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Germany invades Poland
German troops invade Poland. Polish army defeated within weeks. On September 3, 1939, Britan and France declare war on Germany. This is the start of the Second World War. -
"Phony War"
The Allies sent troops to the border of France and Germany and waited for Germany's next move. For seven months, until April 1940, nothing happened. -
Germany attacks Denmark and Norway
Germany renewed its Blitzkreig by attacking Denmark and Norway. Blitzkreig was a very succesful war tactic that used surprise, speed and power. This also included war planes, German tanks, and soldiers that would parachute into battle. Because of these tactics, Germany captured Denmark and Norway quickly. -
Germany invades the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Belgium.
After the conquest of Dernmark and Norway the German blitzkrieg in western Europe attacked the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Belgium. The German blitzkreig captured all three countries in a few weeks. -
Evacuation at Dunkirk
After launching the attack on France through Belgium, German tanks had already reached the English Channel and surround Allied forces at the French port of Dunkirk. The British Navy gathered every boat capable of crossing the English Channel. The boats were used to rescue 340,000 Allied soldiers and bring them back to the safety of Britan. -
North Africa Campaign
This was 3 year campaign over valuable resources and strategic positions. When Italy joined the Axis, Britan calvary and tanks invaded Libya, an Italian colony. Italy then invaded Egypt, wanting to control the Suez Canal. The Suez Canal and the Strait of Gibraltar would give the Axis access to oil. Britan defeated Italian forces, German forces were sent to help. The Allies took North Africa and then allowed them to attack Italy from there. -
France surrenders to Germany
The German advance continues to sweep southward driving before it not only the French army, but also 10 million refugees fleeing for their lives. The French abandon Paris. The French government surrendered, and the Germans now occupied 2 thirds of France. This also meant that Britan and the Commonwealth countries stood alone against Germany. -
The battle of Britan
After capturing France, Hitler's next operation - Operation Sealion - bombed harbors and shipping facilites, aircraft factories and airstrips in preparation for Germany's attack on Britan. -
The Blitz
After the bombings of industrial buildings, aircraft factories, and shipping facilites, the German Luftwafte aimed for civilian targets such as London for 55 days. This was known as the "Blitz". Even though the RAF were outnumbered, they still fought bravely and with the advantage of their new radar system, were successful against the Germans. The RAF continued to shoot down more and more German bombers and Hitler gave up on invading Britan. -
Operation Babarossa
After Germany's defeat at Britan, Hitler launched Operation Barbarossa - a massive attack on the Soviet Union. This broke the non aggression pact with Russia. Hitler saw Russia as a souce of resources, labor for his army, and it followed his plan to conquer Europe. Soviets were unprepared for the attack. However, the Germans were ill-equipped for the long and cold Soviet winter. -
The Dieppe Raid
Stalin demanded the Allies to invade Europe from the west to weaken Germany. The Dieppe Raid was a trial run. Before getting to shore, a German convoy spotted Canadian soldiers. The breif battle alerted the Germans on the shore. Ships were then delayed, causing the troops to land in daylight. The soldiers were then mowed down and tanks were ineffective due to the type of beach. Miscommunication led to more casualties. -
Stalingrad
After Germany's loss in 1941, Hitler launched another offensive in the Soviet Union. German troops got as far as Stalingrad, but were stopped once again due to the harsh Winter. The Germans were not able to retreat. They were also not able to call for reinforcements, due to the fighting in North Africa. After suffering 300,000 casualties, the German army surrendered in 1943. This also marks the start of the Soviet Union offensive and joining of the Allies. -
Battle of Sicily
Allied forces invaded Sicily. Canadian soldiers fought Italian and German troops through 240 kilometres of mountainous terrain. This victory led Mussolini's downfall. He was then overthrown his Government surrendered. The Germans remained to defend their Italian territory. -
Battle of Ortona
Allied troops followed German troops as they retreated towards mainland Italy. Canadians were given the task of capturing Ortona. Before reaching Ortona, Canadians had to capture several smaller villages. Once in Ortona, soldiers had to check building after building for Germans. Ortana was captured on Dec. 28, 1943. -
Juno Beach
14,000 Canadian soldiers arrived at Juno beach and led the attack as the first wave. Canadians pushed 9 kilometres inland through a heavily protected beach. -
D-Day: Normandy
D-Day or Operation Overlord was the biggest Allied invasion in World War 2. A full-scaled invasion of Europe, included 5 landing points. Juno, Sword, Omaha, Gold and Utah. Soldiers had massive naval and air support. D-Day was successful because the Allies managed to keep the details a secret and the Germans weren't expecting an attack due to the weather. -
Battle of Scheldt
Canadian troops were ordered to take the Scheldt River from the Germans since it connected Antwerp to the North Sea. Winning here would allow the Allies to brin supplies in for their final advance into Germany. -
Battle of the Rhineland
On Feb 8,1945, the Allies, 175,000 of them Canadian, began the attack to drive the Germans out of the Netherlands. Fighting was slow due to mud and flooded fields against fierce German resistance. On March 10th, the German army withdrew to the east bank of the Rhine river. -
Liberation of the Netherlands
Canadians were given the task of liberating the Netherlands after the Allied forces reached Germany. This was difficult due to Amsterdam and Rotterdam being destroyed and flooded because of earlier German bombnigs. Food supplies had been cut off and the winter made conditions worse. -
Collapse of Facist Italy
As most of Italy is taken by the Allies and Mussolini dead, facist Italy falls. -
Germany surrenders!
Allies surrounded Germany - the Soviet union fromt he east and the other Allies from the west and north. Germany surrendered on May 7, 1945. Hitler commits suicide.
