Participants in World War II involves all nations who either participated directly or were affected by any of the theatres or events of World War II. A nation is an imagined community of people created by a national ideology, to which certain norms and behavior are usually attributed. ...

Alliances

World War II was primarily fought between two large alliances. The Axis Powers were a group of countries led by Nazi Germany, and considered the aggressors of the conflict. The Allies, led by the United Kingdom and, during the Phony War, France, was in 1941 enforced by the Soviet Union (in June) and the United States (in December). An alliance can be: an agreement between two parties, particularly: a military alliance formed between states a business alliance formed between organisations a New Zealand political party, the Alliance a Canadian political party, the Canadian Alliance a Northern_Ireland political party, Alliance the former name of the Malaysian political coalition currently... The Axis Powers is a term for those participants in World War II opposed to the Allies. ... Nazi Germany, or the Third Reich, commonly refers to Germany in the years 1933–1945, when it was under the firm control of the totalitarian and fascist ideology of the Nazi Party, with the Führer Adolf Hitler as dictator. ... In general, allies are people or groups that have joined an alliance and are working together to achieve some common purpose. ... The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country in western Europe, and member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the G8, the European Union, and NATO. Usually known simply as the United Kingdom, the UK, or (inaccurately) as Great Britain or Britain, the UK has four constituent... The Phony War, or in Winston Churchills words the Twilight War, was the phase of World War II marked by no military operations in Continental Europe, that followed the collapse of Poland. ... The French Republic or France (French: République française or France) is a country whose metropolitan territory is located in western Europe, and which is further made up of a collection of overseas islands and territories located in other continents. ... Soviet Union - Wikipedia /**/ @import /skins/monobook/IE50Fixes. ...

The Axis

Originally founded on the concept of the Rome-Berlin-axis (the Pact of Steel), later the Tripartite Pact, the Axis was not primarily a formal alliance. Each of the major countries went to war on their own initiative (Nazi Germany in 1939, Italy in 1940, and Japan in 1941), and not necessarily to assist each other. There was little sharing of technology or resources, and also little in the way of cooperative strategic planning between the major Axis powers. The Pact of Steel was an agreement between the governments of Italy and Germany signed on May 22, 1939 by Galeazzo Ciano and Joachim von Ribbentrop The pact was one of alliance in the event of international threats; of immediate aid and military support in the event of war, also... The Tripartite Pact, also called the Three-Power Pact, was signed in Berlin on September 27, 1940 by representatives of Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy and Japan. ...

With the demise of Italy, Germany and Japan each functioned as wholly separate powers, each conducting the war in their theatre (Germany in Europe and Japan in the Pacific). There were a number of smaller powers on the side of the Axis, although for the most part the war effort was directed and powered by Germany and Japan. German Führer Adolf Hitler Preceding events (See also Events preceding World War II in Europe and Causes of World War II.) br Germany was in debt after World War I, due to the Great Depression and the forced payments to the victors of World War I. Germans wanted a leader... The Pacific War (1937–1945) is not to be confused with the War of the Pacific (1879–1884) in South America. ...

With the defeat of the Axis, those nations which had ended up on its side suffered great loss. Many countries underwent lengthy occupation after the war. Most colonial possessions and many contentious border areas were stripped from them. Most became client states of the victorious Allies as the Cold War came about. The Cold War ( 1947- 1991) was the open yet restricted rivalry that developed after World War II between groups of nations practicing different ideologies and political systems. ...

The Allies

Like the Axis, the Allies were not a fully cohesive alliance. The original Allied countries, bound by their commitment to the security of Poland, were led by the United Kingdom and France. As other countries were invaded by Nazi Germany, they were added to the Allied ranks. The fall of France left the United Kingdom as the sole remaining major country of the Allies. Most of the remainder consisted of the British Commonwealth and forces commanded by various governments-in-exile. Flag of the Commonwealth of Nations The Commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary association of independent sovereign states, most of which were once governed by the United Kingdom and are its former colonies. ... A government in exile is a political group that claims to be a countrys legitimate government, but for various reasons is unable to exercise its legal power, and instead resides in a foreign country. ...

In 1941, with Nazi Germany's attack on the Soviet Union, the British accepted the Communist Soviet Union into their alliance. Previous to the attack, the United Kingdom was unsure of how to deal with the Soviet leadership. However, once the Soviet Union joined the Allies, there was a great effort to support them as they fought the German Wehrmacht on the Eastern Front. Soviet Union - Wikipedia /**/ @import /skins/monobook/IE50Fixes. ... The Eastern Front was the theatre of combat between Nazi Germany and its allies against the Soviet Union during World War II. It was somewhat separate from the other theatres of the war, not only geographically, but also for its scale and ferocity. ...

1941 also saw the entry into the war of both Japan and the United States, with the latter committing itself to assisting the Allies in both theatres of war. The United States would become a major contributor of resources and production for the war effort, shipping material to most of the Allies to assist their forces, as well as contributing their own forces to combat.

A much larger number of countries joined the Allies during the war than joined the Axis. Not only did the countries attacked by the Axis join, but later in the war, many smaller countries not directly involved in the war joined the Allies to ensure their own security as well as to gain the support of the Allies economically and militarily during and after the war.

National impacts

Each country involved in or affected by World War II is listed with a brief description of its role in the conflict. For those who were major participants, a further sub-article is provided to give detailed history on their participation.

Note: Countries are listed alphabetically.

Albania

Albania's was forcibly annexed by Italy in 1939 shortly after Germany had siezed Czechoslavakia. Albania had no ability to withstand the invasion, and ultimately became Italy's launching point for its later invasion of Greece. When this failed, Greek troops launched a counter-offensive and sought to capture some Albanian territory from Italy. Once the German Balkan Campaign was completed in 1941, Albania served as the base for the Italian garrison in the Balkans, which was replaced by German forces when Italy declared for the Allies in 1943. Albania is a Mediterranean country in southeastern Europe. ...

Argentina

Under the militaristic government of Gral. Edelmiro T. Farrell, Argentina was originally sympathetic to the Axis powers. However, for political reasons, Argentina joined other Latin American countries and declared war on Germany late in the conflict. Their contribution was minimal.

Australia

When United Kingdom declared war on Germany, the Dominions including Australia entered the war. Almost a million Australians, both men and women, served in the Second World War; Australian servicemen fought in campaigns against Germany and Italy in Europe, the Mediterranean and North Africa; and against Japan in south-east Asia and in other parts of the Pacific. The Australian mainland came under direct attack for the first time as Japanese aircraft bombed towns in north-western Australia and Japanese midget submarines attacked Sydney harbour. The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) participated in operations against Italy after its entry into the war in June 1940. A few Australians flew in the Battle of Britain in August and September of the same year, but the Australian Army was not engaged in combat until 1941, when the 6th, 7th and 9th Divisions joined Allied operations in the Mediterranean and North Africa. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country in western Europe, and member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the G8, the European Union, and NATO. Usually known simply as the United Kingdom, the UK, or (inaccurately) as Great Britain or Britain, the UK has four constituent...

Belgium

Like the Netherlands, Belgium declared its neutrality in an effort to avoid being caught in another war between Germany and France. Nazi Germany however did not respect this and marched through Belgium as a key part of its invasion of France in 1940. Thus, Belgium joined the Allies and maintained a government-in-exile with control over its colonial possessions until liberated in 1944. The Kingdom of Belgium (Dutch: Koninkrijk België, French: Royaume de Belgique, German: Königreich Belgien) is a country in Western Europe, bordered by the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, France, and the North Sea. ...

Bolivia

Bolivia was one of many Latin American countries to declare war on Germany late in the war. The Republic of Bolivia is a landlocked country in central South America. ...

Brazil

Brazil was under the dictatorship of Getúlio Vargas, and maintained its neutrality until the beginning of 1942. After the German attack against Brazilian ships in the Atlantic Ocean and in Pearl Harbour, Brazil sided with the Allies, declaring war against Germany and Italy in 1942. Brazil helped to patrol the South Atlantic and sent a army of more than 25,000 soldiers to fight in Europe in 1944, being the only Latin American nation to send troops to Europe. This army joined the 5th Army under General Mark Clark and participated in the campaign of Italy until the end of war. The Federative Republic of Brazil (República Federativa do Brasil in Portuguese) is the largest and most populous country in South America, and fifth largest in the world. ... Getúlio Dornelles Vargas ( April 19, 1883 - August 24, 1954) was the president of Brazil from 1930 to 1945 and from 1950 to his suicide in 1954. ... The word German can mean: From or related to Germany or its predecessor states - see also the German language Germanic tribes Holy Roman Empire (843-1806) German Confederation (1815-1866) North German Confederation (1867 - 1871) Germany, the modern nation-state founded in 1871 When used to denote a person, Germans... The Atlantic Ocean is Earths second-largest ocean, covering approximately one-fifth of its surface. ... Youre probably looking for Pearl Harbor, the famous naval facility in Hawaii. ... The Italian Republic or Italy (Italian: Repubblica Italiana or Italia) is a country in southern Europe. ... For other uses, see Atlantic (disambiguation) The Atlantic Ocean is Earths second-largest ocean, covering approximately one-fifth of its surface. ... Mark Clark was a member of the Black Panther Party killed with Fred Hampton in an infamous police raid in 1969 Chicago. ...

Bulgaria

Bulgaria was a minor German ally, their main contribution being transit rights for German units involved against Yugoslavia and Greece. The Republic of Bulgaria is a republic in the southeast of Europe. ...

In the beginning of September 1944, the Bulgarian government declared war on Germany. After the Communist-dominated coup d'etat of September 9 and the simultaneous arrival of Soviet troops in the country, four Bulgarian armies attacked the German positions in Yugoslavia. An armistice was signed with the Allies in Moscow on Oct. 28, 1944. After the Nazis fled Yugoslav territory, 1st Bulgarian army continued its offensive in Hungary and Austria. Bulgaria's participation in WW2 ended when its soldiers met their British comrades-in-arms in Klagenfurt in May 1945. More than 40 000 Bulgarian troops fell in the battles against the Nazis. Yugoslavia (Jugoslavija in all south Slavic languages) is a term used for three separate but successive political entities that existed during most of the 20th century on the Balkan Peninsula in Europe. ... The Republic of Hungary (Magyar Köztársaság) or Hungary (Magyarország) is a landlocked country in Central Europe, bordered by Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia. ... The Republic of Austria (German: Republik Österreich) is a landlocked country in Central Europe. ...

Canada

As a member of the Commonwealth, Canada declared war on Germany within days of the invasion of Poland. Unlike in World War I, however, Canadian units remained more independent of British command, although they played an important role in several British-led campaigns, especially in Northwest Europe. Canada would become a member of NATO and a frequent participant in UN peacekeeping operations after the war. Canada is a sovereign state in northern North America, the northern-most country in the world, and the second largest in total area. ... Polish Defence War of 1939 Conflict World War II Date 1 September - 6 October 1939 Place Poland Result Decisive German and Soviet victory The Polish September Campaign (alternatively refered to as the German plan Fall Weiss) refers to the conquest of Poland by the armies of Nazi Germany and the... Peacekeeping is a way to help countries torn by conflict create conditions for sustainable peace. ...

China

Already engaged in war with Japan, as well as enduring a civil conflict between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party of China when the war began, China's full attention was within her borders in resisting the Japanese during the war. Many of China's urban centers and industrial resources were occupied by Japan for most of the war. China suffered a large death toll from the war, both military and civilian. After the war, China's main factions went back to war between each other, with the Communists ultimately driving out the Nationalists to Taiwan. The Second Sino-Japanese War was a major invasion of eastern China by Japan preceding and during World War II. It ended with the surrender of Japan in 1945. ... The Kuomintang (KMT) or Nationalist Party of China (Traditional: 中國國民黨; Simplified: 中国国民党; pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Chung-kuo Kuo-min-tang; Tongyong Pinyin: Jhongguo Guomindang) is a conservative political party currently active in the Republic of China (ROC) on Taiwan. ... The Great Wall of China, stretching over 6,700 km, was erected beginning in the 3rd century BC to guard the north from raids by men on horses. ... Taiwan is mostly mountainous in the east, but gradually transitions to gently sloping plains in the west (satellite photo by NASA). ...

Colombia

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Colombia broke diplomatic relations with the Axis powers. Then, in 1943, the U-505 German submarine destroyed a Colombian schooner, which caused Colombia to declare a "status of belligerency" against Germany. The German ambassador left the country and measures of control were implemented, including concentration of German citizens in designated areas. The Republic of Colombia is a country in north-western South America. ... USS Los Angeles A submarine is a specialized watercraft that can operate underwater. ... Two-masted fishing schooner A schooner is a type of sailing ship characterized by the use of fore-and-aft sails on two or more masts. ... For other uses, see Ambassador (disambiguation). ...

Costa Rica

Costa Rica joined the Allies late in the war. The Republic of Costa Rica is a republic in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south-southeast. ...

Cuba

Cuba joined the Allies late in the war. The Republic of Cuba is an archipelago in the northern Caribbean that lies at the confluence of the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. ...

Czechoslovakia

Czechoslovakia was dismembered by Nazi Germany and Hungary, starting with Neville Chamberlain's Munich Agreement with Hitler and the German–Italian Vienna Awards. A Nazi-dependent puppet regime led by Jozef Tiso was ultimately inserted in Slovakia. An insurgency, commenced in August 1944, was put down by German forces. In April, 1945, the Red Army defeated the Germans and ousted Tiso's government. The Republic of Hungary (Magyar Köztársaság) or Hungary (Magyarország) is a landlocked country in Central Europe, bordered by Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia. ... Arthur Neville Chamberlain (18 March 1869 - 9 November 1940) was a British politician and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1937 - 1940. ... The Munich Agreement was an agreement regarding the Munich Crisis between the major powers of Europe after a conference held in Munich in Germany in 1938 and concluded on September 29. ... The two Vienna Awards or Vienna Arbitration Awards or Vienna Arbitral Awards or Vienna Diktats or Viennese Arbitrals is the name of two arbitral awards (1938 and 1940), by which arbiters of the National Socialist Germany and of Fascist Italy tried to enforce territorial claims of the Revisionist Hungary ruled... A puppet state is a state whose government, though notionally of the same culture as the governed people - owes its existence (or other major debt) to being installed, supported or controlled by a more powerful entity, typically a foreign power. ... Adolf Hitler and Tiso meet in 1942 Monsignor Jozef Tiso (October 13, 1887–April 18, 1947) was a Roman Catholic priest who became a deputy of the Czechoslovak parliament, a member of the Czechoslovak government, and finally the President of the Nazi-controlled puppet government of Slovakia. ... An insurgency is an armed rebellion against a constituted authority, by any irregular armed force that rises up against an enforced or established authority, government, or administration. ... Red Army flag The short forms Red Army and RKKA refer to the Workers and Peasants Red Army, (Рабоче-Крестьянская Красная Армия - Raboche-Krestyanskaya Krasnaya Armiya in Russian), the armed forces organised by the Bolsheviks during the Russian Civil War in 1918. ...

Denmark

Denmark remained neutral from the beginning of the war until it was invaded and occupied by Germany on April 9, 1940 as part of Operation Weserübung. Denmark's government remained in function in Copenhagen until 1943, and the occupation of Denmark was administred by the German Foreign Ministry. May 10, 1940, Iceland was invaded by the British, and in 1944 declared independent. In 1945, Bornholm was invaded by the Soviet Union while the German forces in the rest of Denmark gave up on May 4, 1945. The Kingdom of Denmark is geographically the smallest Nordic country and is part of the European Union. ... Operation Weserübung was the German codename for Nazi Germanys assault on Scandinavia during World War II. The name translates as Weser Exercise, the Weser being a German river. ... City nickname: none Location in Denmark Area  - Total  - Water 526 km² xxx km² xx% Population  - City ( 2004)  - Metropolitan  - Density 502,204 1,116,979 954/km² [including water] xxx/km² [land only] Time zone Eastern: UTC+1 Latitude Longitude 55°43 N 12°34 W Copenhagen ( Danish: København) is... The Schalburgerkorps, a Danish SS units, headquarters in Copenhagen, after 1943 Germanys occupation of Denmark was commenced by Operation Weserübung April 9, 1940, and lasted until the German forces were withdrawn at the end of World War II following their surrender to British and Soviet forces. ... May 10 is the 130th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (131st in leap years). ... Iceland - Wikipedia /**/ @import /skins/monobook/IE50Fixes. ... Independence is autonomous self-government of a country by its residents and indigenous population. ... Categories: Counties of Denmark | Denmark | Terra Scania | Baltic islands | Islands of Denmark ... Soviet Union - Wikipedia /**/ @import /skins/monobook/IE50Fixes. ... May 4 is the 124th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (125th in leap years). ...

After the war, Denmark became a member of NATO. For the National Association of Theatre Owners, please see National Association of Theatre Owners. ...

Dominican Republic

Ecuador

Egypt

Egypt at the time was under the rule of the British Empire, and it was seen by both the Axis and the Allies as a vital strategic point, because of access to the Suez Canal. Initially Egypt was targeted by Italy, but after a heavy defeat by the British forces under the command of General Wavell, the Germans were compelled to enter the fray with a division under the command of a then little known general by the name of Erwin Rommel. His successes in the areas to the west of Egypt, and the fact that they came to within 100 miles of Cairo, gave the Allied forces (in particular the British) a major fright. The revolutionary officers that were to eventually come to power in 1952 (led by Colonel Abdel Nasser) however were plotting to support the Germans in their push for Cairo, seeing this as an opportunity to overthrow the British.

El Salvador

Ethiopia

Ethiopia had been invaded by Italy in an attempt to show off its military might. The nation liberated in 1941 by British forces, and Emperor Haile Selassie was returned to the throne after exile. The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (Ityopiya, Amharic ኢትዮጵያ) is a country situated in the Horn of Africa. ... Haile Selassie Haile Selassie (Power of Trinity) (July 23, 1892 – August 27, 1975) was the last Emperor (1930–1936; 1941–1974) of Ethiopia, and is a religious symbol in the Rastafarian movement. ...

Finland

Finland was one of the victims of Soviet aggression in 1939. It refused Soviet territorial demands, and was invaded by Soviet forces, beginning the Winter War. The invasion was met by fierce resistance on the Finnish side of the border. After three and a half months, the Peace of Moscow granted the Soviet Union four Finnish towns still in the hands of the Finns, and 12% of the population was evacuated, but Soviet demands and threats increased in the ensuing months. In June 1941, after Nazi Germany's invasion of Russia, the Soviet Union once again attacked Finland that thereby became a co-belligerent of the Third Reich in the Continuation War. Britain joined the Soviet Union with a declaration of war in December 1941. After the Wehrmacht's retreat from the shores of the Gulf of Finland, and a Soviet offensive coordinated with D-day, the parties could agree to an armistice in September 1944, with further territorial concessions for Finland including the only ice-free harbor Petsamo, and a requirement for speeded de-mobilization at the same time as German troops had to be fought back over the border to Norway, resulting in Finland's Lapland War. Peace with the Soviet Union and Britain was concluded in the Paris Peace Treaties, 1947. The Republic of Finland (Finnish: Suomen tasavalta, Swedish: Republiken Finland) is a Nordic country in northeastern Europe, bordered by the Baltic Sea to the southwest, the Gulf of Finland to the southeast and the Gulf of Bothnia to the west. ... The Winter War (also known as the Russo-Finnish War) broke out when the Soviet Union attacked Finland on November 30, 1939, three months after the start of World War II. As a consequence, the Soviet Union was expelled from the League of Nations on December 14th. ... The Moscow Peace Treaty was signed by Finland and the Soviet Union on March 12, 1940. ... Co-belligerence is a term for waging of war together - against a common enemy. ... The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country in western Europe, and member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the G8, the European Union, and NATO. Usually known simply as the United Kingdom, the UK, or (inaccurately) as Great Britain or Britain, the UK has four constituent... The Baltic Sea The Gulf of Finland is an arm of the Baltic Sea that extends between Finland (to the north) and Estonia (to the south) all the way to the city of Saint Petersburg in Russia, where the river Neva drains into it. ... Land on Normandy In military parlance, D-Day is a term often used to denote the day on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. ... The area of Petsamo (Pechenga in Russian) in northern Lapland, indigenously inhabited by Samis, came to Finland in 1920 and to the Soviet Union in 1944. ... History -- Military history -- War -- History of Germany -- History of Finland -- World War II The Lapland War is a name used for the hostilities between Finland and Germany between September 1944 and April 1945. ... This page is about the partial formal conclusion of World War II. For other Paris peace treaties see article Treaty of Paris. ...

France

France was one of the original guarantors of Polish security, and as such joined with the United Kingdom at the start of the war as a leader of the Allies. After the fall of France and the foundation of Vichy France, the Free French Forces were formed to maintain the French commitment to the Allies and liberate French territory occupied by Germany. They played an important role in the battles of the Western Front. France was liberated by the Allies in 1944 and became a permanent member of the Security Council of the United Nations and founding member of NATO after the war. The French Republic or France (French: République française or France) is a country whose metropolitan territory is located in western Europe, and which is further made up of a collection of overseas islands and territories located in other continents. ... The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country in western Europe, and member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the G8, the European Union, and NATO. Usually known simply as the United Kingdom, the UK, or (inaccurately) as Great Britain or Britain, the UK has four constituent... Vichy France (French: now called Régime de Vichy or Vichy; called itself at the time État Français, or French State) was the French state of 1940-1944 which was a puppet government under Nazi influence, as opposed to the Free French Forces, based first in London and later in Algiers. ... The Free French Forces (Forces Françaises Libres in French) were French fighters who decided to go on fighting against Germany after the Fall of France and German occupation and to fight against Vichy France in World War II. General Charles de Gaulle was a member of the French Cabinet in... During World War II, the Western Front was the theater of fighting west of Germany, encompassing France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxemberg, and Denmark. ... A session of the Security Council in progress The United Nations Security Council is the most powerful organ of the United Nations. ... The United Nations, or UN, is an international organization made up of 191 states established in 1945. ... For the National Association of Theatre Owners, please see National Association of Theatre Owners. ...

Germany

Nazi Germany was the primary Axis power in the European Theatre led by Adolf Hitler. The surrender of the German forces May 4–8 signalled the end of the war in Europe. Nazi Germany, or the Third Reich, commonly refers to Germany in the years 1933–1945, when it was under the firm control of the totalitarian and fascist ideology of the Nazi Party, with the Führer Adolf Hitler as dictator. ... May 4 is the 124th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (125th in leap years). ... May 8 is the 128th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (129th in leap years). ...

Greece

Greece dealt the first victory for the allies by resisting initial attempts of Italian invasion and pushing Mussolini's forces back into Albania. Hitler was reluctantly forced to send forces and delay the invasion of the Soviet Union by six weeks. This is considered the turning point of the war as the German invasion was disatrous as a result of the Russian winter. The Germans also met fierce resistance on the island of Crete as the paratroopers suffered almost 7,000 casualties. These heavy losses elimitnated the option of a massive airborne invasion of the Soviet Union and further expansion in the Mediterranean saving Malta, Gibraltar, Cyprus, and the Suez Canal from airborne invasion.

Guatemala

Haiti

Honduras

Hungary

Hungary was a significant German ally throughout the war. The Republic of Hungary (Magyar Köztársaság) or Hungary (Magyarország) is a landlocked country in Central Europe, bordered by Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia. ...

India

India was part of the British Empire at the beginning of World War II. India had an autonomous military, the Indian, primarily manned by Indian troops under British officers. Indian troops participated in the British Expeditionary Force as well as the British 8th Army in North Africa. Indian troops played a major role in British operations in South East Asia. India gained independence after World War II, divided into India and Pakistan. The Indian Army in the time of the British Raj (1857–1947) See Indian Army for the post-independence (and post-partition) army of the Republic of India. ... The British Expeditionary Force (BEF) was the British army sent to Belgium in World War I and British Forces in Europe from 1939 - 1940 during World War II. The BEF was established by Secretary of State for War Richard Haldane following the Boer War in case Britain ever needed to... The Eighth Army was one of the best-known formations in World War II, fighting in the campaigns in North Africa and Italy. ... The Republic of India is the second most populous country in the world, with a population of more than one billion, and is the seventh largest country by geographical area. ... The Islamic Republic of Pakistan (, or Islami Jamhooriya-e-Pakistan, in Urdu), or Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia and is part of the Greater Middle East. ...

Iran

During the start of the war the Allies demanded that Iran remove German nationals from Iran fearing they might be Nazi spies or harm the British owned oil but, Reza Shah refused stating that they had nothing to do with the Nazis. The Iranians by now hated the British for control of their oil and their sphere of influence on the country and the Iranians, like the Germans, being of Aryan descent leaned for an Axis victory. Iran however, like most countries did not know of the extermination of the Jews until after the war. Soon German demand for oil rose and the Allies worried that Germany would look to neutral Iran for help. Soon the Allies questioned themselves about Iran neutrality and they gave Reza Shah a finally warning to remove the German workers. He refused once again. In September 1941, the Allies invaded Iran and forced Reza Shah Pahlavi to abicate his throne. He was replaced by his son Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, who was willing to fight the Axis Powers. Within months Iran entered the war on the side of the Allies and became known as "The Bridge of Victory". The Nazi party used a right-facing swastika as their symbol and the red and black colors were said to represent Blut und Boden (blood and soil). ... Shah Reza Pahlavi Reza Pahlavi (Persian: رضا پهلوی), (March 16, 1877–July 26, 1944), called Reza Shah the Great after his death, was Shah of Persia (later Iran) from December 15, 1925 to September 16, 1941. ... His Majesty Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi (اعلیحضرت محمدرضا شاه پهلوی; October 26, 1919 – July 27, 1980) also knows as Aryamehr, was the last Shah of Iran, ruling from 1941 until 1979. ... The Axis Powers is a term for those participants in World War II opposed to the Allies. ...

Iraq

Due to the United Kingdom's meager disposition early in the war, Iraq backed away from its Anglo-Iraqi Alliance with the country. It secretly began negotiations with the Axis powers. When the British high command requested to send reinforcements to Iraq, the country's Prime Minister Nuri allowed a small British force to land. Consequently he was forced to resign. Later requests to reinforce Iraq were denied by the new leadership. When British troops showed up despite the denials 30 days of fighting insued. The Iraqi army quickly capitulated and many leader fled the country. Britain forced Iraq to declare war on the Axis in 1942. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country in western Europe, and member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the G8, the European Union, and NATO. Usually known simply as the United Kingdom, the UK, or (inaccurately) as Great Britain or Britain, the UK has four constituent...

Italy

Italy had completed two conquests (Ethiopia and Albania) prior to its entry into World War II. Despite the Pact of Steel with Nazi Germany, Italy did not join in the war until June, 1940, planning to get a share of Allied territory with the defeat of France. Italy's war effort went poorly, resulting in defeats in Greece, North Africa, and the Mediterranean Sea. Italy was invaded by the Allies in 1943 and Mussolini's government collapsed. Italy was split between an Allied-occupied south and the remnants of the Fascist government in the north, the Italian Social Republic (allied with Germany, also known as the Salo Republic). Italy would become a member of NATO after the war, but lost territory to Yugoslavia. The Italian Republic or Italy (Italian: Repubblica Italiana or Italia) is a country in southern Europe. ... The Pact of Steel was an agreement between the governments of Italy and Germany signed on May 22, 1939 by Galeazzo Ciano and Joachim von Ribbentrop The pact was one of alliance in the event of international threats; of immediate aid and military support in the event of war, also... The Italian Social Republic (Repubblica Sociale Italiana in Italian), also known as the Republic of Salò, was a fascist puppet state in German-occupied northern Italy. ... For the National Association of Theatre Owners, please see National Association of Theatre Owners. ...

Japan

Japan was part of the Axis powers. Some people consider that World War II actually began with the conflict between Japan and China. The war ended with the capitulation of Japan after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Lebanon

Lebanon was under the control of France during the war, and thus controlled by the puppet Vichy government after France's capitualtion. Lebanon was wrested from Vichy France by Allied forces. De Gaulle declared Lebanon independent on November 22, 1943. It declared war on the Axis, but contributed minimally. Portrait of General Charles de Gaulle. ...

Liberia

Luxembourg

When Germany invaded France by way of the Low Countries, Luxembourg, despite its neutrality, was quickly invaded, occupied, and annexed by Germany until liberated by the Allies at the end of 1944. The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is a small landlocked state in the north-west of the continental European Union, bordered by France, Germany and Belgium. ...

Mexico

Mexico declared war on Germany and sent a squad of airplanes called "El Escuadron 201", that fought in the South Pacific.

Mongolia

Morrocco

Netherlands

New Zealand

Main article: Military history of New Zealand during World War II This article is in need of attention. ...

One of the original countries to declare war on Germany, New Zealand sent a division to the European Theatre as well as participating in the Pacific. While New Zealand's home islands were not attacked, the casualty rate suffered by the military was the worst per capita of all Commonwealth nations. New Zealand is an independent sovereign state in the south-western Pacific Ocean. ...

Nicaragua

Norway

Main article: Norwegian resistance movement During World War II the Norwegian resistance movement (both civilian resistance and some units of armed resistance, notably the Milorg and the Company Linge) became very active after German attempts to install a puppet government under Vidkun Quisling. ...

Norway remained neutral from the beginning of the war until it was invaded and occupied by Germany on April 9, 1940 as part of Operation Weserübung. The Norwegian government fled the capitol and after 2 months went to Britain and continued the fight in exile. In 1944 Finnmark was invaded by the Soviet Union while the German forces in the rest of Norway gave up on May 8, 1945. Operation Weserübung was the German codename for Nazi Germanys assault on Scandinavia during World War II. The name translates as Weser Exercise, the Weser being a German river. ... Finnmark (Finnmárku in Sami) is a county in the extreme north of Norway, bordering Troms. ...

After the war, Norway became a member of NATO. For the National Association of Theatre Owners, please see National Association of Theatre Owners. ...

Panama

Paraguay

Paraguay had a government sympathetic to the Axis powers early in the war, but joined other Latin American nations in declaring war on the Axis Powers late in the war. The Republic of Paraguay is a landlocked republic in South America. ...

Peru

Poland

Romania

Romania had its first involvement in the war in providing transit rights for members of the Polish government, its treasury, and many Polish troops in 1939. During 1940, territory was ceded to the Soviet Union, Hungary, and Bulgaria, and following an internal political upheaval, Romania joined the Axis. As a member of the Axis, the Romanian war effort was almost entirely spent on the Eastern Front. With the entry of Soviet troops into Romania near the end of the war, the government was replaced by a pro-Soviet one and joined the Allies as a co-belligerent for the remainder of the war. Romania became a key member of the Warsaw Pact after the war. Romania (formerly spelled Rumania or Roumania; Romanian: România) is a country in southeastern Europe. ... The Romanian Bridgehead (Polish Przedmoście rumuńskie) was an area in South-Eastern Poland, nowadays located in Ukraine. ... Co-belligerence is a term for waging of war together - against a common enemy. ... Map of Warsaw Pact member countries. ...

San Marino

Saudi Arabia

South Africa

As a member of the British Commonwealth, the Union of South Africa declared war on Germany shortly after the United Kingdom. Several South African divisions fought under allied command in the European war. Flag of the Commonwealth of Nations The Commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary association of independent sovereign states, most of which were once governed by the United Kingdom and are its former colonies. ...

Soviet Union

The Soviet Union began World War II as a German partner in the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, and joined Germany in the invasion of Poland. The Soviets occupied Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, and made territorial demands on Finland and Romania. Finnish resistance led the Soviets to invade in 1939, beginning the Winter War. Germany launched a surprise attack on the Soviet Union in 1941. The Soviet Red Army mounted a successful counter-offensive during the winter, and gained the initiative with a series of major victories in 1943, culminating in the ultimate advance of Soviet forces into Eastern Europe and Germany itself in 1945. The Soviet Union suffered greater losses, both amongst civilians and military forces, than any of the other participants in the war. After the war, the Soviet sphere of influence was widened to cover most of Eastern Europe, formalized in the Warsaw Pact, to counter the western Allies and NATO. The Soviet Union came to be considered one of the two superpowers of the Cold War. Soviet Union - Wikipedia /**/ @import /skins/monobook/IE50Fixes. ... Molotov (left), Ribbentrop (in black) and Stalin (far right) The Molotov-Ribbentrop pact, also known as the Hitler-Stalin pact or Nazi-Soviet pact and formally known as the Treaty of Nonaggression between Germany and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, was a non-aggression treaty between Germany and Russia... Polish Defence War of 1939 Conflict World War II Date 1 September - 6 October 1939 Place Poland Result Decisive German and Soviet victory The Polish September Campaign (alternatively refered to as the German plan Fall Weiss) refers to the conquest of Poland by the armies of Nazi Germany and the... The Republic of Estonia is a country in Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea to the west and the Gulf of Finland to the north. ... The Republic of Latvia (Latvian: Latvijas Republika), or Latvia (Latvian: Latvija), is a country in Northern Europe. ... The Republic of Lithuania (in Lithuanian, Lietuva) is a republic in Northeastern Europe. ... The Republic of Finland (Finnish: Suomen tasavalta, Swedish: Republiken Finland) is a Nordic country in northeastern Europe, bordered by the Baltic Sea to the southwest, the Gulf of Finland to the southeast and the Gulf of Bothnia to the west. ... Romania (formerly spelled Rumania or Roumania; Romanian: România) is a country in southeastern Europe. ... The Winter War (also known as the Russo-Finnish War) broke out when the Soviet Union attacked Finland on November 30, 1939, three months after the start of World War II. As a consequence, the Soviet Union was expelled from the League of Nations on December 14th. ... Original German plan Operation Barbarossa (Unternehmen Barbarossa) was the German codename for Nazi Germanys invasion of the Soviet Union during World War II, which commenced on June 22, 1941. ... Map of Warsaw Pact member countries. ... A superpower is a state with the ability to influence events or project power on a wide scale. ... The Cold War ( 1947- 1991) was the open yet restricted rivalry that developed after World War II between groups of nations practicing different ideologies and political systems. ...

Spain

The Franco government of Spain had risen to power as a result to a significant degree of Italian and German intervention and support. The fascist government did not become directly involved in the war, but did however send volunteers to fight with Germany against the Soviet Union in the form of the División_Azul. Spain remained a neutral power until the 1980s.

Switzerland

Switzerland intended to be a neutral power during the war, but German threats and military mobilizations towards its borders prompted the Swiss military to prepare for war. Though a Nazi invasion of Switzerland, codenamed Operation Tannenbaum was planned for 1940 , the event never ultimately occurred as Hitler decided such a conflict would be a waste of resources at a time when he preferred to concentrate on the invasion of Britain. Unlike Holland, Belgium and other western European nations which had easily fallen under Nazi invasion, Switzerland had a strong military and rocky geographic terrain that would have likely made an invasion long and difficult. Although the Swiss government was anti-Nazi, Swiss troops did not intervene into the European conflict. Switzerland is thus usually regarded as the only Western European country that was able to maintain some semblance of uncontested neutrality during the entire conflict. Operation Tannenbaum was a planned invasion by Nazi Germany of Switzerland during World War II. Switzerland had always taken a stance of armed neutrality, but Nazi Germany were not amused by this: Hitler called the Swiss the most despicable and wretched people, mortal enemies of the new Germany, and boasted... This article is about the region in the Netherlands. ... The Kingdom of Belgium (Dutch: Koninkrijk België, French: Royaume de Belgique, German: Königreich Belgien) is a country in Western Europe, bordered by the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, France, and the North Sea. ... Neutral means balanced between two or more opposites. ...

Syria

Syria was under French control throughout the war. The province of Iskanderoun was given to Turkey to keep them neutral in the war. The Republic of Turkey is a country located in Southwest Asia with a small part of its territory (3%) in southeastern Europe. ...

Turkey

Throughout most of the war, Turkey proclaimed neutrality while providing Germany with raw materials such as its sole supply of chromite. It was not until February 1945 that Turkey declared war on Germany in order to secure a seat in the United Nations. Turkey did not participate in any military operations.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom was one of the original Allies, entering the war in 1939 to honor its guarantees to Poland. From the fall of France in 1940 to the German invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941, it was the only major country among the Allies. The United Kingdom was heavily engaged in the Western European, Atlantic, Mediterranean, African and South East Asian theatres, and was considered one of the Big Three during Allied conferences in the second half of the war. The United Kingdom maintained close ties with the nations of the British Commonwealth and often incorporated their forces into British military operations. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country in western Europe, and member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the G8, the European Union, and NATO. Usually known simply as the United Kingdom, the UK, or (inaccurately) as Great Britain or Britain, the UK has four constituent... Flag of the Commonwealth of Nations The Commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary association of independent sovereign states, most of which were once governed by the United Kingdom and are its former colonies. ...

United States of America

The United States of America was neutral early in the war, although it steadily grew ties with the Allies and began providing increasing levels of assistance to them. The United States joined the Allies in December 1941 after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii when war on Japan was declared by Congress on December 8. Germany and Italy declared war on the United States shortly afterwards. The United States subscribed to the Allied plan to make defeat of Germany the priority, where it operated in coordination with the United Kingdom in most major operations. However, it also maintained a strong effort against Japan, being the primary Allied power in the Pacific Theatre. The U.S. played an important role in providing valuable industrial production to support the Allied war effort. After the war United States would retain military commitments to European security while providing economic investment to rebuild nations suffering devastation during the war. Politically, the U.S. would become the leader of the western Allies in forming NATO, and host the United Nations in which it gained one of the permanent seats on the Security Council. Satellite image of Pearl Harbor. ... For the National Association of Theatre Owners, please see National Association of Theatre Owners. ... The United Nations, or UN, is an international organization made up of 191 states established in 1945. ... A session of the Security Council in progress The United Nations Security Council is the most powerful organ of the United Nations. ...

Uruguay

Venezuela

The government of Venezuela provided vast oil resources to the allies, it maintained a relative neutrality until the last years of war when finally declared war at Germany and the rest of the axis countries.

Vichy France

Vichy France provided pockets of resistance. Vichy France (French: now called Régime de Vichy or Vichy; called itself at the time État Français, or French State) was the French state of 1940-1944 which was a puppet government under Nazi influence, as opposed to the Free French Forces, based first in London and later in Algiers. ...

Yugoslavia

See also

• List of countries involved in World War II