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German Blitzkrieg
Also known as "lightning war". Rapid invasion and surprise attacks were used by the Germans to create Blitzkrieg -
Germany's invasion of Poland
Germany invaded from the west and the Soviet Union invaded from the east. They planned to divide Poland. Marked the beginning of World War II. Great Britain and France declare war on Germany. -
Fall of Paris
The Battle of France, also known as the Fall of France, was the German invasion of France and the Low Countries during the Second World War. Parisians awaken to the sound of a German-accented voice announcing via loudspeakers that a curfew was being imposed for 8 p.m. that evening-as German troops enter and occupy Paris. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germans-enter-paris -
Pearl Harbor
"Day that will live in infamy." The U.S. Pacific Naval Fleet was stationed at Pearl Harbor. The Japanese attacked. Japanese disabled 19 ships, destroyed 188 airplanes, wounded 1,100 and killed 2,400. The U.S. declares war on Japan the next day; December 8, 1941. -
Allied Invasion of Italy
The British 8th Army under Field Marshal Bernard L. Montgomery begins the Allied invasion of the Italian peninsula, crossing the Strait of Messina from Sicily and landing at Calabria–the “toe” of Italy.https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/allies-invade-italian-mainland -
D-Day
Churchill, FDR and Eisenhower planned a land invasion on France. Stalin promised to attack Germany at the same time from the east. Also known as "Operation Fortitude or Overlord." The invasion included 150,000 soldiers, 5,000 ships and 11,000 planes and gliders. The attack began on June 6, 1944. The Free France Movement was organized under General Charles de Gaulle. The resistance blew up railroads and bridges to slow down the German response to D-Day. -
Battle of the Bulge
Hitler's last attempt to defeat the Allies in Europe. 600,000 Americans fought in the battle. 80,000 killed. Germans lost 100,000. Germany lost because they ran out of fuel. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
The United States Marine Corps landed on and eventually captured the island of Iwo Jima. -
Battle of Okinawa
Had airbases that were within striking distance of Japan. On Okinawa island is where it was fought. -
V-E Day
Germany surrenders. Also known as Victory in Europe. -
Dropping of the atomic bombs
President Truman decided to drop the bomb in order to save American lives from a land invasion. Hiroshima: around 70,000 killed instantly; 135,000 final death toll. Nagasaki: 40,000 killed instantly; 50,000 final death toll. -
VJ Day
Victory in Japan. Japan surrendered in World War II, bringing an end to the war.