WWIIWWII

War in Europe and War in Europe and AfricaAfrica

WAR BEGINSWAR BEGINS

Germany invades Germany invades PolandPoland, setting off war , setting off war in Europe. The in Europe. The Soviet Union Soviet Union also also invades Poland. invades Poland. Nazi-Soviet Pact Nazi-Soviet Pact signed signed between the Soviet Union and Germany.between the Soviet Union and Germany.

Germany invades Germany invades FranceFrance and captures and captures Paris. Paris.

Germany bombs London in the Germany bombs London in the Battle of Battle of BritainBritain. . BritainBritain is the only country that is the only country that stands in the way of Hitler’s total stands in the way of Hitler’s total domination of Western Europe.domination of Western Europe.

Great Britain is the first to use the Great Britain is the first to use the Lend-Lend-Lease Act Lease Act when the U.S. lends/leases war when the U.S. lends/leases war supplies and old naval warships in return supplies and old naval warships in return for military bases in Bermuda and the for military bases in Bermuda and the Caribbean.Caribbean.

Japan Bombs Japan Bombs Pearl HarborPearl Harbor. Germany . Germany declares war on the U.S. The U.S. declares war on the U.S. The U.S. declares war on declares war on Japan and GermanyJapan and Germany..

WAR IN AFRICAWAR IN AFRICA

► November 1942: The Axis forces, November 1942: The Axis forces, commanded by commanded by General RommeGeneral Rommel, are l, are turned back at El Alamein, Egypt. turned back at El Alamein, Egypt.

► The Allies drive the Germans out of The Allies drive the Germans out of North Africa in North Africa in May 1943May 1943..

WAR IN EUROPEWAR IN EUROPE

September 1941: Germans surround September 1941: Germans surround LeningradLeningrad and begin a siege that lasts for and begin a siege that lasts for 900 days. Germans are unable to take the 900 days. Germans are unable to take the city. city.

Spring 1942: Germany launches an offensive Spring 1942: Germany launches an offensive toward toward StalingradStalingrad, oil-rich lands in the , oil-rich lands in the Soviet Soviet UnionUnion. Soviet forces surrounded the city, . Soviet forces surrounded the city, cutting off the German supply line. Germany cutting off the German supply line. Germany is forced to surrender is forced to surrender Feb. 1943Feb. 1943..

Summer 1942: Summer 1942: BritishBritish and and AmericanAmerican air air forces begin a massive bombing campaign.forces begin a massive bombing campaign.

Summer of 1943: Allies take the island of Summer of 1943: Allies take the island of SicilySicily. September, they take the Italian . September, they take the Italian mainland. The Italians overthrow mainland. The Italians overthrow Benito Benito Mussolini Mussolini and surrender to the Allies. and surrender to the Allies.

June 6, 1944: June 6, 1944: Operation Overlord Operation Overlord is is launched on the French coast of launched on the French coast of Normandy. This day is known as Normandy. This day is known as D-DayD-Day. . On August 25, French and American On August 25, French and American soldiers liberate soldiers liberate ParisParis..

December 16, 1944: Germans launch a last December 16, 1944: Germans launch a last desperate offensive. Known as the desperate offensive. Known as the Battle of the Battle of the BulgeBulge, the Germans drive troops deep into Allied , the Germans drive troops deep into Allied lines creating a lines creating a bulgebulge. After several weeks and . After several weeks and 75,000 casualties, the Allies drive the Germans 75,000 casualties, the Allies drive the Germans back and end the last serious back and end the last serious GermanGerman resistance. resistance.

April 1945: Soviets surround April 1945: Soviets surround BerlinBerlin, the German , the German capital. capital. HitlerHitler commits suicide on April 30. commits suicide on April 30. Germany signs an Germany signs an unconditionalunconditional surrender on surrender on May 7, ending the war in Europe. Allies declare May 7, ending the war in Europe. Allies declare May 8, “Victory in Europe” or May 8, “Victory in Europe” or V-E DayV-E Day..