Second World War

A Timeline

In 1939,Hitler invaded

Poland on the 1st September.

Britain and France declared war on

Germany two days later.

In 1940 the United

kingdom introduced rationing.

The Germans overwhelmed

Belgium, Holland and France using

Blitzkrieg tactics.

Churchill replaced

Chamberlain as Prime Minister

Evacuation of British army at Dunkirk.

British victory in the Battle of Britain forces

Hitler to postpone

invasion plans.

In 1941 Hitler invaded Russia.

The Blitz continued in

England’s major cities.

Japan attacked Pearl Harbour and the USA

enter the War.

In 1942 the Germans are beaten

at El Alamein.

The German advance into

Russia is halted at Salingrad.

The death camp at Autschwitz is opened by the

Nazi’s.

In 1943 surrender at Stalingrad

marks Germany’s first major defeat.

Allied victory in North Africa

enables invasion of Italy to be launched.

Italy surrenders but Germany takes over

the battle.

In 1944 Allies land at Anzio and bomb

monastery at Monte Cassino.

D Day : the allied invasion of

France.

Paris is liberated

Guam liberated by

the US. Okinawa and

Iwo Jima bombed.

In 1945 Auschwitz is freed by Soviet troops.

The Russians reach Berlin. Germany

surrenders on the 7th May after Hitler

commits suicide.

Truman becomes President when

Roosevelt’s dies. Attlee replaced

Churchill.

Japan surrenders after the

Americans drop two atomic

bombs on Japanese

cities.

NotesDue to food shortages, the Governmentset up the Ministry of Food to control thesupplies .

Most people felt rationing was fair, withextra allowances for pregnant women, nursing mothers and babies.

Ration books were provided by the Government.

Lightning Wars

Blitzkrieg tactics - surprise and mobility

Troops dropped behind enemy lines tocapture key targets.Stuka, Dive Bombers attack roads,railways and air bases.German Panzer tank divisions smashthrough enemy defences.

Neville Chamberlain was Prime Ministerfrom 1937 to 1940.He was Prime Minister when war brokeout and made the announcement on

radio.

Winston Churchill was Prime Ministerfrom 1941 to 1945 and again from 1951 to1955.

DunkirkAllied troops had advanced into Holland andBelgium but they were unable to stop theGermans invading France.On the 18th May the Belgians surrendered, theBritish and French armies retreated to Dunkirkin the North of France.Every available boat from the South of Englandcame to rescue 338,000 troops from the beach.

Battle of Britain

Hitler ordered his own air force todestroy British air bases and aircraftfactories.He didn’t succeed, the RAF beat off the German assault.

Pear Harbour

America came into the war officially inDecember 1941, after Germany’s ally, Japan bombed an American naval baseat Pearl Harbour in Hawaii.

The Japanese lost 29 aircraft, the USlost 173.