The document provides an overview of World War 2 from its start in 1939 through 1945. It begins with Germany invading Poland on September 1st, 1939 without warning, sparking the start of World War 2. Within a week, Britain, France, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa had also joined the war against Germany. Over the next six years, the war engulfed Europe, North Africa, the Mediterranean, Asia, and the Pacific in total war. By the end in 1945, over 60 million people had lost their lives and most of Europe and parts of Asia lay in ruins.