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German Blitzkrieg
German Blitzkrieg is a war tactic that the Germans used throughout the war between 1939 and 1940. The term means "lightning war" in German. The tactic is meant to disorganize the enemy force and is how Germany was able to take a lot of land during the war. -
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Germany's Invasion of Poland
Germany invaded Poland from the west and the Soviet Union did from the east. Hitler wanted more land for Nazi Germany. This caused Great Britain and France to declare war on Germany and is considered the beginning of WW2. -
Pearl Harbor
The Japanese surprise attacked a US base in Hawaii. They planned to weaken the US so they could take the islands on the Pacific ocean. Before the attack the US was not in the war but with the attack on Pearl Harbor the US declared war on Japan offically entering WW2. -
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Battle of Stalingrad
This was the largest confrontation during WW2. The Germans fought against the Soviet Union for possession of the city of Stalingrad in Southern Russia. It ended with the victory of the Soviet Union. -
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Battle of Midway
A major naval battle in the Pacific. This was only 6 months after Pearl Harbor. The Allied victory against Japan marked a turning point in the Pacific. -
D-Day
The day that the Allies invaded northern France. This is the biggest seaborne attack in history. This attack gave the Allies a hold on France allowing them to move forward with their plans. -
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Battle of the Bulge
Also known as the Ardennes Counteroffensive. This was the last major German strike on the Western Front during WW2. This battle lost the lives of many German soldiers greatly weakening the German army. -
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Battle of Iwo Jima
A major battle where the United States captured the island of Iwo Jima from the Japanese. Is known as one of the bloodiest battles of WW2. This island had two airbases that would have stopped incoming bomber planes from the United States, the capture of the island helped with further attacks against Japan. -
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Battle of Okinawa
Major battle on the Pacific between the United States and Japan. This was the last island standing between the U.S and Japan. The victory of the Allied forces allowed the United States to start direct attacks on Japan. -
VE Day
Stands for Victory in Europe Day. This is the day that Nazi Germany surrendered to the Allied forces. This is formally known as the end of WW2. -
Dropping of the Atomic Bombs
The war between America and Japan was still going even after the end of WW2. Instead of killing the lives of more Americans in an all out attack on Japan, President Harry Truman ordered the bombing of Japan as a way to end the war faster. From the bombings about 226,000 people died. -
VJ Day
Pretty much the same thing as VE Day, expect it was the Victory over Japan Day. This the day the Japanese forces surrendered officially ending the war. Japan surrendered 17 days after the final bombing on Nagasaki.
