 “Operation Barbarossa” was Germany’s initial attack on Russia. It began on June 22,  Hitler had said of such an attack that:  “when the attack on Russia starts the world will hold its breath.”

Chief-of-Staff Halder wrote in his diary: "It is the Führer's unshakable decision to raze Moscow and Leningrad to the ground, so as to be completely relieved of the population of these cities, which we would otherwise have to feed through the winter. The task of destroying the cities is to be carried out by aircraft."

 “Operation Typhoon” (the code name given for the attack on Moscow) a large part of “Operation Barbarossa”, began on October 2 nd, Hitler thought that once the heart of Russia (Moscow) had been cut out, Russia the whole nation would collapse.

 The attack on Pearl Harbor might have been the most risky military mission in recorded history.  To pull off the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Japan had to make it a total surprise to America.  So to bomb on Sunday in the early morning was the best strategic move possible.  Japan sent out warnings that they would attack the Pacific. No one knew whether it would be Hawaii or the Philippines.  Japan sent battleships towards Hawaii, on November 26.  Japan then sent a coded message, to Japanese diplomats in Washington.

 The message was long, and by the time America decoded it early Sunday morning December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor was already under attack.  It was too late, Japan had already bombed American soil. 7:55 A.M., bombs fell to Pearl Harbor from Japanese planes flying overhead destroying ships on contact.  By 9:30 A.M. the attack was over. America had presumably lost 18 ships and over 300 military planes.

 More than 2,400 people lost there lives  Navy: 2008 dead  Marine Corps: 109 dead  Army: 218 dead  Civilians: 68 dead  1,178 people were wounded

 SUNK  USS Arizona  USS Oklahoma  USS Utah  USS California*  USS West Virginia*  USS Nevada*  USS Cassin*  USS Downes*  USS Olgala*  *denotes ship was presumed sunk by the Japanese and refloated by the US  DAMAGED  USS Maryland  USS Tennessee  USS Pennsylvania  USS Shaw  USS Raleigh  USS Honolulu  USS Helena  USS Curtiss  USS Vestal

 Japan’s B5N bomber could carry a one ton bomb  The crew of the USS Ward saw a Japanese submarine on the morning of the attack on Pearl Harbor, fired on it and sank it.  Two of Japan’s submarines were sunk before the bombing reports were sent to Naval Headquarters, but no one paid any attention.  A little after 7 A.M. on December 7 th a solider saw a group of white dots heading for Pearl Harbor.  He called his commander, who thought that it was nothing.

 If the message from the USS Ward and the solider were taken seriously the attack may not have been so bad.  Everyone in Hawaii was issued a gas mask to be carried at all times, if you were caught without your gas mask you were fined.  All families were ordered to blackout their homes and build bomb shelters in case of another attack.  There were 145 warships and Coast Guard ships in Pearl Harbor and within minutes of the attack many ships were exploding and sinking.

 The USS Arizona was hit with five torpedoes.  At the same time the USS West Virginia was hit with five to seven torpedoes then slowly sank to the bottom of the sea.  A hole was torn in the side of the USS Raleigh where it was hit by a torpedo.  It shot down 5 planes and was bombed but stayed afloat.

 The USS Maryland was only hit by two bombs, killing 4 men and wounding 14. There was little damage done to the ship. Pearl Harbor was not the only place attacked on December 7 th Bombs were also dropped on area airfields and other naval bases. Radio operators sent out this message: “AIR RAID PEARL HARBOR THIS IS NOT A DRILL”

 President Roosevelt addresses the nation on December 8 th, 1941  Yesterday, Dec. 7, a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

 December 8, 1941 (the next day) America declared war on Japan, and the Nazis declared war on America, drawing us into the hatred of World War 2.  The “sneak attack” was broadcast to America through the radio. This sent a shock wave through the country.  Many people along the coast wanted Japanese people removed from there area.  A dark time for America’s many people who lost their civil rights because of Pearl Harbor.

 November 13 th senior German commanders meet at Orsha, a decision was made to start a second assault on Moscow.  The Russians sent 100,000 more men, 300 tanks and 2,000 artillery guns the defend Moscow.  With 422 miles of anti-tank ditches being dug 812 miles of barbed wire entanglement and some 30,000 firing points Moscow had turned into a fortress.  Germany got 18 miles from Moscow center but Russia held through 20 days into the second offensive Germany lost over 155,000 men. They were killed, wounded, or suffered from frostbite.  800 guns 300 artillery guns. A counter attack on the Germans on December 5 th. In January 1942 Germany had lost the battle for Moscow (or “Operation Barbarossa”)

 On June 6 th 1944 the United States landed at Normandy, France.  The code name for the invasion of Normandy was “Operation Overlord.” The countries of Great Britain and the U.S.A.  The American general was General Dwight D. Eisenhower before the amphibious invasion (the night before d-day) the allies dropped thousands of paratroopers behind Nazi defense with the help of the France resistance they helped sabotage the Nazis.  No one knows the exact number of soldiers that died on the beach of Normandy.

 Okinawa was a very important battle in the winning of the war.  Okinawa is an island that is 60 miles long and 2 to 18 miles wide  The battle began April 1 st, 1945  American ships landed at Hagushi Bay led by Lt. General Simon Bolivar Bucker  He commanded 180,000 troops

 The Japanese had 130,000 troops and 450,000 civilians  The Japanese were commanded by Lt. General Ushijima  The Japanese lost the island on July 2 nd of the same year  Several days prior to the loss of the island Lt. General Ushijima committed suicide

 In August 1945 the United States of America dropped two atomic bombs, one on Hiroshima Japan, the other on Nagasaki Japan. America tested two different nuclear weapons.

One was “Little Boy” it was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, It was 28 inches in diameter 120 inches long, weighed 9,000 pounds, and carried 15,000 tons of high explosives. (According to the U.S. National Archives)

On August 9 th “Fat man” was dropped on Nagasaki, it was 60 inches in diameter 128 inches long. It weighed about 10,000 pounds with approximately 21,000 tons of high explosives. (According to the U.S. National Archives).

 The USS Missouri secured its place in history as the site of Japan’s unconditional surrender to the Allied Forces on Sept. 2, 1945, ending World War II.  The ceremony for the signing of the Formal Instrument of Surrender was conducted by Supreme Allied Commander, General Douglas A. MacArthur.

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