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Germnay invades Poland
On 1st September 1939, the Germany forces invades Poland using a new tactic called the blitzkrieg, initiating WWII in Europe. Due to their guarantee of Poland’s borders, Great Britain and France declare war on Germany two days later. -
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WWII Timeline
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British evacuation from Dunkirk (pushed out of France by Germany)
From 26th May to 4th June 1940, the Battle of Dunkirk fight between the Allies and Germany results in the defence and evacuation of British and allied forces in Europe. Although this means the Allies has been pushed out of France by Germany, the Allies is able to evacuate most of its forces safely. -
France surrenders to Germany
On 21st June 1940, France surrenders to Germany after Belgium and signs an armistice agreement by which the Germans occupy the northern half of the country and the entire Atlantic coastline.A pro-German French government was set up in southern France. This regime is known as Vichy France, which is now Germany’s ally. -
he Battle of Britain (Germany air raids over the UK)
From 1st July to September 1940, Germany launches an air attack on Great Britain. This Operation Sea Lion is planned by Hitler to first win the control of air over Britain, follows by the landing of Germany troops to invade Britain. However, this invasion is prevented as Germany suffers its first defeat in air. -
Germany invades Russia (Operation Barbarossa)
On 22nd 1941, Germany betrays and invades neutral Russia, this invasion is called the Operation Barbarossa. The invasion includes three-quarter of Germany forces. However, Germany’s blitzkrieg tactics are ineffective on Russia’s vast plains, they are drove back by the USSR from Moscow. This attack on the USSR gives Britain a powerful ally. -
Japanese bomb the American fleet at Pearl Harbour
On 7th December 1941, the Japanese attacks the US by bombing its Navy base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. This results in US declaring war on the Axis powers (Japan, Germany, etc), initiating WWII in Pacific. Britain has gain another powerful ally after USSR. -
Fall of British naval base in Singapore to the Japanese
In February 1942, after the fall of Malaya, Singapore is directly threatened by the Japanese forces. Meanwhile, Britain is fighting for its own survival and lacks the resources to protect the Asia-Pacific region. Singapore’s defence is poorly organised, on 15th February 1942, the British commander in Singapore surrenders. The fall of the ‘Fortress Singapore’ means Australia is directly exposed to the invading Japanese, and it will soon be involved in WWII. -
First Japanese defeat at the Battle of Midway
In the Battle of Midway in May 1942, the US Navy successfully defeats an attacking fleet of the Imperial Japanese Navy, inflicting irreparable damage on the Japanese fleet. The US wins the most important battle of the Pacific campaign, causing Japan to lose its aircraft carriers. -
American forces push back the Japanese forces island by island
During January 1944 to June 1945, the US forces fight their way towards Japan island by island. However, most Japanese troops fight to death and the US has to pay a high price for each victory. The US forces capture Saipan, Iwo Jima and Okinawa, these strategically important islands provide US bases which they can bomb Japan. -
D-Day Landings in Normandy, France
On 6th June 1944, British, US and Canadian troops land on the coast of Normandy, northern France. This is the largest naval landing in military history, opening a second front in Western Europe. The Allied Expeditionary Force invades France and begins to drive Germans out of Western Europe. This invasion allows the Allies to attack and finally defeats Germany. -
Allies enter Berlin and Hitler commits suicide
In April 1945, the Western Allies invades the city of Berlin, the capital city of Germany. On 30th April 1945, the leader of German Nazis, Adolf Hitler, commits suicide when he sees there is no hope of Germany winning the war. On the same day, the Soviet troops captures the Reichstag, the Germany Parliament, stating the fall of Berlin. -
The end of war in Europe
On 8th May 1945, Germany lost the war and signs an unconditionally surrender, ending the 6 years’ war in Europe. -
Japan rejects the Allied offer of armistice
On 30th July 1945, Japan government opposes the acceptance of unconditional surrender offered by the Allies. It is clear that any invasion of Japan will cause enormous casualties to the US, the US government decides to use another option, the atomic bombs, to force Japan to surrender. -
Atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima
On 6th Aug 1945, the US drops the first atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima and warns Japan of ‘ruin from the air’ if it does not surrender. On 9th Aug the second atomic bomb is dropped on the city of Nagasaki. Close to 115 000 Japanese are killed by the initial blasts of two bombs, many more died from radiation exposure. Japan is threatened by the power of the nuclear bombs and shortly after accepts unconditional surrender. -
Atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki
On 6th Aug 1945, the US drops the first atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima and warns Japan of ‘ruin from the air’ if it does not surrender. On 9th Aug the second atomic bomb is dropped on the city of Nagasaki. Close to 115 000 Japanese are killed by the initial blasts of two bombs, many more died from radiation exposure. Japan is threatened by the power of the nuclear bombs and shortly after accepts unconditional surrender. -
Japan unconditionally surrendered
Japan agrees to unconditionally surrender, ending WWII. Weeks after, Japan formally surrenders to the Allied forces on 2nd September 1945.
