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Timeline of World War II World War II was one of the most historical events of our time. It last seven years, and was the only war ever to ever use nuclear weapons. Millions died in the furious battles, and many honorary awards were recieved. But what was the cause? It started in 1939, with the holocaust and a few other international "arguments" including the Spanish Civil War. Adolf Hitler had already joined Germany and Austria, and had invaded Czechoslovakia. Soon after France and Britain declared war on the Germans. While all this was going on the United States was neutral, yet still supplying Britain with artillery and other supplies. Though most of the battles seamed small and "phony" in some places the battle was on, while Russia and Germany joined force, shortly after the Russians invaded Finland "winter war". Through these battles the world seamed to know that a major war was coming soon. In 1940, there were many invasions. The first was the German invasion of Denmark and Norway, which occurred shortly after the winter war ended in March. Denmark surrendered and was overtaken, but Norway fought on till June with the help of the British and the French. The next invasion was when Germany invaded France, Holland, and Belgium (lightning war). This too was successful, for France was no match for German troops, soon after Belgium and Holland fell as well. The British too could not defeat their foes and lost the battle. 1941 was another year of war and torment. Germany had conquered all of Europe and was moving towards Africa. After invading Greece, Tobruk, and Yugoslavia, Hitler prepared an invasion for Russia. Yet, while the German troops were traveling, they couldn't stand the icy cold Russian snow, which gave the Russians a chance to counterattack. But there was more battle going on while Germans were in Russia. The Japanese, on Dec. 7, had flown their planes in at dawn and bombed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Then they invaded the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Burma. In 1942 there was even more controversy. Fortunately, American troops were sent to England to aid in the battle. The English bombed Cologne and the German were busy bombing the cathedral cities of Britain. Sumatra, Borneo, and Java fell to the Japanese, and the British fortress on Singapore fell as well. Then came the battle of Midway. The US destroyed a Japanese cruiser and four aircraft carriers. February of 1943 marked the first major defeat of Hitler when his troops surrendered at Stalingrad. The Battle of the Atlantic was going, but ended in May. When German and Italian forces head for North Africa they surrendered for they were overthrown by African Allies. When Italy surrendered to the Allies Germany planned an invasion. The Russians were on the move as well, for they had already taken Kharkov and Kiev. In 1944, after capturing Burma, Guam, and New Guinea, Japan was moving towards China hoping to claim Southern territory. Allies continued to fight in Italy, and in may the Germans finally retreated. There were many plane landings, which caught the Germans by surprise. But progress was not as good as before because of the French countryside. Still they succeeded in liberating both Paris and Cherbourg. Yet the main problem for the Germans were the Russians. They counter attacked and took nearly 350,000 German soldiers. Then came the battle of Bulge, which killed 19,000 American soldiers. In the beginning of the New Year of 1945, many camps from the holocaust were liberated by the Russians. Western allies were trying to beat the Russians to Berlin, but failed. Hitler committed suicide on the 30 of April. The 8 of May was called VE day to show the war in Europe was over. Back in February though the Americans invaded Iwo Jima and the British were fighting against the Japanese in Burma. Japan began to withdraw it's forces for many small countries such as the Philippines and Okinawa were joining with Britain. Some Americans wished to invade Japan but it was decided to use a nuclear bomb. On the 6 of August one Atomic Bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, and on the another was dropped on Nagasaki. The Japanese had no choice but to surrender, and they did so on the 14 of August. The war was over! |
