WWII Timelime by Kristine Alarcon

Non-Aggression Pact (August 23-24, 1939)

12373362 — 2025-03-15 04:26:59 UTC

A pact signed by the Soviet Union and Germany to not attack one another. The two of them divided the countries of Western Europe between each other. This allowed Germany to invade Poland without fear of Soviet intervention.

Attack on Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941)

12373362 — 2025-03-15 04:26:59 UTC

A surprise attack launched by the Japanese Army on the U.S. naval base Pearl Harbor situated on Oahu Island, Hawaii. This attack resulted in the official entry of the U.S. into WWII.

Poland Invaded (September 1, 1939)

12373362 — 2025-03-15 21:29:10 UTC

Nazi Germany attacked and invaded Poland with their Blitzkrieg tactics. Their goal was to create more living space for Germans. The non-aggression pact between Germany and the Soviet Union also prompted them to aid in the invasion on the 17th of September.

Dunkirk Evacuation (May 26-June 4, 1940)

12373362 — 2025-03-16 03:12:06 UTC

The evacuation of over 338,000 British and French troops from Dunkirk, France during WW2. It is codenamed “Operation Dynamo” and was the key turning point in Allied war efforts after being trapped by the German army on the coast of France.

Battle of Britain (July 10-October 31, 1940)

12373362 — 2025-03-16 03:13:47 UTC

After the Fall of France, Germany planned to invade Great Britain. The Royal Air Force successfully defended Britain from German attacks and invasion by the hands of the Luftwaffe. It was Nazi Germany’s first major military defeat during WW2.

Soviet Union Invaded (June 22, 1941)

12373362 — 2025-03-16 03:16:20 UTC

Adolf Hitler launched a surprise invasion on the Soviet Union. At first Germany was successful at defeating most of Russia’s troops, but when the harsh winter came they were ultimately weakened. This led to the Soviet Union joining the Allies.

Japanese Internment Camps in America (February 19, 1942-March 20, 1946)

12373362 — 2025-03-16 03:20:15 UTC

After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the U.S. government captured and forcibly relocated 120,000 people of Japanese descent situated in the U.S. The majority of them were American citizens, but the government claimed they were threats to national security as their justification.

Battle of Midway (June 4-7, 1942)

12373362 — 2025-03-16 03:22:24 UTC

Through the use of decryptors, the U.S. was alerted of a planned Japanese attack on Midway. The goal of Japan was to establish a military base and attack American forces in the Pacific. The U.S. won, crippling Japan’s Navy and halting their expansion.

Manhattan Project (June 18, 1942-August 25, 1947)

12373362 — 2025-03-16 03:24:57 UTC

A research program led by the U.S. that developed the atomic bombs that would be dropped over Japanese cities, Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The goal was to beat Nazi Germany to the punch and be the first to develop atomic weapons.

Guadalcanal Campaign (August 7, 1942-February 9, 1943)

12373362 — 2025-03-16 03:27:19 UTC

A series of battles that took place for 6 months between the Allies and Japan on the Solomon islands. The goal was to take control of the islands so the Japanese couldn’t use it for their operations.

Allies Land in North Africa (November 8, 1942)

12373362 — 2025-03-16 03:28:06 UTC

An Allied invasion of British and American troops across French North Africa. The goal was to draw the Axis forces away from the Eastern Front and relieve pressure off of the Soviet Union.

German Surrender in Stalingrad (January 31, 1943-February 2, 1943)

12373362 — 2025-03-16 03:30:24 UTC

Took place when Nazi Germany attacked the Soviet Union in the Russian city Stalingrad. After months, Soviet troops surrounded German troops, leaving them with no choice but to surrender. This event marked a change in Germany’s military because afterwards they had to relocate many troops to accommodate for their loss in the battle.

D-Day (June 6, 1944)

12373362 — 2025-03-16 03:31:39 UTC

The Allied landing in Normandy, France. The goal was to regain France from Nazi-Germany’s rule. This started the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe from Germany.

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

12373362 — 2025-03-16 03:33:48 UTC

A major battle during WW2 where German forces launched a surprise attack and attempted to break through Allied lines by going through the Ardennes Forest. The Germans initially succeeded and created a “bulge” through Allied lines until American forces launched a powerful counterattack, leaving the Germans to retreat.

Iwo Jima Captured (March 26, 1945)

12373362 — 2025-03-16 03:35:33 UTC

The capturing of a Japanese island by U.S. forces after a 36-day battle. Thousands were killed and it marked the bloodiest battle in Marine Corps history.

Hitler Commits Suicide (April 30, 1945)

12373362 — 2025-03-16 03:37:50 UTC

Dictator of Nazi Germany Adolf Hitler committed suicide holed up in his bunker under his headquarters in Berlin. He committed suicide after the Red Army of the Soviet Union invaded and surrounded Berlin which was under German rule. A week after his death, Germany surrendered to the Allies.

Germany Surrenders (May 7, 1945)

12373362 — 2025-03-16 03:40:05 UTC

The German army began falling apart leading to the surrender of Germany to Allied forces. This led to the end of WW2 in Europe. Afterwards, Germany was split into four zones, each controlled by Great Britain, the United States, France, and the Soviet Union.

Okinawa Captured (June 22, 1945)

12373362 — 2025-03-16 03:42:26 UTC

The invasion of Okinawa from Japanese forces by the hands of American troops. The goal was to push Japan out and establish a military base in Okinawa.

Bombing of Hiroshima/Nagasaki (August 6, 1945 and August 9, 1945)

12373362 — 2025-03-16 03:44:07 UTC

The U.S. detonated two atomic bombs over Japanese cities Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Japan refused to surrender to the Allies, leaving the U.S. to drop atom bombs over them in an attempt to get them to surrender. Thousands of lives were lost, but many believe even more would have been lost had the bombs not been dropped.

Japan Signs Official Surrender (September 2, 1945)

12373362 — 2025-03-16 03:45:02 UTC

The official surrender of Japan to Allied forces that marked the end of WW2. Japan decided to surrender after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by U.S. forces which severely weakened their military coupled with the Soviet Union’s official declaration of war on them on August 9, 1945.