Significant battles of World War II

Battle of the Atlantic (September 3, 1939 to May 8, 1945)

World War II's most extended continuous campaign when ignited a struggle for control of Atlantic Ocean sea routes. Over five years, thousands of ships engaged in 100-plus battles in the Atlantic Ocean, with approximately 100,000 lives lost.

Battle of Britain (July 10 to October 31, 1940)

The Germans called it the "Die Luftschalact um England", meaning "The air battle for England", as Britain eventually won. The Royal Air Force (RAF) defended the UK against the German Air Force (Luftwaffe), including "the Blitz".

Battle of Crete (May 20 to June 1, 1941)

History's first mostly airborne attack. However, with nearly 4,000 Allies and more than 3,000 Germans killed, however, Hitler decries, "the day of the parachutist is over", and it is the country's last airborne campaign.

Battle of Moscow (October 2, 1941 to January 7, 1942)

The second most significant battle of the entire war, as the setback at Moscow meant that the Blitzkrieg strategy of Hitler and his generals had failed.

Battle of Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941)

A surprise wave of attacks from Japan on the U.S. naval base at Oahu Island, Hawaii's Pearl Harbor, killing approximately 2,400 U.S. troops and wounding another 1,000, President Franklin D. Roosevelt calls it "a date which will live in infamy", and the next day, the U.S. officially entered World War II, declaring war on Japan.

Battle of Midway (June 4-7, 1942)

One of America's most important World War II naval wins because the sinking of four of Japan's aircraft carriers in the Pacific Ocean after American intelligence is able to break codes.

Battle of Stalingrad (August 23, 1942 to February 2, 1943)

The war's turning point and one of the longest, biggest and deadliest battles of the war, it ends with close to 2 million casualties, including civilians, with brutal winter weather and a Russian blockade causing many Germans to starve to death.

Battle of Kursk (July 5 to August 23, 1943)

Commonly regarded as one of the three great Soviet victories and the first achieved in the summer. The military history's largest tank battle took place on the Eastern Front involving around 6,000 tanks, 4,000 aircraft and 2 million soldiers.

Battle of Normandy (June 6 to August 30, 1944)

To many people, D-Day on June 6 and the following six weeks of fighting in Normandy was the most apparent 'significant battle', allowing the rapid liberation of western Europe.

Battle of Berlin (April 16 to May 2, 1945)

Soviet forces, with support from American and British aircraft, launch an offensive against the German capital of Berlin in one of World War II's final significant battles. As the Red Army encircles the city, capturing Gestapo headquarters, Hilter commits suicide on April 30 in the Führerbunker, and Germany surrenders a few days later, ending the war.