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Japanese invasion of China
The Japanese invasion began with the Rape of Nanking (Nanjing). Up until this point, Nanjing had been the capital of Nationalist China. Although, the Japanese army reached Nanjing on the 13th, the Chinese government abandoned Nanjing on the 1st of December.
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The Rape of Nanking
Japan took over Nanking, the capital of China under the direction of General Matsui Iwane. He ordered his troops to destroy Nanking to squash any hope of Chinese resistance. 150,000 male "war prisoners" and 50,000 male civilizians were killed along with some of the more than 20,000 women and girls that were raped. At the end of WWII, Matsui was charged for war crimes by the International Military Tribunal for the Far East and executed. "The Rape of Nanking." History.com. Pic:inthesetimes.com -
Ribbentrop/Molotov Pact
Also known as the Hitler-Stalin Pact, this was a nonagression pact between Germany and the Soviet Union. For Germany, this made sure no one would oppose them when they invaded Poland. For the Soviet Union, this gave them time to recuperate and keep peace with Germany. Also, they were able to split Poland.
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Germany's Invasion of Poland
Hitler's goal was to regain back land for Germany. This is how he started his "blitzkrieg" strategy. They succeeeded in 3 days later Great Britain responded with bombing raids.
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German Blitzkrieg
Blitzkrieg means lightning war. It's very effective because it causes disorganization for the enemy such as when Germany invaded Poland.
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Fall of Paris
The Germans took Paris and flew a giant swastika under the Arc de Triomphe. They pretty much just waltzed in with their tank and took it. more than 2 million Parisians had already fled. French premier Paul Reynaud asked President Roosevelt for aid beforehand, but Secretary of State Cordell Hull advised agaisnt it because he knew Germany would take it as a declaration of war.
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Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa was large-scale invasion of the Soviet Union by Germany and allies. They seemed to be successful at first. They even got to the gates of Moscow, but Soviet Union numbers, equipment, distance and weather resulted in ultimate defeat.
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Pearl Harbor
The Japanese bombed the American naval base in Pearl Harbor. However, the aircraft carriers that were the targets were at sea that morning and narrowly missed the attack so the Japanese failed. Previous to this, America was for isolationism, but this was the straw that broke the camel's back and launched America into the War.
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Wannsee Conference
Nazi leaders gathered to discuss the a “final solution to the Jewish question.” The goal was to figure out how to exeterminate the Jews. As a result, “gas vans” in Chelmno, Poland were sent forth and killed 1,000 people a day.
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Battle of Stalingrad
Lasting until February of 1943, this battle was being won by the Germans until November when the Russians launched a two-prong counter-attack, encircling the German Sixth Army. They were then able to continue westward.
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Operation Gomorrah
Operation Gomorrah focused on bombing Hamburg, Germany. Britain and America bombed them as a result of German bombings earlier that month. A technological development called "Window" helped the bombers jam the German's radar systems. About 1,500 German civilians died, but by the end of the raids in November, more than 30,000 people had died. The significant damage had a large effect on the morale of the German people and even Hitler himself.
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D-Day (Normandy Invasion)
In what is referred to as D-Day, the Allies crossed the English Channel into Normandy. This success is what allowed them to continue on into the central part of the Continent. The goal was to free France and then continue into Germany where the Soviet Union would attack from the other side. It was a huge success and people remember this day with respect.
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Battle of Iwo Jima
America wanted Iwo Jima as an air and supply base. Japanese fought back from secret underground cave complexes, but were eventually defeated.
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Operation Thunderclap
Operation Thunderclap was the firebombing of Dresden. Many aren't sure what the goal of this was since Germany was so close to surrendering anyway. Some speculate it was because Dresden was a main communication center, but most likely since it was a city renowned for its arts, it was just bombed to weaken morale. Those killed is approximated between 35,000 and 135,000 people.
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Battle of Okinawa
Spanning 4 months, this last battle for a Pacific island resulted in many deaths and losses. Kamikaze attacks sunk 36 British and American ships and damaged 368 more. Japanese women committed suicide before American soldiers could "torture" them like propaganda suggested. Many died from both sides, but Japanese losses were significantly higher.
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VE Day
This stands for Victory in Europe Day. This day marks the day the Germans put down their arms. More than 13,000 British POWs were set free. However, Stalin didn't recognize VE Day until the next day due to continued conflicts.
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Dropping of the atomic bombs
In fear the war would continue to last into the next year, American dropped atomic bombs to make a statement. The first was on Hiroshima and when they didn't surrender, America dropped anoother one on Nagasaki. Eventually Japan surrendered.
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Potsdam Declaration
After the bombing of Nagasaki, Japan submits its terms of surrender to the Potsdam Conference. President Truman called the atomic bombs to a halt. After debating with Washington, Japan eventually surrrendered.
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VJ Day
Victory in Japan marks the day Japan formally surrendered. On the USS Missouri, the Japanese foreign minister, Mamoru Shigemitsu, and the chief of staff of the Japanese army, Yoshijiro Umezu, signed the “instrument of surrender.” After serving years in prison for war crimes, Shigemitsu went on to become the chair of the Progressive Party of Japan.
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Battle of the Bulge
The German goal was to regain the port of Antwerp (Netherlands) and seperate British and American sectors. The American line was weak, but Eisenhower and Montgomery were able to call for backup just in time. It's called the Battle of the Bulge because American lines were pushed back 50 mi wide and 70 mi deep. By January, they were able to push German forces back with losses to both sides.
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