Warm- up

This is a photo of the atomic bomb blast over Nagasaki, Japan. What do you see in the photograph. From what point of view do we see the atomic bomb blast? Where is the photographer situated? Why would he or she have wanted to take the photo from that location? Do you think the photograph glorifies or condemns the power of the bomb? What aspects of the image support your conclusion? Do you think this image removes the emotional impact of the devastating effects of the bomb? How? Why would you want to remove the emotional impact of such a destructive device? The image was taken from the air from one of the planes on the mission that delivered the bomb to Nagasaki.) 

"Awestruck, we watched it shoot upward like a meteor coming from the earth instead of from outer space, becoming ever more alive as it climbed skyward through the white clouds. It was no longer smoke, or dust, or even a cloud of fire. It was a living thing, a new species of being, born right before our incredulous eyes."

World War II Battles

Europe

Battle of Dunkirk May-June 1940 1939-1941 Germany overtook everything in its path. They seemed unstoppable. Dunkirk was a morale boost for Britain. Even though it was a defeat they saved over 300,000 troops

Battle of Britain Sept, 1940 Germany wanted to invade Britain, but in order to do so, it had to control the air. This battle was fought in the air between the British RAF and the German Luftwaffe. “Upon this battle depends the survival of Christian civilization. Upon it depends our own British life and the long continuity of our institutions and our Empire…. Hitler knows that he will have to break us in this island or lose the war. If we can stand up to him, all Europe may be free and the life of the world may move forward into broad, sunlit uplands.” - Winston Churchill "The gratitude of every home in our Island, in our Empire, and indeed throughout the world goes out to the British airmen who, undaunted by odds, unwearied in their constant challenge and mortal danger, are turning the tide of the World War by their prowess and by their devotion. Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.” – Winston Churchill

Operation Barbarossa June 21, 1941 Hitler lost interest in Britain because Russia was a bigger prize. A military invasion of this size had never before in history been tried 3 million soldiers 150 Divisions, 3000 Tanks Hitler’s strategic mistake- He split the army thus they didn’t conquer as fast as planned and winter hit before they reach Moscow. Germany lost around 775,000 men and were defeated for the 1st time. The German invasion consisted of: 3 million soldiers   3580 tanks,  7184 artillery guns,  1830 planes   750,000 horses. By Day 17 of the attack, 300,000 Russians had been captured, 2,500 tanks, 1,400 artillery guns and 250 aircraft captured or destroyed.

Battle for Moscow October 2, 1941 Moscow itself had been turned into a fortress 422 miles of anti-tank ditches 812 miles of barbed wire 30,000 firing points By December, Germany was 18 miles from the center of Moscow Germany lost 155,000 men Harsh winter temperatures reached -20 at night Supply trains had a hard time supplying an army spread out that far January of 1942 Hitler withdrew, ending Operation Barbarossa

Battle of Stalingrad Winter 1942-1943 Historians believe Hitler went after Stalingrad because it was named after Stalin Stalingrad was a complete loss for Germany, 91,000 prisoners taken Germany was in full retreat after this battle

Battle of Kursk July, 1943 Germany was in retreat after Stalingrad, and Hitler was worried about image and morale He launched an offensive Greatest Tank Battle Germany lost 500,000 men Now in full retreat

Battle of Normandy June 6th 1944 D-DAY US joins the war in Europe and unites with Britain to take back France Normandy is the point where the Allied invasion force lands Heavy beach fighting as the force pushes their way inland

Battle of the Bulge Winter 1944-1945 German halted their retreat for one last attack. Largest battle fought by Americans in WWII The Germans experienced great success to start with. Why was this? Ø    The Allies were surprised by the attack. They had received little intelligence that such an attack would take place. Ø    Before the attack started, English speaking German soldiers dressed in American uniforms went behind the lines of the Allies and caused havoc by spreading misinformation, changing road signs, and cutting telephone lines. Those who were caught were shot after a court martial. Ø    The weather was also in Hitler’s favor. Low cloud and fog meant that the superior air force of the Allies could not be used German success lasts 2 days. Then the weather cleared and the Allies started pushing back.

Battle of Berlin April- May 1945 The Russians from the east and the Allies from the west surround Hitler and his army in Berlin On the morning of April 30 Hitler was informed that German soldiers would soon run out of ammunition. Hitler and his wife of 1 day Eva Braun commit suicide that afternoon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6p92hZ1ye8A Germany surrendered May 2, 1945

The End V.E. Day is May 8, 1945 V.E. stands for Victory in Europe August 6, Hiroshima is bombed August 9, Nagasaki is bombed August 15, Japan Surrenders V.J. Day is September 2, 1945, when the surrender is actually signed. V.J. stands for Victory in Japan and the final end of WWII