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Nazi Germany Invades Poland
In September 1939, Nazi Germany invaded Poland, marking the beginning of World War II. This act of aggression led to a series of military conflicts and the subsequent involvement of various nations in the war. -
Evacuation of Dunkirk
In May and June 1940, during the Battle of France, the evacuation of Dunkirk took place. British and Allied forces were trapped by German forces on the beaches of Dunkirk, but a massive rescue operation managed to evacuate hundreds of thousands of soldiers to safety. -
German Blitzkrieg
In May 1940, German forces launched a lightning-fast military campaign known as the "Blitzkrieg" against Holland, Belgium, and France. The overwhelming speed and firepower of the German forces led to the rapid collapse of these countries and the eventual occupation by Nazi Germany. -
Battle of Britain
From July to September 1940, the Battle of Britain took place as the Royal Air Force (RAF) defended the United Kingdom against the German Luftwaffe's relentless bombing campaign known as the "Blitz." The resilience and bravery of the RAF pilots, combined with the use of radar technology, led to a crucial victory for the Allies. -
Pearl Harbour
In December 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy launched a surprise attack on the United States Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This event propelled the United States into World War II and resulted in the subsequent declaration of war by the U.S. against Japan. -
Allies take Tobruk
In November 1941, during the North African Campaign, Allied forces successfully captured the strategic port city of Tobruk from Axis forces. This victory boosted morale for the Allies and provided them with a crucial foothold in the region. -
Operation Barbarossa
In June 1941, Nazi Germany commenced Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union. This massive military campaign aimed to conquer vast territories and eliminate the Soviet Union as a perceived threat to the Axis powers. -
The fall of Singapore
In February 1942, British forces defending Singapore surrendered to the Japanese, resulting in the fall of the city. This event was a significant blow to the Allied forces and marked a turning point in the war in the Pacific. -
The Battle of Midway
In June 1942, the Battle of Midway took place between the United States and Japan. The U.S. Pacific Fleet successfully repelled a Japanese attack, inflicting heavy losses on their naval forces and shifting the balance of power in the Pacific theater. -
First news of Nazi atrocities against Jewish people reaches the Allies
In December 1942, the Allies received the first concrete information about the atrocities committed by the Nazis against Jewish people, including the mass murder of Jews in extermination camps. This revelation further solidified the Allies' determination to defeat Nazi Germany and put an end to the Holocaust. -
German forces surrender at Stalingrad
In February 1943, the Battle of Stalingrad concluded with the surrender of German forces to the Soviet Union. This marked a significant turning point in the war, as it was the first major defeat suffered by the Germans and led to a series