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A collection of short films, interactive articles and timelines covering the major events and people of World War Two, as well as some lesser-known stories from the global conflict.

World War Two was the most destructive global conflict in history. It began when Nazi Germany unleashed ferocious attacks across Europe - but it spread to the Soviet Union, China, Japan and the United States.

Cities were destroyed by air raids, the atom bomb was dropped on Japan and six million Jews were killed in the Holocaust.

Over 50 million soldiers and civilians died.

These classroom resources will be useful for teaching secondary students about World War Two.

Timelines of key events

WW2: History's most savage and devastating war. document

A timeline of the most destructive global conflict in history, from the ferocious attacks Nazi Germany unleashed across Europe, to the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

WW2: History's most savage and devastating war

WW2: The Holocaust year by year. document

A timeline of the events that unfolded in Europe between 1933 and 1946. What happened? And how much was known at the time?

WW2: The Holocaust year by year

WW2: Countdown to Hiroshima: The bomb that changed the world. document

A timeline of the events in the days and hours before the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan.

WW2: Countdown to Hiroshima: The bomb that changed the world

Pivotal figures

Learn about the lives and roles of three key World War Two world leaders.

Sir Winston Churchill: The greatest Briton? document

From schoolboy failure to wartime hero, Winston Churchill's astonishing life has made him a British icon. Discover how he came to be the man we remember.

Sir Winston Churchill: The greatest Briton?

Adolf Hitler: Man and monster. document

Few names from history inspire such immediate and emphatic revulsion as that of Adolf Hitler. His hands are stained with the blood of millions killed in the devastation of World War Two and the horror of the Holocaust. Find out about Hitler's life and discover the road that led to destruction.

Adolf Hitler: Man and monster

Joseph Stalin: National hero or cold-blooded murderer? document

Stalin’s name meant "man of steel" and he lived up to it. He oversaw the war machine that helped defeat Nazism and was the supreme ruler of the Soviet Union for a quarter of a century. Learn about the man that began life as the son of an alcoholic cobbler and a doting mother who sent him to study to be a priest.

Joseph Stalin: National hero or cold-blooded murderer?

The people, events and legacy of WW2

Find out about the major events and people of World War Two, as well as some lesser-known stories from the global conflict.

WW2: How was D-Day, the biggest ever seaborne invasion, launched? document

A detailed look at how the D-Day invasion was launched by the Allies against Nazi Germany on 6 June 1944.

WW2: How was D-Day, the biggest ever seaborne invasion, launched?

WW2: How close did D-Day come to failure? document

Over 150,000 British, US and Canadian soldiers had landed by air and sea and pushed their way several miles inland. But what if the invasion hadn't gone to plan?

WW2: How close did D-Day come to failure?

WW2: What was the secret to winning the Battle of Britain? document

The Battle of Britain was a pivotal moment in World War Two, when the country stood alone against Hitler's seemingly unstoppable military power. This guide explores this historic period through text and infographics.

WW2: What was the secret to winning the Battle of Britain?

WW2: Why do we love the Spitfire? document

The spitfire is the most famous plane of WW2. Its groundbreaking design and superior specifications gave the British the critical edge in the battle for air superiority.

WW2: Why do we love the Spitfire?

WW2: How did an elephant beat the Belfast Blitz? document

Elephant in the garden: How extreme measures were taken to keep people, properties and animals safe during the Belfast Blitz.

WW2: How did an elephant beat the Belfast Blitz?

WW2: Could you be part of a Lancaster Bomber crew? document

A Lancaster bomber was one of the most dangerous places to be in WW2. Find out if you would have what it takes to be part of the crew.

WW2: Could you be part of a Lancaster Bomber crew?

WW2: What would you have done when the bombs fell? document

The Blitz of WW2, sometimes known as the London Blitz, was the German bombing campaign that lasted eight months and targeted 16 British cities.

WW2: What would you have done when the bombs fell?

WW2: Eight months of Blitz terror. document

Blitz is an abbreviation of the German word ‘blitzkrieg’, meaning ‘lightning war’. This is a timeline of the almost continual bombardment of Britain from 7 September 1940 to 10 May 1941.

WW2: Eight months of Blitz terror

WW2: Could the rationing diet make you healthier? document

Find out what kind of foods were rationed during World War Two and whether or not they could make you healthier.

WW2: Could the rationing diet make you healthier?

WW2: How did Britain hide its treasure from the Nazis? document

A look at the secret WW2 plan to save Britain's most valuable heritage from the Nazis and bury the priceless artworks underground in Manod, North Wales.

WW2: How did Britain hide its treasure from the Nazis?

WW2: Did the war change life for women? document

When WW2 broke out, the women of Britain kept the country moving once again. In an age of total war, how did the conflict change their lives? And did it last?

WW2: Did the war change life for women?

WW2: Did the war introduce designer fashion to our high streets? document

The Second World War is an unlikely time for a fashion moment - and yet the war fundamentally changed the relationship between designers and the High Street.

WW2: Did the war introduce designer fashion to our high streets?

WW2: What's the secret language that helped win the war? document

During WW2, the US Marines started using a code based on Navajo. The code was never cracked by the enemy and played a crucial role in the war in the Pacific.

WW2: What's the secret language that helped win the war?

WW2: How did one Englishman save 669 children from the Holocaust? document

The story of Sir Nicholas Winton, the 'British Schindler' who saved 669 children from the Holocaust in World War Two.

WW2: How did one Englishman save 669 children from the Holocaust?

WW2: How did the heroes of the Caribbean help win the war? document

When Britain called on the Caribbean for support in World War Two, more than 10,000 men and women crossed the Atlantic to help the war effort.

WW2: How did the heroes of the Caribbean help win the war?

WW2: Was it right to bomb Hiroshima? document

The nuclear bombing of Japan in 1945 is widely credited with hastening the end of the war. Even if true, was it ethical to drop the bomb?

WW2: Was it right to bomb Hiroshima?

WW2: How did the British plan to celebrate VE Day? document

VE Day or Victory in Europe Day was on 8 May 1945, following Germany's surrender in WW2. But how did Britain plan for one of the greatest days in its history?

WW2: How did the British plan to celebrate VE Day?

WW2: Did Winston's words win the war? document

Winston Churchill is revered as one of history's great orators, but just how crucial a role did his speeches play in winning World War Two?

WW2: Did Winston's words win the war?

"Tell Me Your Secrets" - An interactive graphic novel

This interactive graphic novel is based on true-events from World War Two. Best enjoyed with headphones and wi-fi. The story takes about 20 minutes to complete. Good Luck…

WW2: "Tell Me Your Secrets" - An interactive graphic novel. game

Can you save Britain from the Nazis by carefully sharing secrets with America? Based on Sir Henry Tizard's real mission, choose carefully in this graphic novel.

WW2: "Tell Me Your Secrets" - An interactive graphic novel