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The Nazi-Soviet Pact
The Soviet Union was discussing a settlement with Germany. The Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact was signe, along with a secret protocol that left Hitler free to attack Poland and divided eastern Europe into German and Soviet spheres of influence. -
INAVSION F POLAND
Invasion of Poland, attack on Poland by Nazi Germany that marked the start of World War II. The invasion lasted from September 1 to October 5. -
The German invasion of the Netherlands
The German army invaded the Netherlands. It was the start of five days of fighting that resulted in the occupation of the Netherlands. -
Evacuation of Allied troops from Dunkirk begins
The Allies had to defend a small pocket around Dunkirk that was under constant attack. It involved the rescue of more than 338,000 British and French soldiers from the French port of Dunkirk between 26 May and 4 June. -
German General Erwin Rommel arrives in Africa
Hitler established the Afrika Korps for the purpose of helping his Italian Axis partner maintain territorial gains in North Africa. -
Yugoslavia surrenders to the Nazis
Yugoslavia surrendered and was divided, with the exception of the puppet state of Croatia.The filling troops aggravated the traditional religious and national differences in the region, and the Serbs were especially brutalized. -
Final solution of the Jewish question
Auschwitz served as the largest Nazi center for the destruction of the Jewish population of the European countries occupied by and allied to the Third Reich. -
American naval victory at Battle of Midway
US and Japanese naval forces engaged in a five-day battle in the middle of the Pacific Ocean that changed the course of the war in the Pacific. -
British troops enter Naple
The Allies fought an attritional campaign in Italy against a resolute and skilful enemy. Far from being the ‘soft underbelly of Europe’, Italy became one of the war’s most exhausting campaigns. -
In Russia Smolensk were liberated
Smolensk was liberated from German occupation during a major Russian offensive. The fighting destroyed over 90% of the citys buildings. They were liberated by the Red Army. -
Russian troops recapture Novgorod
The Soviet Union's Red Army recaptured the city of Novgorod from German forces. Novgorod's recapture was a significant victory for the Soviet Union in its fight against Nazi Germany. -
Russians reach the Polish border
The Russians launched a multi pronged offensive in the East. The attacks were all successful and the Soviet army was able to advance into Eastern Poland. -
Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
The United States detonated two atomic bombs (from 6 to 9 of August) over the Japanese cities (Hiroshima and Nagasaki) The bombings killed between 129,000 and 226,000 people. -
END OF WORLD WAR 2
Truman announced Japan's surrender and the end of World War II. The news spread quickly and celebrations erupted across the United States. Formal surrender documents were signed, designating the day as the official Victory over Japan Day (V-J Day).