-
Operation Gomorrah
Britain had suffered many losses from the many invasions made by Germany. Operation Gomorrah, also called the Battle of Hamburg, would be the term that described the brutal attack from British bombers at Hamburg, Germany (History). Germany suffered much more casualties than Britain, especially since it was also being attacked by America as well (History). This invasion on Germany would completely turn the tables in WWII. -
Japanese Invasion on China
Japan’s appetite for power and expansion would lead to their invasion of China. They would initiate their attack in 1937 (United States Holocaust Memorial Museum). This would lead to the Second Sino-Japanese War (the first being in 1931 at Manchuria) that would finish in a stalemate, but would completely change the tide of WWII (United States Holocaust Memorial Museum). -
Rape of Nanking
Nanking, the capital of China, would be under the control of the Japanese military in December of 1937 (History). To combat the great Chinese resistance, Japanese soldiers were ordered to exterminate the city of Nanking, leading to a massacre leaving over 150,000 war prisoners, 50,000 exterminated men, and around 20,000 raped women and girls (History). This massacre would come to be known by modern historians as the “Rape of Nanking.” -
Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact
Adolf Hitler had been mobilizing his army for a prepared attack on Europe in hopes of complete conquest. His first point of interest would be Poland, however, to avoid any conflicts that would disable his plans, Germany and the Soviet Union would sign the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact declaring non-aggression between the two (BBC). -
German Invasion on Poland
Adolf Hitler’s order to invade Poland would open Lebensraum, or “living space,” for the more superior (Aryan) race (History). To avoid further complications, Germany would sign a non-aggression pact with the Soviet Union in August of 1939 (History). The invasion of Poland would lead to Britain and France declaring war on Germany 2 days (September 3) after the initiation (United States Holocaust Memorial Museum). -
German Blitzkrieg
Germany needed a new technique if they were to succeed in their conquest. Germans would first experiment their Blitzkrieg, or “lightning war,” tactic in the invasion on Poland in 1939; they would carry on this technique in other invasions like that of Belgium and France in 1940 (History). Blitzkrieg was a method of warfare that would spark disorganization in enemy forces through mobile forces and the mass concentration of artillery on a narrow front (United States Holocaust Memorial Museum). -
Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa is the name given to Nazi Germany’s invasion on the Soviet Union in June of 1941 (History). During the invasion, Germany would be effectively mobilized and have advanced their techniques in a full on attack. This would be very significant in the war as it would force Germany to fight a two-front war. -
Pearl Harbor
While America attempted neutrality on WWII, it would set up a trade embargo on Japan; Japan, in turn, would send a surprise attack on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor in December of 1941 (History). This would completely turn the tides of the war, leading the United States into joining the war and would retaliate to Japan with nuclear warfare (BBC). -
Wannsee Conference
Adolf Hitler had definite plans to exterminate the Jewish people, whom he viewed to be the reason for Germany’s loss and humiliation in WWI. At the Wannsee Conference, Nazi officials discussed the “final solution” as to how to exterminate the Jewish people (History). They would then find the the “final solution” to be gas vans that would kill of people at a rate of 1000 people a day (History). -
Bataan Death March
After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Japan would proceed on their conquest in the Philippines, eventually taking over Manila, the capital (History). U.S.-Filipino resistance was strong, but they would surrender their troops on April 9, 1942, when the Japanese forces would compel them to walk all the way to San Fernando, where they would be sent to prisoner camps (History). It wasn't until March of 1945 that U.S.-Filipino forces would recapture Bataan (History). -
Battle of Midway
The American success in the Battle of Midway would hold a significant purpose in the Second World War as a whole (History). With the attack initiating on June 4, 1942, American troops air forces would not only defeat the outnumbered Japanese army, but also destroy four Japanese aircraft carriers, while only losing one of their own (History). This great battle would signify the start to intense warfare between Japan and the US that wouldn't end until Japan's official surrender in 1945. -
D-Day (Normandy Invasion)
In hopes of eventually overpowering Germany, the Allied powers would team up with Russia and made plans to acquire the Western front. On June 6, 1944, the Allied military forces would engage in one of the largest attacks every made in France (which would be liberated by the end of August) (United States Holocaust Memorial Museum). By liberating France, the Allied powers would gain the advantage, as it forced Germany to fight a two-front war. -
Operation Thunderclap
Operation Thunderclap is the name given to the devised plan by the Allied powers to give a full on powerful attack on Berlin, the central power of Germany (History). The plan would be shelved and never done as many of the devisors predicted that it would not be successful nor effective in defeating German morale. -
Battle of Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge is the term given to the unsuccessful attempt by Adolf Hitler and his military to split and disorganize Allied troops (United States Holocaust Memorial Museum). Though, at first, American troops were caught by surprise, their alliance with the Allied powers would resemble a bulge (hence the name) and would be able to overpower German troops (History). -
Battle of Iwo Jima
In order to effectively defeat the Pacific central power, Japan, the Allied powers would have to find the ideal spot to place a base near the enemy's. American forces would launch a massive invasion, and their winning at the Battle of Iwo Jima would allow them to have a base where troops could return (History). The 23,000 people in the Japanese army would be greatly defeated by the 3 US marine divisions, though both sides suffered heavy casualties (History). -
Battle of Okinawa
The Battle of Okinawa, or Operation Iceberg, would be a (successful) attempt by Allied powers to attain desirable air bases that would aid in future invasions on Japan (History). In the nearly 2 month long battle, Japan would suffer from around 100,000 casualties and the Allied forces would suffer from an estimated 50,000 casualties (History). The Japanese morale would greatly suffer from the defeats they experienced in the Battle of Okinawa. -
V-E (Victory in Europe) Day
Victory in Europe Day, more commonly known as V-E day, is the day that Great Britain and the United States (and other nations) would celebrate the unconditional surrender of Germany in World War II (History). From civilians of the war to soldiers in battle ships, everyone from all nations would commemorate the day when Germany laid down their arms (History). The celebration would proceed to continue to the next day when Germany finally surrendered to the Soviet army (History). -
Potsdam Declaration
The Big Three (US, UK, USSR) would meet at the Potsdam Conference to devise terms for the end of World War II (History). The Potsdam Declaration would ask for the official surrender of Japan; if it did, they would allow for more liberating terms, but if it did not it would be met with resistance (History). However, it was not until the second atomic bombing at Nagasaki that the Japanese Emperor would accept the terms of the Potsdam Declaration (History). -
Atomic Bombings on Japan
Woodrow Wilson and many scientists in America would create an organization researching atomic weapons, until they were finally able to create the atomic bomb. The first atomic bomb would be launched by Americans in Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, leaving over 90% of the city completely obliterated; 3 days later, American troops would launch a second atomic bomb on Nagasaki (History). This attack would launch a whole new series of questions in nuclear warfare during battle times. -
V-J (Victory in Japan) Day
V-J Day can be used to describe either the day Japan unconditionally surrendered to the Allied powers on August 14, 1945, but it is also used to describe the celebration following Japan's formal surrender on the U.S.S. Missouri on September 2, 1945 (History). The war in the Pacific between Japan and the Allied powers would produce massive casualties on both sides, and would lead to many controversial topics (like nuclear warfare). Japan's surrender would end the devastating World War II.
