WW2
1939-1945
Battles
Bataan Death March
April 9, 1942
The Bataan death march was the forcible transfer of around 60,000 to 80,000 Filipino and American prisoners of war by the imperial Japanese army. The 60 mile March featured many atrocities committed by the Japanese including beatings, refusal to offer food and murder of those to weak to move on. The POWs received little to no food or water along the March. Disease spread rapidly amongst the prisoners as death tolls rose to 20,000 Filipino POWs and 1,600 American POWs.D-Day
American, British, and Canadian forces aligned and developed an elaborate plan to deceive the Germans. General Dwight Eisenhower was the appointed commander of the whole operation. The allies used fake equipment, phantom armies, and double agents to mislead Nazi Germany into believing there would be attacks in locations other than the actual target, Normandy-France.
The Battle
Despite the plan being delayed 24 hours due to inclement weather, the operation went without a hitch. All troops were dispatched towards the Normandy-France country side. Thousands of paratroopers and glider troops were already behind enemy lines by dawn. Although Hitler was aware of the invasion, he was hesitant to send troops because he believed it to be a diversion from an attack on the Seine River.
The Result
The allied forces reached the Seine and liberated Paris, while the Germans left NW France.
Midway
The Japanese planned a sneak attack on the U.S. forces, however, the American forces were able to discover their plans through intercepting Japanese transmissions and breaking their codes. Because the Americans had the foresight and Intel, they were able to turn the tides against the Japanese. Admiral Yamamato, the same leader of the attack on Pearl Harbour, led the Japanese; while the U.S. was led by Admiral Nimitz and Commander Fletcher.
The Battle
While Japan launched a multitude of fighter planes to Midway, the U.S. was already closing in on the Japanese with their aircraft carriers. The U.S. used the torpedo plane attack and dive bombers during the battle. The Yorktown ship carrier was sacrificed as it brought down Japan's last carrier, the Hiryu.
The Result
The mass damage done to the supplies had devastated Japan and put a major setback in their military advancement. Battle of Midway was an impressive victory for the allies.
Pearl Harbor
Battle of the Bulge
The allies had pushed Germany back across Europe and the German leadership knew that defeat was not far off so in the winter they decided to launch a major counter offensive. Planned by Eric Von Manstien this attack had initial success cuting into Belgium. The fighting mainly took place in the woods between the German Belgium border. This was grinder to a halt by the allies and they were driven back. This was the last chance the Germans had to turn the tide
Battle of Coral Sea
Italian Campaign
North African Front
This front started when british forces attacked Italian forces in Egypt and pushed them back. Germany assembled an army and launched a counterattack led by Erwin Rommel and drove the British across the breath of Africa. This maintained untile the U.S. forces led by General Patton landed and defeated the German forces driving them out of Africa and making way for the invasion of Sicily and the rest of Italy. The fighting was in the desserts led by tanks which was the key to this front.
Stalingrad
Aug. 23, 1942 - Feb. 2, 1943
The Germany broke its neutrality with Russia and invaded the country. The hope was to crush them quickly. The Hitlers army marched with little resistance untille they reached Stalingrad. The city had built up defenses in preparation. The battle was intence with the Germans capuring the city inch by inch. Just when the Germans had captured most of the city driving the Russians into the river a massive Russian army came and surrounded the city. Cut off from supplie lines they tried to airlift supplies to there forces. The battered Germans eventually surrendered. The fighting took place in the ruble of the bombed out city