WWII Timeline by Nathen Chen

Dunkirk Evacuation - May 26, 1940

12357689 — 2025-03-10 20:53:36 UTC

The evacuation of more than 338,000 soldiers from the beaches and harbors of Dunkirk, France. The operation started after Belgian, British, and French troops were cut off by German troops.

Japan Signs Official Surrender - Sept 2, 1945

12357689 — 2025-03-10 20:53:36 UTC

Emperor Hirohito signed surrender in September ending WWII. Japan surrendered after less than a week after the atomic bombings.

Hitler Commits Suicide - Apr 30, 1945

12357689 — 2025-03-11 16:36:10 UTC

Hitler shot himself in the head in April in the Führerbunker in Berlin realizing Nazi’s would lose. Hitler vowed to never see Nazi surrender so he died before they surrendered.

Battle of Britain - Jul 10, 1940

12357689 — 2025-03-11 16:36:15 UTC

Britain’s Royal Air Force, Fleet Air Arm, and Royal Navy defending the UK from attacks by the Luftwaffe. It was the first major military campaign fought solely by air forces.

Germany Surrenders - May 8, 1945

12357689 — 2025-03-11 16:36:17 UTC

Germany surrendered in May after Hitler’s suicide and the fall of Berlin. The second Axis power to surrender ending WWII in Europe.

Soviet Union Invaded - Jun 22, 1941

12357689 — 2025-03-11 16:36:19 UTC

Nazi Germany surprise attack against USSR. German troops advanced to the outskirts of Moscow murdering Soviet Jews.

Allies Land in North Africa - Nov 8, 1942

12357689 — 2025-03-11 16:36:22 UTC

Compromise between British and US. It was to allow American forces to begin fighting against Germany and Italy.

D-Day - Jun 6, 1944

12357689 — 2025-03-11 16:36:24 UTC

Battle in Normandy, France when allied forces stormed the beach to battle against Nazi Germany. Largest seaborne invasion in history and were the foundations for Allied victory on the Western front.

Japanese Internment Camps in America - Feb 19, 1942

12357689 — 2025-03-11 16:36:26 UTC

Camps where descendants of Japanese were incarcerated in America. It was under the pretense they were a security risk.

German Surrender in Stalingrad - Jul 17, 1942

12357689 — 2025-03-11 16:36:29 UTC

A major battle in the Eastern Front. The Germans had to surrender due to starvation and a lack of ammunition.

Poland Invaded - Sept 1, 1939

12357689 — 2025-03-11 16:36:31 UTC

Nazi Germany invading Poland leading to the start of WWII. Attacked by Nazi Germany, Slovak Republic, and the USSR.

Battle of the Bulge - Dec 16, 1944

12357689 — 2025-03-11 16:36:33 UTC

The last major German offensive to stop Allied use of port of Antwerp and to split Allied lines. Wanted to use this point if won to negotiate a peace treaty.

Attack on Pearl Harbor - Dec 7, 1941

12357689 — 2025-03-11 16:40:32 UTC

Surprise attack on US Pacific Fleet by Japanese 1st Air Fleet. Attack was to allow Japan to take more land in the Pacific.

Guadalcanal Campaign - Aug 7, 1942

12357689 — 2025-03-11 16:44:31 UTC

Allied offensive against Japan in the Solomon Islands. It was the first Allied land offensive against Japan during WWII.

Battle of Midway - Jun 4, 1942

12357689 — 2025-03-11 16:49:38 UTC

Naval battle between US and Japan. Japan wanted to destroy the US fleet but was eventually defeated.

Bombing of Hiroshima/Nagasaki - Aug 6 & 9, 1945

12357689 — 2025-03-11 16:54:55 UTC

First and only use of nuclear weapons in armed conflict causing the eventual surrender of Japan. Killing over a 150,00 to 250,000 in total, mainly all civilians.

Manhattan Project - Aug 13, 1942

12357689 — 2025-03-11 17:00:25 UTC

The research and development phase to produce the first nuclear weapons. It was led by the US and helped by the UK and Canada.

Iwo Jima Captured - Feb 19, 1945

12357689 — 2025-03-11 17:00:27 UTC

Battle between the USMC and USN versus the IJA to capture Iwo Jima and it’s two airfields. There was 3 American deaths to each Japanese death making American deaths higher.

Okinawa Captured - Apr 1, 1945

12357689 — 2025-03-11 17:00:30 UTC

Battle between the US Army and USMC versus the IJA. The battle was to capture the island and utilize the air base as a staging point.

Non-aggression Pact - Aug 23, 1939

12357689 — 2025-03-11 17:02:34 UTC

A treaty between the USSR and Nazi Germany. Agreement to not engage in military action against one another.