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Holocaust
The Holocaust was a deliberate, organized, state-sponsored persecution and murder of approximately six million European Jews and at least five million prisoners of war. Antisemitism was a centuries-long phenomenon in Europe, but reached its height in Germany during the Nazi 1933-1945. On assuming power, Hitler began a systematic campaign to strip Jews of their property and jobs. It became difficult for Jews to leave Germany. -
Invasion of Poland
The German invasion of Poland was a primer for Hitler's "blitzkrieg" strategy, which included bombing, land invasion, infantry, security forces, concentration camps, and extermination of civilians. It was characterized by extensive bombing, land invasion, infantry, security forces, and concentration camps. -
Battle of Midway
The Midway Islands were formally annexed by the U.S. in 1867 and became a regular stopover point for transpacific flights. In World War II, the U.S. Navy began work on a major air and submarine base there and was included in the opening offensive of the Pacific War. -
Operation Torch
Operation Torch was the first major Allied amphibious assault during World War II, involving 65,000 troops who landed at the French North African coast. It was preceded by secret negotiations with Vichy representatives in a bid to minimize French and Allied bloodshed. At Casablanca, several French warships were sunk and the town surrendered. In Algiers and Oran, operations to seize the harbor facilities were repulsed with heavy loss of life. -
Operation Overlord (D-Day)
The D-Day operation on June 6, 1944 was the largest invasion force in human history. It included 7,000 ships and landing craft manned by 195,000 naval personnel from eight allied countries. 133,000 troops from the United States, British Commonwealth, and their allies landed on D-Day, with 10,300 casualties. By June 30, 850,000 men, 148,000 vehicles, and 570,000 tons of supplies had landed on the Normandy shores. ]
