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Hitler Invades Poland
Germany invaded Poland. Two days later, Britain and France declared war on Germany. This declaration formally started World War II. -
Blitzkrieg
Germany launched a lightning war against Belgium and the Netherlands and occupies the two countries. -
Italy Enters the War
Italy entered the Second World War and joined the Axis powers. This is the start of an alliance, fighting against the Allied powers. -
France Surrenders
France surrendered to Germany and becomes occupied by the Germans. Through this surrender, Germany was able to show its powers to the Allied Forces. -
Operation Barbarossa
Germany launched an attack on Russia, sent 3.5 million troops and 3,500 tanks to Russia. This resulted in the two nations in discarding the mutual agreement which they signed earlier on in the war. Operation Barbarossa could have been the main cause of Germany's defeat in World War II. -
Battle of Stalingrad
The Russians defeated the German Army for the first time during the Second World War at Stalingrad. -
Italy Surrenders
After the Allied forces landed in Sicily, the public support for Mussolini heavily descended. This led a new government replacing Mussolini and signing an armistice. This surrendered weakened the Axis forces in the European theater as Germany was the only Axis power left fighting in Europe. -
Tehran Conference
Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill met at Tehran to discuss new plans to fight Germany. This conference led to opening of a second front front against Germany. -
D-Day
The Allied forces landed in Normandy and invaded the region. The D-Day combat led to the Allies securing a victory in the Western Front. This marked a turning point in the war at the European theater. -
Germany Surrenders
The German forces surrendered to the Allies shortly after Hitler committed suicide in his bomb shelter. Hitler's successor, Donitz then offered an unconditional surrender to the Allied forces. This surrender officially ended World War II in the European theater.