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Rape of Nanking
The Chinese city Nanking was captured by the Japanese in the war. General Matsui Iwane ordered that the city be destroyed. Most of it was burned. The Japanese killed 150 000 war prisoners, 50 000 civilians, and raped 20 000 women and girls. It was meant to crush Chinese resistance. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-rape-of-nanking -
German Blitzkrieg
The German Blitzkrieg was a term used to describe a strategy of the Germans during World War 2. It was a method of offense designed to strike swift blows at the enemy using mobile forces. It was meant to lead to a quick victory, which would limit German losses. It helped the Germans win many battles early on but didn't work as well later. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/blitzkrieg -
Fall of Paris
The Fall of Paris was the German invasion of France, which made the French government surrender. They were made to sign an armistice. https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-France-World-War-II/The-fall-of-France-June-5-25-1940 -
Pearl Harbor
The U.S Naval Base, Pearl Harbor, was attacked by Japanese forces in 1941. Japanese fighter planes managed to destroy nearly 20 naval vessels and over 300 planes. 2400 Americans, including civilians, died in the attack. The aim was to destroy the naval fleets. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor -
Wannsee Conference
The Wannsee Conference was the meeting of Nazi leaders to decide what to do with the Jewish people. Their plan was to gather up all of the Jews and organize them into harsh labour gangs in order to kill many. In the end, 6 million Jewish people were killed in places like concentration camps. https://www.britannica.com/event/Wannsee-Conference -
Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad turned the tide of the war on the Eastern front. Germany invaded Stalingrad, and the Soviet troops were ordered to fight. They surrounded the Germans, and many starved or were killed. More than 800 000 were dead or wounded. The goal of the invasion was to eliminate Soviet forces. https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-France-World-War-II/The-fall-of-France-June-5-25-1940 -
Bataan Death March
75 000 American and Filipino troops were forced to walk 65 miles to prison camps during intense heat and with harsh treatment. Thousands of the prisoners died on the way. The goal was to imprison the captured troops. -
Normandy Invasion
The Normandy Invasion was an Allied invasion against the Nazis. 150 000 Allied troops landed in the Invasion area on D-Day, the day the invasion took place. Over 400 000 people were killed in the fighting. The goal was to capture land from the Germans, to help them win the war. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/normandy-invasion -
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bugle was Hitler's last major offensive. The goal was to split the Allies on their way to Germany. It took place during frigid conditions. The Allied line looked like a bulge during the attack, which gave it its name. The Germans failed and ended up with many losses. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-the-bulge -
Battle of Iwo Jima
The Battle of Iwo Jima was a battle between the U.S and Japan. The Americans invaded the island of Iwo Jima, which served as an airfield.19 000 of 21 000 Japanese soldiers were killed. It was invaded because it had three airfields that could serve as facilities for the U.S. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima -
Liberation of the Concentration Camps
Towards the end of the war, when the Allies were advancing, they liberated many camps full of prisoners. The prisoners were treated very poorly and almost all were starving and sick. Many prisoners were killed by eating as they couldn't digest the food. https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/liberation-of-the-concentration-camps -
Battle of Okiniwa
The Battle of Okiniwa was a battle fought between the U.S and Japan on the island of Okiniwa. It killed more than 12 000 Americans and 100 000 Japanese soldiers. Atleast 100 000 civilians were also killed or committed suicide. The goal of the invasion was to neutralize Japanese air fields and to provide air cover. -
VE Day
VE Day means Victory in Europe Day. It celebrates the acceptance of the Nazi surrender. It marks the end of the Nazis. https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/accountability-operations-customer-service/access-city-information-or-records/city-of-toronto-archives/whats-online/web-exhibits/v-e-day-and-v-j-day-the-end-of-world-war-ii-in-toronto-1945/ -
Dropping of the Atomic Bombs
On August 6th, 1945, an American plane dropped the worlds first atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. It killed 80 000 people with the explosion and destroyed 90% of the city, many later died to radiation exposure. It was used to make Japan surrender. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/08/hiroshima-atomic-bomb-nuclear-attack-changed-history-190806100602771.html -
VJ Day
VJ Day is Victory over Japan Day. It's the day Japan surrendered in World War 2, which brought the war to an end. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/v-j-day
