| World War II Timelines: 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 |
1941
Germany attacks Yugoslavia
The German Army, supported by Hungarian and Bulgarian forces, attacked Yugoslavia and Greece. Germany launched the assault in order to overthrow the pro-Allied government in Yugoslavia and to support Italy’s stalling invasion of Greece.
Operation Barbarossa:
Hitler attacks Russia
The German invasion of the Soviet Union, aimed to conquer vast territory and destroy the Soviet military and economy.
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor (a U.S. Navy base in Hawaii) was the site of a devastating surprise attack by the Imperial Japanese Navy sinking or damaging nearly 20 American naval vessels, including eight battleships, and destroying over 300 aircraft. The attack caused he deaths of over 2,400 Americans, including civilians, and over 1,000 were wounded
Britain and US declare war on Japan
Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, both the United States and the United Kingdom declared war on Japan, marking America’s entry into World War II.