St. Johns County School District



Name ________________________

Major Events of WWII

Color the map as directed. Then, write the corresponding number of each event at the location that it occurred.

• Color Allied countries in Blue & label

• Color Axis countries in Red & label

• Color countries occupied by Axis powers in Orange & label

1. Japan Invades Manchuria (19 September 1931 – 27 February 1932) – Pacific

Japan uses the “Mukden Incident” as an excuse to invade resource-rich Manchuria. Japan later moves into China.

2. Germany invades Sudetenland (March 1939) – Europe

After annexing Austria, Germany seeks to expand into Eastern Europe for more lebensraum (living space)

3. Invasion of Poland (1 September 1939) – Europe

Germany’s blitzkrieg invasion of Poland causes Great Britain & France to declare war against Germany on September 3.

4. Battle of Dunkirk (26 May – 4 June 1940)

After invading Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, & Belgium, Germany raced into France. The northern attack split the Allied forces, which trapped a mostly British force along the coastal city of Dunkirk. They were surrounded and losing badly until the Royal Navy & civilian boats evacuated ~338,000 troops. France surrendered on June 22.

5. Battle of Britain (12 August – 13 October 1940) – Europe

Germany’s Luftwaffe begins aerial attack on British bases & harbors, then civilian targets. Britain’s use of radar (radio detection and ranging) & British resiliency resulted in the 1st defeat of German forces.

6. Pearl Harbor (7 December 1941) – Pacific

Japan launches a surprise attack on the U.S. naval base so that it can continue to expand into the Pacific & SE Asia. U.S. enters the war on the side of the Allies & begins rebuilding its naval force.

7. Battle of Midway Island (4 June 1942) – Pacific

The defeat of the Japanese navy marked a turning point for the Allies in the Pacific campaign.

8. Battle of El Alamein (1 – 27 July 1942) - Africa

The battle was a stalemate, but it had halted the Axis advance on Alexandria and Cairo.

9. Operation Torch (8–16 November 1942) – Africa

The British-American invasion of French North Africa in World War II during the North African Campaign

10. Battle of Stalingrad (17 July 1942 - 2 February 1943) – Europe

First substantial German land defeat of the war. Germany’s 6th Army, considered the best, surrenders.

11. Invasion of Italy (3 September 1943 – 16 September 1943) – Europe

After defeating Axis forces in Tunisia, the Allies traveled across the Mediterranean to take Sicily before moving into Italy. Mussolini is arrested by Victor Emmanuel III, king of Italy, but was liberated by German forces. He briefly seized control of northern Italy before being shot by resistance fighters in April 28, 1945.

12. D-Day Invasion (June 6, 1944) – Europe

The operation was the largest amphibious invasion of all time, with over 175,000 troops landing in 1 day.

13. Battle of Leyte Gulf (23–26 October 1944) – Pacific

The Japanese Navy suffered its greatest loss of ships and crew ever. Its failure to dislodge the Allied invaders from Leyte meant the inevitable loss of the Philippines, which in turn meant that Japan would be cut off from its occupied territories in Southeast Asia.

14. Battle of the Bulge (16 December 1944 – 25 January 1945) – Europe

This Allied victory marked the defeat of the last major German offensive. German forces were defeated as British, American, Canadian forces continued to push toward Berlin from the West as the Soviets pushed from the East. After Hitler committed suicide on April 30, Germany surrendered on May 7, 1945.

15. Battle of Okinawa (April 1, 1945 – June 22, 1945) – Pacific

The Allied victory in Okinawa provided a fleet anchorage, troop staging areas, and airfields in close proximity to Japan. Now the Allies were in easy striking distance of Japan.

16. Bombing of Hiroshima & Nagasaki (August 6 & 9, 1945) – Pacific

Forced Japan to surrender on August 14, which ended WWII.

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KEY

Allies – Blue

Axis – Red

Axis controlled – Orange

1. Japan invades Manchuria (17 Sept 1931 – 27 Feb 1932)

2. Germany invades Sudetenland (March 1939)

3. Invasion of Poland (1-6 Sept 1939)

4. Battle of Dunkirk (26 May – 4 June 1940)

5. Battle of Britain (12 Aug – 13 Oct 1940)

6. Pearl Harbor (7 Dec 1941)

7. Battle of Midway Island (4 June 1942)

8. Battle of El Alamein (1 – 27 July 1942)

9. Operation Torch (8–16 Nov 1942)

10. Battle of Stalingrad (17 July 1942 - 2 Feb 1943)

11. Invasion of Italy (3-16 Sept 1943)

12. D-Day Invasion (6 June 1944)

13. Battle of Leyte Gulf (23–26 Oct 1944)

14. Battle of the Bulge (16 Dec 1944 – 25 Jan 1945)

15. Battle of Okinawa (1 April – 22 June 1945)

16. Bombing of Hiroshima & Nagasaki (6 & 9 Aug, 1945)

Which Ally is not shown? _____________

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