1939
1939 start of war with Germany invasion of Poland Warsaw fell
France and British Commonwealth countries declared war on Germany.
Background
1937 Japan invaded China Rape of Nanking
1936 Spanish Civil War General Franco led a military mutiny and coup, which developed into a full civil war. With Germany and Italy's help, Franco forces eventually captured Madrid and were victorious.
1940 invasion of Norway Germany captured that country
1940 Invasion of France evacuation of British army from Dunkirk. Germany captured Paris.
1940 Battle of Britain British air force prevailed over Germany air force. If air battle had gone other way, German navy might have prevailed over British navy, and the way would have been open for German seaborne invasion of Britain.
1941 Italian held up in the Balkans, Germany moved in to help, captured Balkans - Greece and Crete and more
1941 Germany invasion of Soviet Union
1941 December Pearl Harbour Japan declared war on the U.S. Germany also did so.
1942 Midway setback for Japanese forces in Pacific
1942 Battle of El Alamein - setback for German and Italian forces in North Africa.
Turning-point of war:
It is said that the Axis never lost prior to El Alamein; after El Alamein they never won.
1942 U.S. invasion in North Africa, beginning of end for German forces in North Africa
1942 Allied advance into and capture Sicily
1942 August /1943 February Battle of Stalingrad German Sixth Army surrounded and forced to surrender.
1943 Allies invade Italy Italy surrenders, German forces continued resistance in that country
1944 July/August Battle of Kursk Soviet victory
1944 D-Day Allied invasion into northwest Europe, at Normandy
1944 August Paris is liberated
1944 December Battle of the Bulge
1945 March Allied advance into Germany (Bridge at Remagen)
1945 April Soviet forces capture Berlin
1945 Atomic bombs - Nagasaki Hiroshima
Japan surrenders
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