Major Battles / Campaigns of the European Theatre J.D. Baldwin Meghan Morris Ashley King

Battle of Stalingrad

Who/When Non aggression pact signed 1939 Hitler and Russia Non aggression pact signed 1939 Hitler and Russia Winter of Winter of Germany led by Field Marshall Fedor von Bock Germany led by Field Marshall Fedor von Bock German 6 th Army German 6 th Army Soviets led by General Nikolai Vatutin Soviets led by General Nikolai Vatutin

Objectives Germany wanted to capture Stalingrad for two reasons Germany wanted to capture Stalingrad for two reasons Tank Factory Tank Factory Psychological reasons Psychological reasons Soviets protect the city at all costs Soviets protect the city at all costs

Battle Germans surrounded city and bombed Germans surrounded city and bombed City was ruined by artillery fire City was ruined by artillery fire Germans were given order to not retreat Germans were given order to not retreat Starved and froze due to lack of supplies Starved and froze due to lack of supplies German air force could not drop supplies German air force could not drop supplies Allowed Soviets to get upper hand Allowed Soviets to get upper hand

Battle Continued Largest battle on the Eastern front Largest battle on the Eastern front German sent relief force German sent relief force Led by General Hoth but turned back Led by General Hoth but turned back

Results Germans lost 200, ,000 men Germans lost 200, ,000 men 90,000 captured, 2,000 tanks 4,000 guns 90,000 captured, 2,000 tanks 4,000 guns January 31 Germans surrendered January 31 Germans surrendered Key turning point in war for soviets Key turning point in war for soviets

Campaign in North Africa

Who/When USA, Britain, France vs. Germany and Italy USA, Britain, France vs. Germany and Italy Axis led by General Rommel “Desert Fox” Axis led by General Rommel “Desert Fox” Allies led by Dwight D Eisenhower Allies led by Dwight D Eisenhower

Objectives Protect the Suez Canal and the Oil Rich Middle East Protect the Suez Canal and the Oil Rich Middle East To gain territory as a staging area for the European Front To gain territory as a staging area for the European Front

Battle Americans ill prepared for desert combat Americans ill prepared for desert combat Winners of battles went back and fourth Winners of battles went back and fourth Until El Alamein when British defeated the Axis powers pushing them into Tunisia Until El Alamein when British defeated the Axis powers pushing them into Tunisia Other Operations were Torch, Compass, and Sunnenblume Other Operations were Torch, Compass, and Sunnenblume

Results Allied Victory Allied Victory Killed, wounded, captured Killed, wounded, captured –Germany 66,000 –Italy 23,000 –Britain 219,000 –US 16,500

Invasion of Italy

Who/When Allies Landed September Allies Landed September Allied Powers: U.S. and Britain Allied Powers: U.S. and Britain Axis Powers: Germany and Italy Axis Powers: Germany and Italy Allies led by General Harold Alexander and Winston Churchill Allies led by General Harold Alexander and Winston Churchill Axis led by Adolf Hitler and Mussolini Axis led by Adolf Hitler and Mussolini

Objectives Invade the majority of Italy by pushing from the south coming from Northern Africa and Sicily. Invade the majority of Italy by pushing from the south coming from Northern Africa and Sicily. Gaining control of Italy to eventually invade Germany. Gaining control of Italy to eventually invade Germany.

Battle Allies use many operations and tactics to invade Italy. Allies use many operations and tactics to invade Italy. Operation Husky: The invasion of Sicily. Preparation to invade the southern tip of Italy. Operation Husky: The invasion of Sicily. Preparation to invade the southern tip of Italy. Operation Avalanche: Attacks to the west coast of Italy from Northern Africa. Operation Avalanche: Attacks to the west coast of Italy from Northern Africa. Operation Baytown: Allies come off of Sicily and cross the Strait of Messina into the toe of Italy. Operation Baytown: Allies come off of Sicily and cross the Strait of Messina into the toe of Italy.

Battle Operation Slapstick: Allies attack the east coast of Italy, attacking a main naval base of Italy forces. Operation Slapstick: Allies attack the east coast of Italy, attacking a main naval base of Italy forces. Allies push Italian and German forces as they try to counter attack. Allies push Italian and German forces as they try to counter attack.

Operation Avalanche Operation Husky Operation Baytown Operation Slapstick

Results Italy tries to reinforce against invasions Italy tries to reinforce against invasions Allies pushed all the way north of Italy Allies pushed all the way north of Italy Italians surrender and eventually became Allied. Italians surrender and eventually became Allied. Mussolini is rescued by Hitler Mussolini is rescued by Hitler 2,009 Killed 2,009 Killed 7,050 Wounded 7,050 Wounded 3,501 Missing 3,501 Missing

Battle of the Atlantic

Who/When Allies: Britain, France, Russia Allies: Britain, France, Russia Axis: Germany, Italy, Japan Axis: Germany, Italy, Japan Allies led by Winston Churchill Allies led by Winston Churchill Axis led by Adolf Hitler Axis led by Adolf Hitler

Objectives Allies wanted to blockade Axis powers, secure sea movements, and free military powers across the seas. Allies wanted to blockade Axis powers, secure sea movements, and free military powers across the seas. Axis wanted to gain control of Atlantic Sea Routes, to cut of supplies coming from North America. Axis wanted to gain control of Atlantic Sea Routes, to cut of supplies coming from North America.

Battle Germans attack against the British navy forces in hope of gaining control of the Atlantic Sea Routes. Germans attack against the British navy forces in hope of gaining control of the Atlantic Sea Routes. Using German U-Boats, or submarines attacking North American and Britain boats carrying supplies. Using German U-Boats, or submarines attacking North American and Britain boats carrying supplies. “Wolf Packs”: Groups of German U-Boats “Wolf Packs”: Groups of German U-Boats Lend-Lease Act: allowed FDR to sell or lend war supplies to any country whose defense he considered vital to the safety of the U.S. Lend-Lease Act: allowed FDR to sell or lend war supplies to any country whose defense he considered vital to the safety of the U.S.

Results Germany failed to stop the flow of strategic supplies to Britain from the North American boats. Germany failed to stop the flow of strategic supplies to Britain from the North American boats. They were unsuccessful in gaining control of the Atlantic Sea Routes. They were unsuccessful in gaining control of the Atlantic Sea Routes. Allies: 30,248 Merchant sailors; 3,500 merchant vessels; 175 warships Allies: 30,248 Merchant sailors; 3,500 merchant vessels; 175 warships Germans: 28,000 sailors; 783 submarines Germans: 28,000 sailors; 783 submarines

D-Day & Battle of the Bulge

D-Day AKA Operation Overlord AKA Operation Overlord Who: Allies [US, Britain, Canada, Free France, Poland, Norway] VS. Germany Who: Allies [US, Britain, Canada, Free France, Poland, Norway] VS. Germany –US general Dwight D. Eisenhower What: massive military invasion of France’s beaches What: massive military invasion of France’s beaches Where: Normandy, France Where: Normandy, France

D-Day When: invasion began on June 6, 1944 When: invasion began on June 6, 1944 Why: Reclaim France to launch offensive against Germany Why: Reclaim France to launch offensive against Germany How: surprise naval & air invasion– 150,000 troops came from United Kingdom staging area and landed on 5 beaches from sea; 13,000 paratroopers dropped; 13,000 bombs dropped on beaches in advance How: surprise naval & air invasion– 150,000 troops came from United Kingdom staging area and landed on 5 beaches from sea; 13,000 paratroopers dropped; 13,000 bombs dropped on beaches in advance –Operation Fortitude: Allies created “fake army” to trick Germans into thinking army was at Kent (opposite of Pas de Calais)– fake radio traffic; inflatable tanks used

5 beaches Sword beach: far left-- British & French only faced machine gun nest Sword beach: far left-- British & French only faced machine gun nest Juno beach: 2 nd from left; Canadians penetrated further than any other Allies in 1 st day Juno beach: 2 nd from left; Canadians penetrated further than any other Allies in 1 st day Gold beach: British suffered heavy casualties b/c delayed tank & fortified German village; still advanced far Gold beach: British suffered heavy casualties b/c delayed tank & fortified German village; still advanced far Omaha beach: most heavily fortified; 60 meter cliffs; bad conditions pushed US boats away but eventually met goal Omaha beach: most heavily fortified; 60 meter cliffs; bad conditions pushed US boats away but eventually met goal Utah beach: westernmost beach; current pushed off target but still lightest American casualties Utah beach: westernmost beach; current pushed off target but still lightest American casualties

D-Day: outcome Allies took Germans completely by surprise Allies took Germans completely by surprise 150,000 men managed to get ashore by end of day 150,000 men managed to get ashore by end of day Casualties: about 10,00 Allies & 4,000-9,000 Germans Casualties: about 10,00 Allies & 4,000-9,000 Germans

Battle of the Bulge Who: Allies [United States, Britain, Canada] vs. Germany Who: Allies [United States, Britain, Canada] vs. Germany What: Last big German offensive against Allies What: Last big German offensive against Allies Where: Ardennes Mountains Where: Ardennes Mountains When: 16 December 1944 – 25 January 1945 When: 16 December 1944 – 25 January 1945

Battle of the Bulge Why: Hitler wanted to capture Antwerp [major supply port] and then divide Allies Why: Hitler wanted to capture Antwerp [major supply port] and then divide Allies How: Surprise attack: Hitler started bombing then sent in majority of troops How: Surprise attack: Hitler started bombing then sent in majority of troops –German soldiers in US uniforms cut phone lines, changed road signs & spread confusion –Poor weather & low visibility

Battle of the Bulge Outcome: Once weather cleared, Allies countered strong German offensive Once weather cleared, Allies countered strong German offensive –German offensive lasted only 2 days Most casualties: 81,000 Americans & 84,000 Germans killed/injured/captured Most casualties: 81,000 Americans & 84,000 Germans killed/injured/captured Germans retreated & were depleted in manpower, morale, & equipment Germans retreated & were depleted in manpower, morale, & equipment “Ultimately, it shortened the time Hitler had left” (375) because Hitler used his major reserves to fight “Ultimately, it shortened the time Hitler had left” (375) because Hitler used his major reserves to fight