WW2 Timeline

  • Munich Pact

    Munich Pact
    In order to keep war from breaking out, the Allies kept granting land to Hitler in return for him not too utilize his military on them. The Munich Pact was the last attempt to satisfy Hitler with land before tension became too strong.
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    Kristallnacht

    Kristallnacht, meaning "Knight of Broken Glass" was an anti-Jew group formed to riot against them. They burnt down buildings, synagogues, and many other Jewish homes and stores. Their actions, violent and spontaneous were a cause leading towards the start of WW2.
  • Hitler attacks Poland

    Hitler attacks Poland
    Even though Hitler had just recently signed a non aggression pact, many were upset with this decision, alongside with the role Poland played in the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. On September 1st, Hitler invaded Poland, and it was under his control in weeks.
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    "Miracle" at Dunkirk

    Under "Operation Dynamo" over 338,000 Allied troops were rescued from the beaches of Dunkirk, travelling through through the English Channel , while being attacked on all sides. The entire process took multiple days, but saved many lives.
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    Battle of Britain

    This Battle, fought by Britain’s and Germany’s air forces, turned out to be a significant battle in WW2. Britain’s RAF put up an incredibly strong, determined defense against Germany's Luftwaffle, even after almost a year of persistent attacks.
  • Operation Barbarossa Begins

    Operation Barbarossa Begins
    This Operation was Germany's plan to invade the Soviet Union. During the beginning of the war, they wanted too gain as much land and countries as they could, but they underestimated their opponent.
  • Japan Attacks Pearl Harbor

    Japan Attacks Pearl Harbor
    Wanting to destroy a large part of America's resources, Japan damaged all 8 battleships, 188 aircraft, and killed over 2,400 civilians with over 1000 injured.
  • Battle of Midway

    Battle of Midway
    This battle begun when, soon after the Attack on Peal Harbour, the Japanese wanted control of the islands of Midway. they sent light naval and aircrafts, underestimating the U.S. The U.S came in strong in heavy with strong aircrafts which took down the ships and planes in only a few days.
  • Battle of Stalingrad

    Battle of Stalingrad
    In this major turning point, the Soviet Union and the Allies surrounded the German troops, who were cold, tired, and generally unprepared for the cold weather in Russia. This city of industry and transportation was well defended by the Allies.
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    Battle of El Alamein

    After a long fight against Axis leader Rommel, the tide changed in the favour of the allies. The battle, taking place in North Africa, was a major win for the Allies, as they won a great land battle with almost no direct support from Americans yet.
  • Allies attack Sicily

    Allies attack Sicily
    Code named "Operation Husky", this massive battle was an attempt to drive out any Axis forces and get rid of any fascism left in Italy. This attack took a long time, through bad weather conditions, the loss of many troops and supplies and the underestimated fierce competition. By
  • D-Day

    D-Day
    In this surprise attack, over 156,000 Allies landed on the beaches at Normandy, trying to liberate France, and get them out of the grasps of Nazi Germany's army. This whole process took multiple months, but was ultimately worth it, as it was the beginning of the end of the war.
  • Germany Surrenders(V-E Day)

    Germany Surrenders(V-E Day)
    As they knew defeat was under way after Hitler's death, and the Soviets almost at Berlin, General Alfred Jodl signed an unconditional surrender of the troops in Remis, France.
  • U.S Drops Nuclear Bomb on Hiroshima

    U.S Drops Nuclear Bomb on Hiroshima
    This bomb, known as "Little Boy", was America's first nuclear bomb dropped on an enemy. Under Truman's command, the bomb was designed(through the Manhattan project) and completely leveled the Japanese city of Hiroshima.
  • Japan Surrenders(V-J) Day

    Japan Surrenders(V-J) Day
    Towards the end of the war, the Allies had almost completely wiped out Japan’s navy and air force. After the two atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, they surrendered less than a month later, after proposing the Potsdam Declaration.