War in Europe- Early War and Eastern Front

Battle of Britain

An air campaign in 1940 between Germany’s Luftwaffe and Britain’s RAF. Germany failed to gain air superiority, forcing Hitler to cancel plans to invade Britain and marking his first major defeat.

The Blitz

German bombing of British cities, especially London, meant to break civilian morale. Instead, it strengthened British determination to fight.

Winston Churchill

British prime minister who inspired resistance and vowed Britain would never surrender.

Battle of the Atlantic

Longest continuous battle of WWII involving Allied ships vs German U-boats.

Wolf Pack

German U-boat tactic using coordinated submarine attacks on Allied shipping.

Enigma Code

German encryption machine cracked by the Allies, allowing them to intercept and understand German military plans for battle of midway

Tizard Mission

British mission that shared advanced military technology, including radar, with the United States.

Magnetron

Radar technology that greatly improved Allied detection of enemy aircraft and submarines

Operation Barbarossa

Germany’s massive invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, breaking the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact. Hitler aimed to destroy communism, gain land, and seize Soviet resources, especially oil and farmland.

Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact

A 1939 agreement between Germany and the Soviet Union promising not to attack each other, which Hitler violated with Operation Barbarossa.

Battle of Stalingrad

A brutal battle from 1942–1943 marked by intense street-by-street fighting. Stalin ordered Soviet forces to defend the city at all costs. German forces controlled most of the city before being surrounded by a Soviet counteroffensive during the harsh winter. This resulted in the first full surrender of a German army and became a major turning point in the war.

Why Stalingrad Mattered

It shattered the myth of German invincibility, caused massive Axis losses, and shifted momentum permanently toward the Soviet Union.

Siege of Leningrad

An 872-day German siege designed to starve the city into submission. Civilians endured extreme hunger, cold, and death, with many resorting to eating pets and other non-food items. Despite immense suffering, the city never surrendered.

Eastern Front Significance

The Eastern Front saw the deadliest fighting of WWII, with millions of casualties. Soviet resistance drained German resources and manpower, playing a critical role in the eventual Allied victory.