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German Blitzkrieg
The term means "lighting war" and was a devastating to say that least. Germany first tried it on Poland to see if it was effective. Blitzkrieg was used to take control of Europe. This tactic was succesful on everyone but those who are on islands. The tactic was later adopted by U.S. general George Patton for European operations. -
Period: to
WW2
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Rape of Nanking
The Rape of Nanking or the Nanking massarce was an event where Japanese troop commited astroicites against chinese civilians after capturing Nanking. Over 20,000 women were raped and about 300,000 civilians were killed. It happen because Japan saw the chinese as an inferior race. After the war, Japanese generals were tried for war crimes. Some Anger over the event is still here today. -
Fall of Paris
SourceAfter declaring war on Germany a year earlier, France fell to Germany in a matter of months. After attacks by the tactic "Blitzkrieg", France couldn't keep the Germans out of France and had to surrender to the nazis. It happen because Germany saw France as a threat and overwhelmed the french. The first effects were that all civilians had to follow german curfew. The german held the signing in the same railroad cart that held the signing of the armistice in WW 1. -
Pearl Harbor
This was the first attack on the U.S. by Japanese forces. Japan sneak attacked unsuspecting U.S. troops and killed a total of 2,000 troops. The reason behind the attack was so Japan could destory most of America's naval fleet. The U.S. government was sure that war with Japan was ineditable, but was not expecting them to attack Pearl Harbor. The day after the attack, the U.S.A declared war on the empire of Japan. -
Wannsee Conference
The meeting was held to discuss the final solution of the jewish question. Many horrible suggestions were talked about. No one at the conference said exterminate, their plans lead to it. This meeting lead to jews being send to camps to work to death. A month later, gas vans killed 1,000 people a day. -
Battle of Stalingrad
Germany sets it sights on Russia to get an strategic point on the Volga river. Fights happen in close quarters and was a hole to hole battle. This battle became the bloodiest battle in modern history. The russian surrounded the germans that were weaken by the winter took victory. This victory was athe turning point of the war and ended the war on the eastern front. -
Operation Gomorrah
A day and night cycle of bombing the German city Hamburg. During the day american aircraft dropped bombs while the british bombed them at night. It happen because they were pushing to beat Germany. At the end of the operation, the city was utterly destoryed. This showed that the end of the war coming and germans knew they were on the losing side. -
D-day
The day that the Allies attacked Nomandy, on the western front. The Allies wanted to liberate France from Nazi Germany. More than 4,000 allied troops lost their lives during the storing of the beach. In the end, allied forces were able to liberate France from German control. This was the beginning of the end in the war in Europe. -
Liberation of concentration camps
Allied troop were freeing people who suffered in nazi camps. The soviets were the first to free the prisoners in Poland. The soviets saved more than 7,000 people at Auschwitz. They found many corpses and belongings of the people killed in the camps. The freed people when back to their homes and continued their lives. -
Battle of the Bulge
Nazi Germany tried to split Allied forces in Northwest Europe and failed. This was the last battle that Germany was on the attacking side. Lack of fuel and supples lead to a German defeat. As a result of the harsh conditions, America lost over 100,000 troops. The 101th airborne division became famous in defeating the Germans at at keys points of the battle. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
America attack Iwo Jima to get a base near the coast of Japan. The Japanese defenders use caves, tunnel, holes to sneak attack troops. Losses on both sides were big, 5,900 American losses and almost all the Japanese defenders were killed. America came out as the winner of the battle. One of the most enduring photos of the war was taken there. -
Battle of Okinawa
This was the last and bloodiest battle in the Pacific war.The battle got the nickname "Typhoon of Steel" because of all the gunfire and shelling. America attacked because the island had vital air bases that would let American planes attack Japan. American troop captured the island on June 22. Two months later Japan surrenders after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. -
Dropping of the atomic bomb
America didn't want to invade Japan because they knew the japanese would fight to the death, so they dropped the atomic bomb. The U.S. gave Japan a warning to surrender or face destruction. Japan did not response and the U.S. dropped two atomic bombs. One on Hiroshima amd the other at Nagasaki. Over 120,000 people died from the blast and many more died later. The day later Japan surrendered to the U.S. -
VE Day
This was the celebration of the end of the war in Europe. German troops all around Europe laid down their arms. Many cities who were nazi occupied celebrated as well as America and Great Britain. Many allied POWs were released and sent back home. The result let America set it's sights on the eastern front. -
VJ-Day
On this day, Japan surrendered to the Allies. Allied nations celebrated on this day and the day after. The formal surrender was on the U.S.S. Missouri. Japan's surrender happend six months after Germany's surrender. This surrender end World War 2.
