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German Blitzkrieg
Blitzkrieg is a term, originally German, for "lightning warfare". Originally used in 1935 in Poland as a test run and used later in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. This was a new type of fighting that overwhelmed the enemy. (https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/blitzkrieg) -
Rape of Nanking
Japanese forces invade China and murder hundreds of thousands of citizens and soldiers. This was an extension of the Second Sino-Japanese War fought from 1937-1945. This was meant to degrade and demoralize the Chinese citizens and soldiers to help win the war. (https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-rape-of-nanking) -
Ribbentrop/Molotov Pact
A treaty of nonaggression signed between Stalin and Hitler. It was meant to keep Russia out of the war and allow Germany to invade Poland. This treaty did not last long because of Operation Barbarossa, in which Germany invaded the Soviet Union. (https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/german-soviet-nonaggression-pact) -
Fall of Paris
German forces invade France and defeat the Allied groups defending it. The fall was followed by the signing of an armistice with Germany, allowing German occupancy. President Roosevelt froze the American ties to the Axis powers, including many assets. (https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germans-enter-paris) -
Pearl Harbor
The Japanese Zeroes bomb the Hawaiian island of Pearl Harbor. Japan hoped to cripple the American navy and prevent future intervention in Japan’s conquering of other sections of Asia. America entered World War II. (https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor) -
Wannsee Conference
A group of Nazi officers meet to discuss Hitler’s Final Solution. This was done to hammer out the finer details of the plan. Hitler was further supported by his men and the Final Solution was seemingly perfected. (https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-wannsee-conference) -
Bataan Death March
Approx. 75,000 Filipino and American troops forced to march 65 miles between prison camps. This happened after the American surrender of the Bataan Peninsula. America comes back to the peninsula and hits hard in order to liberate the camps. (https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bataan-death-march) -
Operation Gomorrah
American bombers raid Hamburg by day while British bombers raid by night. This was meant to overwhelm the German forces and people, lowering morale and fighting spirit. This resulted in the complete devastation of Hamburg. (https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/operation-gomorrah-is-launched) -
D-Day (Normandy Invasion)
Allied forces land on the beaches at Normandy. This was meant to free Europe from the grip of Germany’s forces. Lost territory was regained and Germany partially defeated. (https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/d-day) -
Liberation of Concentration Camps
The first concentration camp, Majdanek in Poland, is liberated by Soviet soldiers. This was done to free POWs and other victims of the German Final Solution. This was the first in a long list of concentration camps to be liberated by the Soviets. (https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/liberation) -
Battle of the Bulge
Germany attacks Allied troops in Ardennes in a surprise blitzkrieg. This was meant to split the troops in NorthWest Europe. This was not achieved and the Allied troops held strong to defend the Ardennes. (https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-the-bulge) -
Battle of Iwo Jima
US Marines land on Iwo Jima and begin the five week battle. This invasion was initiated because of the three airfields on Iwo Jima being a good strategic position to invade Japan itself. The US secured Iwo Jima and the true value of Iwo Jima was questioned. (https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima) -
VE Day
Germany surrenders in Europe. A ceasefire was signed and more documents signed in the following days. World War II officially ends in Europe. (https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/victory-in-europe) -
Dropping of the Atomic Bombs
Two atomic bombs were dropped in Japan, one in Hiroshima and one in Nagasaki. This was to completely annihilate Japan’s forces and to demonstrate the firepower of the US. Emperor Hirohito announced the country’s unconditional surrender. (https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bombing-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki) -
VJ Day
Emperor Hirohito announces Japan’s unconditional surrender. This was in response to America’s bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima. World War II officially ends in Japan. (https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/v-j-day)
