1. Second World War A Timeline

2. In 1939, Hitler invaded Poland on the 1 st September. Britain and France declared war on Germany two days later.

3. 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.

4. In 1941 Hitler invaded Russia. The Blitz continued in England’s major cities. Japan attacked Pearl Harbour and the USA enter the War.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. In 1945 Auschwitz is freed by Soviet troops. The Russians reach Berlin. Germany surrenders on the 7 th 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.

9. Notes Due to food shortages, the Government set up the Ministry of Food to control the supplies. Most people felt rationing was fair, with extra allowances for pregnant women, nursing mothers and babies. Ration books were provided by the Government.

10. Lightning Wars Blitzkrieg tactics - surprise and mobility Troops dropped behind enemy lines to capture key targets. Stuka, Dive Bombers attack roads, railways and air bases. German Panzer tank divisions smash through enemy defences.

11. Neville Chamberlain was Prime Minister from 1937 to 1940. He was Prime Minister when war broke out and made the announcement on radio. Winston Churchill was Prime Minister from 1941 to 1945 and again from 1951 to 1955.

12. Dunkirk Allied troops had advanced into Holland and Belgium but they were unable to stop the Germans invading France. On the 18 th May the Belgians surrendered, the British and French armies retreated to Dunkirk in the North of France. Every available boat from the South of England came to rescue 338,000 troops from the beach.

13. Battle of Britain Hitler ordered his own air force to destroy British air bases and aircraft factories. He didn’t succeed, the RAF beat off the German assault.

14. Pear Harbour America came into the war officially in December 1941, after Germany’s ally, Japan bombed an American naval base at Pearl Harbour in Hawaii. The Japanese lost 29 aircraft, the US lost 173.