World War II began in Europe when German forces invaded Poland in September 1939. Soon the conflict spread across Europe. Germany formed the Axis powers with Italy and fought against the Allied powers, led by Great Britain, the Soviet Union, France, and eventually the United States. This title covers the Holocaust and the major battles in the European theater of the war, from the invasion of Poland to Germany's surrender after the Battle of Berlin in 1945. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject. Features include a table of contents, infographics, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Core Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.