The document provides an overview of key events and battles in Europe from 1941-1945 during World War 2, including:
1) The Battle of Stalingrad from August 1942 - February 1943 which was a major turning point that led to Soviet victory over German forces.
2) The D-Day invasion of Normandy by Allied forces on June 6, 1944, which saw over 150,000 troops land along the French coast and began the liberation of German-occupied Western Europe.
3) The Battle of the Bulge from December 1944 - January 1945, where German forces launched a surprise attack in Belgium but were eventually defeated by US and Allied troops after heavy fighting.
3. Mobilization Selective Training & Services Act (draft, 21-36) GI = abbreviation for “Government Issue” FDR prepared the country for war War Production Board – rationed gasoline, heating oil, rubber, paper, metals, & plastics
4. Battle for the Atlantic1939-1943 Germany used submarine warfare U-Boats Allies used convoy system US, GB, CAN Secure trade routes & transport troops = priority Both battled to control the Atlantic
5. North Africa Campaign 1942 – US joins GB in North Africa Under command of General Dwight D. Eisenhower What types of challenges may the soldiers have faced in the desert?
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7. Outcomes of North African Campaign The Germans had wasted valuable resources in an indecisive theater Mussolini was severely weakened domestically The Americans learned from their poor performance and made the necessary changes The British and American coalition weathered a potentially threatening storm
8. Italian Campaign North Africa – now controlled by Allies July 1943: Allies move onto Italy Commander: General George S. Patton
10. Mussolini The presence of the Allies on the mainland caused Italians to lose faith in Mussolini 1943: Fascist council voted to remove Mus from office King Victor Emmanuel III had Mus arrested Was this the end of Mussolini???
11. Germans to the Rescue Fascist Party – disbanded Germany – freed Mussolini Mussolini – taken to Northern Italy Became puppet ruler
12. A Change of Heart Sept. 1943 – Allies threatened to overrun Southern Italy and take Rome Italy’s new government surrendered Oct. 13, 1943: Italy declared war on Germany German troops resisted Blocked roads Destroyed bridges
13. The Battle for Cassino Italian town – key to German defense Only thing between Allies & Rome January 1944 – May 1944 Allies sustained heavy losses Ultimately victorious Captured Cassino, then Rome
14. (Final) Fall of Mussolini Allies fought in Italy through April 1945 Germany surrendered Mussolini tried to escape Italians shot and killed him – but that’s not all…
17. Elbow Room Hitler broke pact (surprise, surprise) In Mein Kampf Hitler called for conquest of Russia so Germans would have “living space” (Lebensraum) It didn’t hurt that Russia had huge oil fields in the north… June 22, 1941 Germany advanced through Eastern Europe (Finland, Romania, Ukraine)
18. Red Army Mobilized Soviet Union – no match for Axis Powers Stalin asked Allies for help FDR sent support (Lend-Lease Program) Soviets really needed man power, but that was not to be
19. The Battle for Stalingrad August 22, 1942 – Siege of Stalingrad (Volgograd) begins Why? Industrial city On the Volga River – major transport route from the Caspian Sea to Northern Russia Namesake of Stalin – psychological effect It is the only (major) city that stands in the way of Hitler reaching the oil fields of Asia !!!!
21. Statistics of Stalingrad Considered the bloodiest battle in history (2 million die) Stalin authorized the shootingof any retreating Soviet troops Life expectancy of Soviet soldier entering the city =2.5 hours
22. Outcomes Soviets eventually won the battle after approximately 200 days Major turning point in war b/c Soviets then go on the offensive and never stop until Berlin is captured and the war is over
24. Allied Air War RAF Carpet bombing Heavy damage to German cities American Air Force B-17 “Flying Fortress” Targeted German aircraft factories, railways, bridges, and cities 1944 – British & Amer. coordinated attacks in preparation for…
25. Invasion of Western Europe Stalin & others called for Allied invasion Operation Overlord Launch from GB Supreme commander – General Eisenhower
26. Who Helped? Massive military build up in Southern GB Americans, British, & Canadians aided by Polish, Dutch, Belgian, & French
27. Calais “Although the use of fraud in any action is detestable, in the combat of war it is praiseworthy and glorious. And a man who uses fraud to overcome his enemy is praised, just as much as he who overcomes his enemy by force.” Machiavelli, 1531
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30. Bell Ringer How did the Allies deceive the Germans at Calais? 1 minute Discuss with Partner
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32. D-Day: June 6, 1944 4,600 invasion craft & warships left for Normandy 23,000 airborne British & American paratroopers – nighttime invasion Amphibious invasion began along 60 miles of the Normandy coast Largest landing by sea in history
36. Success Heavy casualties of Allied troops Within 1 week, a half million troops in France By late July, Allied forces in France totaled around 2 million troops
49. Closure What was the purpose of Operation Overlord & how was this accomplished? Discuss with Partner
50. Bell Ringer Describe the challenges Allied troops faced during Operation Overlord. Discuss with Partner - each naming a different challenge 1 minute
51. Liberating France After D-Day Allies fought their way across Northern France French Resistance started an uprising in Paris August 22, 1944 Tens of thousands of French set up over 600 barricades Intense fighting – hundreds of French died
59. Overall… Collaborators were tried in a court of law 6,763 sentenced to death (only 791 carried out) 49,723 - “National degradation” (stripped of civil rights) Pétain Initially sentenced to death by firing squad for treason (1945) De Gaulle commuted that sentence to life in prison Died disgraced in prison (natural causes) in 1951
61. Battle of the Bulge December 16, 1944 – January 25, 1945 Ardennes Forest, Belgium Heaviest fighting in Bastogne
62. Battle of the Bulge (cont.) Germany attacked America in the Ardennes, pushing them back This caused a “bulge” in the advancing line of American soldiers Coldest winter in 50 years 25 of 41 days = below 0 degrees Bloodiest battle of WWII for Americans Apx. 80,000 of 600,000 GI casualties
63. Fighting the Odds Air drops unsuccessful (heavy fog): Short on food Short on supplies Short on ammo No proper winter clothes Surrounded by Germans
64. Band of Brothers Easy Co. moved into Ardennes near Bastogne with no artillery or air support Short on everything, the medic, Cpl. Eugene “Doc” Roe, scrambles to do his job He has been back and forth to Bastogne with injured soldiers and has forged a friendship with a Belgian nurse It is Christmas when the clip opens
65. Outcomes The weather eventually cleared & US troops got much needed supplies Reinforcements came in Americans were victorious This gave Allied troops the ability to cross the Rhine – why was that a big deal?
66. The Battle of Berlin April 20, 1945 - May 2, 1945 Final major offensive of WWII Allies surrounded Berlin
67. The End of Hitler Mid-January 1945 - holed up at the “Fürerbunker” April 29, 1945 - Hitler married long-time girlfriend Eva Braun April 30, 1945 - Hitler, Eva, and other followers committed suicide Cyanide & gunshot
68. V-E Day May 8, 1945 = V-E Day (Victory in Europe) Allies accepted Germany’s unconditional surrender
69. Closure How did the Battle of Berlin end? Discuss with your Partner 30 seconds
