World War II was the most widespread and the most destructive war in history. It involved all the Great Powers and most of the smaller nations of the world.
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Where did battles take place in World War II?

Battles were fought in Europe, Asia, and Africa.

The Battle of the Coral Sea

One of the first naval battles fought in the Pacific during World War II. 

The Battle of the Coral Sea was fought from 4 May – 8 May 1942. It was a major naval battle fought, about 500 miles northeast of Australia, between the Imperial Japanese Navy and the United States and Australia.

After Pearl Harbour, the Japanese took more and more islands in the Western Pacific Ocean.

In May 1942, the Japanese planned to invade Port Moresby and then to bomb Australia from there. By early May the combined American and Australian fleet was in the Coral Sea, off Australia. So was the Japanese fleet.

Some bombing went on and each side lost planes and ships.

In the end the battle was a draw, but two things made it an important battle. It stopped the Japanese from invading Port Moresby and threatening Australia. It was also the first sea battle in history when neither opposing sides' ships sighted or fired directly upon the other.

The Battle of Midway

The Battle of Midway was a naval battle in the Pacific Ocean. It took place from 4 June 1942 to 7 June 1942, approximately one month after the Battle of the Coral Sea.

Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto was commander-in-chief of the Japanese Combined fleet. He planned to destroy the US Pacific Fleet at Midway Island. however, the Americans were waiting for him at Midway. There was a big battle. America only lost one carrier but the Japanese lost four aircraft carriers. The Americans won.

A few more well known battles

D-Day - the Battle of Normandy
On 6 June 1944, British,American, and Canadian troops landed on the beaches of Normandy, France. It marked the turning point in World War II when the Allied forces began to win their fight against the Axis powers.

Pearl Harbour
On 7 December 1941, a surprise attack on Pearl Harbour, Hawaii, brought the United States abruptly into World War Two. www.ibiblio.org

The Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain is the name given to air attack over Britain by the German Luftwaffe during the summer and autumn of 1940. The name derives from a speech made on 18 June 1940 in the House of Commons by Prime Minister Winston Churchill, "The Battle of France is over. I expect the Battle of Britain is about to begin..."

The Battle of Britain