World War II

Alfred Jodl — German Wehrmacht Operations Chief (1890–1946) Alfred Jodl Senior German staff officer who served as Chief of the OKW Operations Staff during World War II; signed Germany's 1945 surrender and was tried and executed for war crimes at Nuremb…

Allied Powers of World War II Allies of World War II The Allied Powers were the international coalition that opposed the Axis in World War II, led by the United Kingdom, United States and the Soviet Union and later formalized as the…

Attack on Pearl Harbor A surprise Japanese air strike on the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, that brought the United States into World War II and reshaped the Pacific war.

August 9 August 9 is the 221st day of the year (222nd in leap years). It is marked by historical events such as the Nagasaki bombing and Nixon's resignation, and modern observances like Sin…

British Indian Army: organization, history and global role (1858–1947) British Indian Army Comprehensive overview of the British Indian Army: its formation after 1857, structure, recruitment, major campaigns in both World Wars, reforms such as Kitchener's, Indianisation,…

Jasenovac concentration camp: history, structure, victims, and legacy Jasenovac concentration camp An overview of the Jasenovac camp complex in the Independent State of Croatia during World War II: organization, victim groups, historical context, contested victim counts, afterma…

Napalm: composition, history, properties and military use Napalm Napalm is a thickened incendiary fuel used to create sticky, long-burning fire. This article summarizes its development, chemistry, historical use, effects, and distinctions from o…

Nazi eugenics: ideology, policies, and consequences Nazi eugenics An overview of Nazi eugenics: its ideological roots, main programs (sterilization, euthanasia, racial laws), methods, victims, role in the Holocaust, and its legacy in law and ethi…

Operation Overlord: the 1944 Allied invasion of Western Europe Operation Overlord Operation Overlord was the Allied military campaign that began with the Normandy landings (D-Day) in June 1944 to liberate German-occupied Western Europe.