The First Year of World War II: A Look Back

On September 1, 1939, the world was plunged into a conflict that would change the course of history forever. World War II was a global war that lasted for six years and claimed the lives of millions of people.

The Invasion of Poland:

The war began with the invasion of Poland by Germany. The German army, led by General Heinz Guderian, used a new military tactic called Blitzkrieg, or "lightning war." Blitzkrieg involved the use of tanks, artillery, and aircraft to quickly overwhelm the enemy's defenses.

The Fall of France:

After Poland, Germany turned its attention to France. In May 1940, the German army invaded France and quickly overwhelmed the French forces. The British Expeditionary Force (BEF) was forced to evacuate from Dunkirk, France, in a massive operation that saved over 300,000 troops.

The Battle of Britain:

In the summer of 1940, Germany launched a massive air campaign against Britain, known as the Battle of Britain. The British Royal Air Force (RAF) fought bravely and eventually defeated the Luftwaffe, the German air force.

The United States Enters the War:

In December 1941, Japan attacked the American naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This attack brought the United States into the war.

The War in North Africa:

In North Africa, German forces led by Erwin Rommel, the "Desert Fox," fought against British forces. The war in North Africa was a seesaw battle that eventually ended in victory for the Allies.

Operation Barbarossa:

In June 1941, Germany launched a massive invasion of the Soviet Union, known as Operation Barbarossa. The German army initially made rapid progress, but the Soviets eventually stopped them at the gates of Moscow.

The End of the War:

The war in Europe ended in May 1945 with the surrender of Germany. The war in the Pacific ended in August 1945 with the surrender of Japan.

Conclusion:

The First Year of World War II was a time of great upheaval and change. The world was plunged into a conflict that would change the course of history forever. The war saw the rise of new military tactics, the fall of empires, and the emergence of new superpowers.

Sources:

The History Channel: https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii

The National World War II Museum: https://www.nationalww2museum.org/

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum: https://www.ushmm.org/