World War II

World War II saw some of the bloodiest battles ever fought. Beginning in 1939 with the German attack on Poland, the battles of the World War I ranged across the world from the France to Russia to the Pacific. These massive battles made famous places such as Stalingrad, Midway, the Bulge, and Iwo Jima.

World War II consumed the globe from 1939 to 1945. This gallery includes a variety of pictures from World War II showing battlefields and notable locations in North Africa and Europe. The effects of World War II reshaped the global landscape and are still felt today.

The Battle of Greece opened on April 6, 1941, when German troops attacked Allied forces in Greece. Beginning as the Greco-Italian War, the Battle of Greece initially saw Greek forces hold off the Italians. Coming to Italy's aid, Germany took over the conflict and won a swift victory. Despite triumphing in the Battle of Greece, the operation...

The Battle of Guadalcanal was the Allies' first major offensive action of World War II in the Pacific. Landing on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands on August 7, 1942, Allied troops began a prolonged campaign to take the island. After several battles on and around Guadalcanal, Allied forces succeeded in taking the island from the Japanese.

The Battle of Stalingrad was a key battle on the Eastern Front during World War II. Advancing into the Soviet Union, the Germans opened the Battle of Stalingrad in July 1942. After over six months of fighting at Stalingrad, the German Sixth Army was encircled and captured. The victory at Stalingrad was a turning point on the Eastern Front.

The Second Battle of El Alamein was the turning point of the Western Desert Campaign during World War II. Fought in northwestern Egypt from October 23-November 5, 1942, Second El Alamein saw British forces under Lt. Gen. Bernard Montgomery attack and break through Axis positions. As a result, Field Marshal Erwin Rommel was forced to retreat across North Africa.

The Battle of Kasserine Pass was the first major clash between American and German forces during World War II. Fought February 19-25, 1943, the Battle of Kasserine Pass saw the Germans soundly defeat US troops under Maj. Gen. Lloyd Fredenhall. The defeat at Kasserine Pass led to sweeping changes in the US organization of forces and comjmand...

Beginning in July 1943, Operation Husky was the Allied invasion of Sicily during World War II. Landing on the southern coasts of Sicily, American and British armies drove across the island forcing German and Italian troops to retreat to the mainland. Operation Husky cleared the way for the invasion of Italy and contributed to the fall of...

The Battle of Tarawa was fought November 20-23, 1943, during World War II. Advancing into the Gilbert Islands, the Battle of Tarawa saw American forces endure a bloody struggle for the island. In the battle, almost the entire Japanese garrison of Tarawa was killed.

D-Day refers to the Invasion of Normandy which took place on June 6, 1944, during World War II. Landing on D-Day, Allied forces were preceded by airborne troops which dropped during the night. On D-Day, Allied forces gained a foothold in France from which they would advance to defeat Germany.

Operation Market-Garden was conducted September 17-25, 1944, in an attempt to capture bridges over the Rhine. Market-Garden was devised by Bernard Montgomery and called for Allied airborne forces to be dropped near bridges in the Netherlands in conjunction with a ground offensive. While the first two sets of bridges were taken, the Germans...

The Battle of the Bulge was the result of a massive offensive launched by the Germans on December 16, 1944. A desperate attempt to defeat the Allies in the West, the Battle of the Bulge saw the Germans mass their remaining strength in an attempt to capture Antwerp. After initial success, the German offensive was stopped and defeated by Allied...

The Battle of Iwo Jima was fought from February 19 to March 26, 1945 during World War II. Attacking Iwo Jima, US forces encountered heavy resistance after landing. Fighting on Iwo Jima was heavy until Japanese forces were finally defeated.

The Battle of Okinawa was fought April 1 to June 22, 1945, during World War II. Landing on Okinawa, Allied forces met fierce resistance from the Japanese defenders. Lasting nearly three months, the Battle of Okinawa ended with Allied troops capturing the island.

The Battle of Berlin was fought April 16-May 2, 1945, during the final days of World War II. In the Battle of Berlin, Soviet forces encircled the city and endured a bitter fight to capture it. During the course of the Battle of Berlin, Adolf Hiter committed suicide.