World War II
The most cataclysmic conflict in history, World War II reshaped the globe and laid the foundation for the modern world. Use these links to follow the action from the invasion of Poland to the dropping of the atom bomb.
World War II: Battle and Evacuation of Dunkirk
Fighting the Battle of Dunkirk, the British Expeditionary Force struggled to hold off the German advance in order to allow Allied forces to evacuate to England. Forming a defensive perimeter around Dunkirk, British forces held out long enough to allow a wide variety of vessels to rescue over 330,000 men. Though a defeat, the success of the Dunkirk evacuation allowed Britain to continue the war.
Fighting the Battle of Dunkirk, the British Expeditionary Force struggled to hold off the German advance in order to allow Allied forces to evacuate to England. Forming a defensive perimeter around Dunkirk, British forces held out long enough to allow a wide variety of vessels to rescue over 330,000 men. Though a defeat, the success of the Dunkirk evacuation allowed Britain to continue the war.
World War II: Operation Compass
Operation Compass was the first major campaign of the war in the Western Desert. Beginning in December 1940, British troops pushed the Italians out of Egypt and drove them back across Libya. Relying on superior mobility, the British troops in Operation Compass were able to encircle and destroy the Italian Tenth Army.
Operation Compass was the first major campaign of the war in the Western Desert. Beginning in December 1940, British troops pushed the Italians out of Egypt and drove them back across Libya. Relying on superior mobility, the British troops in Operation Compass were able to encircle and destroy the Italian Tenth Army.
World War II: Dieppe Raid
Launched on August 19, 1942, the Dieppe Raid was an Allied effort to capture and occupy the port of Dieppe, France for a short period. Meant to gather intelligence and test strategies for the invasion of Europe, the Dieppe Raid was a complete failure and resulted in the loss of over 50% of the troops landed.
Launched on August 19, 1942, the Dieppe Raid was an Allied effort to capture and occupy the port of Dieppe, France for a short period. Meant to gather intelligence and test strategies for the invasion of Europe, the Dieppe Raid was a complete failure and resulted in the loss of over 50% of the troops landed.
World War II: Battle of Alam Halfa
The Battle of Alam Halfa occurred August 30-September 5, 1942, and saw British forces defeat an Axis assault in the Western Desert. Taking command of the Eighth Army, Gen. Bernard Montgomery established a strong defensive position and invited Field Marshal Erwin Rommel to attack. Moving forward, Rommel's assault was halted at Alam Halfa Ridge, ending Axis offensive efforts in the area.
The Battle of Alam Halfa occurred August 30-September 5, 1942, and saw British forces defeat an Axis assault in the Western Desert. Taking command of the Eighth Army, Gen. Bernard Montgomery established a strong defensive position and invited Field Marshal Erwin Rommel to attack. Moving forward, Rommel's assault was halted at Alam Halfa Ridge, ending Axis offensive efforts in the area.
World War II: Second Battle of El Alamein
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 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.
World War II: Battle of Kasserine Pass
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 structure.
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 structure.
World War II: Operation Husky - The Allied Invasion of Sicily
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 Mussolini's regime.
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 Mussolini's regime.
World War II: Battle of Kwajalein
The Battle of Kwajalein was fought between January 31 and February 3, 1944. Part of the Gilbert and Marshall Islands Campaign, the Battle of Kwajalain saw American troops land on the atoll and overcome all Japanese resistance. The victory at Kwajalein was a key triumph during the Allies' island-hopping campaign.
The Battle of Kwajalein was fought between January 31 and February 3, 1944. Part of the Gilbert and Marshall Islands Campaign, the Battle of Kwajalain saw American troops land on the atoll and overcome all Japanese resistance. The victory at Kwajalein was a key triumph during the Allies' island-hopping campaign.
World War II: The Great Escape
The Great Escape took place March 24/5, 1944, and saw 76 Allied POWs escape from Stalag Luft III in Poland. Building a series of tunnels, POWs were able to create a passage under the camp's fence. Of the 76 who were part of the Great Escape only 3 reached freedom.
The Great Escape took place March 24/5, 1944, and saw 76 Allied POWs escape from Stalag Luft III in Poland. Building a series of tunnels, POWs were able to create a passage under the camp's fence. Of the 76 who were part of the Great Escape only 3 reached freedom.
World War II: Battle of the Bulge
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 troops.
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 troops.
World War II: The Bridge at Remagen
The Bridge at Remagen was the first Allied bridgehead over the Rhine River in the closing days of World War II. Known as the Ludendorff Bridge, the bridge at Remagen was captured by elements of the US 9th Armored Division on March 7-8, 1945, before it could be destroyed by the Germans. The bridge collapsed on March 17, 1945.
The Bridge at Remagen was the first Allied bridgehead over the Rhine River in the closing days of World War II. Known as the Ludendorff Bridge, the bridge at Remagen was captured by elements of the US 9th Armored Division on March 7-8, 1945, before it could be destroyed by the Germans. The bridge collapsed on March 17, 1945.