Operation Barbarosa: Invasion of the Soviet Union Hitler wants the resources (oil) of the USSR. Invasion planned for March 1941 – Delayed until June Big mistake Soviets retreat deep into their country. German army races after them. Soviets make a stand at major cities. Russian winter sets in – German troops unprepared, lacking supplies.

Germans face first defeats. Massive loss of troops – death or surrender. Costly and Unsuccessful Germany is spread too thin.

Second Mistake: Attack on Pearl Harbor

The Allies Strike Back… WWII:TURNING POINTS The Allies Strike Back…

The Battle of El Alamein(1942) British stop the German advance in North Africa US and British forces trap German Army Germans would eventually retreat and surrender in North Africa in 1943

El Alamein (cont’d) Fought in the deserts of North Africa British forces led under General Montgomery, defeat the “Desert Fox” Irwin Rommel and his “Afrika Korps”. Afrika Korps surrender in May 1943

Invasion of Italy (1943) North African victory allowed Allies to invade Italy September 1943 the Allies crossed from Sicily to mainland Italy Allies slowly fight their way through Italian peninsula against German reinforcements

Italy (cont’d) Italians had already overthrown Mussolini Germans were forced to send troops to Italy June 4, 1944- Allies march into Rome, the first capital to be freed from German occupation

Stalingrad(1943) Soviet Army stops massive German invasion into the Soviet Union Soviet Army gets an assist from the fierce Russian winter Forced the German army out of Russia

D-Day June, 6, 1944-Allies land in Normandy, France Broke through German lines to eventually free Paris A second front is now opened in Europe, taking the pressure off the Soviet Army

D-Day (cont’d) Over 160,000 Allied troops and 30,000 vehicles landed along a 50 mile stretch of coastline