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Germany invaded Poland
The first military engagement was opening fire to Westerplatte Fort and caused the invasion of Poland to become a gamble. Soon enough, Britain and France declared war a couple days after. [http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/invasion_poland_01.shtml] -
Germany invaded France
The German forces had entered through Belgium and the Netherlands and crossing the Meuse River attacking the French forces in Sedan. Upon entering Paris, France was divided into two zones, one under German military occupation and the other under Petain’s government. [http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/world-war-ii-history] -
Battle of Britain
Wanting to control Britain, Hitler sent many bombs, but Britain did not surrender. Because of their tough interior, Hitler had soon decided to call off the bombing. [http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-britain] -
Lend-Lease Act
The Lend-Lease Act was a way for the United States to help provide arms to the Allied Powers without entering the war because Britain was struggling with the constant air strikes. Hitler attempted to prevent the Lend-Lease Act by attacking ships with German U-Boats. [http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/lend-lease-act] [Class Notes] -
Operation Barbarossa
Hitler ordered an invasion on the Soviet Union who had a vast territory that would give the German master race it needed. However, it was delayed, yet they were still defeated by underestimating. [http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/world-war-ii-history] -
Japan bombed Pearl Harbor
Japan wanted to expand their Asian Empire, but the United States stood in the way. Soon, the United States cut off the export of oil to Japan causing them to attack. They had warned the United States of the attack but it was brushed aside. It ended up with United States getting evolved in the war. [Class Notes] -
United States enters the War
After the horrendous attack of Pearl Harbor, the Untied States declared war against Japan. However, this had caused Germany and Italy to interfere and declare war against the United States. [Class Notes] -
Bataan Death March
The Bataan Death March was a result of a defeat when the Japanese had taken over the capital of the Philippines. After three torturous months, the U.S.- Filipino army was forced to surrender due to lack of naval and air support. They had to march some 65 miles to get to the prisoner-of-war camps. To avenge the defeat, America invaded islands of Leyte. [http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bataan-death-march] -
Battle of Midway
Six months after Pearl Harbor, Battle of Midway happened to be the most decisive naval battle. Japan had tried to predict United States next move, but U.S. was able to decode the Japanese and preempt and counter their ambush. Japanese aircraft had lost at Midway and eliminated the power of Imperial Navy's air arm. [http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-midway] -
Germany invaded Soviet Union
Known as the Battle of Stalingrad, Hitler and Stalin knew the symbolic importance of the city. As one of the bloodiest battles in history, Soviet Union had won against Germany causing this to be the turning point of the war. Once the Russians understood what was happening, the Soviet Union had switched sides by default. [http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-stalingrad] -
Warsaw Ghetto Uprising
The Warsaw Ghetto was a prison-like area to keep Jews confined. SS force was sent with tanks and heavy artillery to liquidate the Warsaw ghetto. Several hundreds resistance fought against the Germans for over a month. Due to the uprising, many had perished and sent to extermination or labor camps. [http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/warsaw-ghetto-uprising] -
Allied Powers enter Normandy, France
Also known as D-Day, it was the start of Western Europe from Nazi Control and meet up with the Russians moving in from the east. In hopes to repel the American army, Hitler had come up with a counterattack. However, Hitler did not succeed for America was able to fight through it. [http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/d-day] -
Battle of the Bulge
Hitler had wanted to split the allied armies, so he had ordered an attack in the Ardennes to Antwerp. Even though it had caught them by surprise, The Germans launched the deadliest and most desperate war. For US Army, it was the costliest action. [http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-the-bulge] -
Battle of Iwo Jima
Iwo Jima was a key island in the Bonin chain, a little off the coast of Japan, and it was a way for B-29 bombers could land without returning all the way to the Marianas. However, it had been guarded by the Japanese army and navy troops. All in end, the entire garrison was wiped out. [http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima#] -
Liberation of Concentration Camps
Danchu was a concentration camps with an increasing number of prisoners, and these prisoners were experimented on and forced labor. A battle had broken out, after trying to move Jews to another camp, between units of the 45th Infantry and the left over camp's guards. Sickened by the conditions, some American troops gunned down some of the guards. -
Hiroshima & Nagasaki
Due to Japan's desire to finish the war with a bitter end, the United States had sent two nuclear bombs to Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Soon, Emperor Hirohito had announced their surrender in the radio broadcast causing the "Victory in Japan" or "V-J Day" celebration in United States and Allied Powers. [http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bombing-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki]
