Talk:World War II/Temp/Article
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Belligerents, in order of entrance into war
- Germany. Started the war by invading Poland on Sep 1 1939. Stayed in the war until its surrender on May 7 1945.
- Poland. Was invaded by Germany on Sep 1 1939. Was overrun by German and then Soviet forces. There was a Polish government in exile in London, and later one in Moscow too, which remained at war until V-E day.
- United Kingdom. Declared war on Germany on Sep 3 1939, due to alliance with Poland. Remained in the war until V-J day.
- France. Declared war on Germany on Sep 3 1939. Most of the French government surrendered on X, but Free French forces under the leadership of Charles de Gaulle continued to fight and remained at war with Germany until V-E day and Japan until V-J day.
- Denmark. Remained neutral but was invaded by Germany on April 9 1940. No government in exile.
- Norway. Remained neutral but was invaded by Germany on April 9 1940. The King, Parliament, and government escaped in June and founded a government in exile in London, which remained in the war until V-E day.
- Belgium. Invaded by Germany in May 1940, quickly overrun.
- Netherlands. Invaded by Germany in May 1940, quickly overrun. Royal family fled to England, govt in exile. Stayed in war until V-E day.
- Italy. Declared war on France and the United Kingdom in 1940. Surrendered separately in 1943, and declared war upon Germany that year.
- Soviet Union. Was invaded by Germany in 1941 - Operation Barbarossa. Remained in war until V-E day. Later agreed to declare war upon Japan, and remained in war until V-J day.
- Japan. Was active in Korea and China well before 1939. Raided Pearl Harbor in 1941, before a declaration of war, remained in the war until its defeat in 1945.
- United States of America.