-
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
-
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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 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.
-
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.
-
In a deciding battle at El Alamein, Egypt, British forces are able to push back the Axis and regain control of Africa.
-
Axis forces in Tunisia are defeated, marking the end of the North Africa Campaign, and the removal of Axis forces from Africa.
-
The Fascist Grand Council in Italy declares Pietro Badoglio the marshall and a few weeks later Italy surrenders to the Allies.
-
After a heavy counter offensive by the Soviets, they eventually regain control of Kiev.
-
Allied forces successfully land on the shores of Normandy and push towards Germany.
-
Allied forces enter Paris. Almost all of western Europe is liberated by the Allies.
-
-
After heavy fighting for several years, the majority of the Axis has surrendered.
-
After the war, Truman and Stalin meet during the Potsdam Conference to allot territories and borders.
-
After heavy deliberation, President Truman approves the mission to drop 2 atomic bombs on Japanese soil.
-
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, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is created, a second coming of the League of Nations.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
A conflict in Vietnam that involved the Western fight against communism.
-
After serious insistence from President Kennedy, American helicopters arrive along with several hundred American personnel.
-
President Lyndon B. Johnson announces Operation Rolling Thunder, an operation designed to stop Vietcong geurillas from receiving support from North Vietnam.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Shortly after President Nixon comes to office, he authorizes the bombing of Vietcong bases and headquarters in 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.
-
Yet another bombing campaign is launched. Over 20,000 tons of bombs are launched and between 1000 and 1600 North Vietnamese troops are killed.
-
After negotiations broke down before, all parties began to resume talks and all warring parites signed a cease fire.
-
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.
-
The final batch of Americans leave Vietnam, with two Americans dying in the final moments of the American fight for Vietnam.
