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'''World War II''', was the Nazi initiated 1939 war in Europe, all lasting until 1945, in which the [[Allies|Allied powers]], led by the [[British Commonwealth]], the [[Soviet Union]], the [[Republic of China]], and the [[United States]] among many other nations, completely defeated the [[Axis Powers]], led by [[Third Reich|Nazi Germany]] in quest of global domination headed by the "Aryan" race,<ref>[https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/nazi-racism-an-overview#:~:text=Racism%20fueled%20Nazi%20ideology%20and,murder%20on%20an%20unprecedented%20scale. Nazi Racism : an Overview]. Holocaust Encyclopedia</ref> [[Japan]], [[Italy]] (until 1943), [[Hungary]], [[Romania]] and [[Bulgaria]]. Although Japan's war against China began in 1937.

'''World War II''', was the Nazi-initiated 1939 war in Europe, lasting until 1945, in which the [[Allies|Allied powers]], led by the [[British Commonwealth]], the [[Soviet Union]], the [[Republic of China]], and the [[United States]] among many other nations, completely defeated the [[Axis Powers]], led by [[Third Reich|Nazi Germany]] in quest of global domination headed by the "Aryan" race,<ref>[https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/nazi-racism-an-overview#:~:text=Racism%20fueled%20Nazi%20ideology%20and,murder%20on%20an%20unprecedented%20scale. Nazi Racism: an Overview]. Holocaust Encyclopedia</ref> [[Japan]], [[Italy]] (until 1943), [[Hungary]], [[Romania]] and [[Bulgaria]]. Although Japan's war against China began in 1937.

The main defensive war against the Axis started in September 1939 when Germany and the Soviet Union divided [[Poland]]; [[Britain]] and [[French Third Republic|France]] then [[declared war]] on Germany.  France was quickly knocked out of the war and became divided between the collaborationist [[Vichy regime]] occupying the continent, the so-called "[[Free French]]" in exile in England and North Africa, and the allied French Communist Party aa a member of the "[[French Resistance]]".

The main defensive war against the Axis started in September 1939 when Germany and the Soviet Union divided [[Poland]]; [[Britain]] and [[French Third Republic|France]] then [[declared war]] on Germany.  France was quickly knocked out of the war and became divided between the collaborationist [[Vichy regime]] occupying the continent, the so-called "[[Free French]]" in exile in England and North Africa, and the allied French Communist Party as a member of the "[[French Resistance]]".

Also known as '''The Great Patriotic War''': 22 June 1941 – 9 May 1945.

Also known as '''The Great Patriotic War''': 22 June 1941 – 9 May 1945.

{{See also|Molotov-Ribbentrop pact|Gleiwitz Incident|World War II: 1939}}

{{See also|Molotov-Ribbentrop pact|Gleiwitz Incident|World War II: 1939}}

In the immediate run up to WWII, there were frequent reports of trespassing Polish troops. On August 31, 1939 German covert operatives staged a fake attack by Polish troops on a German radio station. WWII started on September 1, 1939, when German troops invaded Poland. Hitler justified this as a defensive act, pointing to the frequent border incidents, and said famously that from this moment on Germany would strike back. In his speech to the [[Reichstag]] at the Kroll Opera House Hitler expressed his determination to resolve for all time the border disputes between Poland and Germany.<ref>https://avalon.law.yale.edu/imt/judpolan.asp</ref>

In the immediate run-up to WWII, there were frequent reports of trespassing Polish troops. On August 31, 1939, German covert operatives staged a fake attack by Polish troops on a German radio station. WWII started on September 1, 1939, when German troops invaded Poland. Hitler justified this as a defensive act, pointing to the frequent border incidents, and said famously that from this moment on Germany would strike back. In his speech to the [[Reichstag]] at the Kroll Opera House Hitler expressed his determination to resolve for all time the border disputes between Poland and Germany.<ref>https://avalon.law.yale.edu/imt/judpolan.asp</ref>

The major tactical innovation of the war was the use of combined arms warfare, typified by the German doctrine of [[blitzkrieg]]. In this style of warfare armor, infantry, artillery and air power (see [[Luftwaffe]]) all coordinate to achieve overwhelming superiority at a point on the enemy lines. Armor and fast-moving infantry units then exploit the gap and penetrate deep behind enemy lines. The objective is to cause a widespread collapse of the enemy's ability to fight. It was particularly effective during the early stages of the war, before the Allies developed effective countermeasures.

The major tactical innovation of the war was the use of combined arms warfare, typified by the German doctrine of [[blitzkrieg]]. In this style of warfare armor, infantry, artillery and air power (see [[Luftwaffe]]) all coordinate to achieve overwhelming superiority at a point on the enemy lines. Armor and fast-moving infantry units then exploit the gap and penetrate deep behind enemy lines. The objective is to cause a widespread collapse of the enemy's ability to fight. It was particularly effective during the early stages of the war, before the Allies developed effective countermeasures.

In 1939-1940, eastern Poland, [[Estonia]], [[Latvia]], [[Lithuania]] and [[Bessarabia]] were invaded and annexed by the Soviet Union.

In 1939-1940, eastern Poland, [[Estonia]], [[Latvia]], [[Lithuania]] and [[Bessarabia]] were invaded and annexed by the Soviet Union.

Approximately 6 million Poles were killed by the Nazis during World War II, amounting to around 1/5 of the prewar population, the largest percentage of any European [[nation state]].<ref>https://www.statista.com/statistics/1351638/second-world-war-share-total-population-loss/</ref> Poles were also the first victims of the Nazis' [[genocide]]s, having been targeted for physical extermination even before the [[blitzkrieg]] of 1 September 1, 1939 as proven by the Special Prosecution Book – Poland, which led to Operation Tannebnerg and the Intelligenzaktion. These predate the "Final Solution" for genociding [[Jews]].<ref>https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/the-final-solution</ref>

Approximately 6 million Poles were killed by the Nazis during World War II, amounting to around 1/5 of the prewar population, the largest percentage of any European [[nation state]].<ref>https://www.statista.com/statistics/1351638/second-world-war-share-total-population-loss/</ref> Poles were also the first victims of the Nazis' [[genocide]]s, having been targeted for physical extermination even before the [[blitzkrieg]] of 1 September 1939 as proven by the Special Prosecution Book – Poland, which led to Operation Tannenberg and the Intelligenzaktion. These predate the "Final Solution" for genociding [[Jews]].<ref>https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/the-final-solution</ref>

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==Finland: The Winter War==

==Finland: The Winter War==

The Soviet Union invaded [[Finland]] on November 30, 1939. This conflict came to be known as the "[[Winter War]]". Despite the overwhelming numbers of the Red Army, the Finnish resistance was strong and the battle was hard-fought before the Soviet army took control. Outside powers (including the U.S.) considered intervention to help Finland; only a little aid trickled in and Finland was forced to sue for peace.  The peace treaty signed in March 1940 favored the Soviets, but they paid heavily for their victory with 200,000 dead.  Finland lost 25,000 dead, and had to absorb 400,000 refugees from areas turned over to the Soviets.  In 1941 Finland joined Germany in attacking the Soviets, in the Siege of Leningrad, but lost again.   

The Soviet Union invaded [[Finland]] on November 30, 1939. This conflict came to be known as the "[[Winter War]]". Despite the overwhelming numbers of the Red Army, the Finnish resistance was strong and the battle was hard-fought before the Soviet army took control. Outside powers (including the U.S.) considered intervention to help Finland; only a little aid trickled in and Finland was forced to sue for peace.  The peace treaty signed in March 1940 favored the Soviets, but they paid heavily for their victory with 200,000 dead.  Finland lost 25,000 dead, and had to absorb 400,000 refugees from areas turned over to the Soviets.  In 1941 Finland joined Germany in attacking the Soviets, in the Siege of Leningrad, but lost again.   

An armistice in Sept. 1944 ended hostilities in which Finland ceded territory, agreed to [[reparations]] and pledged to remain neutral in the [[Cold War]].<ref>Roger R. Reese, "Lessons of the Winter War: a Study in the Military Effectiveness of the Red Army, 1939-1940," ''Journal of Military History'' 2008 72(3): 825-852</ref>

An armistice in Sept. 1944 ended hostilities in which Finland ceded territory, agreed to [[reparations]] and pledged to remain neutral in the [[Cold War]].<ref>Roger R. Reese, "Lessons of the Winter War: a Study in the Military Effectiveness of the Red Army, 1939-1940," ''Journal of Military History'' 2008 72(3): 825-852</ref>

Before, during, and after the [[war]] the [[French]] [[public]] was divided three ways: the French Communist Party, [[antisemitic]] collaborators, and French nationalists. While Gaullists or the "Free French" are celebrated in [[Hollywood]] movies and [[Western alliance|Western]] [[propaganda]], by far few "Free French" portrayed as the "[[French Resistance]]" did not have the [[money]] or resources to flee to [[France]] to [[London]] or [[North Africa]]. The so-called "Free French" was an [[American]] [[proxy force]] supported entirely by [[Lend Lease]] funds outside of [[France]], while the French [[government]], [[taxpayer]], [[industrial]] output, and men of [[draft]] age, albeit not always willingly, supported the [[Nazi]] war effort. The French Communist Party did most of the actual [[sabotage]] and resistance work in [[Western Europe]], a fact denied or suppressed in virtually all Western history texts and contemporaneous [[propaganda]].

Before, during, and after the [[war]] the [[French]] [[public]] was divided three ways: the French Communist Party, [[antisemitic]] collaborators, and French nationalists. While Gaullists or the "Free French" are celebrated in [[Hollywood]] movies and [[Western alliance|Western]] [[propaganda]], by far few "Free French" portrayed as the "[[French Resistance]]" did not have the [[money]] or resources to flee to [[France]] to [[London]] or [[North Africa]]. The so-called "Free French" was an [[American]] [[proxy force]] supported entirely by [[Lend Lease]] funds outside of [[France]], while the French [[government]], [[taxpayer]], [[industrial]] output, and men of [[draft]] age, albeit not always willingly, supported the [[Nazi]] war effort. The French Communist Party did most of the actual [[sabotage]] and resistance work in [[Western Europe]], a fact denied or suppressed in virtually all Western history texts and contemporaneous [[propaganda]].

In the [[Cold War]] period, [[Operation Gladio]] was a [[US]]/[[UK]] effort to [[demonize]] and sideline these [[Nazi]] Resistors. Even today, it is said people in France do not recognize or can make sense of the [[American]] version of [[France]]'s role in World War II.

In the [[Cold War]] period, [[Operation Gladio]] was a [[US]]/[[UK]] effort to [[demonize]] and sideline these [[Nazi]] Resistors. Even today, it is said people in France do not recognize or cannot make sense of the [[American]] version of [[France]]'s role in World War II.

===France at war===

===France at war===

Once the invasion of Poland was complete, German forces regrouped while French and British forces remained on the defensive, leading US commentators to dub it the [[Sitzkrieg|Phoney War]]. May 10, 1940 made clear that the war was real, as Germany invaded France, occupying neutral countries such as the [[Netherlands]], [[Luxembourg]] and [[Belgium]] in the process. Resistance by the British and French armies proved ineffective, and France was soon surrendered. British and French troops were routed and evacuated mainland Europe at [[Dunkirk]]. France was divided into the northern Occupied France and the collaborationist [[Vichy regime]] in the south of France, including [[Corsica]].  The United States granted full diplomatic recognition to the Vichy regime, whereas the United Kingdom granted recognition to the [[French National Committee]] led by Gen. [[Charles De Gaulle]].

Once the invasion of Poland was complete, German forces regrouped while French and British forces remained on the defensive, leading US commentators to dub it the [[Sitzkrieg|Phoney War]]. May 10, 1940 made clear that the war was real, as Germany invaded France, occupying neutral countries such as the [[Netherlands]], [[Luxembourg]] and [[Belgium]] in the process. Resistance by the British and French armies proved ineffective, and France soon surrendered. British and French troops were routed and evacuated mainland Europe at [[Dunkirk]]. France was divided into the northern Occupied France and the collaborationist [[Vichy regime]] in the south of France, including [[Corsica]].  The United States granted full diplomatic recognition to the Vichy regime, whereas the United Kingdom granted recognition to the [[French National Committee]] led by Gen. [[Charles De Gaulle]].

[[File:Lille June 1, 1940.jpg|left|300px|thumb|German officers salute French soldiers who were allowed to carry arms in a surrender ceremony.]]

[[File:Lille June 1, 1940.jpg|left|300px|thumb|German officers salute French soldiers who were allowed to carry arms in a surrender ceremony.]]

The collapse and occupation of France, together with Germany's non-aggression pact with the Soviet Union,<ref>[http://nobsopus.blogspot.com/2007/01/celebrations-marking-60-years-since-end.html Celebrations Marking 60 Years Since the End of World War II], Pavel Vitek, ''Russkii vopros - Studies'', No. 1 2005. Translation from Russian.</ref> Germany's alliance with fascist Italy and an expansionist Japan, the benevolent neutrality of fascist Spain, and the fact that little of Europe was outside Axis control, led many to assume that Britain had been defeated. Indeed, it would appear that the seemingly foolish decision of the relatively weak Britain to continue the war took the Axis powers off guard. This decision ensured the remaining British Empire was still involved in the war, with Japan threatening many British possessions in Asia.

The collapse and occupation of France, together with Germany's non-aggression pact with the Soviet Union,<ref>[http://nobsopus.blogspot.com/2007/01/celebrations-marking-60-years-since-end.html Celebrations Marking 60 Years Since the End of World War II], Pavel Vitek, ''Russkii vopros - Studies'', No. 1 2005. Translation from Russian.</ref> Germany's alliance with fascist Italy and an expansionist Japan, the benevolent neutrality of fascist Spain, and the fact that little of Europe was outside Axis control, led many to assume that Britain had been defeated. Indeed, it would appear that the seemingly foolish decision of the relatively weak Britain to continue the war took the Axis powers off guard. This decision ensured the remaining British Empire was still involved in the war, with Japan threatening many British possessions in Asia.

On the same day as the fall of the [[Third French Republic]], colonial forces loyal to the Third Republic shot and killed 200 members of the [[Comintern]] at the [[Saigon]] airport in [[Vietnam]].

On the same day as the fall of the [[Third French Republic]], colonial forces loyal to the Third Republic shot and killed 200 members of the [[Comintern]] at the [[Saigon]] airport in [[Vietnam]].

In 1940 [[Denmark]] and [[Norway]] were invaded by German forces, to preempt a British occupation of Norway and occupy its coastline and ports to be used by the [[Kriegsmarine]]. Norway also contained a source of [[Heavy water]], potentially crucial in the construction of an atomic weapon. The operation was successful, but losses were heavy, especially to the Kriegsmarine. This was soon followed by the British troops invited by [[Iceland]] and American occupation of [[Greenland]]. (The goal was to prevent any increase in the range of German air and submarine activity, brought about the occupation of these lands - and of the Azores at the request of the Portuguese Government.)

In 1940 [[Denmark]] and [[Norway]] were invaded by German forces, to preempt a British occupation of Norway and occupy its coastline and ports to be used by the [[Kriegsmarine]]. Norway also contained a source of [[Heavy water]], potentially crucial in the construction of an atomic weapon. The operation was successful, but losses were heavy, especially to the Kriegsmarine. This was soon followed by the British troops invited by [[Iceland]] and the American occupation of [[Greenland]]. (The goal was to prevent any increase in the range of German air and submarine activity, brought about the occupation of these lands - and of the Azores at the request of the Portuguese Government.)

All these countries, France, the [[Low Countries]], Denmark, and Norway, provided troops and manpower to the SS, and industrial capacity to the German war machine.

All these countries, France, the [[Low Countries]], Denmark, and Norway, provided troops and manpower to the SS, and industrial capacity to the German war machine.

==Battle of Britain==

==Battle of Britain==

{{See also|Battle of Britain|World War II: 1940}}

{{See also|Battle of Britain|World War II: 1940}}

With Britain the sole opposing European nation, the [[Battle of Britain]] commenced. The [[Luftwaffe]] attempted to achieve aerial dominance over the south of Britain, in order to allow a sea based invasion of the British Isles to proceed. From 10 July to the end of October the [[Royal Air Force]] and the Luftwaffe fought for dominance; the resilience of the RAF, which counted in its ranks also Commonwealth personnel, US volunteers and Polish and Czech exiles, and the use of [[radar]] and its associated early warning systems, had forced a rethink of German tactics. It was the first significant setback for the Germans in the War. They now concentrated on the great population centers, especially London, hoping that huge civilian casualties would weaken morale and lead to a lessening of the war effort by the populace. The period that followed, popularly known as [[the Blitz]], lasted into May 1941. Around 40,000 civilians and civil defense workers died; but the Germans failed to reach their objectives and their resources were soon diverted to the Eastern front as Hitler began concentrating on the impending invasion of the Soviet Union.  

With Britain the sole opposing European nation, the [[Battle of Britain]] commenced. The [[Luftwaffe]] attempted to achieve aerial dominance over the south of Britain, in order to allow a sea-based invasion of the British Isles to proceed. From 10 July to the end of October, the [[Royal Air Force]] and the Luftwaffe fought for dominance; the resilience of the RAF, which counted in its ranks also Commonwealth personnel, US volunteers and Polish and Czech exiles, and the use of [[radar]] and its associated early warning systems, had forced a rethink of German tactics. It was the first significant setback for the Germans in the War. They now concentrated on the great population centers, especially London, hoping that huge civilian casualties would weaken morale and lead to a lessening of the war effort by the populace. The period that followed, popularly known as [[the Blitz]], lasted into May 1941. Around 40,000 civilians and civil defense workers died; but the Germans failed to reach their objectives and their resources were soon diverted to the Eastern front as Hitler began concentrating on the impending invasion of the Soviet Union.  

With the pressure off their air bases the RAF was now able to increase its nightly raids on industrial sites in Germany and occupied lands. Because of the inability to correctly target these sites, the raids soon turned into “area bombing”, and German civilian casualties rose. These raids were to reach further into Germany as the war progressed and were greatly increased when American bombers began their sorties.

With the pressure off their air bases, the RAF was now able to increase its nightly raids on industrial sites in Germany and occupied lands. Because of the inability to correctly target these sites, the raids soon turned into “area bombing”, and German civilian casualties rose. These raids were to reach further into Germany as the war progressed and were greatly increased when American bombers began their sorties.

===Battle of the Atlantic===

===Battle of the Atlantic===

The [[aircraft carrier]] HMS ''Courageous'' was sunk by a German submarine on September 12, 1939, and the carrier ''Ark Royal'' narrowly missed a similar fate 2 days later. The [[Kriegsmarine]] scored an even greater victory in October, when U-47 penetrated the Royal Navy base at [[Scapa Flow]] and sank the WWI-era [[battleship]] ''Royal Oak''.<ref>Submarine Warfare, an Illustrated History, by Antony Preston, Thunder Bay Press, 1998</ref>

The [[aircraft carrier]] HMS ''Courageous'' was sunk by a German submarine on September 12, 1939, and the carrier ''Ark Royal'' narrowly missed a similar fate 2 days later. The [[Kriegsmarine]] scored an even greater victory in October, when U-47 penetrated the Royal Navy base at [[Scapa Flow]] and sank the WWI-era [[battleship]] ''Royal Oak''.<ref>Submarine Warfare, an Illustrated History, by Antony Preston, Thunder Bay Press, 1998</ref>

During World War II, [[U-boat]]s were primarily used to destroy [[Lend-Lease]] transport vessels supplying the United Kingdom with the aim of causing supply shortages and forcing Britain to surrender. At first this was highly successful, but the Allies later developed many countermeasures, such as properly organized escorts, the Magnetic Airborne Detector that detected the change in local magnetic field caused by the U-boats, the 'Huff-Duff' system that tracked U-boats by their radio transmissions, improvements in depth-charges and [[sonar]].

During World War II, [[U-boat]]s were primarily used to destroy [[Lend-Lease]] transport vessels supplying the United Kingdom with the aim of causing supply shortages and forcing Britain to surrender. At first this was highly successful, but the Allies later developed many countermeasures, such as properly organized escorts, the Magnetic Airborne Detector that detected the change in local magnetic field caused by the U-boats, the 'Huff-Duff' system that tracked U-boats by their radio transmissions, improvements in depth-charges and [[sonar]].

The official Soviet position and that of its [[Comintern]] allies prior to June 22, 1941 was in direct and vocal opposition to Lend-Lease.  Once the German Chancellor Adolf Hitler violated the terms of the [[Molotov-Ribbentrop pact]], opposition ceased.

The official Soviet position and that of its [[Comintern]] allies prior to June 22, 1941 was in direct and vocal opposition to Lend-Lease.  Once the German Chancellor Adolf Hitler violated the terms of the [[Molotov-Ribbentrop pact]], opposition ceased.

As the war progressed the [[Soviet Union]] became locked in a struggle with the invading German [[Wehrmacht]] and greatly benefited from the US war materials; they were delivered via Arctic seaports of [[Archangel]] and [[Murmansk]], through the [[Persian Gulf]] then over land across [[Iran]] (Persia) due to [[Iraq]] being an active [[combat]] zone, and in the [[Far East]] via [[Vladivostok]]. While Soviets historians downplayed the importance of the aid, recent scholarship has discovered how essential it was to the Soviet war effort.

As the war progressed, the [[Soviet Union]] became locked in a struggle with the invading German [[Wehrmacht]] and greatly benefited from the US war materials; they were delivered via Arctic seaports of [[Archangel]] and [[Murmansk]], through the [[Persian Gulf]] then over land across [[Iran]] (Persia) due to [[Iraq]] being an active [[combat]] zone, and in the [[Far East]] via [[Vladivostok]]. While Soviet historians downplayed the importance of the aid, recent scholarship has discovered how essential it was to the Soviet war effort.

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