C5 | An Overview of WWII Flashcards
How many people were killed in the Second World War?
More than 50 million men, women and children
Blitzkrieg
The intense German military campaign using tanks, aircraft and troops to try to bring about a swift victory
What did the paratroopers do?
Destroyed enemy strongholds, seized bridges and cut telephone lines
Which countries did Germany attack in the spring of 1940 thanks to the German Blitzkrieg tactics?
- France
- Denmark
- Norway
- the Netherlands
- Belgium
Before Hitler could transport his troops across the English Channel to invade England, what must he do?
He had to destroy Britain’s air force
What did Hitler do in southern England in the summer of 1940?
He began carrying out a series of air raids on military air bases in southern England
When Hitler lost the Battle of Britain, what did he do instead?
He launched massive night bombing air raids on major British cities, hoping to force Britain to surrender
Blitz
The German air raids on major British cities in 1940-1941
Which countries did Germany invade in April 1941?
The Germans helped their Italian allies invade Greece and Yugoslavia, and some parts of Africa where the British were based
When did Germany attack Russia?
June 1941
What happened to Russia in October 1941?
Hitler was only 95km away from the capital city, Moscow
Why did Japan give the USA a surprise attack on 7 December 1941?
- To knock out America’s navy in one go
2. To have control of the rich lands in the Far East
Where did Japan launch the surprise attack on the USA?
On the great American naval base of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii
What made the USA declare war on Japan and its allies?
- Thousands of American soldiers were killed
2. Dozens of US fighter planes and warships were destroyed
Which colonies did the Japanese troops seize?
The British colonies of... 1. Hong Kong 2. Malaya 3. Burma and the French colony of... 4. Indo-China
What happened after Japan captured those colonies?
- The Germans were almost in Moscow and had nearly pushed the British out of Africa
- Japan was pushing back American forces and was close to invading India and Australia
Turning Point
A time at which a decisive change in a situation occurs, especially one with beneficial results
When was the Battle of Midway?
June 1942
What happened in the Battle of Midway?
In the Pacific Ocean, the Japanese were beaten by the American forces in the great air and sea battle of Midway Island. The Japanese advance was stopped and gradually the Americans began to drive them back, island by island
When was the Battle of Stalingrad?
July 1942 - February 1943
What happened in the Battle of Stalingrad?
After 4 months of very fierce fighting in Russia, a significant proportion of the German army surrendered. Gradually, Soviet forces began to push the German army out of Russia and back towards Germany. This was the first time the Germans had retreated. Meanwhile, British and American bombers began night and day air raids on Germany itself
When was the Battle of El Alamein?
October - November 1942
What happened in the Battle of El Alamein?
British troops defeated the Germans. With help from the Americans, the British drove the Germans out of North Africa and invaded Italy
When did Italy surrender?
8 September 1943
What happened to Italy’s leader, Benito Mussolini?
He was captured and shot on 28 April 1945
When was D-Day?
6 June 1944
What was D-Day?
British, American and other Allied troops landed on beaches in Normandy, France to push German forces back towards Germany
How was Germany by April 1945?
British and American forces were moving quickly towards Berlin (Germany’s capital city) and freeing villages, towns and countries from the German occupation along the way. In the east, the Russian armies were advancing too
Where had Hitler and his closest followers gone to in 1945?
They had retreated to a special underground bunker under Berlin’s streets
When did Hitler kill himself?
30 April 1945
When did Germany surrender?
7 May 1945
Where did the USA drop two nuclear bombs?
Hiroshima and Nagasaki
When did Japan surrender?
14 August 1945
Allied Powers
- Britain
- France
- the Soviet Union
- the USA
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- India
- China
Axis Powers
- Germany
- Italy
- Japan
