-
Germany invades Poland
Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939, marking the beginning of World War II. The invasion was a swift and overwhelming military campaign that led to the occupation of Poland by Nazi Germany and triggered the involvement of major global powers in the war. -
German ‘Blitzkrieg’ overwhelms Holland, Belgium and France
Germans use a new combat style (Blitzkrieg), made possible by mechanical technologies. Characterised by quick movement of troops, tanks, and heavy use of air power. That enables them to take over many european countries in a very short period of time. -
Battle of Britain and the ‘Blitz’ of British cities
German bombing campaign of mainland Britain. Starting on industrial targets but eventually progressing to towns and cities with civilian populations. -
Evacuation of Dunkirk
Naval vessels and even civilian boats were taken to france to evacuate over 198,000 British troops and 140,000 French/Belgian troops from Dunkirk. Lasting until June 4th -
Operation Barbarossa begins
Codename for the German invasion of the Soviet Union. This failed campaign turns the tide against the remaining Axis powers and ensures German defeat -
The Allies take Tobruk
Some of the most prolonged fighting in the North African operations. British captured the port from the Italians in January 1941, taking 25,000 prisoners in the process. -
Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour
Japan launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, destroying much of the US Pacific Fleet. When Germany and Italy declared war on the United States days later, America became involved in a global war. -
The fall of Singapore
The fall of Singapore occurred during World War II when Japanese forces swiftly overwhelmed British and Allied defenses, leading to the surrender of the city on February 15, 1942. -
First news of Nazi atrocities against Jewish people reaches the Allies
The first news of Nazi atrocities against Jewish people reached the Allies during World War II, revealing the systematic persecution and mass murder happening under Hitler's regime. These reports highlighted the horrors of the Holocaust and played a significant role in shaping international perception and responses to the genocide. -
The Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway was a decisive naval battle fought in June 1942 during World War II. It took place near the Midway Atoll in the Pacific Ocean and resulted in a significant victory for the United States, as they successfully repelled Japanese forces -
German forces surrender at Stalingrad
German forces surrendered in Stalingrad in February 1943 after a grueling and brutal battle that lasted for months. The surrender marked a major turning point in World War II. -
D-Day Landings
Allied invasion of Normandy during World War II, involving a massive amphibious assault by American, British, and Canadian forces on the beaches of Normandy -
Soviet liberation of Auschwitz
Soviet forces reached the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland and liberated the surviving prisoners, revealing the horrific atrocities committed by the Nazis -
United States drops the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
These bombings resulted in the unprecedented devastation of the two Japanese cities, leading to a swift Japanese surrender and marking the beginning of the nuclear age.