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Invasion of Manchuria
Japan invaded Manchuria in the year of 1931. Their main purpose for invading Manchuria was that they needed a way out of the depression. Manchuria had rich mineral and coal reserves and its soil was perfect for producing soy and barley. With this land, Japan could support their growing population and revive their hurting economy. The Japanese invasion of Manchuria was easy for Japan for they had the Kwantung army already positioned, they owned the Southern Manchuria railway, and China was weak. -
Blitzkrieg into Poland
"Blitzkrieg" is a German word whose literal translation is "lightning war". This term was used to describe the strategy of creating disorganization among the enemy through the use of mobile force and concentrated firepower to achieve a quick victory. This strategy was used by Germany in Poland and proved effective when fought against by Poland's minimal defense of horses and hand-held weaponry. This day marks the beginning of the second World War. -
The Battle of the Atlantic
In the Atlantic, allies are starting preparations for the cross-channel invasion by bringing supplies to Britain. However, German U-Boats are intermittently placed across the Atlantic and are making Atlantic ocean travels dangerous for the allies. Therefore, the allies begin to use convoys and sonar to prevent these attacks from occurring. The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest continuous military campaign lasting from 1939 to 1945. The allies defeated Germany at its conclusion. -
Germany takes Greece
The Battle of Greece is the invasion of Allied Greece by Nazi Germany. During the time of the invasion, Greece was at war with Italy. The Greek army found itself outnumbered in its effort to defend both Italian and German troops, and as a result was quickly overrun by the Germans. -
The German invasion of France
The Battle of France was the name for the German invasion of France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. Germany's victory against France led to the creation of the Second Armistice at Compiègne, which was signed by France and Germany. The agreement concluded that France would be divided, and Germany would occupy both the north and the south of France. This movement of Germany into France led to the end of the French Third Republic, and also threatened future enemies of Germany. -
The Battle of Dunkirk
Germany blitzes into France, driving a wedge between British and French troops. This attack forces the British to evacuate 340,000 troops from the French seaport of Dunkirk to England. When the evacuation concludes on June 4, about 198,000 British and 140,000 French and Belgian troops are saved. If the armies had been unable to evacuate, they would have been forced to make a peace treaty with Germany, which would have led to German involvement in Britain. -
The Battle of Britain
During the Battle of Britain, Germany begins bombing airfields, military bases, and key ports in Britain. The British Prime Minister tries to help by attempting to rally the British people and gain foreign aid. His attempts prove successful as the Battle of Britain eventually concludes with a British victory. This is the first defeat against Germany, and the turning point of the war. This defeat proves that Germany can be stopped. -
Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa was the code name for the invasion of the Soviet Union by Nazi Germany. Operation Barbarossa was the crucial turning point in the war, for its failure forced Nazi Germany to fight a two-front war against a defense who possessed superior resources. -
The attacks on Pearl Harbor
360 Japanese planes attack Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The U.S losses 19 ships, 150 airplanes, and 2,400 soldiers. Though this was a huge devastation to our country, the attack also served as a motive for the U.S to mobilize for war. The attack was the cause for the U.S involvement in World War II. -
New Guinea
Dutch New Guinea involvement in World War II begins in 1942. The Japanese invasion of New Guinea lasts from November 1941 until April 1942, when they are taken over by Japan. The allies retake control of New Guinea after driving the Japanese soldiers off along the 2,000 km of fortified coastline. -
The Philippines in 1942
The Philippines fought three different battles during the year of 1942 which were all fought against Japan. The three battles were named The Philippines Campaign, the Battle of Bataan, and the Battle of Corregidor. These battles, which were all fought by Japan, showed that the Philippines were wanted greatly by Japan, as they were a part of the U.S. -
The Battle of Bataan
The Battle of Bataan, which lasted from January 7th to April 9, 1942, represented the most intense part of Japan’s invasion of the Philippines during World War II. After the surrender of the Bataan Peninsula on the main Philippine island of Luzon to the Japanese during World War II, thousands of Filipino and American troops were forced to march 65 miles to concentration camps. Thousands of people died. -
The Doolittle Raid
The Doolittle Raid, which is also known as the Tokyo Riad, was an air raid by the U.S on Tokyo, Japan through the use of specially modified planes. There is very little damage, however, the attack is a good booster for the U.S morale. -
The Battle of the Coral Sea
The Battle of the Coral Sea was a naval battle fought northeast of Australia. The battle was fought between the navy of Japan and the naval and air forces of the U.S. and Australia. The results were a victory for the U.S. and a forced retreat for Japan. This Battle was a turning point in the war in the Pacific because this was the first time that the allies had been able to stop the Japanese advance. -
The Battle of Midway
Midway, the Japanese had realized, was a stepping-stone for capturing Hawaii. However, U.S code breakers learned of the planned attack and Admiral Chester Nimitz prepared to defend Midway. The four-day battle resulted poorly for Japan. In addition, it was a turning point in the Pacific because Japan can no longer fight offensively against the U.S. -
Guadalcanal
The U.S controls Guadalcanal, which is located in the Solomon Islands, in a short time length of six months. The U.S learns how to fight in jungles, and uses the Navajo language for battlefield communication, which is a very complex native language, and difficult for any non-speaker to translate. The experiences of the American people in Guadalcanal broaden their knowledge on war and extended their strategies. -
The Second Battle of El Alamein
The Second Battle of El Alamein was fought near the Egyptian railway halt of El Alamein. The allies were victorious, forcing Rommel to retreat into Tunisia. This battle marked the turning point of the North African campaign between the German-Italian army and the British Empire. -
Operation Torch
Operation Torch was the plan of movement from Africa to Sicily, to Italy. Winston Churchill had used a picture of a crocodile to visualize his plan and persuade Stalin to agree to it. When put into action, the United States and the United Kingdom carried out an amphibious landing on the coast of French North Africa. This plan was historic for it was the first time the British and Americans had worked together on an invasion plan. -
The Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad, which is said to be one of the bloodiest battles in history, consisted of deadly street fighting in the rubble city of Stalingrad. Russia successfully wins the battle against Germany, stopping German advancement into the Soviet Union. This was a positive change in the war for the allies. -
The Battle of Kursk
The Battle of Kursk was fought between Germany and the Soviet Union on the Eastern Front near Kursk. It was to be the biggest tank battle in the war, and it resulted in a victory for the allies, and a failure for Germany and their war machine in Russia. This Battle followed the Battle at Stalingrad, which had been also won by the allies. Germany was continuously being defeated, and the allies were becoming more and more confident in their offense. -
Sicily
The Allies agree to trial Operation Husky, the plan of attacking Sicily, creating a second front, and giving the U.S control of the Mediterranean Sea. This plan requires the unconditional surrender of Germany. July 1942, Operation Husky begins. 160,000 Allied troops invade Sicily and gain complete control in 39 days. The result is an imprisoned Mussolini, and a collapsed Fascists government. -
Salerno
In September of 1943, allies invade Salerno, Italy. Italy surrenders after the attack, however, Germany continues to fight, and gain more control over the country. After 10 months in battle, the allies take control of southern Italy and Rome. -
Gilbert and Marshall Islands
The Japanese Navy occupied the Gilbert Island days following the attack on Pearl Habor, Hawaii. Allied commanders knew that in order to force Japan to surrender, they would need to attack these islands. The ending result was a US victory and a control of these islands, ending in the eventual surrender of Japan. -
The Battle of Anzio
The Battle of Anzio came from the Allied attempt at drawing German trops off the Gustav line during Operation Shingle. A number of attacks caused many deaths on both sides. However, the Allies eventually broke out of the beachheead in late May, allowing the advance that led to the eventual capture of Rome. -
D-Day
Thousands of Allied troops land on the 50-mile French coastline of Normandy to fight against Germany. Over 5,00 ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the invasion, and at the end, the Allies gained fool control in Europe and were on their way to defeating the loathed Adolf Hitler. -
Guam
The Second Battle of Guam was the American recapture of the Japanese-held island of Guam, which was a U.S. territory in the Mariana Islands captured by the Japanese from the U.S. in 1941. -
Operation Dragoon
Operation Dragoon was a code name for the invasion of southern France by the allies. The goal of the operation was to secure vital ports on the French Mediterranean coastal line and to also increase pressure on the German forces through the opening of another front. This plan effectively moved the German Army Group G out of Southern France. -
Philippines 1944-1945
Shortly after attacking Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Japan invaded the Philippines, including a collection of islands located in South East Asia. These islands were home to a number of important U.S army base during this time. Although the American-Filipino army was defeated through the first attacks, they soon fought back and liberated the Philippine Islands in 1944. -
Battle of Leyte Gulf
The Battle of Leyte Gulf is often reflected on as the largest naval battle during World War II and has sometimes been referred to as the largest naval battle in history. In this battle, the Japanese sought to converge three naval forces on Leyte Gulf. The outcome of the Battle was a crippled Japanese fleet, and a reinforcement of the Pacific for the U.S Allies. -
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was the last major offensive battle for Germany, in which they tried to counteract the allies' actions on D-Day. Although the Battle of the Bulge resulted in many losses for America, they were not completely devastating to their army. However, German losses were extensive, so much so, that their industries were unable to replenish their materials before the end of the war. At this point in the war, Germany is headed toward failure. -
Bastogne
The Siege of Bastogne, which was a larger part of the Battle of the Bulge, was an agreement in December 1944 between American and German forces at the Belgian town of Bastogne. The ending result was an allied victory. -
The Yalta Conference
Hitler's defeat seemed imminent, therefore, FDR, Churchill, and Stalin decided to hold a conference at Yalta, where they discussed how the Nazi territory should be divided up, and how the Nazis should be punished. Together they agreed that Germany would be split into four zones, and forced to pay reparations. In addition, Nazi war criminals would be hunted down and tried.There were many other agreements, however, the overall importance of the conference was planned redemption against Germany. -
Iwo Jima
Iwo Jima provided an air base for Japanese fighter planes to intercept bombers, and also provided a haven for Japanese naval units in cases of emergency. The Battle of Iwo Jima was the first major battle in the war to take place in Japan. The U.S strategically chose this location because they needed a place for fighter planes and bombers to land and take off when attacking Japan. Eventually, the U.S Marine Corps successfully landed on and captured the island of Iwo Jima. -
Okinawa
The Battle of Okinawa, which was also known as Operation Iceberg, was a series of battles fought in the Ryukyu Islands. It was the largest amphibious landing in the Pacific of the war and resulted in the largest number of casualties. The Battle was fought between the U.S and Japan and ended with the victory of the U.S, and the devastation of the Okinawa Island. -
Hitler's Suicide
In his bunker under his headquarters in Berlin, Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun commit suicide. They both take cyanide pills, however, Hitler shoots himself at the same time. After his death, loyal guards burned his body and buried him. The result of his death was the freedom of many oppressed German citizens and the new fear of Nazis, who were now being targetted. -
German Surrender
Germany officially surrendered to the Allies on May 7th, 1945, bringing an end to the European conflict in the war. -
China falls to Japan
China was divided, impoverished, economically exploited and at war with imperialist Japan. They fought Japan with a poorly armed and trained army and eventually ran out of fuel, and fell to Japan, who proudly took China. -
Potsdam
The Potsdam Conference, held near Berlin, was the final meetings held by the Big Three. The conference established a Council of Foreign Ministers and a central allied control council for the administration of Germany. In addition the meeting posed an ultimatum to Japan, offering the country the choice between unconditional surrender and total annihilation. -
Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Japan continued fighting even after the war in Europe concluded. Wanting to end the war quickly and prevent more U.S casualties, Harry S. Truman, who was the president at the time, decided to use the newly developed atomic bomb on Japan. The Enola Gay dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan on August 6, 1945, killing about 78,000 people and injuring 100,000 more. On August 9, a second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, Japan, killing another 40,000 people. The two bombs annihilated both cities. -
Japanese Surrender
Following the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima, and Nagasaki, Japan was left in destruction: their navy and air force were destroyed, the economy was devastated, and thousands of lives were lost. With nothing left, Japan formally surrenders to the allies aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, concluding the second World War.
