The Second World War (1939–45) in East Ham and West Ham

The 1939 – 45 War (or the Second World War) was the worst and only truly global war in history. It was actually a number of linked wars which began for different reasons but ended together in 1945.

The war in Europe had its immediate origins in the actions of the German leader Adolph Hitler. He wanted to reverse Germany’s defeat in the FirstWorld War (1914 – 18) and to establish a German Empire over Europe and possibly the world. Britain and the British Empire were the only countries to fight against Germany and later Japan from the war’s start to its end. Some countries changed sides over the course of the war. The countries fighting on the British side were known as the Allies. Countries fighting on the German side were known as the Axis powers.