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Detailed Timeline of
European History
World War II (1939 - 1945)
Go to European History Interactive Map Effect of World War II on Each Country
Soviets Drive Germans Out of Russia (1944): After being mired in a war of attrition deep into the Soviet Union for nearly 3 years, the Nazi offensive is no longer sustainable. When the invasion began in the summer of 1941, Hitler took it for granted that victory would be swift, not preparing a contingency plan for a prolonged battle in harsh, Russian winter conditions. By early 1944, the Germans could not sustain their siege on the USSR any longer, and were forced into an all-out retreat. Suffering from a high loss of life and lack of supplies (due to continued attacks on supply lines), the Nazi army was also severely weakened, making it ripe for pursuing Soviet forces. (Timeline Continued Below)
Allies Storm Normandy in Northern France (June, 1944): The Allies (UK, USA, Canada) storm the beaches of Normandy on June 6, gaining control of the area. USSR Red Army Destroys German's Army Group Centre (July, 1944): Destroyed in Belarus in July of 1944. One of three main army groups that carried out Nazi invasion of the USSR. Enables the Soviets to retake Belarus & Ukraine, and to advance into East Poland. Maps.com - The World's Largest Maps Store!
Allies Liberate Paris (August, 1944): Just as the Allies (UK, USA, Canada, Free French Forces) had secured the area around Normandy, Free French Forces insisted on advancing into Paris. The Allies reluctantly agreed to provide support (instead wanting to push east toward Berlin). The campaign began on August 19, with the Germans surrendering Paris August 25. Allied Invasion and Liberation of Southern France (August, 1944): In August of 1944, the Allies (USA, UK, Canadian, Free French Forces) invaded Southern France from Italy and North Africa, an offensive coordinated with French resistant fighters inside German-occupied France. The Germans put up little resistance on their part, and immediately retreated away from the beaches where the Allies landed, and proceeded to rapidly retreat all the way back to Germany. Soviets Capture Romania (August, 1944): The Soviets enter Romania in August of 1944. Within days, Romania surrenders, switching to the side of the Allies, ending its coerced inclusion in the Axis alliance. Allies Drive Nazi Army Out of France, Back to Germany (Aug-Dec, 1944): After liberating Paris in August, the Allies proceeded to advance eastward, liberating the rest of Paris, Luxembourg, Belgium and most of the Netherlands. Soviets Capture Bulgaria (Sept, 1944): The Soviets enter Bulgaria in September of 1944, causing them to abruptly change sides to the Allies. Save as much as 70% on select National Geographic merchandise!
USSR Baltic Offensive Against Germans (Sept-Nov, 1944): By September, the USSR Red Army was poised to mount an offensive to retake the Baltic territories lost to Nazi Germany in 1941. By November, the Soviets had completely driven the Nazi army out of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Soviets Conquer East Poland from Germany (Sep-Dec, 1944): With the destruction of German's Army Group Centre, the Soviets are unable to be repelled as they advance into East Poland. The Red Army conspires with leaders in the Poland capital of Warsaw to to revolt against the German occupiers, who still retail possession of West Poland. The Poles proceed as planned, but the Soviets withhold their promised support. As a result, the Nazis carried out a massacre of a large number of the rebels. This would enable the Soviets to secure control of a weakened Poland when the Germans inevitably continued their retreat out of Poland. Save up to 85% on over 1300 magazines at BlueDolphin.com
Soviets Capture Yugoslavia (Oct, 1944): The Soviets enter Yugoslavia in October of 1944, freeing it from Nazi rule within the month. Soviets Conquer East Prussia from Germany (Oct, 1944): USSR Red Army advances into East Prussia (Germany) in October, forcing Hitler to relocate to Berlin. Allies Liberate Greece (Oct-Nov, 1944): U.S., UK and British Commonwealth (former/current British colonies) forces liberate several cities in Greece beginning in October of 1944. Nazi forces are completely evicted from mainland Greece by November, with several Nazi encampments remaining in place on several Greek islands until the end of the war. (Timeline Continued Below)
Allies Advance in Italy (1944): With the general Italian public viewing the Allies as liberators, the Allied forces (primarily USA, UK, Canadian, Free French) from Southern Italy steadily push the occupying German forces north. The Allies also captured the Italian island of Sardinia. By the end of 1944, the Nazis were nearly evicted from Italy altogether, holding on to a small section in NE Italy. Lapland War Between Finland and Nazi Germany (1944): Due to their adversarial relationship with the USSR, the Finnish joined Germany in attacking the Soviet Union from the west. By 1944, the Soviets had completely turned the tables on the Nazis, forcing them into an all out retreat. Finland remained host to a significant number of German troops, but recognized that it must negotiate peace with the USSR or risk its very existence as a sovereign nation. German troops were in the process of withdrawing northward, but still remained within Finland, eliciting a military response by the Finnish army. Fighting would continue until the Germans withdrew completely from Finland (via Norway) in 1945. U.S. Achieves Convincing Victories Over Japan in Asian-Pacific Theater (1944): Throughout 1944, the U.S. navy routed Japanese naval forces throughout the Pacific. U.S. submarines routinely destroyed Japanese ships, especially commercial vessels. Japanese failed to counter this with an aggressive submarine warfare strategy of their own. The U.S. effectively destroyed Japan's carrier force, including most of its fighter planes in the crucial naval Battle of Saipan. Japan also lost the Philippines to the U.S., a strategic stronghold in the Pacific, which also presented a threat directly towards Japan itself. Battle of the Atlantic Heavily Favors Allies (1944): Allies maintain the advantage at sea throughout 1944, inflicting devastating losses upon Germany's destroyers and U-boat submarines. Soviets control most of Hungary and Czechoslovakia (Dec, 1944). Prelude to Greek Civil War (Dec, 1944): Late in 1944, it became evident that the German occupiers would soon be leaving, since the USSR Red Army was rapidly advancing from the north. When the Germans withdrew, two primary factions within Greece arose. One was pro-Western, and favored a democratic republic. The other was pro-USSR, and favored a communist government. The first fighting between the two factions broke out in December of 1944. This would serve as a prelude to the Greek Civil War, which would begin in earnest in 1946. Iceland Independence (1944): Iceland gains independence, after Denmark was no longer able to administer it as a result of being occupied by Nazi German forces since 1940. Syrian Independence (1944): Syria declared independence from France in 1941 after France was conquered by Nazi Germany. The Vichy France regime (puppet state of Germany) refused to recognize it until 1944, under international pressure to do so. Save 20% off and Free Shipping on Select Language Learning Software
Effect of World War II on Each Country Go to European History Interactive Map
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