1. The War in Europe

2. September 1939
Germany violates the Munich Agreement (deal signed between European powers and Germany, to appease and ease tension, by allowing them to take a small section of Czechoslovakia) and attacks Poland
“Blitzkrieg“- lightning warfare, heavy
concentration all at once, aims to
disorganize the enemy
France & Britain declare war on Germany

3. May 1940
Winston Churchill replaces Neville Chamberlain as Prime Minister of Great Britain
Chamberlain resigned, Churchill was selected by George VI as he had been an important part of Chamberlain’s war cabinet
Germany invades Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands

4. June 1940
After an unsuccessful attack by Mussolini and the Italians Germany captures Paris; France surrenders
The country was divided and occupied by Germany and Italy until the summer of 1944

5. July 1940 Battle of Britain begins
-Three month battle by air over Britain
-Hitler’s first defeat
-British Royal Airforce v. Germany Luftwaffe
“Dogfights”- aerial battle between planes

6. March 1941 President Roosevelt signs the Lend-Lease Act
Allows the U.S. to send/lend war materials to all countries the President deems vital

7. August 1941 Churchill & Roosevelt unveil the Atlantic Charter
Outlines goals for the destruction of “Nazi tyranny”
Support “the right of all peoples to choose their form of government”

8. December 1941
Following an attack on the U.S. Roosevelt asks Congress to declare war on Japan
Three days later Germany & Italy declare war on the U.S.

9. January 1942 First US troops arrive in Europe
50,000 per month in the beginning
250,000 per month by 1944
By the end, over 16 million
Americans served in WWII

10. August 1942 Germany attacks Russian city, Stalingrad
Battle lasts 6 months
Hundreds of thousands die on both sides
Red Army finally defeats Nazis
*Turning point! Pushes Hitler back!
Fun fact: Russia utilized female soldiers
Over 800,000 served, many in combat/sniper positions… 25% were
decorated by the end of the war, and nearly 100 received the
Soviet Union’s highest honor

11. May 1943
US Troops led by Generals Dwight Eisenhower and George Patton help British defeat German troops in North Africa
Eisenhower appointed
commander of all U.S. forces

12. July-September 1943 Allies capture Sicily &Southern Italy
Benito Mussolini overthrown and imprisoned
Hitler sends German troops- forces/resources are spread then- leads to a series of costly battles

13. November 1943 The “Big Three” meet in Teheran, Iran to discuss Italy
Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill
*Eisenhower becomes commander of
Allied Expeditionary Force (he is now
in command of all Allied troops!)

14. February 1944 US begins bombing Nazi production centers
600 US bombers raid Berlin

15. June 5 1944 “Operation Overlord” Known most often as D-Day
Paratroopers dropped into enemy territory
160,000 troops and 30,000
vehicles landed on beaches
in Normandy
Leads to Allied liberation of
France (after four years!)

16. December 1944 Battle of the Bulge Hitler’s last offensive attack
250,000 Nazi soldiers are held back in the cold winter weather

17. March-May 1945
US forces cross the Rhine River, Germans retreat into Germany
Soviet forces enter Berlin, Hitler marries his mistress, poisons her then shoots himself
Mussolini attempts escape- later killed; beaten and hung
Eisenhower accepts Germany’s unconditional surrender
May 8, known as V-E Day (Victory in Europe)