Chapter 12: D-Day and Allied Advance in Europe

Review: Different battle strategies

General Dwight D. Eisenhower- Supreme Allied Commander

Get ready http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3J_FoO--Z-c

D-Day Code-named Operation Overlord June 6, 1944 Allies invaded Normandy, France Goal-allow the Allied troops to gain a foothold in France and Europe Read article

Video clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFQIuF590B4&oref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DmFQIuF590B4&has_verified=1

Breakthrough By June 11: 326,000 troops, 54,000 vehicles, and over 100,000 tons of supplies to France By the end of June 1944: Allied forces broke through German defenses completely and captured the port city of Cherbourg. Allied troops flow into France. Allied troops liberate Paris, France August 1944 American infantry chased the retreating Germans across the rest of France British, Canadian, and U.S troops pushed the Germans from the west and Soviets pushed from the east.

Battle of the Bulge December 16, 1944- January 25, 1945 Final German offensive – hoped to split Allies Germany attacked Allied forces in Ardennes forest region of France – made “bulge” in line Bloodiest battle of WWII 80,000 American casualties Allied forces held and pushed back the Germans

Meanwhile in the U.S. Roosevelt elected to unprecedented 4th term in 1944 “The Big Three” (Roosevelt, Churchill, Stalin) meet at the Yalta Conference to discuss the actions to be taken after the war was over.

Continued Roosevelt died shortly after the conference on April 12, 1945 Harry S. Truman becomes president

March to Germany The Battle of the Bulge leaves German reserves depleted The Luftwaffe, Germany’s mighty air force, shattered April 25, 1945 American and Soviet troops shake hands at Torgau in east Germany April 30, 1945 Hitler commits suicide in Berlin

VE Day May 8, 1945 Germany surrenders unconditionally

Important Events in World War II Europe July-1942-February 1943-Battle of Stalingrad June 6-1944-D-Day August 1944-France is liberated December 1944-January 1945-Battle of the Bulge February 1945-Yalta Conference April 1945-Hitler, Mussolini, Roosevelt die (Harry Truman takes over for Roosevelt) VE Day-May 8-1945 Fighting Continues in Asia

VE (Victory Europe) Day – May 8, 1945

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