World War II Event Timeline by Zy'Miere Hargrove

Invasion of Poland - 1939

zymiereh — 2025-04-09 16:08:49 UTC

Adolf Hitler invades Poland in September 1st of 1939, beginning the 2nd World War.

Miracle of Dunkirk - 1940

zymiereh — 2025-04-09 16:11:15 UTC

Taking place from May to June, British troops were rescued from Dunkirk by boat to avoid the German army which was under way. They were sailed across the English Channel to the evacuation point, Britain.

Fall of France - 1940

zymiereh — 2025-04-09 16:12:48 UTC

Hitler and his army invade France, and prove to be too much for the French to handle. This forces them into surrender, letting Hitler place Nazi Parties in France.

Battle of Britain - 1940

zymiereh — 2025-04-09 16:15:12 UTC

This battle was mainly fought in the Air, being referred to as, "The Blitz." Hitler began to invade Britain by dropping bombs on them by plane, but ended up not making them surrender.

Other Invasions - 1940

zymiereh — 2025-04-09 16:44:31 UTC

Germany attacks other places like Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, and Greece.

Military Alliance - 1940

zymiereh — 2025-04-09 16:48:22 UTC

Japan signs a military alliance with Germany and Italy, making the Axis Powers. The document they signed was called the Tripartite Pact. This event concerned U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Battle of Barbarossa - 1941

zymiereh — 2025-04-09 16:51:27 UTC

In June, 1941, Hitler launches a surprise attack on one of their allies, the USSR. Joseph Stalin, the Dictator of the USSR retaliates against Germany by burning Moscow, which was where the German troops were heading. With Moscow being destroyed, the Germans couldn't resupply once they got there, forcing them to retreat; Stalin joins the allied powers after this.

Japanese Invasion on Indochina - 1941

zymiereh — 2025-04-09 16:54:42 UTC

The Japanese invades Indochina, which leads U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt to start cutting the supplies he was selling them. The U.S. blocked Japanese shipments, put an embargo on their oil supply, and didn't recognize Japanese gains from China from the Japan Army's conquest.

Pearl Harbor - 1941

zymiereh — 2025-04-09 16:56:17 UTC

On December 7th, 1941, Japan flys over head and bombs Pearl Harbor. This leads Franklin D. Roosevelt to declare war on Japan, bringing the U.S. into WWII. The Japanese did this in retaliation of the U.S. cutting off their supplies.

Battle of The Coral Sea - 1942

zymiereh — 2025-04-10 15:53:09 UTC

This battle took place off the coast of Australia. Stopped the Japanese's attempt to invade the U.S. in a water battle. The U.S. wins because the Japanese run out of planes.

Battle of Stalingrad - 1942-1943

zymiereh — 2025-04-10 15:55:29 UTC

The Germans failed attempt at invading the Soviet Union left them stuck for the winter; once the winter ended they tried to retreat, but were attack by Russian troops. Over 1.2 million people died in this battle.

Battle of Midway - 1942

zymiereh — 2025-04-10 15:57:10 UTC

A turning point for the U.S. in the war. Another water/air battle, took place in the Pacific Note- aircraft carrier. U.S. ends up winning.

Island Hopping Strategy - 1942

zymiereh — 2025-04-10 15:59:28 UTC

The Allied Powers come up with a strategy called island hopping. The allies took islands around Japan in attempt for one big invasion, but came up with a different method. The Japanese are driven back to their home islands using this strategy.

El Alamein - 1942

zymiereh — 2025-04-10 16:01:53 UTC

The British and U.S. troops defeat the German and Italian forces in North Africa.

D - Day - 1944

zymiereh — 2025-04-10 16:02:17 UTC

Occurring on June 6th, the Allied forces crossed the English Channel into Normandy in attempt to liberate France. This begins the liberation of Europe from Axis Power control. Paris is fully liberated on August 25th, 1944.

Death of Franklin D. Roosevelt - 1945

zymiereh — 2025-04-11 15:06:11 UTC

The U.S. President, Franklin D. Roosevelt, dies from natural causes. FDR's vice president, Harry S. Truman, takes over as president for rest of the war.

Mussolini Killed - 1945

zymiereh — 2025-04-11 15:09:53 UTC

The Italian leader, Mussolini is caught, and executed for treason by the allies.

Hitler Dies - 1945

zymiereh — 2025-04-11 15:11:11 UTC

Hitler commits suicide in Germany by shooting himself. His body was found Germany along with other dead members of hsi family.

Germany Surrenders - 1945

zymiereh — 2025-04-11 15:12:50 UTC

Without Hitler, Germany begins to be overpowered by the allies, leading to their surrender. This was called Victory in Europe Day.

Battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa - 1945

zymiereh — 2025-04-11 15:15:34 UTC

The battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa put U.S. closer to Japan, continuing their Island Hopping Strategy. Japan didn't surrender so Truman retreats.

Hiroshima - 1945

zymiereh — 2025-04-11 15:17:20 UTC

August 6th, 1945, the U.S. drops the world's 1st atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. The bomb causes devastating damage and many casualties.

Nagasaki - 1945

zymiereh — 2025-04-11 15:19:07 UTC

August 9th, 1945, 3 days after Hiroshima, the U.S. drops another atomic bomb on another Japanese city called Nagasaki. This was due to the lack of surrender from Hirohito and Tojo after the first bomb.

Victory over Japan Day - 1945

zymiereh — 2025-04-11 15:21:26 UTC

Also known as V-J Day (August 14th), Japan's emperor, Hirohito surrenders behind Tojo's back. This was an unconditional surrender.

Japan's Official Surrender - 1945

zymiereh — 2025-04-11 15:22:46 UTC

On September 2nd, 1945, Japan formally surrenders aboard the U.S.S. Missouri. This event marks the end of WWII.