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German Blitzgrieg
The german blitzkrieg was a new form of warfare that germans used to swiftly defeat the allies in Europe during the early stages of the war. Blitzkrieg warfare was a combination of new ideas and new technology which relied on mass numbers of tanks and planes. The new form of warfare was created to counter the slow drawn out warfare that relied more on defense, similar to warfare in WWI. The allies were unprepared for this new warfare and the german blitzkrieg defeated the allies in Europe -
Invasion of Poland
Invasion of poland was an attack on Poland by Germany. While Germany invaded the west side of Poland, Russia invaded the east side. germanys plan was to work with Russia to secure Poland, and to secure their eastern border. The invasion was important for two reasons, it would secure Germany a safe eastern front and would officially start WWII. -
Operation Barbarossa
Operatin barbarossa was a large scale invasion of russia by Germany. Hitler looked west to conquer the soviet union, he believed it was necessary to capture Russia to realize the german empire. Hitler also sought create mass slave labour with the citizens of the soviet union. Ultimately hitler would fail to capture the soviet union due to the harsh winter. Hitlers defeat in Russia would lead to a Russian counter attack into Germany which would end up being the downfall of Germany in the war -
Pearl harbor
Pearl harbor attack was a japanese surprise attack on a U.S. Naval base on the island of Hawaii. The attack was a huge success, catching the U.S. Off guard and destroying many of the battle ships stationed in the harbor. Japan invaded pearl harbor in an attempt to force america out of the pacific, they believed if pearl harbor was destroyed the U.S. Would no longer be a threat. Although the attack was successful it would have the exact opposite effect, the U.S would strike back in the pacific. -
Battle of midway
The battle of midway was a naval battle between japan and the U.S.. The battle of midway was a trap set by japan in order to lure out the rest of the U.S. Pacific fleet and destroy it. In doing so japan hoped the U.S. Would surrender under there terms. The U.S. Saw through the trap and defeated the Japanese at midway. Japan suffered heavy losses and probed that the U.S. Might be able to defeat japan in the pacific. -
Battle of Stalingrad
Battle of Stalingrad was german invasion of the Russian held city of Stalingrad. Hitlers campaign east involved capturing major industrial capitols and weakening Russia. Stalingrad was one of these cities. German troops were to take the city but a harsh winter and persistent defenders kept them from doing so. After hitler was defeated at Stalingrad, german forces were slowly pushed back out of Russia. Stalingrad was the farthest german troops ever got into Russia -
D-Day
D-day was a large scale amphibious assault on german held normandy beach. The attack was meant to secure an opening into Europe for the allies to begin there counter attack against the germans. In order to do so the allies had to attack by sea, and faced very harsh conditions. D-day was crucial for the allies to win in Europe and had to succeed. The attack was successful, securing the allies an opening into Europe. The invasion would lead to the allies taking back Europe and ending the war. -
Battle of the bulge
The battle of the bulge was a surprise attack on U.S. Forces at the town of Bastogne by germans. Hitlers plan was to use this surprise attack to separate the american forces from the Canadian and british forces. Hitler also believed the american forces would not be prepared for an attack during the winter and through the forest. American forces would successfully hold of the invasion, stopping the last german offensive. Their defeat at the battle would be the beginning of the end for Germany -
Battle of Okinawa
The battle of Okinawa was a large scale amphibious assault on Japanese held Okinawa island by the U.S.. Okinawa was the final island before the Japanese mainland island. The U.S planned to use the island of Okinawa as a staging point to launch an invasion of japan. Although the americans managed to capture Okinawa they suffered heavy loses. The battle made americans fear the invasion of the mainland, this would ultimately lead to the dropping of the atomic bomb to prevent the mainland invasion -
VE day
VE day marked the formal acceptance by the Allies of Germany's unconditional surrender. Germanys surrender officially ended the war in Europe, it did not however end the war in the pacific. The war in the pacific would only last a few more months. VE day would be celebrated for years to come as the triumphant victory of the allies in Europe -
The dropping of the atomic bomb
The dropping of the atomic bomb was the bombing of Hiroshima. The U.S. Dropped the bomb to force the Japanese to surrender, By dropping the bomb and forcing japan to surrender the U.S. Hoped to avoid an invasion of japan and avoid thousands of casualties. The bomb was successful in forcing japan to surrender and officially ended WWII. The use of the bomb also displayed the military power of the U.S sparking the cold war between Russia and the U.S. -
VJ day
VJ day was the day the U.S. Accepted japans terms of surrender. This would officially end the was in the pacific. With both japan and Germany defeated the allies rejoiced as the war had finally ended with both major axis powers being defeated. VJ day would be celebrated for years to come as the end of the war in the pacific but also as the official end to WWII, the bloodiest conflict the world had ever seen.
