Today’s Task Using the information in red on this ppt and Section 36.3 of your textbook (specifically for the last question) answer the questions about the European Theater of WWII on the next slide. This ppt can also be found on Mrs. Santos’ website When finished, work on critically reading The Bataan Death March, due Thursday.

Learning Targets Despite the Japanese attacking the US directly, why did the US choose to focus their attention on the European Theatre? What was the strategy of Allied forces in the European Theatre? What were key decisions made at the Casablanca, Cairo and Tehran conferences? Make a simple timeline of the main events from Stalingrad through the Battle of the Bulge in Europe Add info about 3 conferences Red important/simplified information

Noose Theory The Allied approach to taking back Europe is sometimes referred to as the Noose Theory. 3 fronts were involved (Eastern, Southern, Western) The idea was to push Axis forces back to their homelands from all sides, effectively creating a noose.

Eastern Front Turning Pt. July 9, 1942 – After failing to capture Moscow, Germans begin a drive toward Stalingrad in the USSR. Sept 13, 1942 - Battle of Stalingrad begins. Nov 19, 1942 - Soviet counter-offensive at Stalingrad begins. Jan 10, 1943 - Soviets begin an offensive against the Germans in Stalingrad. Feb 2, 1943 - Germans surrender at Stalingrad in the first big defeat of Hitler's armies.

Allied Conferences Casablanca Conference: Cairo Conference Jan. 1943: U.S. and Great Britain agree to fight until Germany’s unconditional surrender Soviet Union busy with battle of Stalingrad Cairo Conference Nov. 1943: U.S., Britain, China discuss war with Japan and need for unconditional surrender Soviet Union stays away, not yet at war with Japan Tehran Conference Dec. 1943: U.S., Britain, Soviet Union discuss strategy and plan D-Day (Operation Overlord)

Southern Front Nov 1, 1942 - Operation Supercharge (Allies break Axis lines at El Alamein). Nov 8, 1942 - Operation Torch begins (U.S. invasion of North Africa). April 6/7, 1943- Axis forces in Tunisia begin a withdrawal toward Enfidaville as American and British forces link. May 13, 1943 - German and Italian troops surrender in North Africa. July 9/10 , 1943- Allies land in Sicily. July 19, 1943 - Allies bomb Rome. July 25/26, 1943 - Mussolini arrested and the Italian Fascist government falls; Sept 8, 1943 - Italian surrender is announced. Oct 13, 1943 - Italy declares war on Germany

Western Front- Summer of ‘44 June 6, 1944 - D-Day landings. June 27, 1944 - U.S. troops liberate Cherbourg. July 3, 1944 - 'Battle of the Hedgerows' in Normandy July 9, 1944 - British and Canadian troops capture Caen. July 18, 1944 - U.S. troops reach St. Lô. July 25-30, 1944 - Operation Cobra (U.S. troops break out west of St. Lô). Aug 15, 1944 - Operation Dragoon begins (the Allied invasion of Southern France). Aug 19, 1944 - Resistance uprising in Paris. Aug 25, 1944 - Liberation of Paris.

Germany’s Last Stand- Battle of the Bulge Dec 16-27, 1944 - Battle of the Bulge - While retreating back to Germany with Allied forces pushing, German’s make a final stand in the Ardennes forest in Belgium. - While it is a bloody battle, Allies prevail and Germany withdraws. - At this point the noose is complete and an invasion and full scale attack of Germany is at hand. -This will especially showcase US air power.