5._WWII_Battles__Part_2_

World War II

A global conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945 involving most of the world's nations.

Allies

The coalition of nations including the United States, Britain, and the Soviet Union fighting against the Axis powers.

Axis Powers

The alliance of Germany, Italy, and Japan during World War II.

Doolittle Raids

A series of air raids conducted by the United States on the Japanese capital Tokyo in April 1942.

Bataan Death March

A forced march of American and Filipino prisoners of war by the Japanese army in 1942.

Scorched Earth Policy

A military strategy that involves destroying anything that might be useful to the enemy while retreating.

Stalingrad

The site of a major battle where the Soviet Union defeated German forces; considered a turning point in WWII.

El Alamein

A town in Egypt where a key battle was fought that marked a turning point in the North African campaign.

Operation Torch

The Allied invasion of North Africa during World War II.

D-Day

The Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, marking the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany.

Battle of the Bulge

A major German offensive campaign launched through the Ardennes region in late 1944.

VE Day

Victory in Europe Day, celebrated on May 8, 1945, marking the surrender of Germany.

Hiroshima

The Japanese city where the first atomic bomb was dropped on August 6, 1945.

Nagasaki

The Japanese city where the second atomic bomb was dropped on August 9, 1945.

Island Hopping

A military strategy employed by the Allies in the Pacific theater during World War II to capture key islands.

General Douglas MacArthur

The commander of Allied forces in the Pacific during World War II.

Harry Truman

The 33rd President of the United States who made the decision to use atomic bombs in WWII.

Unconditional Surrender

A term indicating that a country must surrender completely, without any guarantees.

Kamikaze

Japanese suicide pilots who deliberately crashed their planes into enemy ships during World War II.

Operation Overlord

The codename for the Battle of Normandy, which began on D-Day.

Japanese Wartime Atrocities

Crimes committed by the Japanese military during WWII, including the Bataan Death March.

Napoleon

French military leader whose failed invasion of Russia is often referenced in discussions of military strategy.

Operation Piedmont

Not a correct term; refer to the successful Allied strategy during major campaigns.

Battle of Midway

A decisive naval battle in the Pacific Theater that turned the tide in favor of the Allies.

General Dwight D. Eisenhower

The Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe during WWII.

Hiroshima and Nagasaki Bombings

The atomic bombings that led to Japan's surrender and the end of World War II.

Cold War

The state of political tension and military rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union after WWII.

FDR

Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States during most of World War II.

Naval Blockade

A military strategy to prevent maritime trade, used by the Allies against Japan in WWII.

Clement Attlee

The British Prime Minister who succeeded Winston Churchill after WWII.

Banzai Charge

A tactic used by Japanese soldiers to charge at enemy forces, often resulting in heavy casualties.

American War Strategy

The approach and tactics employed by the United States military to defeat Axis powers.

Military Advisers

Individuals who provide expert advice on military operations and strategy.

Atomic Energy Commission

The United States government body responsible for atomic energy and overseeing atomic weapons.

Banzai!

A Japanese battle cry which can be understood as a call to charge or fight fervently in battle.

Battle of Guadalcanal

First major offensive by Allied forces against Japan, fought on the Solomon Islands.

Mussolini

The Italian dictator and a key figure in the Axis powers, ultimately killed after losing power.

Rationing

The controlled distribution of scarce resources, goods, or services, implemented during WWII.

War Crimes

Violations of the laws of war; both Axis and Allied powers committed acts categorized as such.