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German invasion of Poland
Germany invaded Poland without formal war declaration to get a land bridge between its main territories and East Prussia and return Danzig. This led to UK and France guaranteeing Poland's independence declaring war on Germany which meant the beginning of WWII. -
Beginning of Operation Barbarossa
Germany's attack on the USSR became the largest land offensive in human history. The ultimate goal was to expand the Lebensraum and destroy the Soviet Union. Despite initial successes, quick advancements, encirclements, and total air superiority at the beginning the blitzkrieg plan failed, the war became protracted. -
Hungary's war declaration on USSR
After bombings of Kassa, most likely by Soviet aviation by mistake László Bárdossy announced a state of war existed between Hungary and USSR without the consent of the Parliament, in absence of Horthy. -
Friedrich Paulus Surrender
Field Marshal Friedrich Paulus surrender with his army in Stalingrad after the German troops were encircled in the city as a result of Soviet counter-offensive, troops of von Manstein failed to break through, and aerial supply became impossible. This marked the Soviet victory in decisive battle of Stalingrad. -
Operation Margarethe
Hitler ordered Wermacht to occupy Hungary in order to prevent Hungary from agreeing on separate peace with the Allied Powers. Horthy could stay the Regent, however he had to appoint pro-nazi PM Sztójay Döme. Hungary was practically under German control, which also meant extermination of the Jewish population. -
D Day
Allied troops landed on beaches in Normandy, opening a new frontline in the Western Europe. That forced Germany to withdraw part of its forces from other directions, most importantly from the Eastern Front. -
Cease of fighting in Hungarian territory
Soon after fail of Operation "Spring Awakening", last major German offensive of WWII, the Soviet troops initiated counter-offensive and soon drew out Germans, and Hungarian collaborationists out of the country. -
Unconditional surrender of Germany
After Hitler's suicide on April 30th Karl Dönitz successed the power. By that time it was evident the war was lost. Alfred Jodl, chief of the operations staff of the Armed Forces High Command signed an unconditional “Act of Military Surrender” -
Atomic bombing of Hiroshima
Hiroshima was the first precedent of nuclear weapon being used in a military conflict. Bombing destroyed the city, and was followed by the strike on Nagasaki 3 days later. -
End of WWII
The WWII ended with signing of surrender of Japan aboard the USS Missouri by the Japanese Foreign Minister Mamora Shigemitsu and General Yoshijiro Umezu. Japan had no other choice but to capitulate due to carpet bombings by the US, threat of new nuclear bombings, inability to protect the country in case of landing, and USSR entering the war.