It was by no means obvious, in the dark days of 1940, that the Western Allies could prevail against the Axis.

CNN: The necessary evil?

Even neutral countries, however, participated quietly on one side or the other, Spain and Switzerland closer to the Axis Powers, and the others helping the Allies.

FORBES: Meditation On A Shrinking Planet

During the war Germany, Italy and Japan were known as the Axis Powers and Britain, France and America were called the Allies.

BBC: CBBC - Newsround - World War II quiz