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Invasion of Poland
The Nazis and a small force of the Soviet Union invaded Poland thus starting WWII in Europe. The Nazis took little time to fully overrun Poland and distinguished a quick victory. After, the Nazis then continued their campaign of the rest of Europe. -
Fall of Paris
The fall of France after the German invasion. The Germans defeated all allied forces in France very quickly and is the last land warfare on the western front until 1944. -
Pearl Harbor
An attack on an American naval base by the Japanese in an attempt to control the pacific. Although there was significant damage it is recorded as a Japanese failure because they did not successfully capture the island. The attack on Pearl Harbor introduced America into WWII as we declared war on Japan -
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Battle of Midway
A major naval battle that stopped the Japanese navy. The US navy challenged the Japanese navy and won making a huge impact on the outcome of the war in the Pacific. Recorded as one of the biggest naval battles in history. -
D-Day
Part of Operation Overlord, the Normandy landings was the allied offensive against Germany in France. It is the largest seaborne offensive in history and greatly affected the outcome of the war in the western front. -
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Battle of the Bulge
The last major defensive of the Nazi's to regain their momentum against the allies. The offensive was a failure because of the stubborn american defensive. The lost was a major and final blow for the Nazi army as the Nazis exhausted almost all resources forcing them to retreat to the Siegfried Line. -
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Battle of Iwo Jima
Some of the most fiercest fighting ever recorded in the pacific theater. US soldiers stormed the island of Iwo Jima in hopes to capture and hold the entire island eliminating three Japanese air bases. With the capture of Iwo Jima the US could effectively reach the Japanese mainland. The capture of Iwo Jima was a success. -
VE Day
The celebration of victory for allied powers in Europe. The day became official when Adolf Hitler committed suicide ending the war in Europe. Civilians and soldiers celebrated the ending of the war. -
VE Day
The celebration of victory for allied powers in Europe. The day became official when Adolf Hitler committed suicide ending the war in Europe. Civilians and soldiers celebrated the ending of the war. -
Atomic bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima
The allies wanted a speedy end and victory in the pacific theater. The U.S. dropped two atomic bombs named Fat Man and Little Boy. The dropping of the bombs resulted in an allied victory in the pacific with Japan surrendering. Only 20 British and U.S. POW's died in the droppings while hundreds of thousands of Japanese were killed. -
VJ Day
The surrender of Japan thus ending the war for good. The official surrender took place on USS Missouri and doubled as a memorial of the war.
