WWII Timeline by Caryn Sidharta

Non-Aggression Pact - August 23-24, 1929

12378428 — 2025-03-10 20:53:39 UTC

Germany and the Soviets signed a pact that promised each nation’s neutrality to the other, also including clauses that secretly divided nations in Europe for each respective zone of influence. This non-aggression pact divided countries between the two nations, prevented Germany from fighting on two fronts, and eventually started WWII with their invasion of Poland.

Battle of Britain - July 10-October 31, 1940

12378428 — 2025-03-10 20:53:39 UTC

This was the first major conflict strictly fought in the air between the Royal Air Force and the German Luftwaffe which ended in the Nazi’s first major loss. After Hitler’s successful invasions, he sought to beat Great Britain's air force which would lead to the capture of mainland Britain, bringing him one step closer to dominating all of Europe.

Poland Invaded -September 1, 1939

12378428 — 2025-03-11 16:05:05 UTC

As Hitler desired for Germany’s expansion and a secured food supply, he invaded Poland with the help of the Soviets due to their Nazi-Soviet Pact that divided Poland to their respective zones of influence. This act started WWII through the involvement of France and Great Britain.

Soviet Union Invaded (eastern Poland) - September 1, 1939

12378428 — 2025-03-11 16:06:16 UTC

The Soviets invaded Poland from the east while Nazi Germany did from the west, exposing the German-Soviet Pact that divided Poland into respective zones of influence. This helped feed Hitler’s greed for territory and sparked WWII with the introduction of British and French forces.

Dunkirk Evacuation - May 26-June 4th, 1940

12378428 — 2025-03-11 16:09:50 UTC

The British Royal Air Force stopped German bombers above the beach in Dunkirk, France, as civilians who helped alongside the Royal Navy helped evacuate more than 338,000 British & French troops in Dunkirk.

Attack on Pearl Harbor - December 7, 1941

12378428 — 2025-03-11 16:16:02 UTC

Japan attacked the US naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii to damage American naval power so they wouldn’t obstruct their plans of Asian expansion. This started the Pacific front in WWII.

Japanese Internment Camps in America - February 19, 1942

12378428 — 2025-03-11 16:18:46 UTC

2 months after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt organized Executive Order 9066 that forcefully placed Japanese Americans to inland internment camps. Despite two-thirds of them being American citizens, this was carried out on the fear of potential Japanese espionage.

Battle of Midway - June 4-7, 1942

12378428 — 2025-03-11 18:54:30 UTC

The U.S. stopped a Japanese fleet from invading Midway Island, seeking to get a place in the Pacific and remove the U.S. as an obstacle in their territorial expansion. U.S. victory crippled Japan’s plan for the Pacific and started a U.S. offensive.

Manhattan Project - June 19, 1942-August 25, 1947

12378428 — 2025-03-11 19:06:47 UTC

The classified partnership between the U.S. and Great Britain to beat Germany in creating atomic weapons. With J. Robert Oppenheimer leading the design and construction of the atomic bombs, the two bombs were used in Japan, leading to the end of WWII and devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Guadalcanal Campaign - 7 August 1942-August 15, 1947

12378428 — 2025-03-11 20:52:24 UTC

It was a crucial battle of Allied forces fighting the Japanese who wanted to make an airbase and defensive buffer in the South Pacific which would impact Allied supply routes to Australia. Ended in Japan’s loss, making this a turning point in the Pacific War as Allies were on the defensive now.

Allies Land in North Africa - November 8, 1942

12378428 — 2025-03-11 20:55:00 UTC

(a.k.a “Operation Torch”) American and British forces invaded French North African beaches and ports, eventually opening a second front against the Axis. Allies wanted to divert Germany’s focus for the Soviets on the Eastern front as well as to keep a foothold in the Mediterranean while gaining access to key resources.

German Surrender in Stalingrad - February 2, 1943

12378428 — 2025-03-11 20:58:31 UTC

Germany’s invasion on Stalingrad went south after a strategic counteroffensive by the Soviets that led them to surrender due to their lack of ammunition and food. Hitler wanted Stalingrad for their Caucasus oil fields and Volga River, it's propaganda value as a city named after Stalin, and to turn Russia into a Nazi hegemony.

D-Day - June 6, 1944

12378428 — 2025-03-11 21:01:09 UTC

The largest air, land, and naval invasion in history that led to a new front and the liberation of France. The cause behind this invasion would be to put the Allies on a course to victory, proving it to be a turning point in WWII and a key factor in the defeat of Nazi Germany.

Battle of the Bulge - December 16, 1944-January 25, 1945

12378428 — 2025-03-11 21:05:52 UTC

Hitler, desperate to save Germany from losing, led a surprise offensive in the Ardennes Forest to break through the Allied lines, capture Antwerp, finish the battle on the western front, and focus on defeating the Soviets on the Eastern Front. The battle ended with Allied victory as Germany suffered from gasoline shortages and overwhelming Allied air attacks that downgraded German morale.

Iwo Jima Captured - March 26, 1945

12378428 — 2025-03-11 21:08:23 UTC

The U.S. invaded Iwo Jima (a Japanese island) in WWII in hopes of establishing a strategic air base and to keep the flank safe for an invasion of Okinawa. This ended in heavy casualties and U.S. victory, becoming an air base and emergency landing field to help carry out bombing operations in Japan.

Hitler Commits Suicide - April 20, 1945

12378428 — 2025-03-11 21:11:11 UTC

Hitler committed suicide the day the Red Army occupied Berlin in his underground bunker which ended WWII in Europe. He did so as he felt that Germany’s loss was inevitable in the Battle of Berlin which would reflect their outcome in WWII.

Germany Surrenders - May 7, 1945

12378428 — 2025-03-11 21:13:19 UTC

Hitler’s death and overwhelming attacks from Allied forces pushed Germany into a corner, leading to their unconditional surrender. As the Soviets pushed Germany from the east and Allies from the west, Germany lost much territory and had no leader to guide them which prompted their surrender.

Okinawa Captured - June 22, 1945

12378428 — 2025-03-11 21:17:53 UTC

Okinawa was an opportunity for the U.S. to block Japan’s supply routes through its airbases and anchorages, prompting the U.S. to take down the last obstacle between them and Japan. Japan responded by sending the largest kamikaze attacks of the war, inflicting great casualties on both sides. This ended in U.S. victory and was the last major battle of WWII.

Bombing of Hiroshima & Nagasaki - August 6, 1945

12378428 — 2025-03-11 21:19:51 UTC

Two atomic bombs were dropped in Hiroshima and Nagasaki that devastated Japan’s population and their future generations with the radiation survivors were exposed to. The U.S. aimed to find a way to quickly end the war with Japan, minimize American casualties, and to establish a superior position in the post-war geopolitical landscape, which is why they created the atomic bomb.

Japan Signs Official Surrender - September 2, 1945

12378428 — 2025-03-11 21:22:30 UTC

Japan signs the official Instrument of Surrender made by the War Department under President Truman, officiating the surrender of Japan. After the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and threat of further mass destruction, Japan decided to admit surrender.