The Second World War (1939-1945)

Key events of WWII: • Germany invaded Poland in 1939; Britain declared war • Dunkirk evacuation (1940) — over 300,000 troops rescued • Battle of Britain (1940) — RAF defeated the Luftwaffe • The Blitz — German bombing of British cities • Winston Churchill as PM provided inspiring leadership • D-Day (6 June 1944) — Allied invasion of Normandy • Victory in Europe (VE Day) — 8 May 1945 • Rationing continued until the 1950s