World War II was the deadliest conflict in human history. The conflict involved the majority of nations around the globe and pitted two immense military alliances against each other - the Allies and the Axis.


The major participant countries existed in a state of total war, focusing their economic, scientific and industrial capabilities on the war effort, blurring the lines of distinction between military and civilian resource.


Over 100 million military personnel were mobilised over the course of the war, and over 70 million people were killed.


Learn more about World War II in this focus on the events, campaigns and people behind the war.