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Germany invades Poland
Germany invades Poland, marking what many regard as the start of the war, though Japan invaded China on July 7, 1937. Two days later, France and the United Kingdom declare war on Germany. -
Germany launches an air war
Germany launches an air war, known as the Battle of Britain, against the United Kingdom. -
Japan’s naval air force attacks military bases on Oahu
In just over an hour, the Japanese destroyed more than 180 aircraft and destroyed or damaged more than a dozen ships. More than 2,400 U.S. military members and civilians were killed. -
the u.s. navy defeats the Japanese navy at the Battle of Midway.
Dive bombers from the carriers Yorktown and Enterprise destroyed Japan's frontline carriers Hiryu Soryu Akagi and Kaga All four had participated in the attack on Pearl Harbor just six months before, and all four now lay at the bottom of the Pacific. The Battle of Midway had been a decisive American victory. -
Italy surrenders to the Allies
Italy in the summer of 1943, after having deposed Mussolini on 25 July would have simply wanted to surrender and sign a peace agreement with the Allies, because the war situation was irremediably compromised and they wanted to avoid further destruction to the country.Jun 19, 2018 -
Allied forces land on the beaches of Normandy
The D-Day operation of June 6, 1944, brought together the land air, and sea forces of the allied armies in what became known as the largest amphibious invasion in military history. The operation, given the codename OVERLORD delivered five naval assault divisions to the beaches of Normandy France. -
U.S. Marines land on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima.
Smith USMC, landed on Iwo Jima on February 19. Despite the 14,000 tons of shells fired on it by the U.S. Navy, the island was won by the blood of the thousands of Marines. The men attacked the massive interconnected underground defenses with flame throwers, bazookas, demolition charges, and grenades. -
Germany surrenders to the Allies, marking V-E Day.
On Victory in Europe Day or V-E Day Germany unconditionally surrendered its military forces to the Allies, including the United States. On May 8, 1945 known as Victory in Europe Day or V-E Day celebrations erupted around the world to mark the end of World War II in Europe. -
Japan surrenders ending the war
Japan formally surrenders to the Allies, marking V-J Day, although the initial announcement of surrender was made Aug. 15, 1945. -
The U.S. drops an atomic bomb on Hiroshima
The atomic bomb used at Hiroshima, Japan, on August 6, 1945, was "Little Boy". The bomb was dropped by a USAAF B-29 bomber, Enola Gay, piloted by U.S. Army Air Force Colonel Paul Tibbets, Jr. The bomb weighed 9,000 pounds and had a diameter of only 28 inches.