WWII Events Timeline by Daisy Castro

Dunkirk Evacuation - May 26-June 4, 1940

12375746 — 2024-03-15 02:11:04 UTC

In 1940, Germany invaded France and the Low Countries, cutting off various Allied escape ports along the English Channel. As their defensive lines rapidly shrank, an evacuation of French and British troops from the European mainland became imperative. The evacuation took place on the beaches and harbor of Dunkirk, located in the north of France, between May 26 and June 4. Belgium's surrender on May 28 added to the urgency of the situation.

Japan Signs Official Surrender - September 2, 1945

12375746 — 2024-03-16 00:32:14 UTC

On September 2, 1945, Japan surrendered by signing the instrument of surrender, which was a result of the "twin shocks" caused by the atomic bomb and led to massive damage.

Allies win the Battle of Leyte - October 23-26, 1944

12375746 — 2024-03-16 00:37:59 UTC

On October 23 through 26, 1944, American and Australian forces fought against the Imperial Japanese in the Philippines to reinforce the Allies' control of the Pacific and reclaim the Philippines.

Hitler Commits Suicide - April 30, 1945

12375746 — 2024-03-16 00:43:12 UTC

Hitler commits suicide on April 30, 1945, in his Berlin bunker, he didn't want to see the Germans surrender and because he didn't want to suffer the same as Mussolini.

Battle of Britain - July 10-October 31, 1940

12375746 — 2024-03-16 00:43:53 UTC

Germany planned to gain air superiority over southern England from 10 July to 31 October 1940 with the aim of preparing for an invasion of Great Britain. The two opposing forces were the RAF and the German Luftwaffe.

Pearl Harbor - December 7, 1941

12375746 — 2024-03-16 00:50:04 UTC

On December 7, 1941, the Japanese military attacked the United States Naval Base at Pearl Harbor. The base was a crucial oil and fueling station for ships and planes, making it a valuable target for Japan. The attack was aimed at weakening the US military and was a significant factor in the country's decision to enter World War II. The attack was a surprise and caused significant damage to the US Pacific Fleet, resulting in the loss of many lives and ships.

Germany Surrenders - May 7, 1945

12375746 — 2024-03-16 00:53:40 UTC

The Allies demanded the unconditional surrender of the German army, and the German command had no choice but to agree in Reims, France on May 7, 1945.

Japan Abandons Guadalcanal - February 7, 1943

12375746 — 2024-03-16 00:55:18 UTC

Commander Yuji Yamamoto and Major Takahiko Hayashi retreated their remaining forces from Guadalcanal to Tokyo on February 7, 1943 due to the threat posed by local Japanese forces. The decision was made to protect the limited and shrinking number of assets under their command.

Soviet Union Invaded - June 22, 1941

12375746 — 2024-03-16 01:02:45 UTC

On June 22, 1941, Nazi Germany and Hitler intended to destroy what he saw as Stalin's 'Jewish Bolshevist' regime and establish Nazi hegemony in the Soviet Union.

Battle of Midway - June 4, 1942

12375746 — 2024-03-16 01:05:08 UTC

On June 4, 1942, US and Japan naval forces engaged in a battle at Midway Islands, located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The main goal of the battle was to gain territory in East Asia and the Southwest Pacific and to remove the United States as the dominant power in the region. However, the US ambushed the Japanese forces and sunk 4 of their largest carriers, resulting in a significant loss for Japan.

Allies Land in North Africa - November 8, 1942

12375746 — 2024-03-16 01:06:59 UTC

On November 8th, 1942, the Allied forces landed in Fedala with the intention of drawing the Axis forces away from the Eastern Front, thus relieving pressure on the hard-pressed Soviet Union.

D-Day - June 6, 1944

12375746 — 2024-03-16 01:09:23 UTC

On June 6, 1944, Allied Expeditionary Forces troops landed in Normandy, France to liberate Europe and defeat Germany.

Hiroshima/Nagasaki - August 6-9, 1945

12375746 — 2024-03-16 01:10:29 UTC

The United States and Japan were the parties involved in the events that took place in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 6-9, 1945. The US wanted to bring an end to the war with Japan and decided to bomb two of its cities, which eventually led to Japan's surrender.

Allies Surrender in the Philippines - May 6, 1942

12375746 — 2024-03-16 01:12:48 UTC

In May 6, 1942, Japan invaded the Philippines with artillery and tanks. The United States was unable to keep up and ended up surrendering. This event is known as the biggest loss in the history of the United States. The countries involved in this event were Japan and the United States.

Japanese Internment Camps in America - February 19, 1942

12375746 — 2024-03-16 01:17:05 UTC

On February 19, 1942, the United States government forcibly relocated thousands of Japanese Americans to detention camps in the Western United States.

German Surrender in Stalingrad - February 2, 1943

12375746 — 2024-03-16 01:18:32 UTC

On 2 February 1943, Soviet forces strategically counteroffensive by flanking and surrounding a large body of German troops in Stalingrad. This resulted in the eventual surrender of the German troops.

Manhattan Project - August 13, 1942

12375746 — 2024-03-16 01:21:42 UTC

On August 13, 1942, President Roosevelt ordered the development of a nuclear weapon. This decision was made in response to fears that German scientists had been working on a similar weapon since the 1930s. Three sites were chosen for the development of the weapon: Hanford, Washington; Los Alamos, New Mexico; and Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

Poland Invaded - Sep 1, 1939- Oct 6, 1939

12375746 — 2024-03-16 01:23:03 UTC

Adolf Hitler attacked Poland in September 1939 and occupied it until October 1939, as he sought to establish German rule over Poland.

Iwo Jima Captured - March 26, 1945

12375746 — 2024-03-16 01:23:57 UTC

On March 26, 1945, the US captured Iwo Jima from Japan to use it as an emergency landing strip for crippled B-29s returning from bombing runs.

Okinawa Captured - June 22, 1945

12375746 — 2024-03-16 01:25:59 UTC

The mission was to capture Okinawa, the largest of the Ryukyu Islands, by the U.S. forces on June 22, 1945. The reason behind capturing Okinawa was to provide an airbase for allied forces to launch bombing attacks on Japan. Additionally, it would serve as an advanced anchorage point for allied fleets.

Battle of the Coral Sea - May 4-May 8, 1942

12375746 — 2024-03-16 01:27:10 UTC

During May 4-8, 1942, Allied forces attempted to halt Japan's expansion into the Pacific Ocean area, specifically in the Coral Sea, New Guinea, and Solomon Islands, under the leadership of Frank J. Fletcher.

Battle of the Bulge - December 16-January 25, 1945

12375746 — 2024-03-16 01:28:05 UTC

On December 16, 1944, Adolf Hitler launched a counter-attack against Allied forces in Belgium, Germany, and Luxembourg. He hoped that this would stall the Allied offensive against Germany by surrounding the British and American armies. The battle lasted until January 25, 1945.

Non-Aggression Pact - August 23-24, 1939

12375746 — 2024-03-16 01:30:24 UTC

On August 23-24, 1939, Adolf Hitler signed a non-aggression pact with the Soviet Union, which allowed his armies to invade Poland without opposition from a major power.

Stalingrad Attacks Ordered - July 23, 1942

12375746 — 2024-03-16 01:32:32 UTC

On July 23, 1942, Hitler wanted to capture Stalingrad because it was named after Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union, and he believed that capturing it would embarrass Stalin.