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Invasion of Manchuria (Pacific)
The Japanese wanted to expand their empire. So to do that Japan invades China and takes Manchuria. They took Manchuria because it was full of resources like iron and coal. The other nations was against Japan's actions but they didn't really do anything except protest against it and Japan ignored that. -
China falls to Japan (Pacific)
After, the Japanese invaded and took Manchuria, China was to attack them. They announced that they were going to war with them. China had helped from Germany, the Soviet Union and the United States of America. This war lasted a really long time, it ended on September 9, 1945 around when World War II ended. This was a major event because it was between two big communist countries -
Blitzkrieg into Poland (Europe)
Blitzkrieg is a military strategy used by the Germans. It means "Lightning War". They invaded Poland with fast-moving troops and machines in the air. Poland had a hard time fighting back because their military was outdated and wasn't ready. As the Germans invaded in one side the Soviets invaded on the other. -
Battle of the Atlantic (Europe)
This was the longest battle in World War II. The battle was Britain and Germany, but Britain had help from America. Since America and Britain ships had the radar it was easy to find German's U-Boat and attack them before they were able to attack. Germany had the most losses. This battle ended on May 8, 1945 -
German invasion of France (Europe)
Germany uses the Blitzkrieg strategy when invading France, since it worked well in Poland. Germany goes in between the British and French troops making the British evacuate back to Britain. Also Italy declares war on both Britain and France, invading the south of France. This ended with France surrendering on June 22, 1940. -
Dunkirk (Europe)
When Germany invaded France, British and French troops were in Dunkirk. Germany ended up pushing the British troops out of France and into Britain. The British made Operation Dynamo to get most of the men off the beaches because the British couldn't lose them. This ended on June 4, 1940 -
Battle of Britain (Europe)
This battle was between the German and British air forces. Winston Churchill had helped because he gained support and aid from other countries. The British air forces were better because they had better pilots and planes and also had RADAR. This helped Britain because they were able to hold off the German air force, Luftwaffe. The German military had suffered major losses from previous battles and weren't ready for this battle with Britain. This battle ended on October 31, 1940 -
Germany takes Greece (Europe)
Greece cam in the war from being pressured by Italy. Britain also provided aid if they were ever attacked. On April 6th , German plane, Luftwaffe came in over Greece and started bombing them. The east of Greece ended up surrendering, then the Germans moved down South where Germany took that too -
Operation Barbarossa (Europe)
Hitler wanted to take over the Soviet Union even though they had a Non-Aggression Pact. German troops came up with Operation Barbarossa for the East-Front when they invade the Soviet Union. When the German troops invaded the Soviet Union they weren't really prepared for the harsh weather, many died from the cold weather. This was the turning-point because the Soviet Union troops were able to beat the Germans before they were able to reach Moscow -
Pearl Harbor (Pacific)
Japanese fighter planes came all the way to Pearl Harbor and attack them, destroying to whole naval base. America knew they the Japanese were coming, but they didn't know where. When they hit Pearl Harbor everyone was surprised because no one expected it to be there. Germany and Italy also declared war on the United States when they attacked us. The Japanese planed to whole thing out so they didn't mess up when they actually attacked us. This event made the United States of America join WWII -
Philippines 1942 (Pacific)
Japan invaded the Philippines so that would have controlled all of the territories in South East Asia. The american troops had to surrender and go to Australia because they ran out of supplies. This was bad for the United States because the lowered the morale of the United States's citizens. Also, many of out naval bases were on the Philippines and the Japanese took it over. Japan captured the Philippines on May 6, 1942. -
Bataan Battle (Pacific)
Japan invaded the Philippines, after they attacked Pearl Harbor. Japan has already controlled all the territories in the Pacific and all they had left was the Philippines. The American troops were defending it but they eventually ran out of supplies and had to retreat to Australia. General MacArthur said he will be back. The we surrendered to the Janpanese -
Bataan March (Pacific)
When the United States surrendered to the Japanese on the Bataan peninsula it was a set-back for the United States troops. The prisoners were Filipinos and American troops, there was over 60,000 prisoners. The prisoners had to march over 70 miles through jungles to get to the camps. Many people die on the march because of starvation, exhaustion and abuse. -
Doolittle Raid (Pacific)
America had 16 bombers bomb Japanese mainland, Tokyo. They did this because they needed something good to happen because of the set back that happened in the Philippines. The raid only had minor effects and it helped bring the morale up for the American citizens. The raid was named after Lieutenant Colonel James H. Doolittle who commanded the raid -
Coral Sea (Pacific)
This Battle was the first air-sea battle in history and the battle lasted four days. Japan was going to invade Australia because that was where the American troops were at. The American troops's code breakers were able to figure out that they were coming. The United States launch the USS Lexington and Yorktown. In the battle the U.S was able to sink many Japanese aircraft. The U.S won the battle but they had many losses with losing ships, but they stop the Japanese from advancing in the war -
Midway (Pacific)
The Japanese wanted to Midway Islands because it had a military base on it. So they came up with a strategic plan to take it. The United States was able to break Japan's code to see were they attacking. This was a turning point of the war because the U.S troops surprised and attacked the Japanese in the sea as they were heading towards the islands. This helped the United States, and it hurt the Japanese a lot because they lost many planes, aircraft carriers and they weren't able to fight to USA. -
Stalingrad (Europe)
This was the turning point of the war in Europe because the Russians beat the Germans in Stalingrad. The U.S.S.R put up a fight because they stop the Germans from advancing. The Germans wanted this territory because it had a lot of industry in it. It was on of the deadliest battle in WW2. The Allied powers gained another win, but for the Germans is was a major set back and a lot of losses for them -
Guadalcanal (Pacific)
This battle was fought between the American and Japanese troops in the jungle and swamps. This was different for the American troops because they were taught to fight on beaches and desert like areas. They had to adapt to the environment, it took 6 months for them to control the island. The Japanese is still trying to expand their territory but the United States got Guadalcanal. -
Second Battle of El Alamein (Europe)
This battle was fought in North Africa between The Allied and Germany. The German troops were led by Gen. Erwin Rommel he was an expert if war fighting in the desert. He used strike and retreat tactics against the Allied. The British guessed Rommel next move and up his troops there. When the German troops came the Allied attacked them before they were able to. The Allied Powers won this battle and the Germans surrendered in North Africa and also the Afrika Korps retreated too. -
Operation Torch (Europe)
When the Allied Powers invaded French North Africa this is what they called it. Operation Torch was a plan that the Soviet Union, America and British were going to use against Germany. They were going to move from Africa to Sicily to Italy. Churchill draws a picture of a crocodile on the map to explain the plan to Stalin. This was important because it was the first time the Allied Powers planned an invasion together and it worked. The invasion was led by Gen. Eisenhower. -
New Guinea (Pacific)
After the Japanese invaded the Dutch East Indies, they attacked New Guinea. The main reason why they wanted New Guinea was because of Port Moresby, so they can invade Australia. The American troops and Australia beat the Japanese in Papua, New Guinea. The Japanese also went to Buna, New Guinea where the British was staging a base and they got beat there too. The Japanese had suffered major loses from this and they eventually lost and the Allied Powers won New Guinea -
Kursk (Europe)
The Germans had a bad offensive line against the Soviet Union. The plan for the Germans was that they would attack at all different directions. The Soviets were aware of what the Germans were doing and used it to their advantage. They made a plan that would exhaust the Germans. That hurt the Germans a lot, because they lost a lot of their army and machines like tanks and aircrafts. While for the Soviets had more losses they still won. This battle cost a lot for both of the countries -
Sicily (Europe)
American and British troops worked together to move German and Italian troops out of Sicily. The Allied met in Casablanca to discuss what will happen. They made Operation Husky and wants unconditional surrender from Germany. The Allied troops invade Sicily and take control in a little of a month. Mussolini was put in jail and was then killed. -
Salerno (Europe)
The Allied troops invaded Salerno, Italy after invading Sicily, Italy and taking it. Italy ends up surrendering to the Allied troops, but Germany comes in since it still has control over Italy, and starts fighting back. The Allied troops needed help to win so they called in for help. The United States of America came over with the 82nd Airborne and they took Salerno from Germany -
Gilbert and Marshall Islands (Pacific)
The purpose of wanting the islands was to set up naval bases and airfields. Both of the islands were occupied by the Japanese. Admiral Nimitz came up with a plan that would stop the Japanese defense. -
Anzio (Europe)
The Allied troops were in Anzio, Italy. The British troops were ordered by Winston Churchill to be there. This battle was against the Germans. The Germans main goal was to push force off of the Gustav Line. The operation they used was called Operation Shingle, because of this the Allied troops barely suffered any loses in this battle and the German troops had to deal with 200 of them being captured. This battle last for several of months and it was a hard battle for the Allied troops to win -
D-Day (Europe)
The American troops had, Paratroopers drop behind the German lines to capture airfield and ruin whatever they set up. We came in on Normandy, France, 60 miles away of where Germany thought we were coming in. Omaha Beach was where the troops came too. The beach was filled with barber wire and it was very difficult just to get into the beach. The German troops were set up there and were just shooting at the American troops. 2 American division were sent, most of them was killed, we took the beach -
Guam (Pacific)
This island was the largest island in the Marianas. The Japanese had many troops there, but the Allied troops need to be there to use the island as a base. The Allies invade Guam and have difficulties getting the ship near the shore because of all the coral reefs and rocks. The battle ended with the Allied powers winning and the Japanese having a lot of casualties compared to the United States of America -
Operation Dragoon (Europe)
This was the code name for the plan when the Allied forces invaded Southern France, this was along the Mediterranean Sea. They plan was for the Allied troops to land in Normandy, but they ran short of supplies and had to rescheduled the invasion. When they invaded Southern France. Many allied troops were fighting the Germans to take back France. The Germans had major losses in this battle and they also lost it too. The Allied troops recaptured France -
Philippines 1944-45 (Pacific)
The American troops went back to the Philippines to fight for it, after having to surrender to Japan and going back to Australia. During this, two battle started, the battle of Leyte Gulf and the battle of Luzon. It took the American troops several of months to recapture the Philippines from the Japanese. The Japanese suffered many losses in the military. The American troops came back to the Philippines stronger and with a stronger military that the Japanese wasn't able to beat. -
Battle of Leyte Gulf (Pacific)
This was the largest naval battle ever fought. Admiral. Nimitz and MacArthur were the leaders of American troops on the islands. Both of the Japanese and Americans fleets were ready to fight at the gulf. The U.S plan was to go in and trap them. They did that while the Japanese were in a straight line. The Japanese had Kamikazes bomb American warships. At the end up the battle American troops takes back the Philippines and we destroyed Japan's navy -
Bastogne (Europe)
It was the town in Belgium, where the Battle of the Bulge was fought at. The Germans sent a message to the American troops saying if they come they should surrender or they will be killed. The American troops did not listen. Patton lead the American army to win the Battle with the U.S 101st Airborne Division. It came with resources and supplies for them to hold themselves. The Germans didn't think they would last long so they waited them out. The American troops won and kicked Germany out. -
Battle of the Bulge (Europe)
In an attempt to split of the Allied troops. They hit a weak sport in between the Allied Troops. The German troops ended up creating a bulge with the American troops in the middle at the 50 miles deep and 80 miles wide. The Allies stopped the German troops and made them retreat. This was a victory for the Allied Powers and a set back for the German troops. -
Yalta Conference (Europe)
The three leaders, FDR, Stalin and Churchill met up for a second-time. They were talking about Germany surrendering and how when they do it has to be an unconditional surrender nothing else. Since FDR was going to invade and takeover Japan he needed help from Russia. Stalin said that he will agree to give him support only if, FDR and Churchill would give him Manchuria and the other territories around it that was lost in the Russian-Japanese War -
Iwo Jima (Pacific)
The U.S marines went into one of the largest marine battles in history. Iwo Jima was defended by mnay Japanese army and navy troops. The american marines were able to beat them even though the Japanese troops were highly trained. America had gained another territory, even though that island was really small. They took a picture of the U.S marines putting an American flag up in the ground, they did this to help war effort. -
Okinawa (Pacific)
This was the last island battle in the Pacific, it was also the biggest. The American troops wanted the island because it was close to Japan and it would fill the gap. The Japanese used a different tactic when going into this battle, they used kamikazes for suicide missions, they put out their last big battle ship. This was a bloody battle, each side was many losses, but Japan had more 100,000. In the end the Allies won Okinawa Island -
Hitler's Suicide (Europe)
The Allied troops invaded Germany, and it the country fell to pieces. They ended up surrendering to them. After that Hitler and Eva Braun is partner, killed themselves by taking a cyanide pill in a bunker that Hitler made himself under a building. Hitler killed himself with the pill and a gunshot to the head. Guards found his body and burned and buried it. After the German troops heard about this they started surrendering to the Allied Troops. -
Germany Surrenders (Europe)
Germany surrendered in World War II because Russia has taken Berlin and their army was falling apart. The Allied troops destroyed their railways and their navy and military was wiped out because of all the battle they lost with the Allied forces. They weren't able to make any more machines because their factories and buildings were destroyed. This day is known are V.E Day. After Hitler died, the Germans surrendered unconditionally. -
Potsdam (Europe)
This conference was help by Berlin. This included Truman, Churchill and Stalin. This was the last meeting the three guys will have. The meeting was about having Japan surrendering unconditionally. During this, Truman told them that America has a weapon that they would use against Japan if they don't surrender. But he never told them what is was. This meeting was to talk about the ending of World War II between the countries -
Hiroshima and Nagasaki Bombing (Pacific)
America gave Japan an ultimatum and that was they will surrender or they will get hurt. They never surrender and on August 6 the first atomic bomb was dropped into the city of Hiroshima . The bomb killed more than 90% of the city. 3 days later the second atomic bomb was dropped in Nagasaki, Japan. This was smaller and it killed 40,000 people. The two bombs left the cities in rumbles and no one who made the bomb knew that the effect from it would be that big. This even made Japan surrender. -
Japanese Surrender (Pacific)
After the atomic bombing in the two cities in Japan, it destroyed everything. The Japanese surrendered over the radio saying that they want peace for them and all the generations after them. The United States accepted. On this day September 2, 1945, they had the Japanese emperor come onto the ship that they sunk when they attacked Pearl Harbor. There they signed a treaty stating they there was no more war between them. This day was known as V-J Day.
