Pacific and Europe

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    Invasion of Poland

    The invasion of Poland was a military attack that aimed to take over the country quickly using powerful ground and air forces. It led to Poland being divided and showed how new war tactics could cause major destruction.
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    Fall of France

    The Fall of France was a military campaign where invading forces overwhelmed French defenses using fast and coordinated attacks. It led to the occupation of much of France and forced the government to surrender, changing the course of the war.
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    Dunkirk Evacuation

    The Dunkirk evacuation was a massive rescue effort to save Allied troops trapped on the beaches of Dunkirk. Facing enemy advances, hundreds of military and civilian boats worked together to bring soldiers safely across the English Channel.
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    The Blitz

    The Blitz was a series of intense bombing raids carried out by enemy forces against cities and towns. It caused widespread destruction and loss of life, but people showed resilience by seeking shelter and continuing their daily lives despite the danger.
  • Attack on Pearl Harbor

    The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike that targeted a naval base, causing massive destruction to ships and aircraft. It resulted in significant loss of life and brought the United States into World War II.
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    Pacific Theater

    The Pacific Theater was a major area of fighting during World War II, where battles were fought across islands, seas, and jungles. It involved intense combat between Allied forces and Japan, with key strategies like island-hopping used to gain territory. The conflict ended with Japan’s surrender after heavy losses and the use of atomic bombs.
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    Bataan Death March

    The Bataan Death March was a forced march of captured soldiers over long distances under brutal conditions. Thousands of prisoners suffered from hunger, thirst, and abuse, leading to widespread death. It became a symbol of wartime cruelty and sacrifice.
  • Doolittle Raid

    The Doolittle Raid was a daring air attack on enemy territory, launched from aircraft carriers to boost morale after a major attack. It caused limited damage but showed that long-range strikes were possible.
  • Battle of Midway

    The Battle of Midway was a turning point in the Pacific during World War II. Allied forces successfully defended the island and inflicted heavy losses on the enemy’s navy, weakening their ability to advance.
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    Battle of Stalingrad

    The Battle of Stalingrad was a confrontation between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. It marked a turning point in the war, with the Soviet victory pushing the German forces into retreat and significantly weakening their Eastern Front. The battle was marked by brutal urban combat and immense casualties on both sides.
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    Guadalcanal

    The Battle of Guadalcanal was a key confrontation in the Pacific Theater, where Allied forces fought to take control of the island from Japanese forces. It marked the first major Allied offensive against Japan and was crucial in turning the tide of the war in the Pacific, with both sides suffering heavy losses.
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    Italian Campaign

    The Italian Campaign was a series of battles fought in Italy as part of the Allied effort to defeat Axis powers in Europe. It involved intense fighting as Allied forces pushed northward, eventually leading to the surrender of Italy and weakening German control in the region.
  • D-Day

    D-Day was the massive Allied invasion of Normandy, France, during World War II. It marked the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi control, with thousands of soldiers landing on beaches under heavy enemy fire. The success of D-Day was a crucial step toward the defeat of Nazi Germany.
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    Operation Market Garden

    Operation Market Garden was an ambitious Allied operation aimed at capturing key bridges in the Netherlands to quickly advance into Germany. Despite initial successes, the plan ultimately failed due to unexpected German resistance, leading to heavy losses and delaying the end of the war in Europe.
  • The Battle of Leyte Gulf

    The Battle of Leyte Gulf was one of the largest naval battles in history, fought between Allied forces and Japan near the Philippines. The Allied victory severely weakened the Japanese fleet, crippling their naval power and paving the way for the liberation of the Philippines.
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    Battle of the Bulge

    The Battle of the Bulge was the last major German offensive in World War II, aimed at splitting the Allied forces in Belgium. Despite initial surprise and heavy fighting, the Allies eventually repelled the Germans, marking a decisive turning point in the war in Europe.
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    Battle of Iwo Jima

    The Battle of Iwo Jima was a fierce confrontation between Allied forces and Japan, fought on the small island of Iwo Jima in the Pacific. The battle was crucial for the Allies as it provided a strategic base for launching air raids on Japan, and despite heavy casualties on both sides, it ended in an American victory.
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    The Battle of Okinawa

    The Battle of Okinawa was one of the bloodiest battles of World War II, fought between Allied forces and Japan on the island of Okinawa. The battle resulted in heavy casualties for both sides and played a significant role in the Allies’ strategy to invade Japan, bringing them closer to victory in the Pacific.
  • Victory in Europe Day

    Victory in Europe Day marks the official surrender of Nazi Germany, celebrating the end of World War II in Europe. It was a moment of immense relief and joy, as Allied forces had successfully defeated Germany, although the war continued in the Pacific until Japan’s surrender later.
  • Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

    The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were carried out by the United States in August 1945, dropping atomic bombs on both Japanese cities. These attacks caused massive destruction and loss of life, leading to Japan’s surrender and the end of World War II.
  • Surrender of Japan

    The surrender of Japan in 1945 marked the end of World War II. After the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, combined with the Soviet Union’s declaration of war, Japan officially surrendered, bringing an end to the conflict in the Pacific.