-
The Second World War began mainly due to the cause of Hitler's invasion of Poland, which caused Great Britain and France to declare war on Germany. -
Warsaw, Poland is captured after surrendering to the German troops but holds out for another 9 days before capitulating. -
After the Battle of River Plate, Great Britain wins the first Sea Battle in the war after taking down a German pocket battleship. -
Germany invaded Norway ending a six-month period of limited land operations called the Phony War. -
Winston Churchill becomes prime minister replacing Neville Chamberlain as British Prime Minister. -
The trapped British Army evacuates to England from Dunkirk, Frane, surviving to fight another day.
-
France falls to German forces and capitualates 11 days later. -
The Battle of Britain pits German bombers against British fighters in a thwarted German prelude to invasion.
-
German bombers target major cities in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, killing over 40,000 civilians, and leveling over 1 million homes.
-
Armies of Great Britain and its empire defeated Italian forces for control of Egypt and eastern Libya.
-
German General Erwin Rommel takes command of the Afrika Korps, seeking to drive British out of North Africa. -
Opening what will become the bloodiest front of World War II, massive German armies invaded the Soviet Union. -
Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, starting a war with the US. Sensing weakness, Hitler declared war on America 4 days later. -
High-ranking Nazi officials approve a systematic plan for the mass extermination of Jews across Europe—the “Final Solution.” -
Japanese expansion in the Pacific is thwarted near Midway Island, as US dive bombers sink four Japanese aircraft carriers.
-
US troops landed in French North Africa as part of Operation Torch, designed to support British forces in the region.