Major Military Events of World War II

WWII starts as a Tactical War and quickly evolves into a Total War

NB #6: Military Aspects of WWII -Look over all slides that sum up 10 major military aspects of World War II in chronological order - Go back and the watch short video clips for FOUR (2 from first 5 and 2 from second 5) of the topics that interest you most - Take brief notes on the 4 events you pick & write a paragraph discussing why you picked these 4 events and what was most surprising or interesting. Crash Course World History #38 – World War II

#1 Blitzkrieg: In Sept, 1939 Nazi Germany launches mechanized attack on Poland and then 6 months later on France called “Blitzkrieg” triggering WWII

#2 Battle of Britain: Nazis Target Britain with Arial Attacks in 1940 in preparation for invasion

#3: Operation Barbarossa In June 1941 Nazi Forces invade Soviet Union leading to USSR joining Britain against Nazi Germany. By Winter, Germans on outskirts of Leningrad, Moscow & Stalingrad

#4: “Island Hopping” Strategy in the Pacific Allies (Mostly US & Australians) vs. Japan … secondary priority to European war. Example: Battle of Guadalcanal

#5: Operation Torch – aka – the North Africa Campaign ( ) US & Britain vs. Axis under leadership of “Desert Fox” Rommel

#6: Invasion of Italy Beginning in 1943, Allies invade Southern Italy (see left) and fight mostly German forces for a year until Mussolini is captured and executed (see below) by his own countrymen in 1944 and Italy drops from Axis alliance.

#7: Battle of Stalingrad Nazis vs. Soviets Battle of Stalingrad When: Aug Feb Result: City is completely destroyed 400,000 Germans & 1 million Soviets die Germany retreats as winter sets in. The turning point in the Eastern Front /watch?v=_3SiU2laqSg

#8: Operation Overlord aka “D- Day” on June 6 th, 1944 Allied Invasion of France establishes new Western Front

#9: Battle of the Bulge After post D-Day retreat, Germany launches counterattack –When: Dec 1944 – Jan 1945 –Nazi Goal: Create stalemate & push for a favorable peace treaty –Outcome: “Last Stand” for Nazi Military…Germany forced to surrender unconditionally to Allies a few months later

Iwo Jima Okinawa Hiroshima & Nagasaki #10: Pacific War intensifies after German surrender in Europe, but Japan refuses to unconditionally surrender until after use of 2 atomic bombs in August, 1945 Ex: Iwo Jima, Okinawa and Hiroshima/Nagasaki