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German Invasion of Poland (https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germans-invade-poland)
On September 1, 1939 over 1 million German troops invaded Poland entering through the Baltic Sea. Hitter wanted this battle because he believed Poland would be useful for living space or in other words extra room for Germany to expand. In order to help Poland the USSR got involved and would sign the nonaggression act stating that they would divide Poland in a non violent way. The Germans utilized lightning warfare. This battle resulted in a German victory as they gain Polish territory. -
The Battle of Crete (https://www.thenationalherald.com/10229/the-battle-of-crete-turning-point-of-world-war-ii/)
The Battle of Crete was fought on the Greek island of Crete. It began on the morning of 20 May 1941, when Nazi Germany began an airborne invasion of Crete. Greek and other Allied forces, along with Cretan civilians, defended the island.The successful defiance by the Greek army surprised the Germans. However, the resistance by the civilians stunned the Germans but it was not enough and the Axis Powers won. Over 5,500 Germans were killed and 25% of their forces were now dead. -
Battle of Moscow (https://ww2db.com/battle_spec.php?battle_id=37)
As early as the Russians knew the Germans were going to breach their defenses and threaten Moscow. ww2dbaseThe final tally tilted amazingly harsh on the Russian side of the battle. Russia suffered over 600,000 casualties, with some estimates going as high as 700,000. Meanwhile, the German troops suffered a smaller 250,000 casualties. Battles resulted in Soviet victory End of Operation Barbarossa Beginning of Soviet counter-offensives. -
Pearl Harbor (Lecture Slides)
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor occurred on December 7, 1941. This was an attack on the US fleet which resided in Hawaii. This attack was from the Japanese and threatened the United States. The importance of this battle is that it got to United States involved in the World War on 27 days later. It highlights a time period in society when America was unprepared and unfortunately this lack of expectancy resulted in over 2,000 American deaths and thousands more injured. -
Stalingrad (https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-stalingrad)
The Battle of Stalingrad began in August of 1942 and concluded in February of 1943. It involved Russian forces and Nazi Germany and was the largest confrontation in World War 2. By the end of the battle nearly 100,000 German forces had been captured. The battle begun due to German infringing on Russian territory. This is seen as a turning point because it opened the door for an Allied Powers victory. The battle was fought in Volgograd. -
Battle of Kursk (https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-kursk)
The Battle of Kursk occurred in July 1943 around the Soviet city of Kursk in western Russia, as Germany launched Operation Citadel, Hitler’s response to his devastating defeat by the Soviet Red Army at the Battle of Stalingrad.The Soviets won the Battle of Kursk and ended Hitler’s dream of conquering Russia. Germany won the tactical battle but were unable to break through the Red Army’s fortifications. Despite outnumbering the Germans, the Soviets, suffered many more casualties and loss -
Monte Cassino (https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battles-of-monte-cassino)
This battle was fought in Monte Cassino Italian and involved the Allied Forces and the Germans. It is one of the bloodies battles involving the Italian Campaign. It begun in January of 1944 and ended a few long months later in May. The goal of this battle was to conquer the Roman Catholic Abbey which resided in Monte Cassino. The second wave was successful in capturing the abbey and thus the Allied forces succeeded and won the battle. -
Normandy (https://www.history.com/news/d-day-normandy-wwii-facts)
The attack on Normandy occurred on June 6, 1944. Involving the “Allies” including American, British, and Canadian forces. The battle took place on the Northern France shoreline which Germany had conquered. This surprise attack is seen as a turning point in the war. This attack is referred to as “D-Day” and “Operation Overload”. The most famous beach attack was “Omaha” were 2,400 US soldiers were killed. The result of this battle is that all five beaches were secured by the Allied troops. -
Battle of the Bulge. (https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-the-bulge)
DescriptionThe Battle of the Bulge, also known as the Ardennes Counteroffensive, was the last major German offensive campaign on the Western Front during World War II, and took place from December 16,1944 to January 25, 1945. Western Allied offensive plans delayed by five or six weeks. German offensive exhausts their resources on Western Front. German collapse opens way for the Allies to ultimately break the Siegfried Line. Soviet offensive in Poland began (Allied victory). -
Battle of Berlin (https://www.ducksters.com/history/world_war_ii/battle_of_berlin.php)
This battle resulted in the surrender of the German army and the death of Adolf Hitler. The battles began on April 6, 1945 and concluded May 2, 1945. Both the Soviets and the German were involved in the battles. Over 80,00 Soviet soldiers were killed and over 200,000 were injured. In comparison 92,000 German soldiers were killed. Historians believe that leader Joseph Stalin was in a hurry to capture Berlin before the rest of the Allies so he could keep German nuclear research secrets to himself.
