World War II

The Allied Offensive North Africa (1942-1943) Italy (1943-1944) Summer 1942 – British forces pushed Germans back into Libya Ended threat to the vital Suez Canal November 1942 – an American army landed in French North Africa Swept eastward through Morocco & Algeria led by General George S. Patton Briefly stopped in Tunisia before Patton led impressive string of victories May 1943 - Rommel abandoned North Africa 300,000 German troops captured Italy (1943-1944) July 1843 – 250,000 British & American troops landed on Sicily Staging ground for invasion of southern Italy Sept. 1943 – Invasion of Italy began Popular uprising in Rome forced Mussolini from power Italy then surrendered but Germany continued to pour in reinforcements Fighting intensified over the next nine months Jan. 1944 – Battles of Montecasino & Anzio June 1944 - Rome liberated April 1945 - Mussolini & mistress captured & executed by Italian partisans

Invasion of Normandy Air Campaign against Germany Operation Overlord 1943-1944: Allied forces made devastating air raids Targeted German railroads, factories and weapon emplacements Extensive material damage & civilian loss of life Designed to support Allied offensives in Russia & Italy Not successful in forcing German surrender Operation Overlord Allies decided to open a Western front to force the Germans to divert forces from the Italian & Russian fronts Largest amphibious assault in history 4000 transports, 800 warships, 12,000 aircraft June 6, 1944 – 6 Allied army divisions (3 U.S., 2 British, & 1 Canadian) landed on the beaches of Normandy 100,000 troops reached shore over the first two days Swelled to 500,000 within ten days By July 1, one million Allied troops had landed at Normandy Allied armies began to move across Northern France August 25, 1944 – Paris was liberated