What was happening in Europe in 1941?
By December 1941, Germany had conquered most of mainland Europe, from France in the west to the outskirts of Moscow in the Soviet Union in the east. When the United States entered the war after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that month, World War II became a truly global war.
What European countries were involved in ww2?
The principal belligerents were the Axis powers—Germany, Italy, and Japan—and the Allies—France, Great Britain, the United States, the Soviet Union, and, to a lesser extent, China.
Which European country suffered the most in ww2?
The Soviet Union is estimated to have suffered the highest number of WWII casualties.
What happened in Europe during ww2?
Hitler’s invasion of Poland in September 1939 drove Great Britain and France to declare war on Germany, marking the beginning of World War II. Over the next six years, the conflict would take more lives and destroy more land and property around the globe than any previous war.
Where was Britain fighting in 1941?
German and British forces clash for the first time in the Western Desert. In Europe Bulgaria joins the Axis bloc, German troops now have direct access from which to invade Yugoslavia and Greece. British forces invade Ethiopia. The start of a three week blockage of the Suez Canal by the Germans.
What was happening in 1941 Britain?
15 March – Plymouth Blitz: bombing of Plymouth. 336 people lose their lives. 27–29 March – Battle of Cape Matapan: Off the Peloponnesus coast in the Mediterranean, British naval forces defeat those of Italy sinking five warships. 15 April – Belfast Blitz: Belfast is heavily bombed, killing 900 and injuring 1,500.
How much of Europe was destroyed in ww2?
By the end of the war, the European economy had collapsed with some 70% of its industrial infrastructure destroyed. The property damage in the Soviet Union consisted of complete or partial destruction of 1,710 cities and towns, 70,000 villages/hamlets, and 31,850 industrial establishments.
What happened in the UK 1941?
How many countries did Germany occupy in WW2?
Germany defeated and occupied Poland (attacked in September 1939), Denmark (April 1940), Norway (April 1940), Belgium (May 1940), the Netherlands (May 1940), Luxembourg (May 1940), France (May 1940), Yugoslavia (April 1941), and Greece (April 1941).
What was the first airborne invasion in WW2?
On the morning of 20 May 1941, Germany began an airborne invasion of the island of Crete—where Greek and Allied forces had gathered following the German conquest of mainland Greece. The battle saw the first mass use of paratroops, with German Fallschirmjäger seizing control of Maleme airfield on 21 May despite suffering heavy casualties.
What did Germany do in WW2?
In World War II, Germany sought to defeat its opponents in a series of short campaigns in Europe. Germany quickly overran much of Europe and was victorious for more than two years.
When did Germany invade the Soviet Union in WW2?
On June 22, 1941, German forces suddenly invaded the Soviet Union. But Germany proved unable to defeat the Soviet Union, which together with Great Britain and the United States turned the tide of battle and ultimately defeated Germany in May 1945.