World War II: A Concise Timeline of Key Events
World War II: A Concise Timeline
Early Stages (1939-1941)
Invasion of Poland (September 1939)
The Wehrmacht attacked Poland from the West, and Stalin from the East. Warsaw was bombed for 18 days, capitulating on September 27th. Poland was divided between Germany and the Soviet Union.
The Phony War (September 1939 – April 1940)
For seven months, both sides prepared for war, gathering supplies and arms.
Invasion of Western Europe (April – June 1940)
The Wehrmacht employed Blitzkrieg tactics, focusing on surprise and speed.
Invasion of Northern Europe (April 1940)
Denmark surrendered hours after the German attack.
Invasion of Western Europe (May – June 1940)
In six weeks, Germany successfully invaded Western Europe.
Evacuation of Dunkirk (May 26th – June 4th, 1940)
Allied troops retreated to Dunkirk’s beaches, where they were evacuated by a fleet of ships.
Britain Stands Alone (July 1940 – June 1941)
Battle of Britain (July – September 1940)
The German Air Force (Luftwaffe) and the Royal Air Force fought for control of the skies.
War in Africa (September 1940)
Italian troops entered Egypt from Libya. British forces regained lost territory and trade routes.
War in the Balkans (October 1940)
Italian troops invaded Greece from Albania but failed. Hitler rescued them in April 1941.
Lend-Lease Act (January 1941)
Roosevelt’s administration provided aid to Britain.
The Tide Turns (June 1941 – December 1942)
Invasion of the Soviet Union (June 1941)
Hitler violated the Non-Aggression Pact, invading the Soviet Union for resources. In January 1943, the Nazis were defeated at Stalingrad, marking a turning point in the European war.
Attack on Pearl Harbor (December 1941)
Japan launched a surprise attack on the US Pacific fleet at Pearl Harbor, leading to the US declaring war on Japan.
Fall of Singapore (February 8th, 1942)
Britain’s stronghold in South Asia fell to the Japanese.
Allied Bombing of Germany (May 1942 – May 1945)
Allied air forces bombed German industrial plants and cities.
Allied Victory (January 1943 – August 1945)
Casablanca Conference (January 1943)
Allied powers agreed that only Germany’s unconditional surrender was acceptable.
Axis Surrender in North Africa (May 13th, 1943)
Axis forces surrendered in Tunisia.
Invasion of Italy (July 1943)
After defeating Axis forces in North Africa, the Allies invaded Italy.
Collapse of Fascist Regime (September 1943)
Mussolini’s regime collapsed after the Allied invasion.
Battle of Kursk (July 5th – August 23rd, 1943)
The largest tank battle in history took place in the Soviet Union.
Tehran Conference (November 28th – December 1st, 1943)
The “Big Three” (Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin) met for the first time.
Fall of Rome (June 5th, 1944)
Rome was liberated.
End of War in the Balkans (October 1944)
German troops withdrew from Greece.
Invasion of Nazi-Occupied Europe (June 6th, 1944)
D-Day. Allied forces landed in Normandy, France.
Invasion of Germany (January 1945)
Soviet troops liberated Warsaw and Krakow, and entered Auschwitz.
Yalta Conference (February 1945)
The “Big Three” met again.
Battle of Okinawa (April 1st, 1945)
Kamikaze pilots attacked US ships.
President Roosevelt’s Death (April 12th, 1945)
Harry Truman became President.
End of War in Europe (May 1945)
Hitler committed suicide on April 30th.
End of War in the Pacific (August 1945)
Atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Japan surrendered on August 15th.