Key Events and Battles of WW11

Germany invades Poland

Sep 1, 1939

German forces bombard Warsaw Poland on land and air, as Hitler seeks to regain lost territory and ultimately rule Poland. This move was not popular with many Germans who supported Hitler.Hitler sought the nonaggression pact in order to neutralize the possibility of a French-Polish military alliance against Germany before Germany had a chance to rearm.

Britain & France declare war on Germany

Sep 3, 1939

Allies Britain and Frace declare war on Germany. They begun bombing German ships on September 4th, significant losses. Also working under an order to prevent them from hurting German civilians. France began an offensive against Gremany's western boarder two weels later.

Churchill becomes prime minister of Britain

May 10, 1940

Winston Churchill called to replace Neville Chamberlain as Britain's prime minister. His first action was to give over Czechoslovakia to German cconquest, while bringing "peace in our time." He formed an all-party coalition and quickly won the popular support of Britons. Promising that the British people would never surrender , which they stood by.

Evacuation of Dunkirk

May 26, 1940

26-May to 4th of June. Also called Operation Dynamo, and the Miracle of Dunkirk. Was the evacuation of the allied soldiers from beaches and the harbour of Dunkirk, France, during WWII. When it ended around 198,000 British, and 140,000 French and Belgian soldiers were saved.

Italy enters war on side of Axis powers

Jun 20, 1940

The three principal partners in the Axis alliance were Germany, Italy, and Japan. Where all three were recognized as their dominations.Although the Axis partners never developed institutions to coordinate foreign or military policy. The still had common interests, such as. 1) territiorial expansion and foundation of empires based on minlitary conquest, and the overthrow of the post ww1 internatioal order, 2) the destruction of the soviet communism.

France signs armistice with Germany

Jun 22, 1940

Signed at 18:36 near Compiegne, France. Taken into effect 3 days later, while more than half of France was occupied by Germans.French citizens suffered on both sides of the divided nation.

Battle of Britain

Jul 10, 1940

Britain now stood alone against Germany’s military forces, which had most of Western Europe in less than two months. But Prime Minister Winston Churchill rallied his stubborn people and outmaneuvered those politicians who wanted to negotiate with Adolf Hitler. But Britain’s success in continuing the war would very much depend on the RAF Fighter Command’s ability to thwart the Luftwaffe’s efforts to gain air superiority. This then would be the first all-air battle in history.

Tripartite Pact Signed

Sep 27, 1940

he Axis powers are formed as Germany, Italy, and Japan become allies with the signing of the Tripartite Pact in Berlin. It provided a mutual assistance, shown for if any suffer an attack, by a nation not at war. This alliance was aimed at 'neutral' America, designed to force the U.S to think twice before joining side of Allies.also recognized the two spheres of influence. Japan acknowledged “the leadership of Germany and Italy in the establishment of a new order in Europe,”

Operation Sea Lion

Dec 13, 1940

the name given by Hitler for the planned invasion of Great Britain. It was never carried out in war as the Germans lost the Battle of Britain and is now believed that Hitler was more interested in the attack on Russia as opposed to invading Britain.

Siege of Tobruk

Apr 10, 1941

Is a small town on the Libyan coast, was central to much of the fighting that took place in the Wstern Desert during WWII. Tobruk and the 9th Division were subsequently encircled, beginning what became known as "the siege of Tobruk." They held Tobruk from April to November 27th 19941.

Operation Barbarossa

Jun 22, 1941

Was the name givin to Nazi Germany's invasion of Russia. It was the largest military attack in WWII. Was to have appalling consequencesfor the Russian people. Three army groups attacked Russia from three sides. North, Centre and South. This plan had been around since 1940. When he lost interest in the battle of Britain and wanted to attack Russia. Attack plans with a major one against Moscow, a smaller attack on Kiev and a major attack on Leningrad.

Bombing of Pearl Harbor

Dec 7, 1941

Before 8a.m on December 7th 1941, hundreds of Japanese fighter planes bombed and attacked the naval base of America at Pearl Harbor near Hawaii. This lasting two hours, but the Japanese mannaged to deystroy 20 naval vessels, and 200 planes. 2000 soldiers died and 1000 injured.

Britain & U.S declares war on Japan

Dec 8, 1941

The bombing of Pearl Harbor lead to president Roosevelt asking congress to declare was on Japan. Three days later, Japanese allies Germany and Italy also declared war on the United States. FDR signed the declaration at 4.10p.m wearing a black arm band to symbolize the nations loses at Pearl Harbor.

Japan takes Singapore

Feb 15, 1942

Battle of Midway

Jun 4, 1942

First Battle of El Alamein

Jul 1, 1942

Battle of Stalingrad

Jul 17, 1942

Second Battle of El Alamein

Oct 23, 1942

D-Day Landings

Jun 6, 1944

Battle of the Bulge

Dec 16, 1944

Mussolini Captured & Executed

Apr 28, 1945

Hitler commits suicide

Apr 30, 1945

German Forces Surrender

May 7, 1945