Part One: The European Theater World War II (1942-1945) Part One: The European Theater

Allied Advances 1941-US joins war Allies begin planning European invasion Winston Churchill – convinced Allies to start in North Africa, gain control of the Mediterranean then invade Europe through Italy Allies agreed

Egypt and The Suez Canal Axis and Allies both wanted the Suez Canal to access oil fields and Asia

Suez Control Germany’s General Erwin Rommel (“The Desert Fox”) advanced within 200 miles of canal but was stopped by the British (June 1942) American Supreme Commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower fought Rommel in Tunisia and was pushed back (November 1942) Allies regrouped and took Africa in May 1943

Invasion of Italy Allies invade Sicily in July 1943 and fought for a month until victory Allies then swept into Italy (which had turned against Mussolini) The Italian government surrendered in September 1943

Germany on the Defensive Fighting in Stalingrad, Hitler refuses to retreat (Sept. 1942) Soviets drive tanks to cut off German supplies Thousands of Nazi soldiers froze and starved to death, survivors surrender in Feb. 1943 Soviets then begin to fight Germans back towards Germany

D-Day June 6, 1944, just after midnight, Allied Paratroopers land behind German lines in Normandy, France In early morning more than 5,000 ships took more than 150,000 Allied soldiers to Normandy, France Largest land-sea-air operation in Army History American, Canadian, and British troops crossed the English Channel led by General Dwight D. Eisenhower. More than 10,000 Allied soldiers were killed, but by day’s end Allies controlled the beaches

Fighting Continues at Normandy Allies broke through the German lines Moved inland, pushing back the enemy Germans counterattacked at the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944

Battle of the Bulge Allied forces were advancing from the West and Soviets were from the East Hitler’s final assault – December, 1944 German troops forced Allies back to the Ardennes (region of Belgium and Luxemburg) Allies regrouped and defeated the Germans 120,000 German casualties 80,000 American casualties

Allies Gain Ground American general, George Patton turned the Germans back. Patton led the way to take the rest of France and push in towards Germany August, 1944 Allies free Paris Patton was the most outstanding general during the invasion of France.

Yalta Conference: Feb. 4-11, 1945-The “Big 3” meet in the Soviet resort of Yalta. 1. Soviet Union agrees to declare war on Japan once Germany surrenders. 2. Establish a peace keeping organization 3. What gov’t Eastern Europe will take on post war

Russia helps Out Russian troops pushed the German forces back from the east May 1945 Allied troops from the east and west met near Berlin, the German capital

Germany Surrenders April 1945 Russians reach Berlin April 30, 1945 – Hitler, sensing defeat, commits suicide Soviets capture Berlin May 2nd Germany surrenders May 8th V-E Day (Victory in Europe)

President Roosevelt Dies Did not live to see the end of World War II Died on April 12, 1945 Vice President, Harry S. Truman, became President