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Germany's Invasion of Poland
On September 1st 1939, Germany & Russia invaded Poland with a strategy called blitzkrieg. This strategy involves bombing, blocking off communication lines, & large land invasion. When Germany and Russia invaded Poland it caused Poland to give in and forced military leaders to retreat. Before the invasion of Poland, Hitler had a nonaggression agreement with Stalin which later he broke so he could take over all of Poland by himself.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germans-invade-poland -
German Blitzkrieg
This German military strategy focuses on the immense use of firepower, and “mobile forces”, such as tanks and planes for quick and effective damage to the enemy. “Dive-Bombers” were the pilots in the Germans military, they were called this because they would attack at steep angles this caused them to attack with great accuracy. Even though the tanks at that time were obsolete they still were able to cause effective damage towards the enemy. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/blitzkrieg -
Fall of Paris
On May 10th 1940, the citizens of Paris woke up to an assigned 8 PM curfew via a loud speaker by a German due to German troops occupying Paris. By the time Germany sent tanks into Paris, 2 million citizens fled while some stayed and got guidance from Canadian troops. This continued into June of 1940. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germans-enter-paris -
Pearl Harbor
A surprise attack on a american naval base in Hawaii that killed around 2000 people, destroyed 20 naval vessels, and 300 airplanes. This devastating attack lasted 2 hours before Japanese troops retreated. After this occurrence FDR went to congress to approve the proposal of the U.S going to war with Japan. Before we knew it Pearl Harbor was America’s ticket into World War II. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor -
Wannsee Conference
In a villa in Berlin, the Nazi party and German government officials gathered to discuss the "Final Solution of the Jewish Questions". "final Solution" was another term they called annihilation of European Jews. Approximation 11,000,000 Jews in Europe fell under the "Final Solution".
https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005477 -
Warsaw Ghetto Uprising
A group of young people left behind and survived in Warsaw found out about Hitlers mass killings, they decided they wanted to do something about it. This group of people then smuggled many weapons into Warsaw secretly. The very small group of about 750 people fought against the well trained German soldiers. This uprising lasted for almost a month until sadly the German soldiers defeated the resistance.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/warsaw-ghetto-uprising -
Allied Invasion of Italy
The dictator of Italy was trying to build “Fascist Italy” into a large empire, but couldn't because of Mussolini’s stronger partner Hitler. The allied forced infiltrated Sicily, Italy and overruled Mussolini’s dictate government. The Italian government later agreed to surrender to the allies. Allies made an agreement with the Italian government that Italy would help aid the allied forces by ridding Italy of all German troops.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/invasion-of-sicily -
D-Day
D-Day was the largest operation of it’s time. Allied forces in Normandy barricading the French coastline. There were 5000 ships, 11000 airplanes, and 150000 soldiers. The allied forces gained control on France again. This was the begging to take back control of Europe from Hitler and his troops.
https://www.army.mil/d-day/ -
Liberation of Concentration Camps
Auschwitz, Stutthof, Sachsenhausen, Ravensbrueck, Buchenwald. These are just a few of the names of various concentration camps that German troops used to kill millions of innocent people. When the allied troops (Russia, U.S, Britain) found out about these camps they liberated them by shutting down these camps of mass murder, and freeing the people that were still alive. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/the-holocaust -
Operation Thunderclap
An Allied force bombing operation against German. The bombing was focused in the city of Dresden because of it’s important industrial production. Between just the British and American’s there was about 3,300 tons of bombs dropped. There were about 135,000 casualties.
http://ww2today.com/13-february-1945-operation-thunderclap-raf-start-firestorm-in-dresden -
Battle Of Iwo Jima
The Americans needed a base near the Japanese coast on an island causing the invasion of Iwo Jima. (On Feb 1945) 3 US Marine Divisions, after a month of fighting the marines whipped out Iwo Jima. This resulted in 23300 casualties on the american force. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima -
Battle of Okinawa
That last Pacific island battle to take place during World War II. Japanese planned massive air attacks on the allied forces. This caused nearly 8,000 peoples death, and wounded at least 32,000 others. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-okinawa -
VE Day
VE Day stands for the victory in Europe, finally putting a end to the Nazi rule in Europe. It began with German Nazi leader Hitler committing suicide. Shortly after Germany surrendered to Western and Russian powers. When word of this defeat got out there was great celebration everywhere.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/victory-in-europe -
Potsdam Declaration
On July 17th to August 2nd 1945, Joseph Stalin, British Prime Minister Churchill, and U.S. President Truman met in Potsdam Germany to negotiate and discuss terms to end World War II. Stalin, Churchill and Franklin Delano Roosevelt agreed to surrender to determine the borders in Europe. This ended up becoming a milestone in U.S. history.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/potsdam-conference -
Operation Gomorrah
The operation Gomorrah was when the British bombers raided Germany. On July, 24 2,300 tone of bombs were dropped from aircraft down onto Hamburg. This resulted in the death of nearly 2000 Germans.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/operation-gomorrah-is-launched -
The Dropping of The Atomic Bombs
Between the course of three days two of the World’s first atomic bombs were dropped in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Around 120000 people were killed, not including the people that would later die from radiation poisoning. This ended Japan’s part in the war by them surrendering due to the devastation and about of destruction.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bombing-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki -
V-J Day
Also known as "Victory over Japan Day", V-J Day was on August 14th 1945, when Japan announced they've surrendered to the allies. On September 2nd 1945 when the USS Missouri anchored in Tokyo Bay and Japan signed off on surrender. This day is also known as "Independence Day" In Korea because it marks the end of the control Japanese had on that country. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/v-j-day -
Battle Of Midway
One of the most deceived naval battles. it lasted 6 months after pearl harbor. the Us amused Japans aircraft carriers. Causing permanent damage of Japans air forces. this allowed the US to move into an offensive position with its allies.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-midway -
Battle of the Bulge
In December, Adolf Hitler attempted a blitzkrieg tactic through Ardennes to Antwerp. His goal was to split the allied armies for the third time. On December 16th, Germany launched a destructive battle of war in the west causing it to be the costliest action and resulting in 100,00 casualties. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-the-bulge
