#11 WWII battles

D-day invasion: The d-day invasion was the single largest amphibious invasion of all time.Nicknamed operation overlord;on June 6th 1944 nearly 156,000allied soldiers invaded the beaches of Normandy. However the germans have been expecting an invasion like such. With German forces heavily fortified on the beaches, allied forces suffered nearly 2,700 casualties on the first day alone. Over a months time despite heavy casualties the allied forces broke through German Lines at Saint-Lo. Within another month the Allied forces and liberated France and keeping the nazis on the defensive side of war.

The D-day invasion was significant because It put the german forces on the defensize side of the war.It lead the allied forces to liberating France, Belgium, and luxenburg. The invasion also made germany have to fight  from forces both on the east and west side of germany. This would eventually lead  to the Nazi's surrender.

Battle of Okinawa:

The battle of Okinawa was the largest amphibious invasion in the pacific theatre. Nicknamed "Operation Iceberg" on april 1st 1945 it was put into effec when over 60,000 Americans  easily landed on its beaches. ( Japanese let them land on the beaches  because they were burrowed in the islands volcanic ash.) Both sides fought hard until eventually the americans overpowered the much larger japanese force.

This battle was significant because Over 100,000  Japanese and 12,000 american soldiers died in this single battle . There was a massive loss on the Japanese soldiers where in their culture it is unhonerable to surrendure. Japanese fought until death. This was a huge win for the allied forces beacue it is 350 miles from Japanese coast, which allowed easy access for attack.

#10 - Axis powers

Similar goals that Hitler, Mussolini and Hirohito all shared were that they all wanted to conquer land/ annex other countries. Acts of aggression that hitler showed included the annexation of Czechoslovakia this is when Germany took over and which France and Britain appeased Hitler. Another act of aggression included Creating the third reich when Germany joined together with Austria. This was a direct violation of the treaty of Versailles.Hitler also showed preparation for war when he practiced rearmament. This is when he violated the treaty of Versailles and his military back up. Hitler also moved his army into the Rhineland which was a 30mile bummer zone between France and Germany in which neither side was aloud to enter. Once again the British and French appeased in order to keep peace.and the last major act of aggression was the akin of Suderland before he took over the rest of Czechoslovakia.

Hirohito showed aggression in the Russo Japanese war when Japan launched a surprise attack and drove Russia out of Manchuria. Also Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931 and later launched a all out invasion on china in 1937. Japan also showed aggression when they violated rules of war in the rape on Nanijing.

Mussolini attacked Albania in order to control the adriatic sea and also attacked ethiopia in order to gain more land.

All three of these dictators were key points of why WWII came to be.