signs a 10-year long nonaggression pact with facist dicator Hitler. This came as a shock to the world as, being on the opposite ends of the political spectrum, the two power-hungry dictators and natural enemies. The Pact had promised the Soviets some land, including Poland, Finland, and the Baltic countries. The nonagression pact also allowed Hitler to have a safer, one-front war to the west. He then continued to mass attack much of Europe and North Africa. -
Invasion of Poland
As the world still did nothing to stop these dangerous dictators in their beginning stages, the Hitler was left to freely conquer Poland. German aircraft and artillery began to heavily bomb Warsaw, the capital of Poland. Poland fell from the surprise, organized attack. This attack strategy, known as blitzkrieg, involved heavy air/land attack, followed by an infantry. Hitler annexes the west half of Poland. However, France and Great Britain declared war on Germany days later. -
The Phony War
Though the French and the British had mobilized their armies and prepared for combat after declaring war on Germany, nothing happened for a period of six months. No military operations were carried out, though the troops were prepared to strike, sitting on the Siegried Line (France's border with Germany). The lack of inactivity gave Hitler an opporutunity for a surprise attack on Denmark and Norway on April 9, 1940. New Norwegian and Danish territory is crucial,for Britain is now vulnerable also -
The Miracle of Dunkirk
As the French forces were heavily disadvantaged and losing to the Germans- with new recruits from Belgium- the outnumbered Allies retreated to a French port near the Belgian border, trapped. Britain came to their aird under high risk, and rescued nearly 338,000 soldiers to safety. -
Fall of France
As Hitler sweeps through Europe, conquering the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. This distracted the Allies from his real target- France. Hitler sent hefty tanks and troops through Ardenes, and after the strike at Dunkirk, France fell. Germans take control of northern part of the country, giving the southren part to Marshal Philippe Petain, a puppet government. Charles de Gaulle tried to reconquer France and struggle against their new German conquerers. -
Battle of Britain/Operation Sea-Lion
Hilter began turning his attention to Great Britain, firstly wanting to rid the Royal Air Force and planting a new set of 250,000 soldiers in the country. German Air Forces began bombing Britain; bombing airfiled operations at first and then focusing on cities such as London, to break their war spirit. Though the RAF was significantly disadvantaged, their radar technology was one advantage that spoiled Hitler's surprise attacks, causing the Hitler's troops to retreat. -
Barbarossa
With the Balkan countries secured, Hitler can now carry out Operation Barbarossa, a plan to invade Russia. The Soviets were unprepared, despite their enormous army. The German had sent heavy tanks and aircrafts to push inside Russia. And as the Russians retreated, they used the scorch and burn technique to weaken the Germans. Both sides were very weak by the time the Germans had seized Leningrad, slowing watching 2.5 million citizens die.The winter was brutal, but Hitler refused to retreat. -
Battle of Stalingrad
German forces fought the Soviets for control over the city, Stalingrad. Securing this city meant seizing oil fields and a major industrial center. The Germans practically had obtained the city, when the cruel winter set in, cutting off German supplies as well as trapping them inside. Casualties rose to nearly 1 million, because of Hitler's refusal to retreat. -
The Battle of El Alamein
One of the most decisive battles of the war, The Battle of El Alamein was a desert battle between the German troops under Rommel, and British forces under Montgomery. Rommel's troops were surprise attacked by a massive frontal attack, and they were forced to retreat. The Allied victory at El Alamein lead to the German retreat and surrender in North Africa. -
D-Day Invasion
The Allies, planning a known strike to the coast of Nomandy, distracted the Germans with a dummy army, while they invaded Normandy with the largest land and sea attack in history. Heavy technology was used in this battle, possibly the start of modern warfare. Though the Allies had sizable casualties, the Allied Powers had soon regained France, Belgium, and Luxembourg. -
Victory in Europe Day
As the Allied Powers swept across Europe, liberating the nations once more, the war in Europe was finally coming to an end. Hitler had committed suicide, and Soviet troops had surrounded Berlin, heavily armed. Berlin officially signed a surrender, marking the end of the 6 years of war.
