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German invasion of Poland
Nazi Germany begins its invasion of Poland. This marks the official beginning of the Second World War. By October 6, Poland is under both German and Russian control -
Period: to
World War II
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The Battle of Britain begins
Repeated bombins by the Lutwaffe on British soil, targetting factories and major facilities. Britain, under PM Winston Churchill doggedly fight back and by October 31st have won the air conflict that is to be known as the Battle of Britain. -
Italian invasion of Egypt
After a brutal takeover in Libya designed to flaunt Italian strength, Benito Mussolini set his sights on Egypt, launching his forces from Italian controlled Libya. -
Afrika Korps leader Erwin Rommel arrives in Libya
Italian troops had been failing to continue their forays in Africa. One of Germany's top commanders, Erwin Rommel would earn the title "Desert Fox" in the fighting to come. -
Axis invasion of the Soviet Union begins
Germany and its European allies begin a swift push towards Moscow, quickly laying siege to Leningrad by September of the same year. They ultimately reach Moscow but are pushed back. -
Japan bombs the Pearl Harbor
Deciding to launch a fatal strike against the United States, Japan and it's navy and air force target US Naval base Pearl Harbor. -
The United States enters the war
The day after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, President Roosevelt makes an impassioned plea to Congress to allow the United States to join the war. Shortly after, Axis nations also declare war on the United States. -
The Battle of Midway
In one of the most important naval battles of the war, American and British forces combined to push and deal a crucial blow to Japanese forces. -
British defeat the Germans and Italians in Africa
In a deciding battle at El Alamein, Egypt, British forces are able to push back the Axis and regain control of Africa. -
Axis are officially defeated in Africa
Axis forces in Tunisia are defeated, marking the end of the North Africa Campaign, and the removal of Axis forces from Africa. -
Benito Mussolini is deposed
The Fascist Grand Council in Italy declares Pietro Badoglio the marshall and a few weeks later Italy surrenders to the Allies. -
Soviets regain control of Kiev
After a heavy counter offensive by the Soviets, they eventually regain control of Kiev. -
D-Day
Allied forces successfully land on the shores of Normandy and push towards Germany. -
Liberation of Paris
Allied forces enter Paris. Almost all of western Europe is liberated by the Allies. -
Period: to
Cold War
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German forces surrender
After heavy fighting for several years, the majority of the Axis has surrendered. -
Truman and Stalin divide up Europe
After the war, Truman and Stalin meet during the Potsdam Conference to allot territories and borders. -
Allies drop atomic bomb on Japan
After heavy deliberation, President Truman approves the mission to drop 2 atomic bombs on Japanese soil. -
Japanese surrender
Almost exactly 6 years after the conflict began, the Allied forces accept the formal surrender of Japan, thus ending the war known as World War II. -
NATO is created
NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is created, a second coming of the League of Nations. -
USSR detonates its first atomic bomb
Less than five years after the first atomic bombs were dropped, the Soviet Union were able to come up with a bomb equally as destructive. -
Korean War begins, ends in 1953
After some skirmishes, the United States pours into Korea, determined to stop the spread of communism. Soon after, both China and the Soviet Union pledge arms and men to the conflict. -
Last of French forces defeated in Vietnam
Vietnamese forces occupy a French outpost at Dien Bien Phu, and although the Vietnamese suffer heavy losses, the French lose motivation to continue the fight. -
Period: to
Vietnam War
A conflict in Vietnam that involved the Western fight against communism. -
Some of the first American troups land in Vietnam
After serious insistence from President Kennedy, American helicopters arrive along with several hundred American personnel. -
Operation Rolling Thunder
President Lyndon B. Johnson announces Operation Rolling Thunder, an operation designed to stop Vietcong geurillas from receiving support from North Vietnam. -
Operation Crimp
Involving more than 8000 troops, this is the largest offensive launched by the United States. Despite this, they are unable to locate any Vietnamese base of any kind. -
Operation Attleboro
An entire brigade of United States troops and 22,000 Vietnamese troops begin searching for NVA troops. They discover large caches of weapons but no enemy troops. -
Operation Cedar Falls
Nearly 30,000 troops mobilizer to destroy Vietcong bases and military headquarters. They destroy large amounts of weapons caches but are unsuccessful in engaging in large battles. -
Operation Menu
Shortly after President Nixon comes to office, he authorizes the bombing of Vietcong bases and headquarters in Cambodia. -
Invasion of Cambodia
Vietnamese and American troops invade Cambodia, focusing on destruction of North Vietnamese supply depots. Over 10,000 Vietcong troopos are killed, although most amnage to escape. -
Operation Linebacker
Yet another bombing campaign is launched. Over 20,000 tons of bombs are launched and between 1000 and 1600 North Vietnamese troops are killed. -
Peace talks resume
After negotiations broke down before, all parties began to resume talks and all warring parites signed a cease fire. -
Hue falls
NVA takes South Vietnam's third largest city, Hue. By this time, the large majority of U.S. troops have left Vietnam. Just weeks later, the NVA makes astounding gains, quickly running over what is left of the South Vietnamese army. -
Last of Americans leave
The final batch of Americans leave Vietnam, with two Americans dying in the final moments of the American fight for Vietnam.
