Year
War
Battle
Date(s)
Description
1941
World War II
Battle of Bardia
3–5 January
British /Australian and Free French victory in Libya over Italy
Battle of Agordat
26–31 January
The UK defeats Italy in Eritrea
Battle of Keren
3 February—1 April
Hard-fought British and Commonwealth victory over Italian forces during East African Campaign
Battle of Beda Fomm
6–7 February
British /Australian victory over Italy forces in Libya
Second Sino-Japanese war
Battle of Shanggao
14 March—9 April
Chinese victory over Japan
World War II
Battle of Cape Matapan
At sea
27–29 March
British Royal Navy task force defeats Italian fleet
Invasion of Yugoslavia
6–18 April
Germany , Italy and Hungary invade and conquer Yugoslavia
Battle of Greece
6–24 April
Germany takes the Balkan Peninsula after Italian stalemate
Siege of Tobruk
10 April—27 November
German commander Erwin Rommel with a mixed German /Italian army defeated in North Africa by Allied forces (UK , Australia , New Zealand , Poland , Czechoslovakia , British Indian and Free Libyan Arabs)
Battle of Vevi
11–12 April
German victory over Australians
Battle of Tempe Gorge
18 April
Australians and New Zealanders slow German advance
Battle of Athens
20 April
Dog-fighting air battle over Athens between the UK and Germany fought for half an hour between the Royal Air Force and the Luftwaffe towards the end of the Battle of Greece
Battle of Thermopylae
24–25 April
German victory over New Zealanders and Australians
Battle of the Corinth Canal
26 April
German victory over British Empire forces
Second Sino-Japanese War
Battle of South Shanxi
7–27 May
Japanese victory in China
World War II
Battle of Fallujah
17–21 May
The UK defeats Iraq
Battle of Rethymno
20 May
Australian and Greek tactical victory over Germany
Battle of Crete
20 May—1 June
German paratroopers and Italians capture Crete , suffer many casualties against New Zealand , Greece , the UK and Australia
Battle of Denmark Strait
At sea
23 May
German Bismarck sinks British HMS Hood
Sinking of the Bismarck
27 May
Famous German battleship is lost against the UK and Poland
Battle of 42nd Street
Australian and New Zealanders halt German advance
Battle of the Litani River
9 June
British /Australian victory over Vichy French forces in French Lebanon
Battle of Jezzine
13 June
Australians defeat Vichy French
Battle of Sidon
13–17 June
Battle of Kissoué
17 June
British Empire and Free French forces defeat Vichy French in Syria
Battle of Merdjayoun
19–24 June
British Empire forces defeat Vichy French
Operation Barbarossa
22 June
German invasion of the Soviet Union
Battle of Białystok-Minsk
22–29 June
German victory in the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic (present-day Belarus ) over the Soviet Union
Battle of Raseiniai
23–27 June
German victory in Lithuania over the Soviet Union
Raid on Constanța
26 June
Axis (Germany and Romania ) victory over the Soviet Union
Battle of Brody
26–30 June
In one of the largest tank battles of World War II, Germany defeats the Soviet Union
Battle of Damour
5–9 July
Australians defeat Vichy French
Battle of Smolensk
6 July—5 August
Soviet attempt to block German Wehrmacht's advance on Moscow
Battle of Kiev
/
7 July—26 September
In the largest encirclement battle of World War II, Germany defeats the Soviet Union
Battle of Beirut
12 July
Free French , British , Australian and British Indian forces defeat Vichy French forces
Battle of Uman
15 July—8 August
Axis (Germany , Romania and Hungary ) victory over the Soviet Union
Second Sino-Japanese War
Second Battle of Changsha
6 September—8 October
Failed Japanese attempt to take Chinese city
World War II
Siege of Leningrad
8 September 1941—27 January 1944
After a three-year Nazi siege on Leningrad , the Soviet Union defeats Germany
Battle of the Sea of Azov
At sea
26 September—11 October
Axis controls Sea of Azov ; Germany and Romania defeat the Soviet Union .
Battle at Borodino Field
13 October 1941—18 January 1942
Germany defeats the Soviet Union in October and the Soviet Union defeats Germany in January
Battle of Rostov
27 November
Germans forced to withdraw despite Hitler 's orders, but Soviets suffer over 140,000 casualties
Battle of Kota Bharu
8 December
Japanese forces capture Kota Bharu from the UK
Battle of Prachuab Khirikhan
8–9 December
Japan conquers Thailand
Battle of Wake Island
8–23 December
Japanese forces capture the American Wake Island in the Pacific
Battle of Hong Kong
8–25 December
Japanese drive British forces from their Chinese territory
Battle of Malaya
8 December 1941—15 February 1942
Japan invades British Malaysia
Battle of the Philippines
8 December 1941—8 May 1942
Japanese victory over the U.S. and the Philippines ; Douglas MacArthur promises to return
Naval Battle of Singapore
At sea
10 December
Japanese torpedo craft sink British HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse
Battle of Jitra
11–13 December
Japan pushes back British forces in Malaya
Battle of Cape Bon
At sea
13 December
Italian naval defeat against the UK and the Netherlands
First Battle of Sirte
17 December
Indecisive engagement between Italian and British naval forces
Second Sino-Japanese War ,World War II
Battle of Changsha
24 December 1941—15 January 1942
Chinese forces battle Japanese back during another Japanese attack on Changsha and claim victory
World War II
Battle of the Kerch Peninsula
26 December 1941—19 May 1942
Axis controls Crimea ; Germany and Romania defeat the Soviet Union
Battle of Kampar
30 December 1941—2 January 1942
British forces delay Japanese advance Malaya
1942
World War II
Battle of Bataan
1 January—9 April
Japanese defeat and imprison U.S. and Philippine force
Battle of Slim River
6–8 January
Japan defeats the UK and British India
Battles of Rzhev
8 January 1942—31 March 1943
A series of inconclusive battles between the Soviet Union and Germany , ending with Germany's retreat
Battle of Dražgoše
9 January
First frontal engagement on Slovenian soil with the German occupier
Battle of Tarakan
11–12 January
Japan defeats the Netherlands
Battle of Manado
Battle of Gemas
14 January
Australias ambush Japanese forces
Battle of Muar
14–22 January
Japan defeats Australia , the UK and British India
Battle of Moscow
17 January
Soviet defenders drive back German Army Group Centre
Barvenkovo-Lozovaya offensive
18–31 January
The Soviet Union pushes Germany back in Ukraine
Battle of Balikpapan
23 January
Battle in Borneo , Netherlands East Indies ends with a Japanese victory over the Dutch
Battle of Rabaul
23 January—February
Japan defeats Australians and occupies the first Australian territory taken by conquest in Australian history
Battle off Endau
26–27 January
British /Australian naval defeat by Japan's navy
Battle of Ambon
30 January—3 February
Japanese victory over the Netherlands , Australia and the U.S. in the Dutch East Indies
Battle of Port Moresby
3 February 1942—17 August 1943
Air war over Port Moresby ; Australia and the U.S. defeat Japan
Battle of Makassar Strait
4 February
Japanese defeat Dutch and U.S. naval force
Battle of the Java Sea
4 February—1 March
Japanese wipe out Allied (Netherlands , U.S. the UK and Australia ) naval squadron
Battle of Singapore
8–15 February
Japanese forces capture city in Malaya ; British army under Arthur Percival surrenders; largest British surrender of the war.
Battle of Kranji
9–10 February
Japanese forces capture strait islands from the UK
Battle of Bukit Timah
10–12 February
Japanese defeat British Empire forces
Battle of Palembang
13–15 February
Japan defeats Allied forces (UK , the Netherlands , Australia and New Zealand)
Battle of Badung Strait
18–19 February
Japanese naval victory over the Netherlands , the U.S. and the UK despite friendly fire incident
Bombing of Darwin
19 February
Australia hit by Japanese aerial attacks
Battle of Timor
/
19 February 1942—10 February 1943
Japanese victory; tactical Australian victory
Battle of Sunda Strait
28 February—1 March
ABDACOM naval force (U.S. , Australia and the Netherlands ) under Admiral Doorman defeated by Japanese fleet
Battle of Java
28 February—12 March
A battle of the Pacific theatre between Japan and the Netherlands ; Japanese victory
Battle of Leuwiliang
3–5 March
British , Australian and American forces are defeated by Japan
Invasion of Buka and Bougainville
9 March—5 April
Japanese forces invades and defeats Australian forces , capturing Buka and Bougainville
Battle of Toungoo
19–29 March
Japan defeats China in Burma
Second Sino-Japanese War ,World War II
Battle of Oktwin
20–23 March
World War II
Second Battle of Sirte
At sea
22 March
An Italian naval force attacks the escort of a British convoy
Japanese Raids into Indian Ocean
31 March
Japanese raids against the British Eastern Fleet , resulting in heavy British losses
Battle of Yenangyaung
11–19 April
China , the UK and British India defeat Japan
Battle of Nanos
18 April
800 Italian soldiers lay siege to 54 Slovene Partisans ; Italian victory.
Doolittle Raid
U.S. aircraft bomb Tokyo , crash-land in China
Battle of Zhejiang-Jiangxi
Chinese and Japanese forces search for the surviving Doolittle Raiders ; Japan defeats China and the U.S.
Destruction of Telavåg
30 April
German forces destroy entire Norwegian town
Battle of the St. Lawrence
At sea
May 1942—November 1944
German submarine U-553 sinks the Canadian Nicoya and Leto in the Gulf of St. Lawrence
Battle of the Coral Sea
4 May
U.S. loses USS Lexington ; Japanese win tactically but lose strategically to U.S. /Australian navies. First naval battle in history in which the opposing ships neither sighted nor directly fired on one another; all offensive action was carried out by carrier-based aircraft.
Battle of Corregidor
5–6 May
Last U.S. bastion in Asia surrenders to the Japanese after prolonged siege
Second Battle of Kharkov
12–28 May
Soviet counterattack thwarted against Germany and the Axis
Battle of Bir Hakeim
26 May—11 June
Free French Forces successfully delay Rommel's Italian and German advance towards Egypt
Battle of Gazala
26 May—21 June
German commander Erwin Rommel , reinforced by Italians , defeats Great Britain
Operation Anthropoid
27 May
Czech resistance fighters assassinate Schutzstaffel (SS)-Obergruppenfüher Reinhard Heydrich
Attack on Sydney Harbour
31 May—8 June
Japanese submarines attack Australian cities
Battle of Midway
At sea
4–7 June
U.S. loses USS Yorktown ; Japanese lose four aircraft carriers
Battle of Pantelleria
15 June
An Italian naval force successfully attacks a British convoy (Operation Harpoon).
Convoy PQ 17
27 June—10 July
35 ships leave Iceland on 17 June for Murmansk ; only 11 reached their destination
Raid on Salamaua
28 June
Australian commandos raid Japanese forces ; 120 Japanese killed, 3 Australians wounded
First Battle of Voronezh
28 June—24 July
Germany and other Axis capture Voronezh from the Soviet Union
First Battle of El Alamein
1 July
British Eighth Army stops Rommel 's Axis (Italy and Germany ) forces invading Egypt
Raid on Heath's Farm
Australian commandos attack and kill 44 Japanese
Battle of Sevastopol
2 July
Soviet city captured by Germans , Romanians and Italians after eight-month siege
Battle of Stalingrad
17 July 1942—2 February 1943
City besieged by Paulus ' German Sixth Army ; from 23 November the Sixth Army is surrounded and destroyed by Soviets ; bloodiest battle in history with approximately 1.8 million dead
Invasion of Buna–Gona
21–27 July
Japan defeats Australian forces and capture Buna -Gona
Kokoda Track campaign
21 July—16 November
Australia 's finest hour; Australia and the U.S. defeat Japan
Battle of Guadalcanal
7 August 1942—9 February 1943
Allies (U.S., UK , Australia and New Zealand ) finally take the island from Japan after a six-month battle
Battle of Kokoda
8–10 August
Australians capture Kokoda Airfield from Japan
Battle of Savo Island
At sea
9 August
Japanese sink four U.S. cruisers; HMAS Canberra is also lost
Battle of Dieppe
19 August
Also known as Operation Jubilee; Allied attack on the German -occupied port of Dieppe . Allied failure helped prepare them for D-Day . Soldiers from the UK , Canada , Free French , Poland and Czechoslovakia participated in the battle on the Allied side.
Battle of the Eastern Solomons
24 August
Japanese aircraft carrier Ryūjō sunk by the U.S.
Battle of Milne Bay
25 August—7 September
Australians defeat Japanese in the first clear Allied victory over Japanese land forces
Battle of Isurava
26–31 August
Australian forces are pushed down the Kokoda trail by Japan
Battle of Alam Halfa
30 August—6 September
Allies vs. Rommel in North Africa ; the UK and New Zealand defeat Germany and Italy
First Battle of Eora Creek – Templeton's Crossing
31 August - 5 September
Japanese forces defeat Australian forces
Battle of Mission Ridge – Brigade Hill
6–9 September
Battle of Ioribaiwa
14–16 September
Australians withdraw from Japanese forces down the Kokoda trail
Raid on Mubo
1 October
Australian commandos raid Japanese forces killing 50
Battle of Višegrad
5 October
Yugoslav Chetniks defeat Germany and the German fascist puppet state of Croatia
Battle of Cape Esperance
At sea
11 October
Near Guadalcanal , the U.S. defeats Japan
Second Battle of Eora Creek – Templeton's Crossing
11–28 October
Australians advance after being halted by Japan
Battle of Goodenough Island
22–27 October
Australians take island from the Japanese
Second Battle of El Alamein
23 October—4 November
Montgomery 's Eighth Army forces Rommel out of Egypt . The UK , British India , Australia , New Zealand , South Africa , Free France , Greece and the U.S. defeat Germany and Italy .
Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands
At sea
25 October
Near Guadalcanal , USS Hornet sunk, but Japanese withdraw victorious
Battle of Oivi–Gorari
4–11 November
Major Australian victory over Japan
Operation Torch
8 November
Allied landings in North Africa ; the U.S., the UK , British India , Free France , Canada , the Netherlands and Australia defeat Vichy France , Germany and Italy
Naval Battle of Guadalcanal
12 November
U.S. defeats Japan , turning point of the Pacific War
Battle of Buna–Gona
16 November 1942—22 January 1943
Australian and American forces win decisive victory over Japan
Battle of Velikiye Luki
19 November 1942—16 January 1943
Germans clash with Soviets ; Soviet victory
Battle of Tassafaronga
At sea
30 November
Off Guadalcanal , Japan defeats the U.S.
1943
World War II
Battle of Osankarica
8 January
About 2,000 Germans massacre all 69 men and women of the Pohorje Battalion; Germans lose 19 men and 31 are wounded
Battle of Neretva
20 January—March
Large joint Axis (Germany , Italy , German puppet state of Croatia , Serbian Chetniks ) offensive that attempts to destroy communist-led Partisan resistance in Yugoslavia, but fails
Battle of Rennell Island
29–30 January
Japanese bombers sink an American cruiser
Battle of Wau
29 January—4 February
Australian and American victory over Japan
Battle of the Kasserine Pass
14–25 February
German victory over British Empire and U.S. forces in Tunisia
Third Battle of Kharkov
16 February—15 March
German victory over the Soviet Union
Battle of the Bismarck Sea
At sea
2–4 March
Australian and U.S. air forces destroy Japanese convoy
Battle of Blackett Strait
6 March
Two Japanese destroyers sunk by the U.S.
Battle of the Komandorski Islands
26 March
U.S. naval victory over Japanese , USS Salt Lake City (CA-25) damaged
Warsaw Ghetto Uprising
18 April
13,000 Polish Jews are killed by German forces ; uprising is defeated
Operation Vengeance
Killing of Imperial Japanese Navy Marshal Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto by the U.S.
Battle of Mubo
22 April—14 July
Australians force Japan to retreat
Battle of Bobdubi
22 April—19 August
Australian forces defeat Japanese forces
Raid on Darwin
2 May
Major Japanese air raid on Darwin
Second Sino-Japanese War ,World War II
Battle of West Hubei
12 May—11 June
Chinese forces under Bai Chongxi defeat Japanese
World War II
Sutjeska offensive
15 May—16 June
Failed Axis (Germany , Italy , Croatia and Bulgaria ) offensive against Yugoslav Partisans
Battle of Lababia Ridge
20–23 June
Australians defeat Japanese attack
Battle of New Georgia
20 June—25 August
U.S. and British Empire victory over Japan in the Solomon Islands
Landing at Nassau Bay
30 June
Australians and Americans defeat Japan
Battle of Kursk
5 July—23 August
Germans attack Kursk salient at Orel and Belgorod , but are stopped by heavy Russians defenses; arguably the largest tank battle ever fought. Heavy losses.
Battle of Kula Gulf
6 July
Indecisive naval battle between the U.S. and Japan in the Solomon Islands
Battle of Enogai
10–11 July
U.S. victory over Japan
Battle of Kolombangara
12–13 July
American ships damaged while pursuing Japanese
Battle of Mount Tambu
16 July—18 August
Australian and American decisive victory over Japan
Battle of Bairoko
20 July
Japanese victory over the U.S.
Battle of Roosevelt Ridge
21 July—14 August
Allied victory (U.S. and Australia ) over Japan
Battle of Munda Point
22 July—5 August
The U.S. defeats Japan
Battle of Centuripe
2–4 August
The UK defeats Germany in Sicily
Battle of Vella Gulf
6–7 August
Japanese lose three destroyers against the U.S.
Smolensk operation
7 August—2 October
The Soviet Union captures the Smolensk and Bryansk regions from Germany
Battle of the Aleutian Islands
15 August
Japanese invade, but are repelled by American and Canadian forces
Battle of Vella Lavella
15 August—6 October
The U.S. and New Zealand defeat Japan
Battle off Horaniu
17–18 August
Japanese naval retreat, subsequent evacuation of 9,000 Japanese men; American victory
Fourth Battle of Kharkov
23 August
Soviets liberate town from Germany
Battle of the Dnieper
26 August—23 December
The Soviet Union takes Eastern Ukraine from Germany
Battle of Arundel Island
27 August—21 September
The U.S. defeats Japan
Landing at Lae
4–16 September
Australians and Americans land at Lae in Japanese -held territory
Landing at Nadzab
5 September
American /Australian airborne landing defeats Japanese forces
Battle of Castle Turjak
19 September
Communist-led Slovene Partisans take the castle guarded by the pro-German , anti-communist Slovene village sentries
Battle of Kaiapit
19–20 September
Australian victory over Japan
Battle of Dumpu
22 September—4 October
Australian forces defeat Japan
Battle of Finschhafen
22 September—24 October
Australia and the U.S. defeat Japan
Battle of Leros
At sea
26 September—16 November
Germans attack and force surrender of British garrison on Leros ; British force under General Tilney are forced to surrender
Naval Battle of Vella Lavella
6 October
Japanese win against the U.S., both sides lose one destroyer
Battle of John's Knoll–Trevor's Ridge
12–13 October
Australian victory over Japan
Battle of Lenino
Germany defeats the Soviet Union and Poland
Raid on Schweinfurt
14 October
Also known as Black Thursday; air battle between the German Luftwaffe and the U.S. Air Force , German victory
Battle of the Treasury Islands
27 October—12 November
Major New Zealand and American victory over Japan
Battle of Empress Augusta Bay
1–2 November
Japan suffers a naval defeat against the U.S.
Landings at Cape Torokina
1–3 November
American /New Zealand forces defeat Japanese forces
Bombing of Rabaul
2–11 November
Allied (U.S., Australia and New Zealand ) air attacks against Japan in Rabaul
Second Sino-Japanese War ,World War II
Battle of Changde
2 November—20 December
Chinese victory, Japanese use biological and chemical weapons
World War II
Battle of Koromokina Lagoon
7–8 November
The U.S. defeats Japan
Battle for Piva Trail
8–9 November
Battle of Sattelberg
17–25 November
Major Australian and American victory over Japan
Battle of Tarawa
20–22 November
First contested amphibious landing of World War II by the U.S. against Japan
Battle of Makin
20–24 November
American forces defeat the Japanese in the Gilbert Islands
Battle of Cape St. George
27 November
Japanese convoy suffers heavy damage against the U.S.
Battle of Wareo
27 November—8 December
Australia defeats Japan
Battle for Monte la Difensa
3–9 December
The UK , the U.S. and Canada defeat Germany
Battle of Sio
5 December
Major Australian victory over Japan
Battle of Arawe
15 December 1943—24 February 1944
Allied (U.S. and Australia ) victory against Japan
Battle of Ortona
20–28 December
Canada defeats Germany
Dnieper-Carpathian offensive
/ /
24 December 1943—6 May 1944
The Soviet Union captures Western Ukraine from Germany and enters Poland and Romania
Battle of North Cape
At sea
26 December
British naval victory over Germany
Battle of The Pimple
27–28 December
Australian victory over Japan
1944
World War II
Leningrad-Novgorod offensive
/
14 January—1 March
The Soviet Union lifts the Siege of Leningrad and liberates the area around Veliky Novgorod from Germany
Battle of Monte Cassino
17 January—19 May
Four battles, Allies (the UK , British India , the U.S., Free France , Poland , Canada , New Zealand , South Africa and Italy ) finally victorious against Germany , breaking through to advance on Rome
Battle of Shaggy Ridge
19–31 January
Australian victory over Japan
Battle of Rapido River
20–22 January
Germany defeats the U.S.
Battle of Anzio
22 January—5 June
After an amphibious landing near Rome, the Allied armies of the U.S. , the UK and Canada are only able to break out a German encirclement after a couple of months
Battle of Korsun Pocket
24 January—16 February
Decisive Soviet victory over Germany
Battle of Cisterna
30 January—2 February
Part of Operation Shingle – 1st , 3rd and 4th U.S. Army Ranger battalions attempted to capture the town of Cisterna , German victory
Battle of Kwajalein
31 January—3 February
American victory over Japan in the Marshall Islands , several Korean laborers captured
Battle of Madang
February—April
Australian and American victory over Japan in the Pacific
Battle of Narva
2 February—10 August
Germany successfully holds ground against the Soviet Union
Battle of the Green Islands
15–20 February
New Zealand forces supported by Americans defeat Japan
Attack on Truk
At sea
17–18 February
Successful American air raid against Japan in the Marshall Islands
Battle of Eniwetok
17–23 February
American victory over Japan allows U.S. forces to set up for an attack on the Mariana Islands
Battle of Hube's Pocket
/ /
4 March—17 April
Germans victorious over the Soviet Union , but have to retreat afterward
Battle of Imphal
8 March—3 July
An invasion of British India by Japan is stopped by the UK and British Indian soldiers
Raid on Drvar
April—May
Failed German military operation that aimed to capture Josip Broz Tito , leader of the Yugoslav Partisans
Second Sino-Japanese War ,World War II
Battle of Central Henan
April—December
Marginal Japanese victory over China and the U.S.
World War II
Crimean offensive
8 April—12 May
The Soviet Union captures Crimea from Germany ; Germany got aid from Romania
Siege of Myitkyina
17 May—3 August
China and the U.S. capture Myitkyina in Burma from Japan
Battle of Lone Tree Hill
17 May—2 September
American victory over Japan in the Pacific theatre
Battle of Wakde
18–21 May
American and Australian victory over the Japanese
Battle of Biak
27 May—17 August
Battle of Mogaung
4–27 June
The UK , China and the U.S. defeat Japan
Battle for Caen
6 June—6 August
After more than a month of fighting, the UK and Canada finally capture Caen from Germany
Battle of Normandy
6 June—25 August
Allies (The U.S., the UK , Canada , France , Poland , Australia , New Zealand , Belgium , Czechoslovakia , Greece , Luxembourg , the Netherlands , Norway and South Africa ) invade northern France across the Normandy beaches (Operation Overlord ); hard fighting from Cherbourg to Caen ; Germans surrounded and destroyed at Falaise
Battle of Villers-Bocage
13 June
Germans defeat the UK near Normandy during Operation Overlord
Battle of Porytowe Wzgórze
14–15 June
Polish and Soviet partisans temporarily defeat Germany
Battle of Saipan
15 June—9 July
American forces capture island from Japan
Battle of Philippine Sea
At sea
19 June
Major carrier battle; U.S. loses 123 planes and destroys 315 Japanese planes
Operation Bagration
/
22 June
Eastern Front ; Soviet offensive destroys German Army Group Centre
Operation Martlet
25 June
The UK defeats Germany
Continuation War ,World War II
Battle of Tali-Ihantala
25 June—9 July
Finnish stop Soviet offensive
World War II
Battle of Noemfoor
2 July—31 August
American victory over Japan , supported by the Royal Australian Air Force
Continuation War ,World War II
Battle of Vuosalmi
4–11 July
Finnish victory over the Soviets
World War II
Battle of Driniumor River
10 July—25 August
The U.S. and Australia defeat Japan
Lvov–Sandomierz offensive
/
13 July—29 August
The Soviet Union captures Eastern Poland and Western Ukraine from Germany ; Germany was aided by Hungary
Battle of Auvere
20–25 July
Germany defeats the Soviet Union
Battle of Guam
21 July—10 August
The U.S. captures Guam ; 18,000 Japanese killed during American attack.
Battle of Tinian
24 July—1 August
The Japanese , realizing they will lose, launch a suicidal charge against Americans
Operation Cobra
25–31 July
The U.S. breaks out of Normandy and liberates Western France from Germany
Battle of Sansapor
30 July—31 August
The U.S. defeats Japan
Second Sino-Japanese War ,World War II
Fourth Battle of Changsha
August
Japanese capture nearby town from China , but unable to continue fighting afterward
World War II
Warsaw Uprising
1 August—3 October
20,000 armed Poles against 55,000 Wehrmacht and SS ; 90% of the city is destroyed and there are more than 250,000 casualties
Falaise pocket
12–21 August
A German army gets trapped and defeated near Falaise , while the Allied armies (the U.S., the UK , Canada , Poland and France ) liberate most of France
Operation Dragoon
15 August
AKA Operation Anvil; Allied (the U.S., France , the UK , Canada , Australia , South Africa , Greece and New Zealand) invasion of German -occupied Southern France
Liberation of Paris
15–25 August
Allied forces (France , the U.S. and the UK ) drive Nazi German forces out of the French capital
Second Sino-Japanese War ,World War II
Battle of Guilin-Liuzhou
16 August—24 November
Japanese victory over China and the U.S.
World War II
Battle of Romania
20 August—24 September
The Soviet Union breaches through the German and Romanian lines, capturing vast territories. Romania change sides from Germany to the Soviet Union. On 24 September, most of Romania is occupied by the Soviet Union.
Baltic Offensive
/ / / /
14 September—24 November
The Soviet Union captures most of the Baltic States and enters Germany in East Prussia
Operation Tanne Ost
At sea
15 September
Germans unable to capture island from Finland ; Finland was supported by the Soviet Union .
Belgrade offensive
15 September—24 November
The Soviet Union , communist-led Yugoslav Partisans and Bulgaria capture Belgrade from Germany
Battle of Peleliu
15 September—27 November
A fight to capture an airstrip on a speck of coral in the western Pacific ; the U.S. defeats Japan
Battle of Arnhem
17–26 September
The major battle of Operation Market Garden ; Allies reach but fail to cross the Rhine ; British First Airborne Division destroyed. Germany defeats the UK and Poland .
Battle of Anguar
17–30 September
Volcanic island captured by Americans from Japan
Battle of Hürtgen Forest
19 September 1944—10 February 1945
German Army repels U.S. forces with high losses for both
Battle of Porkuni
21 September
The Soviet Union defeats Estonians fighting for Germany
Battle of Olhava
28 September
Germany defeats Finland
Battle of Tornio
1–8 October
Finns capture Tornio from the Germans ; start of the Lapland War proper
Battle of the Scheldt
/
2 October—8 November
Difficult Canadian victory secures the port of Antwerp from Germany , and ensures critical supplies for advancing Allied (Canada , the UK , Poland , the U.S., Belgium , the Netherlands , France and Norway ) forces
Battle of Aachen
2–21 October
Aachen was the first major German city to face invasion during World War II; the U.S. defeats Germany
Battle of Kos
3–4 October
Germany defeats Italy , the UK and South Africa
Battle of Debrecen
6–29 October
Germans able to hold back Soviets
Petsamo–Kirkenes offensive
7–29 October
The Soviet Union breaks through German lines into Norway
Battle of Crucifix Hill
8 October
The U.S. 1st Infantry Division attacks and takes Crucifix Hill from Germany , a strategic point which allows the Battle of Aachen to occur
Battle of Morotai
15 October
Allied (the U.S., Australia , the Netherlands and the UK ) victory over Japan
Battle of Vukov Klanac
15–23 October
Communist-led Yugoslav Partisans defeat the German fascist puppet state of Croatia
Operation Pheasant
20 October—4 November
The UK , Canada , Poland , the U.S. and the Netherlands liberate North Brabant from Germany
Battle of Leyte
20 October—31 December
Combined American and Philippine Commonwealth military forces including recognized guerrillas begin the liberation of the Philippines
Battle of Leyte Gulf
23–26 October
The largest air-sea battle in history; American /Australian fleet destroy Japan's fleet
Liberation of Finnmark
23 October 1944—26 April 1945
The Soviet Union and Norway , supported by the UK , Canada and Sweden , drive Germany from the Norwegian region of Finnmark
Budapest offensive
29 October 1944—13 February 1945
The Soviet Union and Romania capture Budapest and most of Hungary from Germany and Hungary
Aitape–Wewak campaign
November 1944—August 1945
Australia victory over Japan
Landing at Jacquinot Bay
4 November
Australians land at Japanese -occupied Jacquinot Bay
Battle of Ormoc Bay
11 November—21 December
Americans prevent Japanese from resupplying Leyte
Operation Queen
16 November
Germany defeats the U.S. and the UK
Battle of Monte Castello
25 November 1944—12 February 1945
Brazilian and American troops defeat Germans in Italy
Battle of Wide Bay–Open Bay
December 1944—April 1945
Australias defeat Japanese
Battle of Mindoro
13–16 December
Combined U.S. , Australia and Philippine Commonwealth military forces including recognized guerrillas capture main island off Luzon , Philippines from Japan
Battle of the Bulge
/ /
16 December 1944—25 January 1945
German counterattack in Ardennes ; General McAuliffe says "NUTS" at Bastogne. The U.S., the UK , Belgium, Canada , France and Luxembourg defeat Germany
Battle of Pearl Ridge
30–31 December
Australia defeats Japan
1945
World War II
Battle of Luzon
9 January—15 August
Filipino , American, Australian and Mexican victory. U.S. Sixth and Eighth Armies including the Filipino soldiers of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and Philippine Constabulary including recognized guerrillas retakes and completes the recapture of Northern Philippines from Japan
Vistula-Oder offensive
/
12 January—2 February
The Soviet Union captures Western Poland from Germany and advances in parts of Eastern Germany
East Prussian offensive
/ /
13 January—25 April
The Soviet Union captures most of East Prussia from Germany
Battle of Tsimba Ridge
17 January—9 February
Australia and New Zealand defeat Japan
Operation Elephant
26 January
Canadian offensive succeeds against a German bridgehead at Kapelsche Veer in the Netherlands
Raid at Cabanatuan
30 January
U.S. Army Rangers and Filipino guerrillas rescue Bataan and Corregidor prisoners of war from Japanese prison camp
Battle for the Recapture of Bataan
31 January—8 February
Combined U.S and Philippine Commonwealth military forces including recognized guerrillas retake the historic Bataan Peninsula from Japan
Battle for the Liberation of Manila
3 February—3 March
City totally devastated after month-long battle between the combined U.S. and Philippine Commonwealth military forces including recognized guerrillas against the Japanese Imperial forces; 100,000 civilians killed
Rhineland Offensive
8 February—27 March
The U.S., the UK and Canada capture the Rhineland from Germany
Silesian offensives
/ / /
8 February—31 March
The Soviet Union captures Silesia from Germany
Black Friday
9 February
British Empire air operation ends in defeat against Germany
Battle for the Recapture of Corregidor
16–26 February
Spectacular combined U.S. and Philippine Commonwealth assault retakes island bastion from Japanese forces
Battle of Baguio
21 February—26 April
Filipino troops of the 66th Infantry Regiment, Philippine Commonwealth Army ; USAFIP-NL ; and the American troops of the 33rd and 37th Infantry Division retake Baguio , Northern Philippines, from Japan
Raid at Los Baños
23 February
U.S. Airborne Task Force and Filipino guerrillas rescues more than 2,000 Allied POWs and civilian internees held by Japanese
East Pomeranian offensive
24 February—4 April
The Soviet Union captures parts of Northeastern Germany
Battle of the Transdanubian Hills
6–21 March
Bulgaria , the Soviet Union , Yugoslavia and Italy defeat Germany
Battle of Mindanao
10 March—15 August
U.S. Eighth Army including the Filipino soldiers of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and Philippine Constabulary and recognized guerrillas recapture the Southern Philippines from Japan
Vienna offensive
16 March—15 April
The Soviet Union captures Vienna from Germany
Operation Varsity
17 March
134 Allied (the UK , the U.S. and Canada ) gliders land troops in Wesel in Germany
Battle of the Visayas
18 March—30 July
U.S. Eighth Army including the Filipino soldiers of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and Philippine Constabulary and recognized guerrillas retakes central Philippine islands from Japan
Second Sino-Japanese War ,World War II
Battle of West Henan and North Hubei
21 March—11 May
Indecisive battle between China and Japan ; Japan controls airbases after battle
World War II
Battle of Iwo Jima
26 March
After a month, U.S. forces take main offshore Japanese island
Battle of Slater's Knoll
28 March—6 April
Decisive Australian victory over Japan
Battle on Lijevča field
30 March—8 April
Total Ustashian (Croats fighting for Germany ) victory over Chetniks (Yugoslav nationalists)
Second Sino-Japanese War ,World War II
Battle of West Hunan
6 April—9 June
Chinese victory in final battle to expel Japan
World War II
Battle of Bologna
9–21 April
Poland , the UK , the U.S., Italy and Brazil defeat Germany
Battle of the Argenta Gap
12–19 April
The UK defeats Germany
Battle of the Hongorai River
17 April—22 May
Australia and New Zealand defeat Japan
Battle of Halbe
24 April—1 May
Part of Battle of Berlin , Germans unable to break out, Soviet victory
Battle of Tanlwe Chaung
26 April
The UK defeats Japan
Battle of Berlin
26 April—2 May
Soviet forces encircle and capture German capital; Hitler commits suicide
Battle of Triest
30 April—2 May
Communist-led Yugoslav Partisans , New Zealand and the Italian resistance capture the city from Germany , pro-German Italians and Chetniks (Yugoslav nationalists)
Battle of Tarakan
1 May
Australian attack supported by the U.S. and the Netherlands as part of the Borneo campaign , defeating Japan
Prague offensive
6–11 May
The Soviet Union captures Prague from Germany
Battle of Zelengora
10–13 May
Yugoslav communists defeat Yugoslav nationalists
Battle of Poljana
14–15 May
Last battle of World War II in Europe; Yugoslav communists and the UK defeat Germany and Yugoslavs , fighting on the German side.
Battle of Ratsua
June—August
Australian victory over Japan
Battle of Porton Plantation
8–10 June
Japan defeats Australia and New Zealand
Battle of Labuan
10–21 June
Australia , aided by the U.S. and UK , defeats Japan in Borneo
Battle of Bessang Pass
14 June
Filipino troops of the 15th, 66th and 121st Infantry Regiment, Philippine Commonwealth Army , USAFIP-NL complete and retake the province of Ilocos Sur in Northern Luzon , Philippines from Japan
Battle of North Borneo
17 June—15 August
Australian victory in north Borneo over Japan ; the U.S. supported Australia.
Battle of Okinawa
21 June
U.S. and British Empire forces defeat Japanese , U.S. occupies island
Battle of Beaufort
26–28 June
Australian victory over Japanese forces
Battle of Balikpapan
1–21 July
Battle of Sagami Bay
At sea
22–23 July
The U.S. defeats Japan
Battle of Mayoyao Ridge
26 July—9 August
Filipino troops of the 11th and 14th Infantry Regiment, Philippine Commonwealth Army , USAFIP-NL , take the Japanese stronghold of Mayoyao , Mountain Province with U.S. air support
Soviet invasion of Manchuria
/
9–20 August
Decisive Russian victory over Japan
Chinese Civil War ,World War II
Opening Campaign
10 August 1945—10 January 1946
Chinese Civil War resumes, with three sides: Nationalist China and the U.S.; Communist China and the Soviet Union ; and the Japan
World War II
Battle of Mutanchiang
12–16 August
Japan defeats the Soviet Union
Chinese Civil War ,World War II
Battle of Baoying
15–23 August
Chinese communists defeat Chinese Nationalists
Battle of Yongjiazhen
16–19 August
Battle of Tianmen
17 August
World War II
Battle of Shumshu
18–23 August
The Soviet Union defeats Japan
Chinese Civil War
Battle of Wuhe
24 August
Chinese communists defeat Chinese Nationalists
Battle of Yinji
26–27 August
Battle of Dazhongji
1–13 September
Battle of Lingbi
4–5 September
Battle of Xiangshuikou
18 September
Battle of Rugao
21 September
Battle of Houmajia
18 October
Indonesian National Revolution
Battle of Surabaya
27 October—20 November
Indonesian soldiers and militia against British and Dutch troops as a part of the Indonesian National Revolution ; British victory.
Chinese Civil War
Battle of Shaobo
19–21 December
Chinese communists defeat Chinese Nationalists