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Japan Invades China
What began as a small fight errupted into a full on battle when the Japanese invaded China. The Chinese strategized and retreated in hopes to expand the and weaken the Japanese line of defense. Their plans prevailed as Japan did not succeed in their efforts.This was the first battle of the Pacific front of World war II, two short years later Adolf Hitler, the leader of the Nazi Party in Germany, would invade Poland to start the European front of the war. -
Rape of Nanking
Over a period of 6 weeks the Japanese government savagely murdered and sexually abused many Chinese civillians and soldiers. On this date was the beginning: when the Japanese government gave the order to invade the city and take control. Nanking was the capital of China at the time. Japanese General Matsui was executed for his crimes post war. www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-rape-of-nanking
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German Invades Poland/ Blitzkrieg
German troops invaded Poland to start the European Front of WWII. A new technique called the "Blitzkrieg" was used which consisted of quick devestating attacks via land and air. The Soviet Union had made a pact with Germany and attacked Poland from the other side. Hitler believed that in order for the German race to reach its full height it needed to expand its land; therefore taking over Poland.https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasion_of_Poland -
Fall of Paris
The French were nervous that Germany would invade and destroy their country, so they asked the U.S. for help. The U.S. sent material aid and would help France to declare war on Germany. 2 million Parisians had already fled by the time Germany invaded. While western France civillians cheered as Canadian troops came to their rescue. www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germans-enter-paris www.beyondbandofbrothers.com -
Operation Barbosa
The Allied Germany and USSR invade through the Baltic Sea upon the coast of Finland. Fighting vigorously USSR prevailed in gaining 25,000 square miles of Finnish territory. The Soviet Union struggled against the military leaders the Dictator Stalin had chosen, but still won in the end. This was a huge success for the Soviet Union and fueled their confidence for much of the war. http://www.historynet.com/world-war-ii https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8 -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
Japan planned to expand their nation, but they felt that they could only succeed if the U.S. did not attempt to stop them. They took initiative and attacked by air and took down many of the U.S. naval ships. They had hopes of destroying the Americans carrier ships, but failed to do so. But this was not the end the U.S. was sure to retaliate.
http://www.secondworldwarhistory.com/attack-on-pearl-harbor.asp http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attack_on_Pearl_Harbor -
Wannsee Conference
A gathering of Nazi Party and German officials to discuss the "Final Solution of the Jewish Question." The "Final Solution" was the total genocide of the European Jews, Hitler approved this notion which targeted 11 million Jews. All Jews in Axis power countries and neutral countries would be killed. In this meeting they set their boundaries for concentration camps. https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?Moduleld=10005477 holocaustonline.org/significant-events/wannsee-conference/ -
Battle of Midway
The U.S. and Japanese fougth via ocean as a result of Japan's ambition to sink U.S.carriers. The U.S. interpreted Japanese war codes and understood their plans and knew the counter-attacks to defeat them. They therefore moved the carriers to suprise the Japanese who were preparing to attack them. The U.S. left without damage to a single carrier. http://www.history.co.uk/this-day-in-history/06-07/the-battle-of-midway-ends www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-midway -
Battle of Stalingrad
This battle was theUSSR's retaking of their city St.Petersburg, renamed Stalingrad when it was overtaken by Germany. The Soviets turned to the Allies for help and retook their city. This was deemed a humiliation for Hitler as it was one of the biggest battles of WWII. This was an essential city for German control of the Soviet Nation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Stalingrad www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-stalingrad -
Allied Invasion of Italy
The Allies invade Sicilly and led to the fall of Mussolini. Mussolini was hung upside down along with his wife and a close advisor. Within 3 days of the invasion 150,000 Allied troops were in Italy. On September 3rd they invaded the mainland of Italy. www.history.com/this-day-in-history/allies-invade-italian-mainland https://prezi.com/yhno6i1dunhi/world-war-ii-allied-invasion-of-sicily/ -
Operation Gomorrah
This is an opperation by Great Britain and the U.S. who bomb Hamburg, Germany by night and by day. Britain has lost 167 civillians and retaliated by bombing Hamburg and they continued bombing Hamburg until November; in total Hamburg lost 30,000 people in the attacks. Hitler refused to visit the site because it reminded him of defeat. The U.S. organized 2 raids on Hamburg during the daylight while the British bombed at night.
www.history.com/this-day-in-history/operation-gomorrah-is-launched -
D-Day
American, British, and Candadian soldiers raided the beaches of Normandy, France with an aquatic attack and misled the Germans. Within a week the beaches were secured and controlled by the Allies. The Allies then worked their way across Europe and gaining back land and took Cherborg. This was the beggining of the end of this terribly bloody war. www.histroy.com/topics/world-war-ii/d-day www.cb750cafe.com/blog/d-day/ -
Operation Thunderclap/ Bombing of Dresden
Operation Thunderclap was a code name for a plan by the Soviets to bomb Berlin. When the Allies converged at the Yalta convention they decided to target Dresden instead of Berlin. The attacked the railway yards near the central hub of the city, and this spot was no stranger to bombs. It has estimated to have caused 25,000-35,000 deaths. www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Bombing_of_Dresden_in_World_War_II webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk -
Battlle of Iwo Jima
Iwo Jima is an inactive Japanese volcano that is inhabited but added a place to hide in war. Japanese troops created underground tunnels to hide on said island. The U.S. took Iwo Jima and only 300 Japanese were taken alive of 21,000. Americans lost 6,500 troops and 20,000 wounded. www.historynet.com/world-war-ii www.iwojima.com -
Battle of Okinawa
This was an ongoing battle between the U.S. and Japan and it lasted from March to June of 1945. Over 107,000 civillians and military Japanese died. America lost 13,000 people and 49,000 were injured. The Japanese kamikaze attacks destroyed 36 American/ British ships and damaged 368 more. www.historynet.com/world-war-ii www.robinsonlibrary.com -
VE Day
The bombing raids had cleared the way for the invasion of the German Capital. Russia and the Allies raced to it to claim victory, and Russia arrived first on April 21rst. Hitler committed suicide on April 30th in a bunker with his wife.The other various dictators of the Axis powers were all killed until they finally surrendered on May 7th. The Allies celebrated victory on May 8th which we know to be VE Day. www.bbc.co.uk/history en.wikipedia.org -
Dropping of the Atomic Bomb
The United States had been working on the Manhattan Project since 1942 and had progressed and tested it well enough to put into use. They knew surrender wasn't in the cards for the chief of the Japanese army. In order to prevent more American deaths by attacks from Japan the U.S. dropped two atomic bombs on the cities of Nagasaki and Hiroshima. The order was given under President Truman and killed over 220,000 people. This was the final act of war. www.history.co.uk en.wikipedia.org -
VJ Day
Allies celebrated a victory over Japan when they surrendered on Sept. 2nd 1945. They officially surrendered on Aug. 15th, but didn't sign the official document until Sept. Shaken from the massive destruction the atomic bombs caused, Japan surrendered and their leaders suffered many war crimes. This officially ended WWII. www.bbc.co.uk en.wikipedia.org -
Battle of the Bulge
German soliers attack the American line in hopes of regaining Antwerp, they launched an attack in the early hours of Dec.16th and destroyed the U.S. line in 3 days. Eisenhower brought in more troops to that area and blocked the German quest north. This encounter caused a bulge 50 miles wide and 70 miles deep into U.S. lines. Americans could reinforce quicker than Germany and therefore won the battle. www.historynet.com/world-war-ii http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Battle_of_the_Bulge.jpg
