World War 2

German Invasion of Poland

Sep 1, 1939

Beginnng of World War 2 in Europe

World War 2 Timeline

Period: Sep 1, 1939 to Aug 15, 1945

Use the information on this timeline to help you on the upcoming exam.

Battle of Britain

Feb 1, 1940

Hitler attempts to bomb England into submission, England successfully defends through use of radar

Operation Barbarossa

Jan 4, 1941

Hitler invades Russia, serious military mistake as blitzkrieg was not designed for the vastness of Russian geography.

Pearl Harbor

Dec 7, 1941

Japanese surprise attack, America enters World War 2. Remember that while the battle was a victory for Japan they did not knock out American air craft carriers.

Bataan Death March

Apr 4, 1942

Brutal march of American POWs in the Philippines.

Operation Torch

Nov 4, 1942

Allied invasion of North Africa, included the first battles against Germany.

D-Day

Jun 6, 1944

Use this to view the omaha beach scene from Saving Private RyanAllied Invasion of France

Battle of the Bulge

Dec 18, 1944

Last gasp German attack against American advance in France, Allied forces were able to hold and win the battle.

Battle of Iwo Jima

Feb 4, 1945

Part of Island hopping strategy. Ferocity of battle led American military to favor use of atomic bombs, rather than invading Japan.

VJ Day

Aug 15, 1945

Victory in Japan Day, end of the war.