WW2 Timeline by Derrik Agnew

Pacific: Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941

djapple201984 — 2024-01-31 16:11:54 UTC

On this date, Japanese bombers attacked the U.S. naval base in Hawaii. It was a surprise attack that caused many U.S. casualties. It was a successful attack however, there were no American aircraft carriers were there and the Japanese did not destroy the fuel tanks or repair shops. The historical significance of this battle is that this event brought the U.S. into the war. The next day December 8, 1941, the U.S. declared war on Japan soon after Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S.

Pacific: The Battle of Bataan and The Bataan Death march January 1942-April 1942

djapple201984 — 2024-02-05 18:35:04 UTC

Soon after Pearl Harbor, the Japanese invaded the Philippines. This was the first major land fight for America. The American and Filipino troops fought honorably but with little resources, disease spreading rapidly, and no air or naval support they were forced to surrender. A combined seventy-six thousand troops between Americans and Filipinos were the largest amount of soldiers under U.S. command to surrender. It is historically significant because it was the first land battle for Americans. It led to the horrific Bataan Death March and was one of the largest amounts of troops to surrender under American command. The march was sixty-six miles from the Southern Peninsula to San Fernando. During the march, many soldiers were bayoneted, shot, or killed. From there the Prisoners were boarded onto railroad cars to a camp and many died of starvation or disease.

Pacific: Battle of Midway June 4th, 1942

djapple201984 — 2024-02-06 16:20:45 UTC

This battle happened shortly after the Battle of the Coral Sea. The Japanese wanted to try and remove the U.S. from having control in the Pacific. Japan was planning an attack and the U.S. was able to break the Japanese code to find where the attack would happen and when. The battle was mostly all aircraft fought and the U.S. was able to come away with the victory destroying Japan's first line of aircraft strength along with their best pilots. This battle was significant because it stopped the Japanese from invading any more territory in the Pacific. This was the start of the downfall of the Japanese empire.

European: Surrender at Stalingrad February 2, 1943

djapple201984 — 2024-02-08 13:46:35 UTC

The battle of Stalingrad was a long and intense fight spanning over five months from August 1942 to February 1943. This battle was one of the bloodiest battles of the war with over one million soviet causalities including civilians. Hitler wanted to capture Stalingrad because of its location. This would disconnect the transportation of the Soviets and South Russia. This way Germany could strengthen their northern flank. The fighting style of this battle was close-quarter combat, direct attacks, and air raids even on civilians. The significance of this battle was that it stopped the German army from further advancing into the Soviet Union territory. Some Historians call this the greatest battle in the war just because of the circumstances and how long it lasted.

European: Operation Torch November 8-10 1942

djapple201984 — 2024-02-09 13:38:45 UTC

Operation Torch was a battle where the U.S. troops went to North Africa to help reinforce British troops to make sure the Allies could secure victory. This battle was described as an amphibious assault. Thirty-three thousand American soldiers dropped directly into Morocco under the command of General Eisenhower. Historical significance is that it was the first taste of fighting Nazis and Italy in war while ending the French's presence in North Africa. It provided a good amount of momentum for the Allies because it was the first major American victory on the European side.

Pacific: The Battle of Tarawa November 23, 1943

djapple201984 — 2024-02-11 17:54:45 UTC

Eighteen thousand U.S. Marines were sent to secure the Japanese-controlled island of Betio in Tarawa. This was supposed to be an easy mission but dilemmas occurred. Low tides made American crafts unable to land, which caused marines to have to wade through the deep water while the Japanese fired heavy amounts at them. The marines were able to finally capture the island after seventy-six hours of bitter combat even surviving a banzai charge from the Japanese. This battle was significant because it was the first U.S. offensive in the region of the Central Pacific. Due to the amount of casualties and injuries to the troops, the U.S. had to review all their strategies to further protect themselves after the battle.

European: Invasion of Italy September 3, 1943

djapple201984 — 2024-02-11 18:03:36 UTC

On this date, the Allied invasion of Italy occurred after the German and Italian troops had been driven back from North Africa and Sicily. The American and British troops landed in Calabria and South Salerno. General Eisenhower confirmed that Italy had surrendered to the Allied forces so the American troops expected little competition. Instead, they got into an intense fight with the German troops. The Allies looked like they were going to lose at Salerno but the reinforcements from Calabria made sure they secured victory. The Germans suffered defeat around the beaches and retreated north to the Volturno Line. The invasion relieved pressure on Soviet forces in the east and created a second front in Europe. The invasion of Italy finally ended on the seventeenth of September. The historical significance of this was that it made the Germans keep most of their army in the Mediterranean and took pressure off other Allied troops elsewhere. This move also gave the Allies Italian air bases and could provide a bigger threat to Germany with a good position.

European: D-Day June 6, 1944

djapple201984 — 2024-02-11 19:19:40 UTC

On this date, Allie troops stormed Normandy. This battle brought all aspects of fighting and became the biggest amphibious battle in history. Operation Overload sent about one hundred sixty thousand Allied soldiers to land beaches Sword, Juno, Gold, Omaha, and Utah. American and British paratroopers were designated to land inland for further support. The battle started off rough because of the weather conditions where some soldiers were blown miles down the beach and Axis resistance was heavy on Omaha beach. Despite these challenges, the Allies were able to defeat the Axis powers. D-Day was significant because it gave the Allies a chance to take command of the western front. Even though the war wasn't over this became a turning point that sparked the end of the war.

European: The Battle of the Bulge December 16, 1944

djapple201984 — 2024-02-12 13:20:00 UTC

The Battle of the Bulge was the German's last offensive push. Hitler wanted to try and prevent the Allies from reaching Germany so he tried to split them up. Germany had some succession and managed to drive the Allies into a bulge giving the battle its name. This battle lasted six long cold weeks and was the bloodiest battle for the U.S. army having over one hundred thousand casualties. This battle is significant because it was the German's last offensive push and prevented the Axis powers from performing counterattacks on the Allies any longer, after the invasion of Normandy. Four months later Germany surrendered to the Allies. Winston Churchill called the battle the greatest American battle of the war.

Pacific: Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima August 6, 1945

djapple201984 — 2024-02-12 16:43:52 UTC

On this date, the first atomic bomb "Little Boy" was dropped on Hiroshima by the U.S. Over seventy thousand people died and many others were affected by radiation poisoning. This bomb was part of the Manhattan Project which was top secret and developed atomic bombs for three years. Three days later the U.S. dropped another atomic bomb on the city of Nagasaki. The historical significance of the atomic bomb is that it marked the end of the war. Japan soon surrendered after both bombings because they had no choice. This also affected the world around them, now knowing that this dangerous weapon was created.