Events of the War by Camryn Curtis

Moscow, Russia

2124765 — 2024-03-28 15:26:40 UTC

In August 1939, Germany signed a non-aggression pact with the Soviet Union which was meant to keep Britain from entering in the war. They also agreed to split Poland up among themselves. This would lead to conflict in the future after Germany invades Poland.

Warsaw, Poland

2124765 — 2024-03-28 15:28:13 UTC

Germany invades Poland and quickly wins the battle. Britain and France declare war on Germany for breaking the terms of their earlier agreement that Germany would not invade Poland. This marked the actual start of the war.

The Opal Coast, Rue Roger Salengro, Cucq, France

2124765 — 2024-03-28 15:31:38 UTC

In May 1940, Hitler's army of Nazis invade France. They achieved this by going through the Ardennes and going around the Maginot Line, which was a string of defenses built along France's border after the First World War. Hitler reached the Northern Coast of France within 10 days and France surrendered to Germany.

Britain, United Kingdom

2124765 — 2024-03-28 15:36:35 UTC

Hitler planned to push Britain into submission by constantly bombing them with airstrikes in preparation for Germany's invasion of Britain. Every night the German Luftwaffe would bomb the city in the hopes of weakening the people and the military forces. However, new technology like radar allowed Britain to hold off Germany, providing hope that Hitler could be stopped.

Russian Federation

2124765 — 2024-03-28 15:41:03 UTC

Operation Barbarossa was Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union in the summer of 1941. Defying the non-aggression pact, Nazis invade the Soviet Union. The USSR used the Scorched Earth Policy, which is a tactic used by countries getting invaded to destroy everything of value in their country during an invasion, including crops, livestock, buildings, and other infrastructure. This tactic allowed the USSR to hold back Germany at Leningrad.

Stalingrad, Russia

2124765 — 2024-03-28 15:45:53 UTC

One of the bloodiest battles in history, the Battle of Stalingrad, was a major turning point in the war. The Soviet Union and Germany were now battling it out for control over the city of Stalingrad. Germany wanted Stalingrad for its rich oil fields. The Soviets eventually surround the Germans and Hitler surrenders because of his troops facing severe starvation and cold. This was devastating for Germany and significant for the Soviet Union, because it held off the Germans from invading their own country.

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

2124765 — 2024-03-28 15:49:56 UTC

In an attack that rekindled the harsh feelings between the Allies and the Axis powers, Japan took America by surprise when they began to bomb the naval base at Pearl Harbor in retaliation for the US cutting off Japan's oil supply. This attack led to a declaration of war from the US against Japan and sucked America into the world war.

Normandy, France

2124765 — 2024-03-28 15:55:29 UTC

The leader of the Allied Powers during the Second World War, Dwight Eisenhower, came up with a strategy that was supposed to defeat Germany for good. The plan, named Operation Overlord, was to combine land, air, and naval forces to overwhelm Germany into surrendering. On June 6th, 1944, they put this plan into action and gained a foothold in Normandy. This attack would lead to the freeing of France, Belgium, and Luxembourg and would significantly weaken the German military. It was one of the biggest military operations in history.

Paris, France

2124765 — 2024-03-28 15:59:58 UTC

Following the D-Day invasion, the Allied forces pushed in from the West while the Soviets closed in on Germany from the East. This led to a significant blow to Germany's power and the liberation of many towns and countries throughout Europe from Germany's grasp. The Allies advanced towards Nazi Germany to attempt to finally end the war. These liberations were a monumental step for the Allied Powers and gave them the motivation and ability to finally start the end of the War.

Berlin, Germany

2124765 — 2024-03-28 16:03:16 UTC

The Battle of Berlin was the final effort that would end the Second World War in Europe. As the Allied close in on Germany, Hitler commits suicide in his bunker and the Allies capture Germany. In May 1945, Germany surrendered to the Allied Powers, which marked the end of the War in Europe and the collapse of the Third Reich.

Midway Atoll, United States Minor Outlying Islands

2124765 — 2024-04-01 15:20:28 UTC

By June 4th , 1942, the USA had decoded Japanese naval codes and were anticipating the attack coming that day. They were able to surprise the Japanese, using airstrikes to sink their ships and naval fleet. This caused significant damage to the Japanese naval fleet, shifting the power to the Allies and allowing them to get on the offensive against Japan.

Solomon Islands

2124765 — 2024-04-01 15:24:49 UTC

On the island of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands, the Allies launched their first major offensive maneuver towards the Japanese, attacking the airfield they had set up there. After a brutal battle ending with more than 24,000 dead, the Allies secured the island from the Japanese, providing them a foothold over the Japanese for their future attacks on Japan.

Iwo Jima, Iōjima, Ogasawara, Tokyo, Japan

2124765 — 2024-04-01 15:29:04 UTC

Iwo Jima, a small island in the Pacific, was the perfect place for an airbase for both Japan and the Allies. Despite heavy resistance, the USA made it through and captured the island. The capture of Iwo Jima became an important base for America that helped them get closer to defeating Japan. This brutal battle is memorialized by this timeless picture of American troops raising the flag at Iwo Jima.

Hiroshima, Japan

2124765 — 2024-04-01 15:32:46 UTC

After the development of top-secret atomic weapons made by the US, President Truman said that their invasion of Japan would cost millions of lives. The bombing would be the quickest way to end the war once and for all, so the US decided to bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan on August 6th and 9th. There were thousands of victims of the bombing, and radiation fallout killed even more. These bombings led to Japan's final surrender.

United States

2124765 — 2024-04-01 15:35:00 UTC

VJ Day in America was a day of celebration that WWII was finally over. People all over were overcome with feelings of relief and happiness at the end of the war.