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The Invasion of Poland
The invasion of Poland was the first military engagment of world war two and is also what started the war. This action would be a gamble for Hitler, not only because the German army was not at full strength, but also because the uncertaintly of what the British and the French might do. Hitler suspected that British prime-minister Neville Chamberlain and French prime-minster eldouard daldier wouldn't act agressivley, but his military generals thought they should prepare just in case of an attack. -
Chamberlin Resigns
Neville Chamberlain resigned after pressure from Labour members for a more active prosecution of the war and Winston Churchill became the new head of the wartime coalition government. Chamberlain gave Churchill his unreserved support. Ernest Bevin was made minister of labour and recruited workers for the factories and stepped up coal production. Lord Beaverbrook, minister of Aircraft Production increased production of fighter aircraft. -
Hitler Attacks Russia
Hitler sent 3 million soldiers and 3,500 tanks into Russia. The Russians were taken by surprise as they had signed a treaty with Germany in 1939. Stalin immediately signed a mutual assistance treaty with Britain and launched an Eastern front battle that would claim 20 million casualties. The USA, which had been supplying arms to Britain under a 'Lend-Lease' agreement, offered similar aid to USSR. -
The Attack on Pearl Harbor
This event is important because it is what lead the U.S. into war. The attack only lasted about two hours but did a lot of damage. More than 2,000 people had lost their lives, and another 1000 people were injured. The japanese also managed to sink many naval ships but luckily had not sunk any aircraft carriers. The day after the attack, President Rossevelt Declared war on Japn. Three days after that Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S. finally bringing them into the World War 2. -
Battle of Midway
The battle of midway happend at a U.S. naval base in the pacific. The attack was supposed to be a suprise attack, but was twarted by U.S. intelligence. This gave Cheseter W. Nimitz Though one aircraft carrier was lost, many japanese planes were shot down giving a huge blow to the japanese millitary. -
Battle of Stalingrad
Many consider the battle of Stalingrad as the turning point during the war in Europe. The battle lasted for almost 8 months, and eventhough the germans did take over a lot of ground, the Russians came out of the battle victorious. from a strategic view, Stalingrad was an important City to take over, but some belive that Hitler wanted the city because of his hatred of stalin and the fact that the city had is name in it. eventually the Germans, who came ill prepared, were forced to surrender. -
Italy Surrenders
Mussolini had been thrown out of office and the new government of Italy surrendered to the British and the USA. They then agreed to join the allies. The Germans took control of the Italian army, freed Mussolini from imprisonment and set him up as head of a puppet government in Northern Italy. This blocked any further allied advance through Italy. -
D-Day
D-Day was another turining point of the war because it was when allies finally got a foothold in Europe;starting in Normandy, France. Not only did men attack along a fifty mile stretch of beach, but also from land when men were dropped behind the beach. Juno, Sword, Gold, Omaha, and Utah were the beaches that were attacked, the most fierce fighting being on Omaha. Many men lost their lives durring the assuat on the Germans but it was absolutely neccasary in winning the war against the Nazis. -
Hitler commints Suicide
With both the Russians and the American closing in on him, Hitler and his wife both commit suicide. This event was important to the war because the man who had first invaded poland and started the war was now finally dead. Nazi Germany no longer had its leader. -
Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagaskaki
The bombing of both of these japanese city is what led to the end of world war 2. This was the first time that the use of an atomic bomb hand been issued. Though the decision was a tough one, President Truman realized that the invasion of japan would cost about one million U.S. lives and with the japanese surrender in sight, The first bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. Three days later another bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. On August 15,1945 emperor Hirohito uncondtionally surredered ending the war.
