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Timeline of WWII
A timeline of notable events during WWII -
Japanese invasion of Manchuria
The Japanese took the offensive early on in trying to conquer China, starting with Manchuria. The united States wasn't happy about this, and it further created tension between U.S. and Japan. -
Hitler becomes Chancellor
Hitler was appointed Chancellor by president Hindenburg and thus began his rise to power for the NAZI party -
Munich Agreement
Germany, Italy, Great Britain, and France sign the Munich agreement which forced the Czechoslovak Republic to cede the Sudetenland, and Czechoslovak military defense positions, to Nazi Germany. -
Kristallnacht
Violent anti-Jewish sentiment was started in Germany. Rioting was spread region wide, and it was started after the assassination of a German official. German for "crystal night," because of the broken glass that littered the streets. -
German invasion of Poland
Germany invaded Poland, despite Great Britain and France telling Poland that they could guarantee their safety. Blitzkrieg, or lightning war, was used, -
Dunkirk
German infantry and armor rolled through France in an unfortified part of the French border, effectively flanking the Allied troops. France and England were forced to surrender in the small port of Dunkirk, where a fleet of mostly commercial vessels would soon rescue them. -
Japanese attack Pearl Harbor
Japan stunnded the United States when they attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. They executed the attack with surprise, and over 3000 American lives were lost. The U.S. declared war on Japan the next day. -
Bataan Death March
Japanese soldiers and commanders accepted surrender from 10's of thousands of U.S. troops. They treated american troops savagely, and also beat and tortured and executed them. The troops had to march 70 miles, often without food or water. -
Battle at Midway
American Naval Forces halted the Japanese advance at Midway island. Often considered the turning point of the war with Japan -
D-Day
Massive allied invasion of German occupied France. Launched over the beaches of Normandy, and was the largest single military operation of it's time. Code named operation: OVERLORD, led by Dwight D. Eisenhower. -
Battle of the Bulge
Last major German offensive of WWII. Tried to split the allied offensive "the bulge," into two, and reclaim some of Belgium. After this, Germany was in full retreat. -
Yalta Conference
Members of the "big three," Roosevelt of the U.S., Churchill of Britain, and Stalin of the USSR. At the conference, they developed a plan for post war Germany, and also tried to limit Soviet influence in the post WWII world. -
V-E day
The allied nations claimed victory in Europe after the Nazi and other axis powers surrendered the Allies. Came just a week after the suicide of Adolf Hitler. -
bombing of Hiroshima
The United States made the decision to drop the bomb on Hiroshima, after years of developing it in secrecy. Considered highly controversial by some, but it ushered in a new era of warfare. Effectively ended the war in Japan. -
VJ Day
Having accepted unconditional surrender, Japan formally surrendered, effectively ending WWII.