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The War Begins
Great Britain and France declare war on Germany as a result of the German invasion and bombing of Poland. However, their efforts were of no use to Poland, as they acted too late to be able to respond to Germany’s military forces. After his win, Hitler annexes the largely German-populated western portion of Poland. Auden, W. H. "September 1, 1939." Another Time. New York: Random House, 1939. Print. -
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WWII
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Fall of France
France surrenders to German invasion, which takes control of northern France, and leaves the southern part in control of a puppet government led by Marshal Philippe Pétain in Vichy. In response to this, French general Charles de Gaulle sets up a government-in-exile in London in the effort of trying to regain control of France. "Franco-German Armistice: June 25, 1940.” The Avalon Project. Yale Law School, n.d. Web. 9 March 2015. -
The Battle of Britain
As a result of the surprisingly strong British resistance - aided by the Enigma decoder and use of radar technology - against Germany in this battle, Germany decides to quit bombing missions during the day and instead focuses in doing such tasks at night time to avoid attacks from the Royal Air Force. Britain’s strong resistance later makes Germany withdraw from the war. -
Hitler Helps Mussolini
Hitler sends the Afrika Korps Tank to aid Mussolini in his conflict with Britain in Egypt, which causes Britain to retreat. -
Operation Barbarossa
Germany begins its invasion of the Soviet Union, breaking their 10 year neutrality pact. The Soviet Union is caught unprepared, and relies on the scorched earth policy - the same they had previously used against Napoleon - to fight back Germany. Similar to Napoleon's case, Hitler fails to send his soldiers prepared for the Russian winter, and when his generals advice a retreat, he forbids it and as a result 500,000 of his men die. -
No More Oil For Japan
US President Roosevelt cuts oil supply to Japan as a result of their invasion of French Indochina. -
The Day of Infamy
Japanese military forces carry out a surprise attack on the US at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This leaves an astounding number of casualties and damage, which motivates President Roosevelt to declare war on Japan and its allies. "Franklin D. Roosevelt's Infamy Speech." US Historical Documents. The University of Oklahoma College of Law, n.d. Web. 9 March 2015. -
The Final Solution
The Nazi genocidal plan to extinguish the non-Aryan race begins. German leaders referred to this always as "The Final Solution,” in order to conceal their wrongdoings. Frank, Anne. Anne Frank: the Diary of a Young Girl. Trans. B.M. Mooyaart. New York: Bantam, 1993. -
Japanese Cities Bombarded
US military forces bomb Japanese cities - among them Tokyo. This plays a significant role in the psychological aspect of the war, as it makes it clear that Japan isn't unbeatable, it is subject to attacks. -
The Battle of Midway
The US discovers that Japan is planning an attack on American-controlled Midway Island, and hence prepares for the attack. The Battle begins on June 4 and ends on June 7, with a strong US causing a weakened Japan to retreat. This Allied win gives them an advantage in the war and is a key element in raising their morale. -
The Battle of Guadalcanal
On August 7 the war begins when the US and Australia land on Guadalcanal following Douglas MacArthur’s island-hopping plan to defeat Japan. The brutal war ends half a year afterwards, on February 1943, claiming the life of more than 36,000 Japanese soldiers hence making Japan withdraw. -
Operation Overlord
This operation is more commonly known as D-Day, a military term referring to the day when a military action is set to begin. The Allies invade Normandy in their effort of beginning to regain control of Europe. After a couple of months of fighting and great casualties, the Allies triumph and take control of Paris, and a month later, succeed in Liberating France, Belgium, and Luxembourg. -
The Battle of the Bulge
Germany faces a two front war: against the Allies on the west, and against the Soviet Union on the east. Hitler then decides Germany must attempt to shake up the alliance between Britain and the US (in order to weaken the Western front) by triumphantly attacking the Allied front. On December 16, German forces break through unprepared American defenses. However, the Allies then manage to push the Germans back and force them to withdraw. -
Yalta Conference
Representatives of the main Allied powers - the US, Britain, and the Soviet Union - meet at Russia to discuss further plans for the war and the fate of the world after the war. The main things discussed at the conference were:
- Soviet Union help in the Pacific Front, if needed, would give Russia a heavy influence in Manchuria in return.
- Governing of Germany after the end of the war
- War reparations: Germany should finance some but not all reparations
- Future plans for the United Nations -
Battle of Okinawa
US forces arrive to Japanese island Okinawa - 350 miles south of Japan. This commences a land battle between the US and Japan, which finishes with an Allied triumph and a heavy number of casualties for both sides: 100,000 Japanese and 12,000 American troops are lost. -
Victory in Europe Day
General Eisenhower accepts the surrender from Nazi Germany’s armed forces, and two days afterwards, the official surrender is signed in Berlin. This signifies the end of the European front of World War Two.
Note: V-E Day is celebrated on May 7th only in countries belonging to the commonwealth, in the rest of the world it is celebrated on May 8th. -
Hiroshima Bombing
The US drops an atomic bomb over Hiroshima in response to the Japanese’s unwillingness to surrender after being told that if they didn’t, they would face their ruin. About 70,000 people are killed instantly. Educational Video Group. "President Harry Truman announces the Bombing of Hiroshima." Onlne video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 22 Jan. 2013. Web. 9 Mar. 2015. -
Nagasaki Bombing
The US drops an atomic bomb over Nagasaki and, similarly to Hiroshima, about 70,000 people perish instantly. -
The End of the War
Japan surrenders to General Douglas MacArthur in the US battleship Missouri, signifying the end of the Pacific front of WWII, and most importantly, the entire war itself.
