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Rape of Nanking
In about 6 weeks, the Japanese Army murdered thousands of civilians and soldiers, as well as raping 20,000 to 80,000 women. The Japanese Army felt they were rebelling, since they lost a battle in Shanghai. It left Nanking, the capitol of China, in ruins. -
German Blitzkrieg
Blitzkrieg was a term used by the Germans, which was a tactic that was a "lightning fast" miltary campaign. -
Germany's Invasion of Poland
1.5 million german troops invaded Poland, while polish airfields were being bombed and U-boats were attacking polish naval forces. Hitler thought it wold bring "living space" for the german people. Many polish cities were destroyed. -
Fall of Paris
The German invasion of France and low countries. German forces took over France after the french governmnent fled. -
Pearl Harbor
A sneak attack by the Japanese Army. They bombed and destroyed 20 American naval vessels, including eight battleships, and over 300 airplanes. More than 2,400 Americans died in the attack, including civilians, and another 1,000 people were wounded. -
D Day
156,000 Americans, British, and Canadian forces land on Normandy. It is one of the largest amphibious military assaults ever. The invasion began on 6:30 A.M. on June 6. -
Battle of the Bulge
Adolph Hitler attempted to split the allied armies in the Ardennes by a surpise blitzkrieg thrust. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
The American invasion of Iwo Jima stemmed from the need for a base near the Japanese coast. 3 U.S. marine divisions landed on the island. Iwo Jima was defended by 23,000 Japanese soldiers who dug caves, dugouts, and tunnels. -
Battle of Okinawa
The Battle of Okinawa was the last, and one of the most bloodiest battles of WW2. The Navy's Fifth Fleet 180,000 soldiers descended on the island for a final push to Japan. It was part of Operation Iceberg, a plan to invade and occupy the Ryukyu Islands. -
VE Day
May 8th was the day the Germans all over Britain surrendered. Nazis in Prague surrendered to the Soviets. Russia captured about 2 million prisoners before and after they surrendered. -
Dropping of the atomic bombs
The U.S. dropped an atomic bomb on the japanese city of Hiroshima. It marked the end of WW2, but ignited the start of the Cold War. The first successful atomic bomb was dropped in New Mexico, to see if the bomb would really work, and it did. -
VJ Day
On August 1945, Japan unconditionally surrendered to the Aliies. Both August 14 and 15 are known as "Victoryover Japan" Day. Japan's formal surrender took place on the U.S.S. Missouri, on September 2.
