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Japanese Invasion of China
The Japanese invaded China because they wanted China's resourses and minerals. This began the second Sino-Japanese War. The League of nations protested against this act. But the Japanese ignored the protest and continuied their campaign. www.historynet.com -
Germany's Invasion of Poland
Germany allied with Russia to take over Poland and split it fairely, so there wouldn't be any conflict between them for now. Their invasion will take from September 1st until October 6th. Hitler used his overwelmoing power to invade Poland quickly and make the campaign a short one. http://www.secondworldwarhistory.com/ -
German Blitzkrieg
It was a German term for lightning war. It is a military tactic designed to create disorganization in the enemy forces with the use of concentrated firepower. German forces tried out the blitzkrieg in Poland in 1939 before employing the tactic with invasions of Belgium, the Netherlands and France in 1940.
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Fall of Paris
The attack of PAris started May 10th but wasnt takin until Jun 14th. The Nazi's bombed Paris several times. Almost 2 million Parisians left before the German took control. The Germans started to arrrest people, made a curfue, and killed if needed. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germans-enter-paris -
Operation Barbarossa
This operation involved Hitler leading a massive invasion into the Soviet Union (Russia). It was Germany's goal to wipe out the Soviets. He wanted to use his power to overwelm the Soviets and try to take major cities. Doing this would hopefully end the war with the Soviets to Hitler can focus on one front. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/operation-barbarossa -
Pearl Harbor
On this day, the Japanese bombed an U.S. naval base in Hawaii. The Japanese bombed the ships in the harbor with bombs and torpedoes. They also targeted the airfields near the base. Over 2,400 american lives were lost and about 1,200 were wounded. http://www.secondworldwarhistory.com/attack-on-pearl-harbor.asp -
Wannsee Conferance
On this day, Nazi officers met and discussed the details about the Jews and their "Final Solution" to deal with them. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-wannsee-conference -
Bataan Death March
There was major surrender from American and Filipino soldiers of about 75,000 to the Japanese on the main Philippine island of Luzon. The Japanese made the men walk 85 miles in 6 days with only one meal the whole time. They had to walk to a prisoin camp. Hundredas to thousands of men died before they reached the camp. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/bataan-death-march-begins -
Battle of Midway
It was a 4 day sea and air battle with teh Americans against the Japanese. The Americans were outnumbered but were victorious. This massive battle was the most decisive vitories againt Japan. The Japanese fleet was previously invincible but lost mainy more ship than the U.S. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/battle-of-midway-begins -
Battle of Stalingrad
Around this date the Germans started to bomb teh city of Stalingrad. The Soviets used the devastated city as an advantage to defend agaisnt the Germans. On Nov. 19th the Soviets launched a giant counteroffensive at Stalingrad. By Feb 2nd the Nazi's in the city finally surrender. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/battle-of-stalingrad-ends -
Operation Gomorrah
This operation was the bombing of Hamburg, Germany. The British bombed it by night and the Americans bombed it by day. The British were, in a way, taking revenge at the Nazis for bombing Britian. Around 1500 civilians were killed in the firts bombing. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/operation-gomorrah-is-launched -
Allied invasion of Italy
The British started the invasion of the Italian Peninsula. On the day of the landing, the Italian gov. secretly accepted the Allies terms for their surrender. But it wasnt public until Sep. 8th. They surrenderd to the Allies and later joined them. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/ -
D-Day (Normandy Invasion)
The Normandy invasion lasted from June 6 to late August in 1944. The beginging of the invasion was D-Day. Over 150,000 Allied troops assaulted the Normandy beaches. The Germans has fortified the beaches heavily with bunkers, mines, walls and other obsticles. The Allies invasion plan was to assault and take the beaches of Normandy and push toward Paris. This was thought to be the beginning of the end of the war. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/d-day -
Battle of the Bulge
This battle was known as the Germans' last offensive. This battle lasted about 3 weeks. It involed about 80,000 Americans agaisnt 250,000 Germans. The German used spy and undercover agents to sabotauge the Americans. This was one of America's biggest losses in the war. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/battle-of-the-bulge -
Operation Thunderclap
This Operation was the proposal to bomb the most eastern cities of Germany to help slow their transport infrastructure. It would also hopefully desonstrait to the German people that their power is failing. But for some reason the operation never took place. www.secondworldwarhistory.com -
Battle of Iwo Jima
Iwo Jima was an island with about 21,000 Japanese soldiers defending in caves, tunnels and plenty of artillary fire. The Americans bombed the island for 74 days. The invasion didnt start until Feb 19th. After days were fighting the Americans raised the flag on the island and is know known for the most famous picture taken in the war. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/marines-invade-iwo-jima -
Battle of Okinawa
It was the biggest battle of the Pacific islands and the last. It lasted from April 1 until June 22 of 1945. About 287,000 american soldiers assaulted the island. They were agaisnt about 130,000 Japanese solders. The island was filled with defensive lines and tunnels through the entieraty of it. The americans bombed the island as much as they could but the Japanese were dug into the mountains and into bunkers they created. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-okinawa -
VE Day
This day is also known as Victory Day. The British and U.S. celebrate the Victory in Europe and the defeat of the Nazi power. The Germans surenderd to the Soviet Union in Berlin. In Moscow they didnt celebrate VE Day until the 9th because of straglers. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/victory-in-europe -
Dropping of the Atomic Bombs
The U.S. was the only one to use the atomic bombs in the war. They dropped 2 atomic bombs. One on Nagasaki and one on Hiroshima in Japan. After the bombing of Hiroshima, the Japanese finnaly surrenderd after the devastation of the bombs, lose of life and damage done to its people. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/atomic-bomb-dropped-on-hiroshima -
VJ Day
On this day the Japanese board the USS Missouri to accept their surrender to the Allies. Japanese forces surrenderd on the islands to the Allies. So began peace. They marked this day VJ Day because their victory over Japan. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/allies-celebrate-v-j-day
