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Second Sino-Japanese War
On July 7, 1937, Japanese launched a full scale invasion on China starting near the Marco Polo Bridge in Wanping, China close to Beijing. The Chinese Nationalist armies attempted to stop the invasion, but the Japanese advanced technologies, weapons, and strategy was able to go through without much resistance. The Chinese military were already hurting at the beginning with very few tanks and no air support. Using a blitzkrieg strategy, China quickly took control marking the start of WWII in Asia. -
September Campaign
At the break of dawn on September 1, 1939, 1.5 million German soldiers invaded Poland initiating WWII in Europe. The German Luftwaffe took out Polish airfields, while German warships and U-boats attacked the Polish naval base. To justifiy the means to his people, Hitler staged a fake Polish attack on the German border. Germany used the blitzkerg tactic to destroy Polish lines. By September 8, Germany advanced into Warsaw. After the invasion, Britain and France declared war on Germany. -
Battle Of Britain
On July 10, 1940, Germany attacked Britain by targeting shipping docks, bases, and civilians becoming the first all air battle in history. Although outmanned, Britain had more experienced pilots, leadership, and better air defense systems. In addition, the Germans had poor intelligence and didn't have a navy ready. This battle took a toll on both sides, averaging 21% British pilot and 16% German pilot causualities each month. Failing to take control of London, Hitler ended the Battle of Britain. -
Operation Barbarossa
On this day, Hitler launched his attacks on the Soviet Union. This was a crucial part in war efforts; victory would elimate the USSR from helping the Allies, while a defeat would force Germany to fight a two-front war. Germany's greatest challenge was the Russian weather since no one had winter gear packed. Hitler's plan to conquer the USSR ended up failing with one of the deadiest operations of 775,000 casualties. Germany's failed operation resulted in a huge turning point in the war. -
Bombing Of Pearl Harbor
Early in the morning, hundreds of Japanese fighter plane attacked US naval base, Pearl Harbor, destroying 20 vessels, 300 airplanes, airfields, and military supplies. Also, the bombing killed over 2000 US troops. This assault came with no warning and undetected. Luckily, the carrier ships were out of the base on routine missions. If the carriers were bombed, the US wouldn't have been able to take actions so quickly. The next day, US declared war on Japan and entered WWII two years into the war. -
Operation Overlord
Also known as D-Day, 156,000 American, British, and Canadian troops landed on the beaches of Normandy. This marked one of the largest amphibious military invasions. The Allies carefully designed this assault by misleading the German intel. The Germans thought the attack was a decoy to a main assault on the Seine, so they did not join a counterattack. With strategic attacks, the Allies were able to push out the Nazis out of Normandy. This was the beginning of the end of the Nazi control in WWII. -
Manhattan Project
On this day, the world's first atomic bomb, Little Boy, was dropped over the city of Hiroshima destroying 90% of the city. Three days later, the US bombed Nagasaki with Fat Man. The primary target was Kokura because of thick clouds the bomber had to resource to the secondary target. Six days after Fat Man, Emperor Hirohito announced Japan's surrender effectively ending WWII known by the Allies as V-J Day. The official surrender was signed September 2 on the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay.
