WW2 Battles

German invasion of Poland

Sep 1, 1939

The German invasion of Poland was the official start date of World War 2. This was the first demonstration of a Blitzkrieg, Germany invaded from all sides for a rapid takeover of the country
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Battle of Britain

Mar 11, 1940

The battle of Britain was a military campaign where the RAF defended the UK against Nazi air attacks. This was regarded as the first all-air battle, and the UK was successfully defended from the Nazi air attacks.
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Battle of Belgium

Apr 10, 1940

The Battle of Belgium was an offensive campaign by Germany. Germany attacked Luxembourg, The Netherlands, and Belgium, and eventually pushed back Allied forces to the sea. Belgium was occupied by Germany until it was liberated in 1944.
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Battle of Crete

Apr 20, 1941

The battle of Crete, or Operation Mercury, was fought on the Greek Island of Crete. Allied forces along with Cretan citizens defended the island from a Nazi invasion. This was the first battle where Germany employed a mass amount of paratroopers.
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Operation 'Barbarossa'

Jun 22, 1941

Operation 'Barbarossa' was the codename for Germany's plan to invade the Soviet Union. Despite the pacts that Germany made, they still chose to invade them, and it led to the battle of Stalingrad. This was a major loss to both sides and was a turning point in the war

Battle of Moscow

Oct 2, 1941

The Battle of Moscow was Germany's attack on Moscow, the capitol of the Soviet Union. Germany Launched an all-out attack, and Russia employed and Soviet forces conducted a strategic defense and surrounded the German armies, ending the idea of a quick takeover. This resulted in a major German loss, and the beginning of the Soviet Counter-Offensive
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Pearl Harbor

Dec 7, 1941

This battle was a surprise attack by Japan on American Pearl Harbor on December 7 1941. Hundreds of Japanese planes destroyed nearly 20 american vessels including 8 battleships and over 300 airplanes.
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Operation Torch

Nov 16, 1942

Operation Torch was the Anglo-American invasino of French Morocco and algeria during the North African Campaign of WW2. It was intended to relieve pressure on the Soviet Union, but ended up in a compromise between the western Allies
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Battle of Kursk

May 7, 1943

the Battle of Kursk was an engagement between German and Soviet forceds near kursk. It was the final German offensive launched on the eastern front, and was a german defeat, as the soviet union had intel about the German's attack

Battle of Stalingrad

Aug 23, 1943

The Battle of Stalingrad was Germany and its allies trying to overtake the Soviet Union at the city of Stalingrad. This led to the massive defeat of the Germans where 1.8-2m soldiers were killed on both sides. This was a huge turning point in the war, significantly weakening the German Army.
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Battle of Monte Cassino

Jan 17, 1944

The Battle of Monte Cassino was a series of four assaults against Italy held by Axis Forces. Many failed attacks eventually led to a 20 division assault, finally defeating the German Defenders at the high cost of casualties.
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Battle of Anzio

Jan 22, 1944

The Battle of Anzio was a surprise attack by amphibious vehicles on German occupied Rome. The amphibious landing gave such a huge surprise that a jeep patrol made it as far as the outskirts of Rome. The battle led to German withdrawing their position to their next defensive position on the Gothic Line.
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Normandy

Jun 6, 1944

The Battle of Normandy, also known as Operation Overlord was the allied operation to invade German-Occupied West Europe. The Allies were failing in the beginning, but regained power and captured the port Cherbourg, and then the city of Caen. The Germans failed a counterattack, losing 50k soldiers and marking the success of operation overlord

Operation 'Bagration'

Jun 23, 1944

Operation Bagration was the codename for the Soviet Strategic offensive operation to attack belorussia. This was the biggest defeat of the German military, and completely destroyed the front lines.

Battle of the Bulge

Dec 16, 1944

The Battle of the bulge was the last major German offensive campaign on the western front during WW2. Germany intended to stop allies at the port of Antwerp. This was the bloodiest battle fought by the United States in WW2. The Allies came out on top, but their offensive plans were delayed, and Germany exhausted all their resources on the Western Front
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Battle of Berlin

May 16, 1945

The Battle of Berlin was by the Soviet Union as one of the last major offensives of WW2. Soviets attacked Berlin on the East and south sides. Germany had depleted and disorganized defenses within Berlin, and the Red Army eventually overtook the entire city. This attack led to Hitler's, and many of his officials committing suicide.
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