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WWII Timeline
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German Invasion of Poland
On September 1, 1939, German soldiers marched through Warsaw, Poland. It caused many European countries, especially Poland, to become angered. The invasion took place mostly because of lingering resentment over Germany's loss of the Polish Corridor territory under the Treaty of Versailles. Poland was under the control of Germany until 1945. It was significant because it was the first time military engagement had taken place in the European theater since the war started. It was the start of the w -
Battle of Britain (Picture)
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Battle of Britain
On July 10, 1940, the Germans began the first in a long series of bombing raids against Great Britain, known as the Battle of Britain, which lasted three and a half months. Britain was getting punished over and over with brutal bombings, but they refused to surrender and become a part of Nazi Germany. The battle ended October 31st. This battle was significant because it proved that Germany could be defeated and it proved that America’s supplying of arms to Britain had been a worthwhile cause. -
Bombing of London
On September 7, 1940, some 300 German bombers began bombing London. German and British fighter planes battled each other in the skies over London. This was the largest single bombing mission to date. The attack ended with Britain coming out victorious over Germany. It also prevented a ground attack from Germany. It was significant because it proved that Britain was still in the war and had the ability to defeat Germany. It proved that Britain controlled the air in the war. -
Operation Barbarossa
On June 22, 1941, Hitler sent his armies east to invade the Soviet Union. With over three million German soldiers, 150 divisions, and three thousand tanks pushed their way into Soviet territory and covered over 2,000 miles. Unfortunately for the Germans, they had greatly underestimated the power of Russia. They were crushed by the Soviet forces. Barbarossa was a significant turning point in World War II, because its failure forced Germany to fight a two-front war against many other countries. -
Battle of Moscow (Picture)
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Battle of Moscow
On October 2, 1941, Hitler’s army invaded Russia with the intention of defeating them. However, like Napoleon, Hitler’s army had a rough time dealing with Russia’s harsh weather. By the time the Germans finally reached Moscow by December, they had to retreat because they were being pushed back by the Red Army. The Battle of Moscow ended up being one of the largest, most significant battles of the war, because it was a turning point for the Allies as well as the Axis powers. -
Battle of Stalingrad (Picture)
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Battle of Stalingrad
Angered by the defeat at Moscow, Hitler wanted to try for Russia a second time. Once Stalin figured out Hitler’s plans, he started setting up his defences. The battle started on July 17, 1942. Most of the brutal battle took place in the streets of Stalingrad. Despite suffering huge losses, the Soviets eventually pushed the German army out. This battle was significant to WWII because it was a big morale booster for the Soviets because they had now successfully pushed out the Germans twice. -
Battle of Kursk (Picture)
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Battle of Kursk (part 2/2)
This battle was quite significant because it was the last of three battles that Germany had been involved in within the past few months.According to Winston Churchill, the battle of Kursk “heralded the downfall of the German army on the Eastern Front." -
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Battle of Kursk (part 1/2)
On July 4, 1943, Germany decided to try to gain the offensive on the Eastern front after the defeat in Stalingrad. However, the Soviet Union knew well of Germany’s plans and was ready for them with a huge army of vehicles. Many lives were lost from both sides throughout the battle, but eventually Germany gave up and retreated. (Check part 2) -
D-Day
On June 6, 1944 British, American, French, and Canadian troops fought to control a 60 mile stretch of beach in Normandy. The Germans fought back hard. It was a very bloody battle for the allies. Despite heavy losses, the allies prevailed and held the beach. This was a significant event because by one month later, one million new soldiers had arrived to help break through German defences and later liberate France, Belgium, and Luxembourg. -
Battle of the Bulge
As the Soviet army approached Germany from the east, the allies were approaching on the right. This make Hitler anxious, and he decided to attack the allies in an attempt to split them up. On December 16, 1944, German tanks attacked weak American defences. Although it was a suprise attack, the allies were able to pull through and force the Germans to retreat. This was significant because it proved that Hitler was getting desperate and that the allies were a very strong force. -
Battle of Berlin (Picture)
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Battle of Berlin
On April 16,1945, Soviet forces broke through the Seelöwe Heights after being delayed for a couple of days. Two Soviet Armies encircled Berlin preventing the Anglo-Americans from taking it. Soviet forces were armed with powerful weapons, whereas the defenders relied largely on old rifles. The Reichstag fell in early May after Hitler killed himself the day before and a ceasefire was made on the May 2, 1945. This battle was significant because it marked the end of WWII in Europe. -
Hiroshima and Nagasaki (picture)
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Hiroshima and Nagasaki part 1/1
On August 6, 1945, an American bomber dropped the world’s first deployed atomic bomb over the Japanese city of Hiroshima. The explosion wiped out 90 percent of the city and immediately killed 80,000 people. Three days later, another A-bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, killing around 40,000 people. -
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Hiroshima and Nagasaki part 2/2
Japan's Emperor Hirohito announced his country's unconditional surrender in World War II in a radio address on August 15. This is significant because it completely ended WWII for every country that had been involved.
