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Germany invades Poland
Germany invades Poland from East Prussia. Germany advances its forces into Warsaw and in a matter of weeks the Polish forces were defeated. Previously, Germany had a non-aggression pact with Poland. This was to prevent any military action for the time Germany was building her forces. It is significant as this was the most notable event for the start of WWII. -
Britain & France declare war on Germany
In response to Germany's invasion of Poland, Britain and France declared war on Germany. Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain announces Britain's deceleration of war on Germany. Britain fought Germany until the end of the war however France surrendered to Germany on June 17 1940, with conditions allowing use of its territory for military use. -
Winston Churchill becomes Prime Minister of Britain
Winston Churchill becomes Prime Minister of Britain until July 26, 1955. Winston took the place of Neville Chamberlain due to overwhelming public support. Chamberlain signed the Munich pact with Germany which gave Germany the Sudetenland for the promise of peace. When this was broken by Germany's invasion of Poland it lost most of Chamberlain's support and lead to Churchill's election. He was known for his inspiring speech's and proved a wise leader for Britain in this time of need. -
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Evacuation of Dunkirk (Operation Dynamo)
Germany launched its military forces on the 10th of May. They stormed into Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg. Using the Blitzkreig (Lightning war) strategy, Germany overwhelmed the allied forces and a retreat was ordered on the 26th of May. UK, Canada, France, Poland, Belgium and the Netherlands were those fighting Germany and were evacuated after 16 days of fighting. Although Germany took France, it was deemed a success as so many lives were saved in the duration of the evacuation. -
Italy enters war on side of Axis powers
Benito Mussolini of Italy meets with Adolf Hitler of Nazi Germany in Munich. Italy enter the side of the Axis with from its alliance agreement named the 'pact of steel'. Italy entered the war on the side of the Axis after France's defeat was imminent. With Mussolini and Hitler sharing similar ideas, they became allies in 1939. After Hitler started the war Italy joined him, being allies. -
France signs armistice with Germany
Following the Evacuation of Dunkirk, France surrendered to Germany. Vice premier Henry Petain agreed to the signing of the armistice at Compiegne, France. General Charles Huntziger signed the armistice on the 22nd of June. Adolf Hitler attended the symbolic event as it was the location of the armistice that signified the end of WWI. -
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Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain was a continuing battle which consisted of Germany and Britain mostly bombing each other from only their air forces. Italy also joined in the bombing of Britain on the side of the Axis. 1000's of scattered locations within Germany and Britain were bombed including Britains capitol of London. -
Operation Sea Lion
Operation Sea Lion was the code name for the proposed invasion of Britain by Germany during the battle of Britain. It was planned as a last resort if Britain did not seek a peace treaty after the fall of France. The date above was when the operations plans were published but the actual invasion was postponed and never carried out. Planned to be a invasion supported by air force and navy units, through the English Channel. -
Tripartite Pact signed
On this day, the axis powers sign the Tripartite pact. The powers of Germany, Italy and Japan become solidified allies after signing the pact in Berlin.This was aimed directly at the United States so they could think twice about entering the war on the side of the allies. This alliance lasted until July 1943 when Mussolini was overthrown and arrested by his own grand council. -
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Siege of Tobruk
The Siege of Tubruk was a German and Italian offense onto the shores of North Africa in Tobruk, Lybia. The Axis powers advanced through Cyrenaica towards the British Western Defence Force in Lybia. The Axis operation was commanded by Erwin Rommel and defended by Australian and British troops. The Australian troops successfully defended against the German troops and halted their advance into Tobruk. -
Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa was the code name for the invasion of the Soviet Union. It was significant as it broke the non-aggression pact Germany had with the Soviet Union made in August 23, 1939. Germany forces invaded the east to seek 'living space' for Hitler's master race. This was known to be the largest military operation in war history with over 3 million axis troops deployed. In the end the German troops were defeated from a Soviet counter attack and from the unprepared Russian Winter. -
Bombing of Pearl Harbor
On this date, Japan launched a massive attack on Pearl Harbor, near Honolulu, Hawaii. Over 20 American battleships were destroyed in efforts to neutralize the American fleet so the Japanese could take more of the pacific without threats of American counterattacks. It was significant as it 'awoke the giant' of American from its isolationism. Intended to intimidate America, it did the opposite and start the major part of America's participation in WWII. -
Britain and US declare war on Japan
Only 1 day after the Bombing of Pearl Harbour, America, along with Britain, declared war on Japan. The U.S and Britain were part of the 'Grand Alliance' which lead to them both declaring war on Japan at the same time. -
Japan takes Singapore
In this time Singapore was a British colony. Japan travelled south with an army of over 20'000 troops. The British were outgunned and after about 7 days of fighting, Japan took Singapore. Known as the battle of Singapore, over 60 civilians died and most of the British defense being taken as prisoner or killed. The battle ended after Singapore surrendered to Japan. -
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Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway was a progressive naval attack over the Pacific region. The Battle of Midway was a battle initaiated by the Japanese. Planned to be another combined attack on the U.S with the Bombing of Pearl Harbour. The U.S won this decisive battle with a hefty military toll on the Japanese naval fleet. -
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First Battle of El Alamein
This battle was a between the Axis forces of Germany and Italy, and the allied forces of Australia and Britain. Near Tobruk, this battle took place in Lybia. After the Axis took Tobruk and was closing in on Egypt. The battle ended up being a stalemate, however the allied were successful as they halted the axis advance. -
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Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad started when Germany bombed the city of Stalingrad. With the Germans advancing into southern Russia, their goal was to take Stalingrad. Known as the 'rat war' by the Germans, this battle ended after the Soviet Union successfully defended Stalingrad. This battle was symbolic to both Stalin and Hitler as the city was named after Stalin. -
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Second Battle of El Alamein
Following the first battle on the Railway halt at El Alamein. With the allied forces of the U.K, Australia, South Africa and the United States against the Axis forces of German and Italy. This battle was mostly one sided to the allies with them clearing El Alamein of the Axis forces invading Egypt. With the allies defeating Germany once again, this was a big loss for Germany and lead to its loss of WWII. -
D-Day Landings
Also known as the battle of Normandy. With the following countries contributing to the landing: United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, France, Greece, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway and Poland all against Nazi Germany. Known as one of the bloodiest battles in war history the allies fought the Germans on the shores of Normandy. The allies won this battle and this even was known to be the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany -
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Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was a German counteroffensive attack on the allies in Western Europe. Both sides battled each other along with freezing temperatures. With a halt to the fighting late January, the allies supplies ran low and people died from the freezing temperatures. After planes supplied the allies with ammunition, appropriate clothing and food, the allies defeated the rest of the German offensive. This battle was one of Hitlers last attempts to split the allied invasion into Germany. -
Mussolini captured and executed
On this day Benito Mussolini, with his mistress Clara Petacci are killed by Italian partisans after trying to flee Switzerland. 1 and a half years after Mussolini was overthrown by his own party. He was shot on the streets and his body was hung for the public to disgrace in Milan. -
Hitler commits suicide
On this very day Hitler commits suicide after the imminent fall of his great German empire. Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun got married only 24 hours after they both commit suicide. Hitler supposedly asked his doctor for the best and most assured way to kill himself. Hitler and Eva commit suicide from Cyanide pill and gun shot to the head after locking themselves in a room overnight. Hitler knew his empire had fallen and his worst fear was to be captured by the Soviets, so he killed himself. -
Germany forces surrender
Only a week or so after Germany's great leader, Hitler had commit suicide, the German forces surrender to the allies. General Dwight Eisenhower issued the full German surrender to the allies at Reims. With allied army forces at Germany's doorstep, this was the only option for the fallen Nazi German empire. -
V.E. Day
V.E Day, known as victory in Europe day was celebrated around the world after the end of WWII. With banners and images of the Nazi defeated being publicized in the streets, the citizens of the world rejoiced. Although some countries were still fighting minor gorilla wars, the end of the Nazi war machine was a great day for most. -
Atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima
On this day the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan. The bomb named 'Little Boy' was dropped from the military plane the 'Enola Gay.' There were a number of reasons America dropped this bomb on Hiroshima. President Harry Truman told America that an invasion of Japan would of resulted in lots of American casualties, and so this was an easy and quick way to end the war. It killed over 80'000 people in Hiroshima. -
Soviet Union declares war on Japan
The Japanese had occupied a part Russia called Manchukuo since 1931. Manchukuo was technically its own country but was controlled by japan through the threat of invasion. The Soviets declare war on japan on this date and take back Manchuria somewhat easily as Japan was recovering from the Nuclear attack on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. -
Atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki
Only 3 days after 'Little Boy' was dropped on Hiroshima, a second Nuclear bomb named 'Fat Man' was dropped on Nagasaki. The Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki lead to Japan's unconditional surrender to the allies, ending WWII. Over 50'000 people were killed in the bombing of Nagasaki. -
Japanese surrender - End of WWII
After the bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima, Japan issued its unconditional surrender to the allies. With Japan shocked after the atomic bomb being dropped, Emperor Hirohito issued his surrender. The surrender was signed by foreign issues minister Mamoru Shegemitsu on the battleship, USS Missouri. This was the end of the second world war as the 2 axis countries, Germany and Japan, surrender. -
United Nations is born
On this day the United Nations is born to prevent future wars. Created originally as a pact singed by the allies in 1942, President Franklin Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin introduce the new United Nations to the world. Annual meetings were attended by representatives of 50 nations.
