Using blitzkrieg tactics the country was quickly overtaken.

The world was shocked.

Britain and France responded by declaring war on Germany, but took little action.

This became known as the "Phony War."

But in 1940, German offensives rapidly defeated Denmark, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands and France.

The British Army meanwhile, was on the retreat, being evacuated from Dunkirk.

Britain, alone, was attacked by Germany during the Battle of Britain and the Blitz; however the Luftwaffe failed to defeat the RAF.

In June 1941, Hitler invaded Russia under the Codename "Operation Barbarossa."

And in December 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, bringing the U.S.A. into the war.

Germany, Italy and Japan Formed the axis powers, while Britain, Russia and the USA made up the major combatants on the allied side.

In 1942 , the Nazis implemented their Final Solution, a plan to exterminate all Jewish people.

Critical battles followed that would dramatically change the course of the war.

These were Midway in the Pacific theatre, June 1942.

El Alamein in Egypt, November 1942.

And Stalingrad in Russia, January 1943.

On June 6, 1944, D-Day, The Allies launched operation overlord, invading Normandy, France.

The Red Army advanced in the East and was the first to reach the German capital of Berlin.

Germany Surrendered in May 1945 shortly after Adolf Hitler Committed suicide.

On the 6th of August 1945, the Americans dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima.

Japan surrendered on V-J day, 15th of August, 1945.

The war was over.

World War Two lasted from 1939 to 1945 and remains the most geographically widespread military conflict the world has ever seen.

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