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Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil War lead to the tensions with the involvement of National Socialist Germany and some fascist allies. This started to heat up with inclusions of bombings like in Guernica. The conflict may have not started World War2 but it did lead to the Rise of Fascist Spain with Francisco Franco; the war itself ended in April 1 1939.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/spanish-civil-war-breaks-out -
Battle of Lake Khasan
The Battle of Lake Khasan almost led to World War 2 but however didn't due to a resulted ceasefire between the Soviet Union and Japan within that province near the Tumen River.
http://nationalinterest.org/feature/the-almost-war-1938-1939-russia-japans-nearly-forgotten-13956 -
Invasion of Poland
This marks the start of World War 2 on the European and North African Front. Germany and the USSR divide Poland in half based on the Treaty that was made from the two
nations.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/invasion_poland_01.shtml -
Period: to
World War 2
This conflict in general lead to the fall of the Axis war machine and the development of the atomic bomb and the Cold War. -
Battle of the Atlantic
This battle itself escalated larger naval battles since the Battle of Jutland. However the battle led to many other sea related battles from that regional ocean. One battle that took place was the Battle of the Denmark Strait which sunk both the HMS Hood and The Bismark.
https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-the-Atlantic -
Winter War
This current conflict was fought within the Eastern Front before Operation Barbarossa. This led to the Moscow Treaty which didn't last that long as tensions continued. -
Operation Wesrunbung
Known the Invasion Denmark and Norway marked the beginning of the planned European Axis domination over Western Europe. In result was a victory for the Third Riech.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/norway_campaign_01.shtml -
Battle of France
This marked the fall of France after the Germans broke through Belgium and the Netherlands. Once Germany took control of France they their planned attack on Britain.
http://www.historynet.com/fall-of-france -
Battle of Britain
This was one major air battle that took place on the British heartland that led to the cancellation of Operation Sea lion after realizing the defeat of the Luftwaffe. This was one of Britain's turning points during World War 2.
http://www.iwm.org.uk/history/8-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-battle-of-britain -
The Balkans Campaign
The Campaign claimed victory by June 1st of 1941 after successfully invading Yugoslavia, Greece, Albania, and the Greek Islands. The invasion led to guerilla wars within the Balkans by the partisans operating near the region. -
Legionaires' Rebellion
This event kept Romania at arms. When the rebellion took place Romania's government took action to crush the Fascist orthadox christian organization known as the Iron Guard.https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005472 -
Operation Barbarossa
The was a planned assault on Soviet soil by Germany, Italy, Croatia, Slovakia, Romania, and Hungary; when the invasion commenced this resulted in failure and pretty much gave the Soviets and opportunity to strike back in orders of Joseph Stalin.http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/operation-barbarossa -
The Continuation War
This war started after the Winter War with Finland ceased. The Soviet Union gets support from Britain which helped the war effort against both Finland and Nazi Germany. This became a Turning point to the Soviet Union. -
Siege Of Leningrad
The Battle of Leningrad may been a defeat for the Soviets but continued the fight until 1944 where the city was reclaimed during the finest hours of the Eastern Front. The Battle in reality was a lot longer for both sides Germany with other fascist forces and the Soviets.http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/siege-of-leningrad -
Battle of Wake Island
With the the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japan continued to invade other islands closer to the United States. The U.S. regiments on the islands were overrun by the Japanese invaders.
http://www.historynet.com/battle-of-wake-island -
Battle of Midway
This was the first victory into the Pacific by the U.S. The Japanese in result of this were on full retreat at this point.http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-midway -
Guadalcanal Campaign
The Battle of Guadalcanal was one of campaigns for the Solomon Islands. The long fighting in its jungles eventually led to a victory for the U.S. and other allied units operating along the islands during the island hopping campaign in the Pacific.http://ww2db.com/battle_spec.php?battle_id=9 -
Dieppe Raid
This was a disaster for the Western Allies but had been well forgotten about before Operation Overlord along the Northern French coastlines. -
Battle of Stalingrad
This battle in the Eastern Front marks a turning point for the Soviet Union with total success of holding back The Axis forces from taking the oil fields in caucus region of the Southern Soviet Union (Russia).http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/frank-interviews-with-red-army-soldiers-shed-new-light-on-stalingard-a-863229.html -
Rise of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army
The partisan group was formed after the Nazi invasion of Ukraine. The insurgents themselves purposely target Nazi and Soviet forces in order to obtain Ukrainian Nationalism. Sometimes they clashed against Polish and Czech partisan due to territory disputes. -
Operation Torch
This was the major turning point and first Successful allied invasion to North Africa. Though the British forces defeated the Germans during the Second Battle of El Alamein. This cripled the Afrika Korps. -
Battle of Kursk
This was another battle fought by the Soviet Union along the Eastern Front that became another crushing blow the Third Reich and its failure to take Kursk. -
Operation Husky
This successful western allied assault on Sicily marked the beginning of the Italian Campaign. The island was then secured for the next Operation known as Baytown. http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/72-16/72-16.htm -
4 Battles of Kharkov
The battle first happened back in 1941 which was a disaster to the Soviet Union. the Soviets attempted to take back the city of Kharkov until they were successful in 1943 pushing the Nazis out of the city itself. -
Aleutian Islands Campaign
While the U.S. forces landed in Iceland and Greenland to halt the Nazi invaders during the Battle of the Atlantic, They also made their attempt to take back the Aleutian Islands including Adak near Alaska. Due to the vile cold climate, the Japanese instantly were forced to abandon the islands by 1943. Yes this campaign was still was decisive victory for the U.S. war machine.http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-the-aleutian-islands -
The Allied Invasion of Italy
The allied invasion of Italy successfully took advantage along Southern Italy. This led to the fall of Rome. http://www.history.co.uk/topics/history-of-ww2/allied-invasion-italy -
Battle of Naples
The four days over Naples paid off for the partisans in Naples who previously sided with the allies. The guerilla forces stopped the Nazis in their tracks and continued to sabotage the war machine. -
Battle of Tarawa
The U.S. continues attacking other Japanese occupied islands such as Tarawa which was taken back by the invasion that was executed that day.http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/tarawa.htm -
Battle of Monte Cassino
During the Italian campaign the allies had to make their breakthrough the mountains though it was tough terrain to fight on. Eventually the Nazis and the Italian Social Republic failed to stop the invaders. The next stop would be Anzio.http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/world-war-two/war-in-the-mediterranean-sea/the-battle-of-monte-cassino-first-phase/ -
Battle of Anzio
The Battle of Anzio was successful turning point into the Italian campaign. This led the German and Italian Social Republic forces on full retreat toward the Alps.http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-anzio -
Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord was another attempt to invade France this time with successful planning and preparation. The target was the beaches of Normandy which paid off into catching the Nazi Wehrmacht's defending forces by surprise.http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/d-day -
Operation Bagration
This operation done successfully by the Soviet Union in a way to drive the Nazis forces back to Berlin earlier than the western allies. This is pretty why the Nazis feared the unstoppable Red Army during the war in the Eastern Front.http://www.historynet.com/operation-bagration-soviet-offensive-of-1944.htm -
Warsaw Uprising
This was a Uprising by the Polish partisans which also destroyed the city.This was known as to the Soviets as Operation Tempest. https://www.britannica.com/event/Warsaw-Uprising -
The Gothic Line
This battle in general was not a defeat or a victory to either side but remained inconclusive and was one difficult battle within northern Italy.http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-british-cross-the-gothic-line -
The Lapland War
The Lapland War had Finland turn against the Nazis occupiers after making a treaty with the Soviet Union. The war was successfully won by Finland; Germany had to eventually with drawl from the country and fled to Norway.http://countrystudies.us/finland/21.htm -
Operation Market Garden
Operation Market Garden was operational failure to the allies trying to take either the Netherlands and Germany. One of the cities was Arnhem. http://www.historynet.com/operation-market-garden-historys-greatest-airborne-assault.htm -
Taking back the Philippines
General MacArthur goes by his promise to take to return to the Philippines. The U.S. forces successfully take back the Philippines as a result of this invasion. -
Battle of the Bulge
Known as the Ardennes Offensive which exhausted the Nazi war machine along the Western Front. Though the Germans in the beginning tried to out number the allied units, they still became vulnerable to the allied counterattacks along the Rhine.http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/battle-of-the-bulge -
Iwo Jima
The U.S. Forces make their final steps against the Japanese Empire with capturing airfields this island. The battle was notorious with raising the flag on Mount Suribachi. Once this island was secured their next stop is Okinawa.http://www.iwojima.com/raising/raisingc.htm -
Storming into the Reich
The end war phase begins for the western allies before the Soviet Union. The invasion of Germany and The Netherlands was successful. -
Battle of Okinawa
Okinawa was hardest and brutal battles of the Pacific theatre. This was also the final turning point into defeating the Japanese war machine before heading off to Japanese coastlines.http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-okinawa -
Battle of Groningen
This became the final the battle of the Western Front in regards the upcoming fall of the National Socialist Third Reich. The result to this allied invasion of the Netherlands was a victory.http://www.canadiansoldiers.com/history/battlehonours/northwesteurope/groningen.htm -
Battle of Berlin
The Battle of Berlin was major and final battle along the Eastern Front. After the Soviets captured Budapest and Vienna Austria, final goal was to capture Berlin completely destroying the entire Reich. This event lead to the famous capturing of the Reichstag.http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/berlin_01.shtml -
Battle of Balikpapan
This became the last Battle in the Pacific. With the successful invasion lead by the U.S. , Australia, Britain, and the Netherlands, Japan is left crippled and on full retreat back to Japan.http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-battles/ww2/balikpapan.htm -
Period: to
Hiroshima and Nagasaki
The U.S. had a final decision.Operation Downfall or the atomic bomb. Plans were already been made for the operation but were than cancelled to pave for dropping the atomic bomb on some of Japan's. The targets chosen were first Hiroshima which destroyed the city. Japan still refused to surrender to the U.S. which leads to Nagasaki also having the same fate. Afterwards the Empire of Japan forced to surrender.http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bombing-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki
