The War in Europe began in September 1939, when Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler invaded Poland. 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 Luftwaffle failed to defeat the RAF. In June, 1941, Hitler invaded Russia under the Codename Operation Barbarossa. in December 1941 the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor Bringing the USA 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 Stalingrad in Russia Janurary 1943 on June 6th 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 6th of August 1945 the Americans dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima Japan Surrendered on V-J day 15 August 1945 the war was over WW2 lasted from 1939 - 1945 and remains the most geographically widespread military conflict the world has ever seen Subscribe to see more fun history videos get your copy of Simple history World War 2 out today