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German Invasion of Poland
Where: Poland, eastern Germany, and the Free City of Danzig
What countries fought: Nazi Germany, Soviet Union, Slovak Republic, Free City of Danzig, Poland
Significance: Germany invading Poland officially marked the start of WWII. Germany and Russia split Poland, per prior agreement, but later fought against each other. Citation: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasion_of_Poland -
Battle of Britain
Where: Britain airspace
What countries fought: United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Italy
Significance: Britain's Royal Air Force attempted to defend the United Kingdom from German Air Force strikes. Germany includes the Blitz, in which they bombed the United Kingdom, as part of this battle. Citation: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Britain -
Battle of Crete
Where: Crete, Greece
What countries fought: United Kingdom, Greece, New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Italy
Significance: The Battle of Crete originally looked like it would be an Allied forces victory, but due to communication issues and aggressive offensive action by Germany, the Axis Powers won. Despite the Axis victory, many Greek Cretans were evacuated by Britain’s Royal Navy. Citation: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Crete -
Operation ‘Barbarossa’
Where: Central, Northeast, Eastern Europe
What countries fought: Germany, Romania, Finland, Italy, Hungary, Slovakia, Croatia, Soviet Union
Significance: Before Germany led an attack on Russia, Germany had been signing pacts with Russia. However, Germany had been plotted to attack Russia. The battles that followed once this operation was executed were the ones with the highest amount of casualties on both sides. Citation: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Barbarossa -
Pearl Harbor
Where: Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
What countries fought: United States, Japan
Significance: Before Pearl Harbor, the United States was a neutral country in WWII. However, after the Japanese bombed America’s naval base in Hawaii, America officially entered the war the next day. Japan bombing Hawaii later led to America dropping the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Citation: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attack_on_Pearl_Harbor -
Battle of Kursk
Where: Kursk, Kursk Oblast, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
What countries fought: Germany, Soviet Union
Significance: The Battle of Kursk was the largest tank battle in WWII. The Battle of Kursk was a turning point on the eastern front for the Allied Forces, because it was so devastating for German forces they had to switch from offensive to defensive. Allowing the Allied forces to take an aggressive stance. citation: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Kursk -
Battle of Stalingrad
Where: Stalingrad, Russian, Soviet Union
What countries fought: Germany, Romania, Italy, Hungary, Croatia, Soviet Union
Significance: Germany and its allies attacked Russia, however, Russia’s army surrounded Germany long enough to cause Germany to surrender. This battle caused Germany to pull soldiers from the Western Front to make up for their losses. This battle also led to Russia and America working together to take down Germany. Citation: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Stalingrad -
Battle of Anzio
Where: Anzio and Nettuno
What countries fought: United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Italian Social Republic
Significance: The battle of Anzio was a five month battle to free Italy from German forces. After the Allied Forces won the Battle of Anzio, it gave them a foothold for the Battle of Normandy. Citation: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Anzio -
Invasion of Normandy
Where: Normandy, France
What countries fought: United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Nazi Germany
Significance: The Allied Forces landed on the beaches of Normandy, and despite the thousands of soldiers that died, they were able to push forward and claim a win against Germany. This battle did not mark the end of WWII, but it did lead to the Battle of the Bulge, which did mark the end of WWII. Citation: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasion_of_Normandy -
Battle of the Bulge
Where: Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany
What countries fought: United States, United Kingdom, France, Canada, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany
Significance: After the Battle of Normandy, the Allied Forces pushed eastward, where they were met by German forces. This collision turned into the Battle of the Bulge, enabling the invasion of Germany. Citation: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Bulge
