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Canada declares war on Germany
After Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939, U.K and France declared war on September 3rd. Canada's political leaders decided to seek the approval of the federal parliament to declare war. September 10th,1939 Canada joined too.
It's important because it showed Canada's independence, by joining in late. Canada knew all along that they were going to join anyway, but Prime Minister William Lyon decided to seek unnecessary permission from the federal parliament to assert their power. -
Fall Of France
The German invasion of France during the War. From 10 May, German forces defeated Allied forces by mobile operations and conquered France, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, bringing land operations on the Western Front to an end until 6 June.
It's important because it was Hitler's greatest gamble. Not only did the french have more military and tanks, but also improved tanks. Hitler planned it very nicely, attack from the south(forest). So, it took them by surprise. He took high risks. -
Miracle of Dunkirk
Saving Allied soldiers from the harbor of Dunkirk, France. The operation was decided when large numbers of Allied troops were cut off/surrounded by Germany.
Importance: British evacuated over 300,000 soldiers but used almost its entire supply of tanks/vehicles and war supplies.
Hitler to halt his Panzer divisions for 36 hours, instead of letting them finish off the exhausted and outnumbered British. He told his generals "it is good to let a broken army know they've suffered" as an explanation. -
Battle Of Britain
Germany wanted to invade Great Britain, but first they needed to destroy Great Britain's Royal Air Force. The Battle was when Germany bombed Great Britain in order to try and destroy their air force and prepare for invasion.
Importance:Hitler ordered the Luftwaffe to attack London. Which only pissed the British off and freed to RAF to concentrate on regaining control of the skies over Britain. London burned, but German casualties mounted to the point where they had to call off the campaign. -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Territory, on the morning of December 7, 1941.
Importance:it ignited the fury of the United States' entrance into World War II. The following day, December 8, 1945, the United States declared war on Japan. It woke the "Sleeping Giant". Not only did U.S get involved but, it also lost the lives of many. -
Invasion Of Hong Kong
The attack was in violation of international law as Japan had not declared war against the Britain. It was met with stiff resistance from the Hong Kong garrison, composed of local,British, and Canadian forces. In a week the defenders left the mainland and 2 weeks later, the colony surrendered.
Importance: Canadians who fought, sacrificed much in their efforts to help bring peace to the people of Asia.The survivors who served as prisoners of war also shows how much they sacrificed. -
Operation of Barbarossa
Nazi Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union during . It was driven by an ideological desire to conquer the Western Soviet Union so that it could be repopulated by Germans, to use Slavs as a slave labor force for the Axis war-effort.
Importance: Hitler was fighting a two-front war. Hitler made a grave mistake,it outnumbered him 3 to 1 in population, and had massive distances and areas to contend with.Its guaranteed that he would lose. -
Dieppe Raid
Launched a major raid on the small French port of Dieppe. Designed to test the Allies' ability to launch amphibious assaults against Hitler's Fortress Europe.German defences were on the alert. The main Canadian landing on the beach failed to succeed.
Importance: Canada’s experiences have been marked by great triumphs but also by harsh setbacks. It was one of the darkest chapters in our country’s military history but it was also marked by great courage and helped learn important lessons. -
Allied Troops Land in Sicily
The invasion of Sicily,began before dawn with combined air and sea landings involving 150,000 troops, 3,000 ships and 4,000 aircraft, directed at the southern shores of the island.
Importance:Many enemy troops managed to retreat across the strait into Italy, the operation had secured a necessary air base from which to support the liberation of mainland Italy. It also freed the Mediterranean sea lanes and contributed to the downfall of Mussolini, allowing a war-wearied Italy to sue for peace. -
Battle Of Ortona
A battle fought between 2 battalions of elite German paratroops from the German 1st Parachute Division and assaulting Canadian troops from the Canadian 1st Infantry Division, most of which were fresh recruits whose first taste of combat was during the Invasion of Sicily.
Importance: Canadian soldiers learned valuable skills during this battle, they were able to push the Germans out of Italy.Canadians were the victors in the Battle for Ortona. They lost 1375 men in the 8 days they were fighting. -
D-Day
The Invasion of Normandy. On June 6, 1944 the Allied Forces of Britain, America, Canada, and France attacked German forces on the coast of Normandy, France. With a huge force of over 150,000 soldiers, the Allies attacked and gained a victory that became the turning point for World War II in Europe.
Importance:the main Allied invasion of Europe. It allowed the Allies to finally defeat Germany. In order for the Allies to defeat Germany, there would have to be an invasion of Europe. -
Canadians Liberate Netherlands
Canadians kicked Germans out of Netherlands, allowing food and other relief to reach millions of desperate people.The Canadian army focused on the Netherlands, helping to liberate large cities. Later, Germany surrendered unconditionally.
Importance: Canadians achieved and sacrificed much in their efforts to help bring freedom to Europeans. Thousands of Canadians lost their lives. The world recognizes the sacrifices of all the Canadians, who left a lasting legacy of peace. -
V-E Day
German troops throughout Europe finally laid down their arms: in Prague, Germans surrendered to their Soviet antagonists, the German surrender was realized in a final cease-fire. More surrender documents were signed in Berlin and in eastern Germany.
Importance: Victory of Europe meant Victory over Japan because the allies could now focus on Japan, only. Resulting in the end of war. -
Hiroshma and Nagasaki Attacks
On August 6, 1945 the US dropped an atomic bomb ("Little Boy") on Hiroshima in Japan. Three days later a second atomic bomb ("Fat Man") was dropped on the city of Nagasaki. These were the only times nuclear weapons have been used in war.
Importance:
Ended the war
Nuclear weapons made America a world leader and the only nation with nuclear weapons(until 1949).
America demonstrated that they had the technology to create a nuclear weapon and also the resources to create not one but two bombs. -
V-J Day
Japan surrendered, in effect ending the war. The term has been applied to both of the days on which the initial announcement of Japan's surrender was made- the day of the actual announcement and the day when an official document was signed.
Importance: the greatest war in history finally came to an end. And not just to an end, but to the best conclusion that could be expected, considering the circumstances. And for the millions of lives, Americans and Japanese alike, saved by Truman’s decision.
