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Japanese Invasion of China
China was resisting Japanese expansion and tried to build a series of rail roads that would lead them away from the Japanese. Their attempt failed and the Japanese took over many Chinese cities one after another. Many were killed or injured and overall it became a loss for China.The nationalist government in China was not listening to the Japanese at the time and it only upset the Japanese more. With a good fight Japan gained control of most of the ports and sea, and China faced defeat. -
Rape of Nanking
During conflicts with the Japanese and Chinese, the massacre of Nanking took place. Japan invaded the city of Nanking and attempted to destroy it. In the process the Japanese general, Matsui had butchered thousands of war prisoners in the city, raped thousands of girls of all ages, and killed additional thousands of civilians. This event left a whole city in despair and bodies covering the streets. -
German's Blitzkrieg
Blitzkrieg also known as lightening warfare was a commonly military tactic used by the Germans in WWII. This type of force was used to shock civilians and scare them. Blitzkrieg is a very powerful and rapid technique that was used by the Germans. First it was used in Poland in 1939, then Belgium, France, and the Netherlands in 1940. -
Germany Invasion on Poland
The German invasion on Poland started with Hitler's idea of a "racially superior" country and the goal was to create living space for Germans in Poland. Before Germany could go after Poland, surrounding countries offered military back-up to Poland, this back-up scared Hitler and postponed his forces. Finally lightening warfare was used and took out millions of Polish Jews. -
Operation Barbarossa
In this fight, Hitler sends his troops to the Soviet Union. This invasion covered two thousand miles of land and brought in huge tanks to take down their targets. Germany's plan was to conquer and not liberate and planned to enslave people and kill the Jews. The Germans underestimated their opponents and it was a tough fight. Barbarossa was a fail on Germany's part and they fought a battle they couldn't win. -
Pearl Harbor
The Pearl Harbor attacked was a surprise invasion by Japanese forces. Just before 8 a.m. Sunday morning hundreds of Japanese fighter planes invaded Pearl Harbor, destroying 20 naval vessels, 8 battleships, over 300 planes and more than 2,400 American civilians. This event often is known as the reason why America entered the war. -
Battle of Stalingrad
This battle was between Nazi Germany and Russian forces and resulted in millions of death. It is said that Stalingrad was the longest and bloodiest fight in WWII. Stalingrad was a very an important city in Russia that was left demolished. Neither side would push back or give up and the winter ultimately put Germany in danger. Many Russians were taken to be slaves any many Germans were imprisoned. This was the first battle Germany was unsuccessful and it empowered Russian forces for the future. -
Battle of Midway
This battle took place shortly after the U.S. defeated the Japanese Navy. The United States victory led them to be a new powerful offensive position. Many Japanese carriers were sunk during this planned invasion and the U.S. lost a couple air crafts. The battle is looked at indecisive at who truly won, but its considered a turning point because it put the U.S. on the board as another upcoming powerful force. -
Bataan Death March
After Pearl Harbor the Japanese moved onto invading the Philippines. In what is known as the Bataan Death March, about 75,000 Philippines and American soldiers were forced to make a 65 mile march to prison camps. The weather consisted of intense heat and most were starved, soldiers who were too weak were often bayoneted by the Japanese military and treated harshly leaving many to die on this journey. After the second world war, the Japanese leader at the time admitted to his wrong doing. -
Warsaw Ghetto Uprising
The Warsaw Ghetto uprise was a violent revolt made by the Jews confined in Warsaw, Poland. Their goal was to steer clear from going to nazi-run extermination camps and their revolt inspired other ones later on. They failed in attempt and were confined in an even smaller area with brick walls with barbed wire and armed guards. Little food was distributed and many died from disease and starvation. -
Battle of Paris
On this day General Jacques Leclerc came to the French capital with great joy and pride. Two days before this, what is known as the french forces freed all the French civilian prisoners in Paris. Once JAcques attacked all German troops fled, even the ones that were captured surrendered but were still executed. More than 500 resistance fighters lost their lives in battle for freeing this prisoners, also along with 127 civilians. -
D- Day (Normandy Invasion)
Code named for "operation overload" the invasion took place on June 6, 1944. The allied forces landed on five beaches in Normandy in a very thought out plan. Germany was currently occupying France and the goal was to defeat them. The U.S. made it seem that other places were the target to confuse Germany on where was getting hit next. The allied forces were successful and pushed Germany out of France. -
Liberation of the Concentration Camps
The allied forces moved across Europe and at the last years of the second world war they came across the sick and starving prisoners in concentration camps. The Germans tried to hide all their mass murder crimes by destroying the camps but gas chambers were still left behind. After liberation, many of the remaining prisoners were fed and given water. The survivors then had a long road to return home in full recovery. -
Operation Thunderclap
Operation Thunderclap was a bombing in Germany's city, Dresden conducted by the allied forces. The objective was to bring down the production of Nazi war material down, but the city turned out to be a communication center and not a production zone. Either way the bombing hurt the Germans and it was a sign of payback for everything they have done. The British and American forces were in charge of the bombing and killed many innocent civilians and children. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
This battle was between U.S. Marines and the Japanese army in early 1945. During the invasion there were many challenges faced throughout for the marines. As the beaches were nothing but dunes made of volcanic ash making it difficult for any passage making for vehicles or even on foot. Most attacks were placed during dark because of lack of weapons and food, issuing more than 25,000 casualties and 7,000 deaths. -
Battle of Okinawa
Taking place as one of the last wars of WWll, also indicated as one of the bloodiest. More than 180,000 marines pushed toward Japan for a final rush to invade and occupy the Ryukyu Islands and Okinawa. The Japanese army led the marines right into a trap known as the Shuri Defense Line causing over 1,000 casualties but still ended up winning the battle. -
VE Day
On this day both Great Britain and The U.S. celebrated the defeat of the Nazi war machine. More than 13,000 British soldiers were released and sent back to Great Britain. -
Dropping of Atomic Bomb
The U.S. was the first known to use any type of atomic weaponry during this time. As this was supposed to be a symbol of the war ending, some say it started the cold war. The first bomb was dropped at Hiroshima killing more than 80,000 people. The second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki killing more than 40,000 people, then finally Japan surrendered. -
VJ Day
This was the day known for when Japan surrendered to there allies, ending World War II. This day stands for "Victoryover Japan Day" -
Battle of the Bulge
In this battle, Germany had a goal of surprising Allied forces in Europe with blitzkrieg. American units were caught of guard as that was intended and the took a bulge. The deadliest war took place in the frozen forest. Germans were used to this kind of climate but the Americans were not and served a disadvantage. This battle also became the most expensive during this world war, leaving both sides at a draw.
