Turning Points in the European Theater

Battle of the Atlantic US & Britain vs. Germany German U-Boats tried to sink Allied merchant ships (US sending supplies to Britain and USSR)

North Africa US & Britain vs. Germany & Italy Eisenhower & Montgomery vs. Rommel, “The Desert Fox” Desert warfare, tanks, seesaw battle Allies win!

Strategic Bombing British & American bombers vs. German factories & cities - “Total War” B-17 “Flying Fortress” Dresden Fire Bombing

With a Partner 1. Why was Dresden full of refugees? 2. Why will the number of deaths never be known? 3. Which theory is most reasonable as a cause for the bombing of Dresden? 4. Why were the bombs so deadly? Were they conventional bombs? 5. What was the response of the German population in Dresden to the Allied bombing?

Before After

Before After

The Eastern Front

Battle of Stalingrad Largest battle in history! Over 1 million killed Hitler wanted to take Russia's oil fields Stalin ordered his army and civilians to defend the city at all costs Russia “won” - stopped the German advance, captured German army

Invasion of Italy “The soft underbelly of Europe” Series of amphibious landings and airborne assaults Italian army surrendered quickly, Mussolini fled German troops reinforce Northern Italy; fierce fighting

Invasion of France June 6, 1944 “Operation Overlord” “D-Day” Largest amphibious assault in history US, British, and Canadian troops attack 5 beaches in Normandy (France) Fierce resistance on Omaha Beach (Saving Private Ryan), 6,000 Americans killed

Invasion of France Allies win, send millions of reinforcements into France France liberated on August 25 th, 1944

Russian Counteroffensive Battle of Kursk – largest tank battle in history (3000+ tanks) Ended in a draw, but Germany retreated out of Russia Red Army slowly pushes Nazis back through Poland and then invades Germany

Battle of the Bulge!

“Hitler's Last Gamble”

Germany in the West Battle of the Bulge Allies closing in on Germany from both sides Hitler's last offensive – all out attack on the American lines Panzers push Americans back, but lines do not break – they only bulge Germans run out of gas and retreat

Invasion of Germany Germany running low on weapons, supplies, and soldiers Hitler refused to surrender Allies invade Germany from both sides US agrees to let Red Army capture Berlin Hitler orders all out defense of Berlin – hopeless Russians commit atrocities – revenge Hitler commits suicide in his bunker

Quickwrite Look over your notes from today's lesson...  Which event do you think was the biggest “turning point” for the Allies? - Rank the events from most significant to least (1=most, 8=least)  Battle of the Atlantic, North Africa, Strategic bombing, Battle of Stalingrad, Invasion of Italy, D-Day, Battle of Kursk, Battle of the Bulge  Explain the reasoning for your first and last picks