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Japan invades Manchuria
In 1931, the Japanese Kwangtung Army attacked Chinese troops in Manchuria in an event commonly known as the Manchurian Incident. This was an attempt by the Japanese Empire to gain control over the whole province, in order to eventually to bring about all of East Asia. Japan had invested vast sums of money into the economy of Manchuria, which was effectively controlled by the South Manchuria Railway Company. -
Treaty of Munich
Hitler, Chamberlain, Daladier of France and Mussolini of Italy met in Munich and agreed that Hitler should have the Sudetanland of Czechoslovakia. The Czechs were not represented at the meeting and realising that no country would come to their aid were forced to surrender the Sudetenland to Germany. Hitler assured those at the meeting that this was the extent of his ambitions for expansion. Chamberlain returned to England with a piece of paper signed by Hitler, proclaiming 'peace in our time.' -
Germany invades Poland
German forces bombard Poland on land and from the air. The German invasion of Poland was a primer on how Hitler intended to carry on war. This was characterized by affecting a large area by bombing early on to destroy the enemy's air capacity, railroads, communication lines, and military storage, followed by a massive land invasion with overwhelming numbers of troops, tanks, and artillery. -
'Phoney War' ( I dont know the day of war so i just put down a number)
The months following Britain's declaration of war are referred to as the 'phoney war' because Britain saw no military action. The first six months of the war became known as the ‘Phoney War’ because there was almost no fighting and no bombs were dropped. This gave the government more time to protect Britain from an attack.
Interesting Fact -
In France, the Phoney war was known as the drôle de guerre (funny war) and in Germany as Sitzkrieg (armchair war). -
Blitzkrieg
Blitzkrieg means "lightning war". Blitzkrieg was first used by the Germans in World War Two and was a tactic based on speed and surprise and needed a military force to be based around light tank units supported by planes and infantry (foot soldiers). Hitler launched his blitzkrieg against Holland and Belgium. Rotterdam was bombed almost to extinction. Both countries were occupied. -
Pearl Harbor
The Japanese, who were already waging war against the Chinese, attacked the US pacific fleet at Pearl Harbour, Hawaii, as a preliminary to taking British, French and Dutch colonies in South East Asia. However, the memory of the "sneak attack" on Pearl Harbor fueled a determination to fight on. -
D-Day
The allies launched an attack on Germany's forces in Normandy, Western France. Thousands of transports carried an invasion army under the supreme command of general Eisenhower to the Normandy beaches. The Germans who had been fed false information about a landing near Calais, rushed troops to the area but were unable to prevent the allies from forming a solid bridgehead. For the allies it was essential to first capture a port. -
Death of Roosevelt
President Roosevelt died. He was succeeded by President Truman. He died of a cerebral hemorrhage (leading to stroke) on April 12, 1945 (aged 63) while vacationing in Warm Springs, Georgia. -
V.E. day
Victory in Europe was celebrated. May 8 marks the formal celebration of the Allies' victory in Europe during World War II. On Monday May 7th at 02.41. German General Jodl signed the unconditional surrender document that formally ended war in Europe. -
Japanese surrender
The Japanese unconditionally surrendered to the allies ending the second world war.
