World War II Victory

The Big Three USSR –Joseph Stalin U. S. –Franklin D. Roosevelt Great Britain –Winston Churchill

The Plan Focus on Europe first, then Japan. Stalin wanted a second European front opened FDR and Churchill focus on Africa instead

Who’s In Charge? European Theatre –General Eisenhower future President of the United States Pacific Theatre –no one leader like Europe –Admiral Nimitz –General MacArthur Admiral Nimitz General MacArthur

Operation Torch British strike back at the Germans British led by General Montgomerey U. S. attacks from the other side –Led by General Patton (1943) Germans are pushed out of N. Africa

Battle of Stalingrad Battle of Stalingrad (August 1942 – February 1943) Germans head south for oil, iron and the Volga River Germans destroy over 90% of the city Soviets refuse to give up the city Stalin “Not one step backwards!”

Turning Point on the Eastern Front November, Russians counterattack Germans are surrounded Hitler refuses to let generals surrender –Friedrich von Paulus General not allowed to surrender Blamed for the loss Attempt to fly in supplies –complete failure

“The bloodiest battle in recorded human history.” Combatants Axis PowersSoviet Union Commanders Erich von Manstein Friedrich Paulus Erich von Manstein Friedrich Paulus Georgy Zhukov Vasily Chuikov Strength 500,000 Germans1,700,000 Casualties 740,000 killed or wounded 110,000 captured 750,000 + killed, wounded and captured 40,000+ civilian dead

Italy 1943 Britain and U. S. send in 180,000 troops Mussolini is arrested –King Victor Emanuelle new ruler Germans reinforce northern Italy –Free Mussolini 1945 Germans finally pushed out –Mussolini captured, shot and hung in Milan

Japanese Internment in America Executive Order #9066 Japanese sent to relocation camps –2/3 were American citizens Thought they might be spies or help Japan during an invasion

Over 100,000 were “relocated” without cause

442 nd Regiment Many Japanese Americans volunteered for service 1943 allowed to form a regiment Fought in Europe Became the most distinguished regiment, based on size and service, in the history of the army.

Operation Overlord Planned invasion of Europe, specifically France Operation Fortitude –Created fake armies and sent fake signals about possible invasions at Norway and Calais –Keep the Germans guessing about where to protect

Soldiers preparing in Southern England

June 6, 1944 D-Day Attack is at Normandy Rommel is the German in charge of the area –Back in Germany for his wife’s 50 th Birthday

Multiple beach front attack Code named: Juno, Utah, Omaha, Sword, and Gold

3,000 American soldiers die on the first day. (Memorial at Normandy, France)

Why did we do it? Over 1.4 million allied troops arrive in France within a month

On the attack! By August 1944, Paris is liberated By September: –All of France –Netherlands –Belgium

Battle of the Bulge December January 1945 Allies closing in on Germany Germans looking for a one punch knockout Breaks allied line –Ardenne forrest –Creates a “bulge” in allied defense lines Allies hold and then push back Last major offensive by Germany