Learn about the major Allied and Axis forces of World War II and their respective military strategies. Explore the history of this global battle, from the Allies’ joint attempts to defeat the Axis powers to the tactical moves made by figures like Churchill and Hitler.
| Power | Strategy |
| Allies | Combined military efforts against Axis powers |
| Axis Powers | Aggressive expansion and conquest |
| United States | Island-hopping in the Pacific, strategic bombing |
| United Kingdom | Defensive strategy, strategic bombing |
| Soviet Union | Scorched earth policy, massive ground offensives |
| Germany | Blitzkrieg tactics, territorial expansion |
| Japan | Surprise attacks, naval dominance |
| Italy | Support of Germany, Mediterranean campaigns |
| France | Defensive strategy, Maginot Line |
| China | Guerrilla warfare, resilience against Japan |
| Canada | Contribution to Allied forces, air support |
| Australia | Defense of the Pacific, support of Allies |
| New Zealand | Support of Allies, Pacific campaign involvement |
| India | Support of Allies, military recruitment |
| Poland | Defense against German invasion |
| Netherlands | Resistance against German occupation |
| Belgium | Defense against German invasion |
| Greece | Resistance against Axis occupation |
| Norway | Resistance against German occupation |
| Denmark | Resistance against German occupation |
| Finland | Defensive strategy against Soviet Union |
| Hungary | Support of Germany, military involvement |
| Romania | Support of Germany, military involvement |
| Bulgaria | Support of Germany, military involvement |
| Yugoslavia | Resistance against Axis occupation |
| Czechoslovakia | Resistance against German occupation |
| South Africa | Support of Allies, military involvement |
| Brazil | Support of Allies, military involvement |
| Mexico | Support of Allies, military involvement |
| Argentina | Neutral, limited involvement |
| Sweden | Neutral, traded with both sides |
| Switzerland | Neutral, served as a financial center |
| Spain | Neutral, supported by Axis powers |
| Portugal | Neutral, supported by Allies |
| Turkey | Neutral, secured neutrality through diplomacy |
| Iran | Occupied by Allies, crucial supply route |
| Iraq | Occupied by Allies, strategic position |
| Ethiopia | Liberated by Allies, resistance against Italy |
| Algeria | Allied invasion, support of French Resistance |
| Morocco | Allied invasion, support of French Resistance |
| Tunisia | Allied invasion, liberation from Axis forces |
| Libya | Battleground between Axis and Allied forces |
| Egypt | Allied defense, crucial Suez Canal protection |
| Sudan | Allied defense, support of British forces |
| Saudi Arabia | Strategic resource supplier for Allies |
| Syria | Occupied by Allies, strategic position |
| Lebanon | Occupied by Allies, strategic position |
| Palestine | Occupied by Allies, strategic position |
| Israel | Establishment as a Jewish state |
| Jordan | Occupied by Allies, strategic position |
| Kuwait | Occupied by Allies, strategic position |
| Bahrain | Occupied by Allies, strategic position |
| Oman | Occupied by Allies, strategic position |
| Qatar | Occupied by Allies, strategic position |
| United Arab Emirates | Occupied by Allies, strategic position |
| Yemen | Occupied by Allies, strategic position |
| Afghanistan | Occupied by Allies, support against Axis |
| Thailand | Support of Japan, military cooperation |
| Burma | Battleground between Allied and Axis forces |
| Vietnam | Resistance against Japanese occupation |
| Philippines | Battleground between Allied and Axis forces |
| Malaysia | Occupied by Japan, resistance by Allies |
| Singapore | Occupied by Japan, strategic naval base |
| Indonesia | Resistance against Japanese occupation |
| Papua New Guinea | Allied defense, crucial Pacific battleground |
| Fiji | Support of Allies, military involvement |
| Solomon Islands | Allied defense, key naval battles |
| New Caledonia | Allied base for Pacific operations |
| French Indochina | Occupied by Japan, resistance against Axis |
| East Africa | Battleground between Allied and Axis forces |
| Baltic States | Occupied by Soviet Union, resistance |
| Austria | Annexed by Germany, support of Axis powers |
| Albania | Occupied by Italy, support of Axis powers |
| Luxembourg | Occupied by Germany, resistance |
| Iceland | Allied occupation, strategic airbase |
| Greenland | Allied occupation, strategic airbase |
| Faroe Islands | Occupied by Allies, strategic position |
| Gibraltar | Allied stronghold, control of Mediterranean |
| Malta | Allied stronghold, defense against Axis |
| Azores | Allied air and naval base, Atlantic defense |
| Madeira | Neutral, limited involvement |
| Cape Verde | Allied air and naval base, Atlantic defense |
| Canary Islands | Neutral, limited involvement |
| Equatorial Guinea | Occupied by Allies, strategic position |
