World War II (Day by Day - THE FULL STORY)

About this video

• Video Title: World War II (Day by Day - THE FULL STORY)
• Channel: The Infographics Show
• Speakers: The Infographics Show (narration)
• Duration: 03:07:05

Overview

This video provides a comprehensive, day-by-day account of World War II, aiming to present the conflict as it truly happened, including the fear, futility, and grim realities faced by soldiers and civilians. It covers events from the initial invasion of Poland to the final surrender of Japan, incorporating accounts from various perspectives and highlighting acts of bravery, heroism, destruction, and evil.

Key takeaways

• The beginning of the war: The video details the German invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939, the subsequent Soviet invasion from the east, and the swift overrunning of Poland despite Polish resistance.
• Western powers' response: It discusses the assurances given by Britain and France to Poland, the perceived "Western betrayal," and their reluctance to engage in a full-scale war after World War I.
• Technological and military disparities: The video highlights Germany's superior military equipment, including tanks and aircraft, which contributed to its early successes, particularly in Poland and France.
• The Phoney War and its aftermath: It touches upon the period of inaction by Britain and France, the invasion of Norway and Denmark, and the devastating Fall of France.
• The role of the United States and the Soviet Union: The narrative explains the initial US neutrality, the impact of Pearl Harbor, and the Soviet Union's entry into the war, emphasizing the immense scale of the Eastern Front.
• Global reach and diverse fronts: The video covers significant campaigns in North Africa, the Pacific theater, and the brutal fighting on the Eastern Front, illustrating the global nature of the conflict.
• Devastation and human cost: Throughout the narrative, the immense suffering of civilians and soldiers, including massacres, starvation, and inhumane treatment, is consistently highlighted.
• The end of the war and its aftermath: The video touches upon the final stages of the war in Europe and the Pacific, including the atomic bombings and the eventual Japanese surrender, as well as the seeds of future conflicts like the Cold War.

Here are some topics and tags to explore this video in detail:

Topic	Tags
Causes of World War II	Appeasement, Nazi-Soviet Pact, German expansionism, Treaty of Versailles, Invasion of Poland
Major Theaters of War	European Theater, Pacific Theater, Eastern Front, North Africa, Battle of Britain, D-Day
Key Battles and Campaigns	Invasion of Poland, Battle of France, Battle of Britain, Pearl Harbor, Stalingrad, D-Day, Midway
Military Technology and Tactics	Blitzkrieg, U-boats, Aircraft carriers, Tanks, Atomic Bomb, Radar, Enigma Code
Leaders and Key Figures	Adolf Hitler, Winston Churchill, Joseph Stalin, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Benito Mussolini, Dwight D. Eisenhower
Impact on Civilians	Bombings, Occupation, Famines, Holocaust, Civilian casualties, Refugees
War Crimes and Atrocities	Holocaust, Nanking Massacre, Unit 731, Kamikaze attacks, POW treatment, Malmedy Massacre
Political and Diplomatic Aspects	Allied Conferences (e.g., Tehran, Yalta), Propaganda, Diplomacy, Resistance movements
End of the War and Aftermath	Fall of Berlin, Japanese surrender, Atomic bombings, Nuremberg Trials, Post-war world, Cold War
Human Experience of War	Soldier's perspective, Fear, Morale, Brutality, Resilience, Sacrifice, War weariness

In the early stages of World War II, Blitzkrieg tactics led to swift German victories:

• Invasion of Poland (1939): Germany's Blitzkrieg campaign, coupled with the Soviet invasion from the east, led to the rapid defeat of Poland. German troops crossed the border on September 1st, and within weeks, the country was occupied.
• Fall of France (1940): Germany's Blitzkrieg through the Ardennes, bypassing the Maginot Line, resulted in the rapid collapse of French defenses. The invasion began on May 10th, and France surrendered in late June 1940, with German troops reaching Paris in just over a month. This campaign highlighted the effectiveness of armored and air support working in coordination.

The primary event that directly led to the United States' involvement in World War II was the attack on the American Naval Base at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii, by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service on December 7, 1941. This surprise attack resulted in significant damage to US ships and caused over 2,400 American deaths.

Following this event, there was a dramatic shift in American public opinion, with 97% of Americans approving of Congress declaring war on Japan. This attack galvanized the US into officially entering the war.

The events at Dunkirk, as described in the transcript, refer to the evacuation of Allied troops who were cut off by the rapid German advance during the Battle of France in 1940.

Here's a breakdown:

• The Situation: German forces advanced so quickly and thoroughly that British Expeditionary Force (BEF) and French armies were cut off in northern France. They ended up in retreat and were trapped at the French port of Dunkirk.
• The Evacuation: While a monumental military disaster was unfolding, a large-scale evacuation took place from May 26th to June 4th.
• Unexpected Success: Although Churchill initially expected only 20-30,000 British troops to be evacuated, the operation was remarkably successful, with 338,000 troops rescued.
• Civilian Involvement: A significant aspect of the evacuation was the crucial role played by civilian boats that came to aid in rescuing the soldiers, contributing to what became known as the "Dunkirk spirit."
• French Troops: Initially, the British were criticized for not evacuating French troops, but Churchill intervened, allowing approximately one-third of the evacuated troops (around 53,000) to be French.
• The Cost: The evacuation came at a cost, with about 90,000 soldiers taken as prisoners of war, and the British leaving behind significant amounts of valuable military machinery, including vehicles, ammunition, stores, and guns.
• Aftermath for French Evacuees: Unfortunately, for the French troops evacuated to England, many were later repatriated to occupied France and forced into labor for the Nazis, meaning their Dunkirk experience did not have a happy ending.
• German Perspective: From the German perspective, Hitler saw the Dunkirk evacuation as a significant victory, having successfully pushed the British back and embarrassed the French.