Retaking Europe – Part One North African Campaign Invasion of Italy War in the Soviet Union

Europe First At Casablanca conference, decision is made for Allies to focus on Europe before Japan. Strategy session – where to begin? -Germany controls mainland Europe to USSR -British and French colonies in N. Africa are being contested. -Britain holds its island. -Soviets are fighting for their land Note: Map is current; not WWII-era.

The Soviet Union – Nonaggression No More Would you do business with this man? Like the American radio program says, “You can’t do business with Hitler”. In 1941, Hitler breaks the Nonaggression Pact with the Soviet Union, attacking to gain control of its farmland after taking oil fields from Romania. Again, the need for resources proves to be the catalyst for expansion. As the U.S. and Great Britain negotiate the Atlantic Charter, they also find an ally to the East to fight against the Axis Powers…

The North Africa Campaign Prior to American entry, Britain had fought for control of Egypt and Libya to the East of North Africa. British troops pushed Axis to the West, where American troops had joined the war. The first major U.S. battle in Tunisia failed, but soon the pressure from both sides forced an Axis retreat to Italy. Tripoli, Libya

From North Africa to Italy – Putting the Axe to the Axis As U.S. forces take Sicily, Italians overthrow Mussolini and surrender But, Germany evacuates Mussolini to Northern Italy where he retains power over Axis territory Germans defend, retreating north. By 1945, the Allies have captured Cassino, the key to the German defense. In April of 1945, Germany surrenders in Italy, and Mussolini is shot trying to flee to Germany.

War in the Soviet Union 1941 – Germans line up along border for blitzkrieg on USSR Soviet troops fall quickly, some welcoming the German “liberators” as alternative to Stalin’s brutal regime. Stalin calls for Soviets in retreat to destroy property rather than concede resources to Germany. Stalin also requests American Lend-Lease Aid, pleads Allies to attack Western Europe. Moscow and Leningrad fall, but Soviets mount a stand at Stalingrad; as Hitler refuses to retreat, his weathered troops are surrounded and surrender.

Next Up…Western Europe