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German Blitzkrieg
Germany invaded Belgium, the Netherland, and France with this tactic. By doing this, Germany wanted a fast way to take over other countries. As an effect of this, many other countries and generals began to use this tactic during WWII. -
Germany's Invasion of Poland
On this day, German forces bombard Poland on land and from the air. By this, Hitler wanted to regain lost territory and ultimately rule Poland. Because of this, World War II began. -
Pearl Harbor
Hundreds of Japanese fighter planes attcked the American naval base at Pearl Harbor. They did this because they wanted to neutralize the U.S. Pacific Fleet. As a result, FDR declared war on Japan. Two years later, America finally joined WWII. -
Battle of Midway
On this day, the U.S. defeated Japan in one of the most decisive naval battles of WWII. This was because it allowed the U.S. and its allies to move into an offensive position. As a result, it was an important turning point in the Pacifi Campaign. -
Battle of Stalingrad
On this day, the Soviets successfully defended the city of Stalingrad. This stopped the German advance into the Soviet Union. As a result, it became one of the bloodiest battles in history and marked the turning of the tide of war in favor of the Allies. -
D-Day (Normandy Invasion)
American, British, and Canadian forces landed on five beaches along a 50-mile stretch of the heavily fortified coast of France's Normandy region. By this, the Allies wanted to mislead the Germans about the intended invasion target. This resulted in the Allied liberation of Western Europe from Nazi Germany's control. -
Battle of the Bulge
The Germans cought the Americans off-guard; Americans fought battles to stem the German adbance. By doing this, Hitler wanted to split the Allied armie in northwest Eurpoe. This neutralized the German counteroffensive despite heavy casualties. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
Three U.S. marine divisions landed on the island which was defended by roughly 23,000 Japanese army and navy troops. They did this because the Americans needed a base near the Japanese coast. As a result, even though the marines succeeded, they then got "bogged down" in costly attritional warfare; the entire garrison was wiped out. -
VE Day
On this day, cities in both Great Britain and the U.S. put out flags and banners to rejoyce in the defeat of the Nazi war machine. This was becuase German troops finally "laid their arms down" on this day. As a result, surrender documents were signed. -
Battle of Okinawa
287,000 troops of the U.S. Tenth Army fought against 130,000 soldiers of the Japanese 32nd Army. This was because they didn't want to lose air bases vital to the projected invasion of Japan. As a result, Japan lost more than 77,000 soldiers and the Allies had suffered more than 65,000 casualties - including 14,000 dead. -
Dropping of the Atomic Bomb
The U.S. dropped an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. They did this because they wanted to bring the war to a speedy end. This marked the end of WWII; historians argue that it also ignited the Cold War. -
VJ Day
This is also known as Victory over Japan Day. This is because on this day, Japan surrendered to the Allies. This help to end WWII.