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World War II Begins - "Canadian"
-Germany invades Poland.
-September 3, 1939 France and Great Britain declare war on Germany.
-April 9-June 9, 1940 Germany invades and takes control of Denmark.
-May 10-June 22,1940 Germany takes over much of Western Europe including the Netherlands, Belguim and Northern France.
-June 10, 1940 Italy enters the war as a member of the Axis Powers.
This WWII event has personal meaning to me because my great grandfather, Fenton Thomas, and great great grandfather, Joseph Lockhart Sr. joined the war. -
Battle of Britain
-Germany launches an air attack on Great Britain.
-These attacks last until the end of October.
This event is important to WWII because if Britain hadn't defeated Germany we may be speaking a different language with different views. We would not have the same freedom. -
Axis Alliance
-Germany, Italy and Japan sign the Tripartite Pact creating the Axis Alliance.
This event is important to WWII because Germany, Italy and Japan were the nations that fought against our Allied forces. The Alliance ended in 1945 when the Axis Powers were defeated. -
Battle of the Atlantic- "Canadian"
-Winston Churchill (British Prime Minister) uses the phrase "Battle of the Atlantic" to describe how they were trying to defeat the German Navy. Canada and the US were keeping the shipping lanes open to Europe. Supplies and troops were taken to Europe by convoys of ships.
This event is an important Canadian Contribution to WWI because by the end of the war, Canada had guided 25,421 merchant ships across the Atlantic and the Royal Canadian Air Force destroyed 47 U-boats and 2 Italian subs. -
Attack on Russia
-Germany and the Axis Powers attack Russia, with over four million troops.
-Known as Operation Barbarossa.
This event is important to WWII because Russia was a strong power that the Axis Powers could not defeat. -
Pearl Harbour Attack
-Japan attacks Pearl Harbour. The next day, the US joins the Allies.
-June 4, 1942 US defeats Japan at the Battle of Midway.
This event is important to WWII because Japan bombed the United States, causing them to join the war. -
Dieppe - "Canadian"
-Canada forms a major part of the Dieppe Raid.
-5000 Canadians take part.
-2000 return to England.
This event is an important Canadian Contribution to WWII because Canada formed the bulk of the Dieppe Raid. Many Canadians lost their lives. This was viewed as a failure. -
Italy Surrenders
-Italy surrenders to the Allies.
-This was a major blow to the German morale.
This WWII event has personal meaning to me because my great uncle, Joseph Lockhart Jr was killed in Italy during the war. -
D-Day - "Canadian"
-Normandy is invaded by Canada, US, and Britain. 14,000 Canadians stormed across the beaches and advanced inland.
-The victory was a turning point in WWII and led to the liberation of Europe. Nazi Germany was defeated.
-340 Canadians died. 574 Canadians were wounded.
This event is an important Canadian Contribution to WWII because Canadians landed on Juno beach and advanced farther than any other troops. They were the only ones to meet their D-Day objectives. This boosted Canadian morale. -
Battle of the Bulge
-Germans attack in Belguim, France and Luxembourg. They lose to the Allies, sealing the fate of the German Army.
-This battle lasted until Jan. 25, 1945.
This event is important to WWII because this was seen as Hitler's last major offensive in the war. American forces faced heavy losses but were still able to counter attack the Germans. The Allies regain their territory. -
Germany Surrenders - V-E Day
-Germany surrenders to the Allies.
This event is important to WWII because it was the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany. This marked the end of WWII in Europe. -
Atomic Bombs
-The US drops the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. The city is destroyed.
-August 9, 1945 Another bomb is dropped on Nagasaki, Japan.
This event is important to WWII because it was the world's first deployed atomic bomb. These bombs brought about the surrender of Japan. -
Japan Surrenders
-It was announced on this day that Japan had surrendered to the Allies.
This event is important to WWII because this surrender ends WWII. This ended six years of hostilities.
