The Allied Special Forces - Special Forces in World War 2

Page Created

May 25^th, 2022

Last Updated

August 13^th, 2024

The Allied Special Forces

Australia
Belgium
China
Canada
Finland
France
Great Britain
Greece
India
Italy
Nepal
New Zealand
Norway
Poland
Rhodesia
The Netherlands
The Philippines
The Soviet Union
The United States
Yugoslavia
Inter-Allied

History

The Allied nations in World War II were a coalition that gradually expanded as the war progressed, primarily united not by pre-existing alliances but by a shared opposition to the Axis powers. This coalition was a response to the aggressive expansion and declarations of war by Axis nations.

The conflict’s roots can be traced back even earlier. On July 7^th, 1937, Japan, which would later become a significant Axis power, declared war on China. This event, known as the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, marked the beginning of the Second Sino-Japanese War and can be seen as a prelude to World War II. While this conflict did not immediately set off a global reaction like the invasion of Poland, it was an early indication of the aggressive military ambitions of the Axis powers.

The conventional starting point of World War II is often marked by Germany’s invasion of Poland on September 1^st, 1939, followed by the Soviet Union’s invasion of Eastern Poland on September 17^th, 1939, as part of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. This invasion triggered a series of events that led to the rapid expansion of the war and the formation of the Allied group.

On September 3^rd, 1939, both Great Britain and France declare war on Germany. With this declaration they activate their treaties with Poland that they would help the country when Germany would attack them. Most countries of the commonwealth join Great Britain in the days afterwards. The same can be said from the French Colonies. At that moment, the Allied forces consist of Poland, Great Britain, France, and the countries of the Commonwealth and the French Colonies. The invasion of Poland by the Soviet Union remains unanswered by the Allied.

On November 30^th, 1939, the Soviet Union declares war on Finland and invades the country that very same day. For a brief time, Finland joins the Allied forces. Again, there are no declarations of war against the agressor but the British and French send some supplies to Finland and even consider sending a force. This idea is abandoned when Sweden doesn’t give a free passage for these troops.

On April 9^th, 1939Germany declares war on Denmark and Norway and invades these countries the very same day.

One month later on May 10^th, 1940, Germany declares war on The Netherlands, Luxemburg and Belgium. With this declaration they invade the Lower Countries and France. On June 10^th, Italy joins Germany and declares war on Great Britain and France. One day later they also declare war on Belgium. After the defeat of the Lower Countries and France, Germany aims its arrows on Great Britain.

While the Battle of Britain is in full swing, Italy declares war on Greece on October 28^th, 1940. One year later war is declared on Yugoslavia and Italy invades North Africa.

The game changers year are two events. On June 22^nd, 1941, Germany starts the invasion of The Soviet Union and that country has to change sides to the Allied and on December 7^th, 1941, Japan attacks the Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbour, forcing The United States to leave their isolationistic policy. When these two giants join the Allies, the equation starts to shift fast. More and more countries are joining The Allied countries from that day on.

From 1943 on, the pressure on the Axis starts increasing. One country after another is forced to leave the Axis and most join the Allies. By the end of the War Germany and Japan have barely any allies left.

The Supreme Commanders on 5 June 1945 in Berlin: Bernard Montgomery, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Georgy Zhukov and Jean de Lattre de Tassigny.