World War II Key Events Quiz

World War II Key Events

• Dunkirk (1940): German forces rapidly pushed Allied troops to the French coast, trapping them. Operation Dynamo saw a massive effort by various vessels (Royal Navy ships, pleasure steamers, fishing boats) to evacuate the troops. The British government promoted the event as a great success to boost national morale.

Battle of Britain (1940)

• Germany controlled much of northwestern Europe, with only the UK remaining at war.
• Germany's defeat was due to several factors, including: British radar technology, superior RAF planes, dedicated British pilots, effective British tactics, and industrial strength/support from around the world.

Soviet Union (USSR)

• Operation Barbarossa (1941): Germany invaded the Soviet Union (USSR) for resources (supplies, oil, land), aiming to control Europe and to eliminate communism.
• The German invasion was hampered by the harsh winter.
• The invasion was a major turning point as it exhausted German forces and brought the USSR into the Allied side.
• The Battle of Stalingrad became a significant turning point, marking the first major German defeat and initiating the Soviets' push back.

D-Day (1944)

• Allied forces landed on Normandy beaches, tricking Germany into thinking the main invasion was at Calais.
• D-Day marked a critical turning point in World War II, representing the start of the end of the conflict.
• The US played a large role, providing weapons and supplies that helped the Allies achieve victory.

Alan Turing and the Battle of the Atlantic

• Alan Turing's work on The Bombe: Turing's work aided in decoding German Enigma code messages used by U-boats during the Battle of the Atlantic.
• U-boats posed a significant threat, targeting Allied supply ships.
• This decryption significantly aided the Allies.

Japan and the Pacific

• Pearl Harbor (1941): Japanese forces attacked Pearl Harbor, a US naval base, causing significant damage and casualties. This was done due to Japan's expansionist goals and its desire to secure resources, considering the US a threat.
• This attack led to the US declaring war on Japan. Japan's stated motive was securing resources by invading other countries.
• Possible knowledge of a possible attack by the US government is a disputed fact.
• Atomic Bombs (1945): The US dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, causing vast destruction and ultimately leading to Japan's surrender.
• Hiroshima bombing occurred on August 6, 1945, destroying 90% of the city; Nagasaki bombing was August 9th, 1945. Japan surrendered on August 14, 1945.