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The Invasion of Poland
The Invasion of Poland caused the death of nearly 150,000 Polish citizens. They were invaded by the USSR and Germany, and went down within days of the invasion. Many lives were lost and therefore Germany and the Soviet Union split Poland into different territories and gained an advantage within that area. German forces invaded from the north, south and the west, forcing the Polish to withdraw from their bases and go to defence lines. This event led to the beginning of a World War II. -
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World War II
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Germany Invades Denmark and Norway
Germany's decision to invade Denmark was a daring military operation. Hitler made this decision after long months of planning, and his attitude switched from lukewarm to aggressive. Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland had declared neutrality. But Germany wanted Norway for two reasons: a base for naval forces, and to secure shipments of iron-ore to Sweden. Germany was then in charge of the trade within the Baltic waters. -
North African Campaign
After the Germans invaded France, Italy had declared war on both France and Britain. The Desert War took place in North Africa, between the Axis of Powers and the Allies. Both sides were interested in the territory and put forth the effort to capture it, before the other side got a chance. This lasted for nearly three years. The Allies won in the end, and the Axis forces retreated to Italy. -
Battle of Britain
The German Air Forces planned an invasion against the United Kingdom. The Germans wanted superiority over the Royal Air Force, but in the end it did not happen. This was the first campaign to be fought entirely of air forces and also the largest aerial bombing to this day. This battle was Germany's first major defeat and prevented Germany from gaining superior air forces and ended the threat of Operation Sea Lion. -
Invasion of the Soviet Union
Operation Barbarossa took place between June 22 to December 5, 1942. The Germans invaded the Soviet Union in an effort to claim Soviet territory and to avoid the communist takeover. This marked the turning point in the war, which would decide the victors. But, in the end Hitler lost. After this loss, Hitler planned many more failed invasions of the USSR. This was the largest operation, resulting in huge casualties and manpower. -
Attack of Pearl Harbor
The Imperial Japanese Navy planned a surpise attack against the United States naval base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The attack was meant to prevent the US forces from interfering with Japan's plans to invade the United Kingdom, Netherlands, and the United States. This attack came as a shock and in turn led the US into World War II. Then on December 11, Germany and Italy declared war on the United States under the Tripartite Pact. -
Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway was the most important naval battle to take place during the Pacific campaign. Six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States Navy defeated the Imperial Japanese Navy. Midway was vital to the US forces, in making a submarine base allowing submarines to refuel and reprovision. The Americans won a smooth victory, and as a result the Japanese naval air forces declined in overall quality during the war. -
Battle of Stalingrad
This battle was a major turning point, in which the Allies started to gain an advantage in the war. This battle took a little over five months to complete. It is one of the bloodiest battles in the history of warfare. Germany suffered heavy losses, and the 6th army was destroyed. The Axis forces declined heavily on the Eastern Front, which gave the US a huge advantage in Europe. Many Soviet civilians were either killed, captured or wounded. -
Battle of Normandy
The Allied Expeditionary Force under Dwight D. Eisenhower landed in France. This battle took place on five different beaches: Juno, Sword, Gold, Omaha, and Utah. The landings took place in two different phases; an airbourne assault and an amphibious landing. In the end, the Allies gained a decisive victory. They gained five major beachheads in Normandy. -
Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
In the final stages of World War II, the US planned to bomb Japan in efforts to force them to surrender. For months, in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, scientists gathered and made an atomic bomb, which then was used on Japan. Japan suffered heavy losses, killing nearly 166,000 people in Hiroshima, and 80,000 in Nagasaki. Six days after the attack, Japan surrendered to the Allied forces, signing the instrument of Surrender on September 2, officially ending the war.
