Participants in World War II
From Freepedia
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.
Alliances
World War II was primarily fought between two large alliances. The Axis Powers were a group of countries led by Nazi Germany and the Empire of Japan, and considered the aggressors of the conflict. The Allies, led by the United Kingdom and, until its defeat, France, were joined in the European theatre by the Soviet Union in June 1941 and by the United States in December 1941. In the Asia-Pacific theatre, the Allies were led by China from the invasion of China by Japan in 1937 and then joined by the United States in 1941 after the Pearl Harbor attack.
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 1937 against China and 1941 against USA), 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.
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.
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 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.
While the European war did not officially start until the 1939 invasion of Poland by Germany, the war started much earlier in Asia. Japan started its invasion against China in 1937 as a pre-text of its goal of dominance in the Pacific Rim. Subsequently, with the war spreading to Europe and the Pacific Ocean, China, with one-third of the country under occupation, dispatched its forces to help the British defend India against Japan and recapture Burma (now Myanmar) in 1944.
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.
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.
Afghanistan
King Mohammed Zahir Shah successfully kept his isolated kingdom out of the war.
Albania
- Main article: Military history of Albania during World War II
Albania was forcibly annexed by Italy in 1939 shortly after Germany had seized Czechoslovakia. 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.
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
Australia was among the first countries to declare war on Germany, on September 3, 1939. More than one million Australians, both men and women served in the war. Although it was ill-prepared for war, the Australian government had soon despatched Royal Australian Air Force squadrons and personnel to serve with the Royal Air Force. The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) commenced operations against Italy after its entry into the war in June 1940. Later that year the Australian Army entered campaigns against Italy and Germany in North Africa and Europe. German submarines and raiding ships operated in Australian waters throughout the war. The most intensive and numerically largest part of Australia's war effort came after the outbreak of hostilities with Japan in late 1941. Australian personnel fought in south-east Asia and the South West Pacific Area: they were involved from January 1942 in Malaya, the Dutch East Indies and New Guinea. The Australian mainland came under direct attack for the first time in 1942, when Japanese aircraft made a major bombing attack on Darwin. They also attacked many other towns in northern Australia, and Japanese submarines struck at shipping and shore targets around Australia, including a midget submarine attack on Sydney Harbour.
Austria
Austria became part of Germany in 1938 amongst popular acclaim during the Anschluss. After the defeat of the Axis Powers, the Allies occupied Austria at the end of World War II in Europe until 1955, when the country again became a fully independent republic under the condition that it remained neutral.
Bahrain
The Shiekh of Bahrain declared war on Germany on September 10th 1939. Bahraini forces fought under British command in the Middle East theatre.
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.
Bolivia
Bolivia was one of many Latin American countries to declare war on Germany late in the war.
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 Harbor, Brazil sided with the Allies, declaring war against Germany and Italy in 1942. Brazil helped to patrol the South Atlantic and sent an 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.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria was a minor German ally, signing the Tripartite Pact in March 1, 1941, their main contribution being transit rights for German units involved against Yugoslavia and Greece.
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, the 1st Bulgarian army continued its offensive in Hungary and Austria. It managed to withstand the Nazi offensive on the Drava.
Bulgaria's participation in WW2 ended when its soldiers met their British comrades-in-arms in Klagenfurt in May 1945. More than 10 000 Bulgarian troops died in the battles against the Nazis; about 30 000 were wounded.
Canada
- Main article: Military history of Canada in World War II
As a member of the Commonwealth, Canada declared war on Germany within days of the invasion of Poland (on September 10th 1939). 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. Canadian forces contributed heavily in the air raids against Germany, the Battles of Britain, the Atlantic, Italy, and Normandy. Canadian forces also participated in the defense of British territories, such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Burma and the Malay Peninsula in the Pacific arena. Canada would become a member of NATO and a frequent participant in UN peacekeeping operations after the war.
Ceylon
The island of Sri Lanka, or Ceylon, as it was then called, was used as a naval base for allied operations. On April 5, 1942 over 300 aircraft from Japanese carriers bombed the island. Winston Churchill called it "the most dangerous moment" of the World War II, as the Japanese fleet wished to have a surprise attack on the British fleet.They did not see a repeat of the attack at Pearl Harbor as the British ships were moved to Adallu Atoll, 600 miles south of Ceylon.
China
- Main article: Military history of China during World War II
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, the Chinese Nationalist Government's full attention was within her borders in resisting the Japanese during the war. However, Chiang Kai-shek still managed to send troops to Britain's aid in Burma, in early 1942. China's participation in the war was also pivotal in a sense that more than 1 million Japanese military personnel were sent to China in order to finalise its conquest. Japanese casualties in China are estimated at 1.1 million.
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. One of the most serious atrocities against Chinese civilians by the Japanese force was commited in December 1937 after the fall of Chinese capital Nanking (now Nanjing). Hundreds of thousands of Chinese civilians (some reports the number upward to 300,000) living in Nanking were executed by the Japanese occupation force within one month (see Nanjing Massacre). After the war ended, the Communists and Nationalists went back to fighting each other, the Communists ultimately driving the Nationalists off the mainland to Taiwan.
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.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica joined the Allies late in the war.
Cuba
Cuba joined the Allies late in the war.
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. The Slovak National Uprising, commenced in August 1944, was put down by German forces at the end of October, however partisans continue fighting in the hills till the end of the war. In April, 1945, the Red Army defeated the Germans and ousted Tiso's government.
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 joined the Anti-Comintern Pact. After 1943 the occupation of Denmark was administered 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.
Dominican Republic
One of the Central American Countries to join the Allies late in the war.
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. The King of Egypt placed his Navy at the dispoal of the British. 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
Estonia
The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact between Germany and the Soviet Union left Estonia in the Soviet sphere of interest. After the war broke out between Germany and Poland, polish submarine ORP Orzeł escaped to Tallinn which lead to the Orzeł incident. The Soivet Union, who at the time was in war with Poland, accused Estonia of harboring Orzeł and not disarming it. The Soivet Union threatened Estonia with war, if Estonia did not agree with the mutual assistance pact, which required allowing the Soivet Union to build Military Bases into Estonia. Estonia, convinced that winning a war against Soviet Union was impossible agreed on September 28 1939. The Soviets conducted a "revolution" with support of the Red Army in June 1940, and an election was held where all parties were outlawed except the Communist party. The new government took command and the Estonian Socialist Republic (ESR) was proclaimed on July 21, 1940. The ESR was formally "accepted" into the Soviet Union on August 6 and the official name of the country became the "Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic". Estonia was occupied by Germany in 1941 after war broke out between Germnay and the Soivet Union, and was re-occupied by the Soviet Union in 1944. The Soviet Union restored the Estonian Socialist Republic and Estonia remained a part of the USSR until 1991.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia had been invaded by Italy in 1936 after the Abyssinia crisis 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.
Finland
- Main article: Military history of Finland during World War II
Finland was attacked by Soviet Union on November 30, 1939. Finland refused to allow Russia to build military bases on its territory and was invaded by Soviet forces, beginning the Winter War. Soviet Red Army met very strong resistance on the Finnish side of the border. By the Peace of Moscow, signed on March 12 1940, Finland ceded the finnish part of Karelia to Soviet Union. After the Winter War, Finland improved the relations with Nazi Germany and when the Third Reich attacked Russia on June 22, 1941, despite a Finnish declaration of neutrality, Finnish naval forces participated in mining of the Gulf of Finland and the Luftwaffe was also granted permission to land in Finland when returning from missions against Soviet targets. This led to a pre-emptive attack made by Soviet aircraft on Finnish soil. Using this excuse, on June 25, 1941, Finland declared war on Soviet Union hoping to regain the lost territories and to conquer East Karelia and became a co-belligerent of the Nazi Germany in the Continuation War. Britain joined the Soviet Union with a declaration of war in December 1941. The relations between Finland and Nazi Germany became even closer with Ryti-Ribbentrop Agreement, signed on June 26, 1944, in which Finland and Nazi Germany became active allies. 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.
France
- Main article: Military history of France during World War II
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 of the French National Committee, a London exile group, 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 the French Fourth Republic became a permanent member of the Security Council of the United Nations and founding member of NATO after the war.
Germany
- Main article: Military history of Germany during World War II
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.
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. The Germans also met fierce resistance on the island of Crete as the paratroopers suffered almost 7,000 casualties. These heavy losses eliminated 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
Hong Kong
Hungary
Hungary was a significant German ally throughout the war and signed the Tripartite Pact in November 20, 1940.
India
Over two and a half million Indian citizens fought during the war.
On September 12th 1939 the Upper House of the Central Legislature of India sent a message of admiration to Poland. On the same day the Aga Khan placed his services at the disposal of the Government of India.
The Fifth Indian Division fought in the Sudan against the Italians before being moved to defend Libya against the Germans. The Division was then moved to Iraq to protect the oilfields. After this the division was moved to the Burma front, together with eight other Indian Divisions, and then occupied Malaya. It was finally moved to Java to disarm the occupying Japanese garrison.
The Fourth Indian Division fought in North Africa, Syria, Palestine and Cyprus before being sent into Italy. Together with the 8th and 10th Divisions it participated in the taking of Monte Cassino, after which it was moved to Greece.
Over 36,000 Indian members of the armed forces were killed or went missing in action, and 64,354 were wounded during the war. Indian personnel received 4,000 awards for gallantry, and 31 Victoria Crosses.
India also provided the Allies with assault and training bases, and provided huge quantities of food and other materials to British and Commonwealth forces, and to people on the British home front.
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
On 23rd March 1942 Japanese forces invaded the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. In December 1943 the Japanese-sponsored Free India Movement (Provisional Government of Free India) was formed. The Andaman Islands were renamed Shaheed Islands, and the Nicobars were renamed Sawaraj Islands. Andaman & Nicobar Islanders fought alongside the Japanese during this time. The islands were not liberated until 6th October 1945.
Indonesia
Iran
[1]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, therefore had sympathy with Germany. Iran however, like most countries did not know of the extermination of the Jews until after the war.
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 August 1941, the British and Soviet troops invaded Iran and, in September 1941, forced Reza Shah Pahlavi to abdicate 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".
Iran's geographical position was also important to the Allies. It provided a 'blue water' supply route to the Soviet Union via the port of Bandar Abbas and a specially constructed railway route. The supply routes were known collectively as the Persian Corridor. Soviet political operatives known "agitprops" infilitrated Iran and helped establish the Comintern affiliate Tudeh Party in early in 1942.
By January of 1942, Britain and the Soviet Union agreed to end their occupation six months after the end of the war.
The Soviet Union fomented revolts among Azeris and Kurds in Iran and soon formed the People's Republic of Azerbaijan (December, 1945) and the Kurdish People's Republic not long after, both being run by Soviet-controlled leaders. However, Soviet troops remained in Iran following the January 1946 expiration of a wartime treaty providing for the presence of Soviet, American, and British troops in Iran during the war. [2]
Iraq
Iraq was important to Britain through its position on a route to India and the strategic oil supplies that it provided. After the ejection of the Ottoman Turks at the end of the First World War, these were protected by a significant Royal Air Force base at Habbaniya and the maintenance of sympathetic governments.
Due to the United Kingdom's weakness early in the war, Iraq backed away from its Anglo-Iraqi Alliance with the country. When the British High Command requested to send reinforcements to Iraq, the country's Prime Minister, Nuri-es Said, allowed a small British force to land. Consequently he was forced to resign after a pro-German coup under Rashid Ali in April 1941. Later British requests to reinforce Iraq were denied by the new leadership.
The new regime secretly began negotiations with the Axis powers. The Germans quickly responded and sent military aid by Luftwaffe aircraft to Baghdad via Syria.
Indian troops consequently invaded in mid-April 1941 and reached Baghdad and RAF Habbaniyah in May. The Iraqi army attacked Habbaniyah but quickly capitulated and Rashid Ali fled the country. Britain forced Iraq to declare war on the Axis in 1942. British forces remained to protect the vital oil supplies.
British and Indian operations in Iraq should be viewed in conjunction with events in neighbouring Syria and Persia (Iran).
Italy
- Main article: Military history of Italy during World War II
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 Salò Republic). Italy would become a member of NATO after the war, but lost territory to Yugoslavia.
Japan
Japan was part of the Axis powers. Some people consider that World War II actually began with the invasion of China by Japan. 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 capitulation. Lebanon was wrested from Vichy France by Allied forces. De Gaulle declared Lebanon independent on November 22, 1943.
Liberia
Liechtenstein
Shortly following the end of World War I, Liechtenstein concluded a customs and monetary agreement with neighboring Switzerland. In 1919 the close ties between the two nations were strengthened when Liechtenstein entrusted Switzerland with its external relations. At the outbreak of war, Prince Franz Josef II, who had ascended the throne only months before, promised to keep the principality out of the war, and relied upon its close ties to Switzerland for its protection.
Attempts to sway the government did occur. After an attempted coup in March 1939, the National Socialist "German National Movement in Liechtenstein" was active but small. The organization, as well as any Nazi sympathies, virtually disappeared following the eruption of war.
It is interesting to note that many of the theories that exist concerning the Papacy, Pope Pius XII, and Nazi Germany include Liechtenstein as a component. One such theory talks of a planned German invasion of the Vatican and establishing a “puppet-papacy” in neutral Liechtenstein.
Luxembourg
- Main article: Military history of Luxembourg during World War II
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.
Malaya
Under British rule; occupied by Japan in 1942-45.
Malta
The Legislative Council of Malta reaffirmed the people's loyalty to Britain on September 5th 1939.
Between June 1940 and December 1942 Malta was one of the most bombed place on earth, Malta became the besieged and battered arena for one of the most decisive struggles of World War II, with some historians calling this battle The Mediterranean Stalingrad The George Cross was awarded to the island of Malta in a letter dated 15 April 1942 from King George VI to the island's Governor William Dobbie: "To honour her brave people, I award the George Cross to the Island Fortress of Malta to bear witness to a heroism and devotion that will long be famous in history". The fortitude of the population under sustained enemy air raids and a naval blockade which almost saw them starved into submission, won widespread admiration in Britain and other allied nations. The George Cross is woven into the Flag of Malta and can been seen wherever the flag is flown, for example at the United Nations and more recently at the European Parliament.
Manchukuo
Established in 1931 as a puppet state of Japan, the state of Manchukuo was led by Pu Yi the last Emperor of China. The state contributed little to the war but remained a loyal ally to Japan until 1945. In 1945 the Soviet Union declared war on Japan and Manchukuo was subsequently invaded and abolished. Roughly half the state was returned to China whilst the Korean peninsular was partitioned to form North Korea and South Korea.
Mexico
Mexico declared war on Germany 1 June 1942 and sent the Airforce Squad 201 [3], often called "El Escuadron 201", that fought in the South Pacific. Some of its veterans are still alive.
Mongolia
During the war, Mongolia was ruled by the communist government of Horloogiyn Choybalsan, and was closely linked to the Soviet Union. The Mongolian Army frequently fought alongside the Red Army, and Mongolia provided supplies and raw materials to the Soviet military. Fighting broke out between Mongolia and the Japan in 1939, when Japanese troops stationed in northern China launched an invasion of eastern Mongolia. A joint Soviet-Mongolian counter-offensive, led by Soviet general Georgy Zhukov, heavily defeated the Japanese, and a pact was signed in which Japan recognised Mongolia's "territorial integrity". Japan did not attempt to invade Mongolia again, but kept a considerable number of troops stationed along the Mongolian border. As the Soviet Union withdrew troops from the east to focus on the German Operation Barbarossa, Mongolian forces became more strategically important. Towards the end of the war, on 10 August 1945, Mongolia declared war on Japan once again, and took part in the Soviet invasion of Japanese-occupied northern China.
Morocco
Nepal
Nepal declared war on Germany on 4th September 1939, and offered troops to Britain.
Netherlands
Like the Belgians the Dutch declared neutrality in 1939. In May 1940, after the capitulation of Norway, the Netherlands were invaded (althogh they fiercely fought the Nazis for a short time). Rotterdam and Middelburg were subsequently bombed. The Dutch then joined the allies and contributed their surviving naval and armed forces to the defense of East Asia, in particular the Dutch East Indies.
After the war, The Netherlands became a member of NATO.
New Zealand
- Main article: Military history of New Zealand during World War II
One of the original countries to declare war on Germany (on September 3rd 1939), 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.
Nicaragua
Norway
- Main article: Norwegian resistance movement
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 capital and after 2 months went to Britain and continued the fight in exile.
After the occupation the Germans began producing a critical component of atomic bombs in Norway, most notably deuterium oxide, also known as heavy water. On February 20, 1944, Germany's development of an atomic bomb was slowed by Norwegian and British commandos who successfully sabotaged the Norsk Heavy Water Plant and sank a ferry loaded with the deuterium oxide and other machinery needed for bomb development.
In 1944 Finnmark was invaded by the Soviet Union while the German forces in the rest of Norway gave up on May 8, 1945.
After the war, Norway became a member of NATO.
Oman
The Sultan of Oman declared war on Germany on September 10th 1939. Omanese forces fought under British command in the Middle East theatre.
Panama
Panama was under continued American control throughout the war and provided the U.S Navy with the ability to rapidly move troops from the Pacific to the Atlantic.
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.
Peru
Philippines
Philippines remained loyal to United States during the war because of the promise that United States will grant independence to the Philippines. United States finally granted independence to the Philippines in July 4, 1946.
Poland
- Main article: Polish contribution to World War II
Poland was the first allied power to fall. In September 1939 it suffered a joint attack by Nazi Germany and the USSR. Many Polish troops and servicemen escaped the country and were integrated into the forces of the British with Polish pilots serving with distinction in the Battle of Britain. The Polish resistance was also established and along with the Greek and Yugoslavian resistance movements is remembered for its daring and brave methods of resisting occupation, often facing German forces in pitched battle. Also an army of Poles had been formed on the Soviet territory. Poles were considered to be a threat to "the master race", and thus millions of Poles were sent to concentration camps.
Portugal
For the duration of World War II, Portugal was under the control of António de Oliveira Salazar, who led a government bearing many similarities to the Franco regime in neighbouring Spain. Like Spain, Portugal remained neutral through the war, although its government was considered to have Axis sympathies, and secretly supplied tungsten to Germany. Late in the war, when the Axis powers were in decline, Portugal allowed the British to establish a naval base in the Azores islands.
Portuguese Colonies
Macao
Portuguese neutrality was respected by the Japanese in Macao, who did not invade the colony despite invading nearby British Hong Kong.
Portuguese Timor
Australian forces invaded Portuguese Timor as a pre-emptive measure. However Japanese forces subsequently invaded the colony, thus blatantly ignoring Portuguese neutrality.
Romania
- Main article: Romania during World War II
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, threatened with Soviet invasion, Romania ceded territory 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, for instance its forces took part in capture of Odessa. 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.
San Marino
Ever since the times of Garibaldi, San Marino has maintained strong ties with the Italian state. San Marino joined Italy in declaring war on Great Britain in 1940. Following the Italian surrender, San Marino immediately declared its neutrality. On 21 September 1944 San Marino declared war on Germany, which eventually occupied the nation while retreating northward. Following the war, San Marino provided for nearly 100,000 refugees.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's contribution to the war effort was mainly in the form of resources. Although officially neutral the Saudis did provide the Allies with large supplies of oil. King Abdul Aziz Al-Saud , despite resenting the British and French colonial presences in the Middle East was a personal friend of Franklin D. Roosevelt (in fact the President gave King Abdul a wheelchair as a present during a 1945 visit to the kingdom.) As a result Saudi Arabia remained on favourable terms with the Allies.
Singapore
South Africa
As a member of the British Commonwealth, the Union of South Africa declared war on Germany shortly after the United Kingdom, on September 6th 1939. Several South African divisions fought under allied command in the European war.
Soviet Union
- Main article: Military history of the Soviet Union during World War II
The Soviet Union began World War II defending Mongolia on the Far East from the Japan forces in 1939. Later, according to the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, it invaded Poland about three weeks after Germany. The Soviets occupied Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, and suggested a land exchange treaty to Finland. Finnish resistance led the Soviets to invade in 1939, beginning the Winter War. Germany launched a surprise attack on the Soviet Union in 1941. Most of German forces after the invasion until the end of the war, were concentrated on the Eastern Front. The USSR played a crucial role in the defeat of Nazi Germany. 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, concluded with the Battle of Berlin. The Soviet Union suffered greater losses, both amongst civilians and military forces, than any of the other participants in the war. Following the end of the war in Europe, USSR declared war on Japan in 1945, which with the atomic bombing of Japan territory by the United States lead to the termination of the world 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.
Spain
The Franco government of Spain had risen to power as a result to a significant degree of Italian and German intervention and support. Franco and Hitler did not achieve an agreement about the terms of the Spanish participation. Spain however did send volunteers to fight along Germany against the Soviet Union in the form of the División Azul. As the Allies emerged as possible victors, the regime became more neutral.
Sweden
Sweden maintained neutrality throughout the war, though some swedish voluntiers participated in Winter War against Soviet Union. Sweden also supplied many materials for Germany, in particular high-qualitative iron ore which enabled Germany to build up its army and bearings which were crucial for fighter planes, almost as tribute to avoid invasion. It should be noted that the Allies put a lot of effort into the Norwegian theatre simply to force Sweden into joining the war.
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 the Netherlands, Belgium and other western European nations which had easily fallen under Nazi invasion, Switzerland had a strong military and a mountainous geographic terrain that would have likely made an invasion long and difficult. Swiss machine guns were placed all over mountaintops surrounding paths that lead into the country, and most bridges had already been rigged to explode should the Nazis start to invade. 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.
Syria
Syria was under French control throughout the war. From the French surrender in 1940 this was the 'Vichy' government that was sympathetic to the Nazi regime. Churchill had fears about the use of Syria to threaten Britain's Iraqi oil supplies. These appeared to be substantiated when Luftwaffe supply flights to the new pro-German Iraqi regime (under Rashid Ali) refuelled in Damascus.
In June, 1941, British and Free French forces invaded Syria and after giving effective opposition, the Vichy forces surrendered in July 1941. British occupation lasted until the end of the war.
The province of Iskanderoun was given to Turkey to keep them neutral in the war.
Tonga
The Queen of Tonga put all the country's resources at the disposal of Britain, and was a loyal supporter of the Allied cause throughout the war.
Transjordan
Transjordan was nominally a British protectorate, and the Transjordanian forces were under British command during the war.
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
- Main article: British military history of World War II
The United Kingdom was one of the original Allies, entering the war in 1939 to honour its guarantees to Poland. After the Fall of France the United Kingdom was the only allied nation left in Europe until the invasion of Greece. It remained the only one of the Big Three in the war until 1941 when the Soviet Union was invaded. 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.
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.
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 it finally declared war on Germany and the rest of the Axis countries.
Vichy France
Vichy France provided pockets of resistance. Its Prime Minister, or head of government, Pierre Laval was executed for high treason after the war.
Yugoslavia
The Kingdom of Yugoslavia was originally an allied power. However in 1941 German troops invaded the kingdom and forced British garrisons to withdraw to Greece. The country then established a puppet regime under the Nazis. Yugoslavia then developed two resistance groups, the Nationalist Yugoslavians and the Communists (headed by future president Tito). Yugoslavia was liberated in 1944 by a joint force of Communist resistance and the Red Army, Tito then established himself as Prime Minister and continued to fight Germany.
