Main Events of WW2 O.L.I To understand the main events during WW2.

Neville Chamberlain’s Speech Prime Minister Chamberlain’s speech did not come as a surprise. After losing WW1 Germany was made to pay huge sums of money for the damage they had caused. Many Germans thought this was too strict especially, the Nazis. After gaining power in 1933, Hitler built up his army and invaded Poland in 1938, this is when Britain and France declared war. Prime Minister Chamberlain’s speech did not come as a surprise. After losing WW1 Germany was made to pay huge sums of money for the damage they had caused. Many Germans thought this was too strict especially, the Nazis. After gaining power in 1933, Hitler built up his army and invaded Poland in 1938, this is when Britain and France declared war.

Preparation Long before war was declared Britain had started major preparations. By 1939, millions of gas masks had been issued up and down the country. Many children had also been sent away from the danger of the cities to the safety in the countryside. Long before war was declared Britain had started major preparations. By 1939, millions of gas masks had been issued up and down the country. Many children had also been sent away from the danger of the cities to the safety in the countryside.

Dunkirk Allied troops advanced towards Belgium & Holland, but were unable to stop the Germans from invading France. On May 18th 1939 the Belgians surrendered. The British and French armies retreated to Dunkirk in the North of France. Allied troops advanced towards Belgium & Holland, but were unable to stop the Germans from invading France. On May 18th 1939 the Belgians surrendered. The British and French armies retreated to Dunkirk in the North of France.

What happened at Dunkirk? When troops arrived - every available fishing, yacht, and private boat arrived to rescue from the South of England. All in all 338,000 troops were on the beach needing taken home. When troops arrived - every available fishing, yacht, and private boat arrived to rescue from the South of England. All in all 338,000 troops were on the beach needing taken home.

Battle of Britain Hitler knew that unless Britain’s RAF (Royal Air Force) could be kept out the skies, his invasion fleet could not cross the English Channel safely. He ordered his Air force to destroy British Air bases and aircraft factories. This was unsuccessful - the RAF beat off the German assault during the summer of Britain was saved from Nazi invasion. Hitler knew that unless Britain’s RAF (Royal Air Force) could be kept out the skies, his invasion fleet could not cross the English Channel safely. He ordered his Air force to destroy British Air bases and aircraft factories. This was unsuccessful - the RAF beat off the German assault during the summer of Britain was saved from Nazi invasion.

Pearl Harbour America came into the war officially in December This happened after Germany’s ally (Japan) bombed an American Naval Base at Pearl Harbour in Hawaii. The Japanese sent 386 aircraft and the attack went on for more than an hour. America came into the war officially in December This happened after Germany’s ally (Japan) bombed an American Naval Base at Pearl Harbour in Hawaii. The Japanese sent 386 aircraft and the attack went on for more than an hour.

Damage at Pearl Harbour There were 8 Battleships in the harbour at the time - all of them were badly damaged or sunk (many were on board) Other ships were also damaged or sunk. All told the Japanese only lost 29 aircraft while the USA lost 173 aircraft. The damage was catastrophic. There were 8 Battleships in the harbour at the time - all of them were badly damaged or sunk (many were on board) Other ships were also damaged or sunk. All told the Japanese only lost 29 aircraft while the USA lost 173 aircraft. The damage was catastrophic.

D Day Landings The RAF bombers dropped 5,000 tonnes of bombs on Hitler’s coastal defences. This was the start of Operation Overload. While this was happening, troops were arriving by gliders and parachutes. 5,300 ships and over 10,000 planes were on their way. 107,000 troops and their equipment landed on the beaches. They were ready to reclaim France and head on to Germany. The RAF bombers dropped 5,000 tonnes of bombs on Hitler’s coastal defences. This was the start of Operation Overload. While this was happening, troops were arriving by gliders and parachutes. 5,300 ships and over 10,000 planes were on their way. 107,000 troops and their equipment landed on the beaches. They were ready to reclaim France and head on to Germany.

Invasion 7th June 1944 British, American and Canadian troops invaded France, to free Europe from Nazi control. By the 7th May 1945 Germany’s defences were in ruins. The Nazi Supreme Command surrendered. British, American and Canadian troops invaded France, to free Europe from Nazi control. By the 7th May 1945 Germany’s defences were in ruins. The Nazi Supreme Command surrendered.

Victory in Europe Day VE day was celebrated on 8th May Public buildings were fully lit up and people held street parties. There were bonfires and fireworks - celebrations went on all night. WW2 did not officially come to an end until Japan formally surrendered on 2nd September 1945 VE day was celebrated on 8th May Public buildings were fully lit up and people held street parties. There were bonfires and fireworks - celebrations went on all night. WW2 did not officially come to an end until Japan formally surrendered on 2nd September 1945