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German Invasion of Poland
When: September 1, 1939
Where: Poland all along its 1,750-mile border with German-controlled territory.
Who: Germany and Poland
Importance: The German invasion of Poland was a start on how Hitler intended to wage war, which later became his “blitzkrieg” strategy.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germans-invade-poland -
Battle of Britain
When: July 10, 1940
Where: Airspace over Great Britain, Germany, and the English Channel.
Who: Britain’s Royal Air Force and the Luftwaffe, Nazi Germany’s air force.
Importance: Britain’s win in this battle showed the courage of their military and its people and allowed them to stay free from Nazi occupation. It also let the Americans establish a base of operations in England to invade Normandy on D-Day.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-britain-1 -
Battle of Crete
When: May 20, 1941
Where: The Greek island of Crete
Who: New Zealanders, British, Australian and Greek troops
Importance: The majority of soldiers spent the rest of the war in "prisoner of war camps". Others went to the hills, some later escaping to Egypt by submarine or boats. With the help of Cretan civilians, some men escaped capture on the island for years and took part in resistance fighting.
https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/the-battle-for-crete/overview -
Battle of Moscow
When: October 10, 1941
Where: Moscow Oblast, Russia
Who: Soviet Union Armies and German Forces
Importance: The failure of German forces at Moscow doomed Germany to fighting a prolonged struggle on the Eastern Front. This part of the war would consume the vast majority of Germany's manpower and resources for the remainder of the conflict.
https://www.thoughtco.com/battle-of-moscow-2360444 -
Pearl Harbor
When: December 7, 1941
Where: U.S. naval base near Honolulu, Hawaii (Pearl Harbor)
Who: U.S. and Japan
Importance: This battle brought attention to the fact that the U.S. military was not prepared for war. The attacks on Pearl Harbor shocked Americans which made them come together as one and that helped make the U.S. into a world power.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor
https://www.blueridgenow.com/article/NC/20041201/news/606058383/HT -
Stalingrad
When: August 1942
Where: Volgograd/Stalingrad, Russia
Who: Russian forces and those of Nazi Germany and the Axis powers
Importance: It was the start of the march toward victory for the Allied forces of Russia, Britain, France and the United States. This battle is known as one of the largest, longest and bloodiest battles in modern warfare.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-stalingrad -
Battle of Kursk
When: July 1943
Where: Around the Soviet city of Kursk in western Russia
Who: German and Soviet forces
Importance: Kursk was the biggest tank battle of World War Two and the battle resulted in a severe crisis for Nazi Germany's war machine in Russia. A successful German offensive had obvious military consequences for the Germans
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-kursk
https://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/world-war-two/famous-battles-of-world-war-two/the-battle-of-kursk/ -
Normandy (D-Day) link: https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/d-day#&gid=ci0241980a10002494&pid=d-day_gettyimages-600204788
When: June 1944
Where: A 50 mile stretch on the coast of France’s Normandy region
Who: Allied and German forces
Importance: The battle at Normandy began to change the game against the Nazis. It prevented Hitler from sending troops from France to build up his Eastern Front against the advancing Soviets. Later in the spring, the Allies formally accepted the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany. Hitler had committed suicide a week earlier, on April 30. -
Battle of the Bulge
When: December 16, 1944
Where: The Ardennes region of Belgium
Who: Allied Forces and Germany
Importance: It was Hitler's plan to destabilize the allies and take control of the port of Antwerp. Claiming victory of the battle on January 25, 1945, and the Allies headed for Berlin. The war ended less than five months later with Germany’s May 7 surrender.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-the-bulge -
Battle of Berlin
When: April 16, 1945
Where: Berlin, Germany
Who: The Soviet Union and Germany
Importance: The Battle of Berlin effectively ended fighting on the Eastern Front and in Europe as a whole. With Hitler's death and complete military defeat, Germany unconditionally surrendered on May 7.
https://www.thoughtco.com/world-war-ii-battle-of-berlin-2361466
