The global conflict of 1939-1945
World War Two is the name commonly given to the global conflict of 1939-1945. It was the greatest and most destructive war in history. Whereas military operations in World War I were conducted primarily on the European continent, World War II included gigantic struggles not only in Europe but in Asia, Africa, and the far-flung islands of the Pacific as well. More than 17 million members of the armed forces of the various belligerents perished during the conflict. Its conduct strained the economic capabilities of the major nations and left many countries on the edge of collapse.
The events leading to World War II, its military operations, diplomacy, statistical data, and results, are discussed under the following headings which can be accessed at any time from the navigation menu.
The War in Brief
Between World Wars
Fall of the Low Countries and France
Recovery of France and Advance into Germany
German Invasion of the USSR
War in the Southern and Southwestern Pacific
War in the Central and Northern Pacific
War in Eastern Asia
Developments in Naval Warfare
Developments in Air Warfare
Costs, Casualties, and Other Data
The Axis Leaders: Adolf Hitler (Germany), Benito Mussolini (Italy), Emperor Showa (Hirohito) (Japan)
The Allied Leaders: Winston Churchill (UK), Franklin Delano Roosevelt (USA), and Joseph Stalin (USSR).