Key Battles of World War II

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1. It is often said that this battle was the key turning point in the Soviet Union's war with Germany, dooming the Nazis due to tremendous irreplaceable casualties. Battle of Smolensk Battle of Moscow Battle of Stalingrad Battle of Kiev

2. This battle was said to have "broken the back" of the Axis offensive into British Egypt leading to the Allied occupation of Italian North Africa. Battle of the Kasserine Pass First Battle of El Alamein Second Battle of El Alamein Battle of Gondar

3. This naval engagement is said to have been the most important naval battle in the Pacific Theater of World War II. Japan had attempted to strike a quick, decisive blow against the American Navy yet were decisively defeated due to overly aggressive Japanese plans and American code breakers. Attack on Pearl Harbor Battle of Leyte Gulf Battle of Midway Battle of the Coral Sea

4. This famous air battle is significant because it is believed to be what had saved the Allies from falling to the Axis early on in the war before Germany invaded the Soviet Union. Battle of Britain Battle of Dunkirk Battle of France Battle of the Netherlands

5. This long and bloody siege was very costly in terms of casualties and structural destruction. The city had experienced the largest loss of life in the modern era due to nearly three years of heavy conflict. Siege of Tobruk Siege of Malta Siege of Budapest Siege of Leningrad

6. This was the largest amphibious invasion in history. While contemporary scholars still debate the actual usefulness of this invasion it was nonetheless a proverbial "nail in the coffin" for Nazi Germany. Operation Torch Operation Husky Operation Overlord Operation Downfall

7. This battle was particularly bloody considering the relatively small islands it was fought on. It is also known for a disturbing number of civilian deaths, largely due to suicide instead of the actual fighting. Battle of Iwo Jima Battle of Okinawa Battle of Guadalcanal Battle of Bataan

8. The bombing of this city still remains very controversial in modern history due to the indiscriminate nature of the bombing which led to thousands of civilian deaths. Proponents of the bombing argue its importance in further hindering German industry yet others find it excessive. Bombing of Darwin Bombing of Dresden Bombing of Guernica Bombing of Frankfurt

9. This battle was the largest engagement of tanks in history. It is also said to be the first example of a failure of the German Blitzkrieg tactic as the Soviets maintained their position despite relatively huge Soviet casualties compared to the Germans. Battle of Minsk Battle of Kursk Siege of Sevastopol Siege of Odessa

10. While technically not the end of the war, this battle basically signified the end of the war in Europe with the suicide of many German leaders including Hitler himself during the battle. Battle of Königsberg Battle of the Rhineland Battle of the Bulge Battle of Berlin