World War II in Africa and Europe

America enters the war Millions of Americans (from all ethnic / racial groups) volunteered for duty following Pearl Harbor Selective Service Act in effect America wanted to invade France right away in 1942 – Stalin agreed Churchill thought Allies weren’t ready yet Is a different strategy possible?? How do the Allies defeat the Axis Powers??

Battles in Africa Britain and Germany fought for control of Northern Africa Egypt was important to British (Access to Suez Canal) U.S. landed in Africa in Nov. 1942 May 1943 – Allies with American forces defeat German forces led by Erwin Rommel in Tunisia Allies now able to spring into Italy – overthrowing Mussolini in September 1943 U.S. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower

More trouble for Germans The Battle of Stalingrad – brutal defeat for Germans Germans trapped in city – in winter, many froze to death Scorched-earth policy 2 million military and civilian deaths (199 day battle)

Invasion of France (D-Day) June 6, 1944 5,000 ships – 130,000 soldiers (American, British, Canadian) 10,000 Allies killed/wounded Result: Successful in securing the beach

Map of Normandy

Allied Deception at D-Day

Note found with Eisenhower (never used) “Our landings have failed and I have withdrawn our troops. My decision to attack at this time and place was based on the best information available. The troops, the air and the Navy did all that bravery could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt, it is mine alone.” -Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower June 1944

Allies fight into Europe Allies fight Germans into France Paris liberated in August 1944 Germans final assault made at Battle of the Bulge Allies defeat Germans Heavy casualties

War comes to a Close Stalin, Churchill, FDR meet at Yalta to discuss post-war situation FDR dies of stroke in April 1945 Harry Truman now President Hitler commits suicide in his Berlin bunker – Allies overrun the Germans

Horrors of the Holocaust 6 million Jews – and millions of other people - killed by Nazis Sent to death centers called “Concentration Camps” Based on Hitler’s racism Blamed Jews for Germany’s problems

Band of Brothers The “Band of Brothers” miniseries follows a company of American paratroopers in World War II – E. Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne, known as “Easy Company”

Episode Synopsis – Day of Days In this episode, the focus is on the Normandy invasion and Easy Company’s assignment to take out a German artillery installation firing on U.S. forces making the seaborne invasion. On June 5th and 6th, 1944, thousands of Allied paratroopers dropped from the sky to begin one of the most audacious military campaigns of the war

Cast Major Richard Winters – Easy Company’s commanding officer Captain Lewis Nixon

Questions to think about… 1. Red light vs. Green light 2. What do the troops do when being dropped in the incorrect drop zones 3. What other challenges existed? How did they overcome these challenges? 4. What were the major themes of the episode?