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Blitzkrieg
The Blitzkrieg, or "Lightning War", was a battle strategy used by the Germans in WWII. Hitler used this tactic to quickly conquer a lot of land. The Blitzkrieg led to the downfall of Poland, Belgium, France, and other countries. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/blitzkrieg -
Operation Barbarrosa
Operation Barbarrosa, was an attempt made by Hitler and his generals to storm the USSR. This operation was a failure though, as many conditions such as the muddy environment and underestimation of the Soviet forces. The failure resulted in the Germans being forced to fight on two fronts. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/operation-barbarossa -
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor was an important naval station situated within the island of Oahu. The Imperial Japanese Navy made a surprise attack on the ships in dock, and the aircraft resting on Ford Island. This attack caught Americans off guard and greatly weakened the naval force. This attack also cause the US to be drawn into WWII. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/pearl-harbor-bombed -
Wannsee Conference
The Wannsee Conference was a meeting of German officials. They discussed various ways of solving the "Jewish question". There were many ideas proposed like shipping the Jews off to Madagascar or shoving them all into Poland. Eventually they came to the conclusion of using gas to exterminate Jewish people. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-wannsee-conference -
Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway was between the US Navy and the Imperial Japanese Navy, over a small Pacific island: Midway. The Japanese wanted to gain control of Midway since it was essential for conquering the Pacific. Naval codebreakers, however, were able to intercept Japanese messages and allow the USN to set up an ambush. They drove the IJN forces back, and were able to sink four Japanese aircraft carriers https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-midway -
Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad was the defense of the city of Stalingrad by Soviets against the Germans. Just like in Barbarrosa, the Germans were halted by frosty conditions. The Soviets ended up encircling the Germans in the city, leading to the defeat of the Wermacht. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-stalingrad#section_1 -
Allied invasion of Italy
Italy was under the control of dictator Benito Mussolini and he was allied with Nazi Germany. When the allied forces landed in Sicily, they were met with little resistance due to Sicilian troops being demoralized. Italian surrender occurred on the day of landing, and the Italians secretly negotiated with allies. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/allies-invade-italian-mainland -
D-Day
D-Day is another name for Operation Neptune, the landing of allied troops on Omaha Beach, Normandy. It marked the beginning of Operation Overlord, a plan to liberate Paris from German hands. Upon landing, troops were greeted with suppressing fire and hail from above. Eventually, the allies made it through in late August, planning to invade Germany, meeting with Russians attacking from the opposite side https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/d-day -
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was Hitler's attempt at splitting the split the allies and delay or stop their advance into Germany. The allies held strong, taking a lot of casualties, but resisted until Christmas Day, when they were able to make a breakthrough. This counter resulted in the failure of the German offensive, the allied advance to Berlin, and eventually the end of the war in Europe https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-the-bulge -
Battle of Iwo Jima
The island of Iwo Jima was seen to the Americans as a way of staging attacks on the Japanese mainland, due to its three airfields. The Marines that landed were bombarded with fire from camouflaged machine gun nests and artillery positions. The Marines eventually pushed through, capturing Mount Suribachi, resulting in the famous photograph of the Marines pushing up the American Flag. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima#section_2 -
Battle of Okinawa
The siege of the island of Okinawa was one of the last major battles of the war, and one of America's most brutal. The Marines landed with no resistance, but ended up walking into an ambush set up by the Japanese Army. The Marines held out though, defeating the forces occupying the island. The victory of Okinawa eventually led to the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and soon after the end of the war. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-okinawa -
Buchenwald concentration camp liberated
Buchenwald was a concentration camp near Weimar, Germany. The camp was second to only the famous Auschwitz by means of killing Jews. When the allies were approaching, the camp was supposed to be blown up. It never was though, and US Army members freed all the Jews inside. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-u-s-army-liberates-buchenwald-concentration-camp -
VE Day
V-E Day is the day that the Nazis finally laid down their weapons, marking the end of the war in Europe. Millions of Germans were taken prisoner by the Soviets. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/victory-in-europe -
Bombing of Hiroshima
The bombing of Hiroshima was an attempt to get Japan to final surrender. The mission was ordered by President Truman. The bomb used for Hiroshima was nicknamed "Little Boy", a 9000 pound uranium bomb. It was carried by a modified B-29 Superfortress nicknamed "Enola Gay", and devastated the Japanese city. About 90% of the population was wiped out from both impact, and aftermath https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bombing-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki -
Bombing of Nagasaki
The bombing of Nagasaki was another attempt at getting Japan to surrender. Since Hiroshima didn't work, Truman decided to send another A-bomb to Japan. This one being "Fat Boy", a 10,000 pound plutonium bomb. This one was also carried on a modified B-29, "Bockscar". It was dropped onto Nagasaki, killing about 40,000 people. It eventually led to the surrender of Japan, and the end of World War II. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bombing-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki -
VJ Day
After the dropping of the atomic bombs, Japan had finally given in, and decided to surrender. The official signing of surrender papers was performed on September 2, 1945, onboard the USS Missouri who was docked in Tokyo Bay. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/v-j-day
