World War Two by Finn High

Nazi-Soviet Pact August 1939

2158432_2 — 2024-03-27 16:42:12 UTC

Allowed Hitler to be sure that he would not be fighting a two-front war and was meant to help keep Britain out of it. Shocked other nations due to the political opposition of communism vs. fascism.

Nazi Invasion of Poland September 1939

2158432_2 — 2024-03-27 16:47:12 UTC

Nazi forces overwhelmed the Polish military with superior firepower and tactics, which caused Britain and France to declare war on Germany. The German occupation also caused large losses to Poland's population and economy.

The Maginot Line Constucted 1930

2158432_2 — 2024-03-27 17:02:05 UTC

Long line of defenses set up along the border of Germany and Belgium in response to World War One. Built to withstand direct assault and was more heavily armored near Germany than Belgium. The Germans were able to bypass it by going around the South and flanking the wall through the Ardennes Forest.

Fall of France May 1940

2158432_2 — 2024-03-27 17:05:30 UTC

France was forced to surrender despite having a larger army and the Maginot Line due to Germany's blitzkreig tactics, allowing them to reach Paris in a matter of weeks.

Miracle at Dunkirk Spring 1940

2158432_2 — 2024-03-28 16:21:01 UTC

Around 338,000 soldiers were evacuated from France through the use of British naval ships and civilian boats. Also known as Operation Dynamo.

Battle of Britain July to October 1940

2158432_2 — 2024-03-28 16:24:34 UTC

Fighting between the Royal Air Force and the Luftwaffe over Britain, the British won due to their skilled pilots and ground support.

Luftwaffe Raids on London September 1940

2158432_2 — 2024-03-28 20:52:11 UTC

A series of air raids on London meant to break the British troops' moral. The bombings were uneffective at hurting moral, but did cause wide spread destruction and civilian casualties.

Operation Barbarossa June 22 1941

2158432_2 — 2024-03-30 01:06:52 UTC

The Nazi's codename for the invasion of the Soviet Union. Marked a turning point in the war because it shattered any German hopes for a quick victory on the Eastern front.

Battle of Stalingrad August 23 1942

2158432_2 — 2024-03-30 01:10:37 UTC

One of the bloodiest battle in history where the Germans attempted to take the Soviet city of Stalingrad unsuccessfully, which provided a great morale boost to the Russians and hurt the German morale.

Pearl Harbor December 7th 1941

2158432_2 — 2024-03-30 01:13:53 UTC

Surprise attack on the U.S. from Japan that killed 2,400 Americans and caused the U.S. to declare war on Japan and enter WWII against the Nazis as well.

Operation Overlord June 6 1944

2158432_2 — 2024-03-30 01:19:21 UTC

More commonly known as D-Day, it was a massive attack on the German coast that marked the start of the fall of the Nazis.

Battle of Midway June 4 1942

2158432_2 — 2024-03-30 01:22:46 UTC

Naval battle near Midway Atoll, which significantly hurt the Japanese navy and marked a turning point that allowed the U.S. to win in the Pacific Theater.

Battle of Guadalcanal August 7 1942

2158432_2 — 2024-03-30 01:25:03 UTC

The first major offensive against Japan, fought mostly by Americans and Australians.

Battle of Iwo Jima February 19 1945

2158432_2 — 2024-03-30 01:27:31 UTC

The capture of Iwo Jima by U.S. marines was an important base for other operation in the Pacific.

Hiroshima and Nagasaki August 6 & 9 1945

2158432_2 — 2024-03-30 01:31:43 UTC

The two bombs codenamed Little Boy and Fat Man were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing over 140,000 civilians and quickly ending the war.