War in Europe and Pacific by Jake Scott

Germany launches an invasion of the USSR

14974_25 — 2025-04-30 14:08:25 UTC

Hitler's troops started an attack on the Soviet Union in 1941. Joseph Stalin wanted the Allies to attack Germany on the Eastern front to force Germany to fight the war on two sides.

Operation Torch

14974_25 — 2025-04-30 14:12:09 UTC

The U.S. Army general Dwight D. Eisenhower led the Allied forces in an invasion of North Africa called Operation Torch. This was because the U.S. and Britain wanted to invade French North Africa to reclaim Nazi-controlled areas there.

Battle of Stalingrad

14974_25 — 2025-04-30 14:17:41 UTC

In July of 1942, Hitler split his forces between the Caucasus Mountains and the city of Stalingrad. Germany began to bomb the city while many civilians had not been evacuated yet. As the two armies fought in the streets the number of civilian casualties greatly increased.

Invasion of Sicily

14974_25 — 2025-04-30 14:21:25 UTC

Led by George Patton and Bernard Montgomery, the largest amphibious assault that had ever taken place was used to secure the island. The assault also showed the cohesion of the American and British forces.

Ordering a purge

14974_25 — 2025-04-30 14:33:53 UTC

In 1927, fearful of the CCP's increasing power, Chiang ordered a purge of CCP member in Shanghai and other Chinese cities. the KMT killed tens of thousands of communists.

The Long March

14974_25 — 2025-04-30 14:36:56 UTC

In total around 100,000 communists marched out of south east China in order to escape the KMT. After daily battles and attacks only around 7,000 had survived the journey

Japan Invades Asia

14974_25 — 2025-04-30 14:38:49 UTC

Japan was a rising power, and as an island nation it looked to gain more land and resources. Urged by military leaders Hirohito turned to China for new land.