AMERICA TURNS THE TIDE THE UNITED STATES IN WORLD WAR II

USA Decision- Where do we Go?

USA in Africa Objectives Terms Which Axis power was chosen by the Allies to attack first and where? “Operation Torch” Dwight D. Eisenhower

Where is the weakest part of a turtle?

THE WAR FOR EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA They decided to focus on defeating Hitler first and then turn their attention to Japan – Europe was viewed like a Turtle – Soft spot is the underneath – Africa is 1 st target After Pearl Harbor – British Prime Minister Winston Churchill spent three weeks working out war plans with FDR

THE NORTH AFRICAN FRONT “Operation Torch” – an invasion of Axis - controlled North Africa – Headed by American General Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1942 British lead by General Montgomery “They sped eastward chasing the Africa Korps led by German General Edwin Rommel

ITALIAN CAMPAIGN – ANOTHER ALLIED VICTORY Mussolini (Italian Ruler)is arrested and killed Hitler’s forces turn on the Italians The Italian Campaign got off to a good start Allies easily took Sicily USA Invaded main land

USA in Africa Objectives Terms Which Axis power was chosen by the Allies to attack first and where? Italy and Germany North Africa “Operation Torch” Invasion of North Africa Dwight D. Eisenhower Head of the US military forces

D-Day Objectives Terms Where was the location of the D-Day landings and what major countries were involved? What role did Paratroopers have in the D-Day landings? “Operation Overlord”/D-Day Hitler’s Atlantic Wall

ALLIES LIBERATE EUROPE Also called “D-Day,” 3 million U.S. & British troops and was set for June 6, 1944 Allies sent fake coded messages indicating they would attack here “Operation Overlord” Commander was American General Dwight D. Eisenhower

D – Day  60 mile stretch of beach  156,000 troops  4,000 landing craft  600 warships  11,000 planes  Largest land-sea-air operation in history Normandy Invasion cont.

Three Main Countries USA CANADA GREAT BRITIAN

Hitler’s Atlantic Wall Germany’s attempt to protect France Hedge hogs Teller Mines Barb Wire Concrete Bunkers D-Day

D-DAY JUNE 6, 1944 Within a month, the Allies had landed 1 million troops 170,000 vehicles D-Day was an amphibious landing – soldiers going from sea to land Despite air support, German retaliation was brutal – especially at Omaha Beach

OMAHA BEACH 6/6/44

Planes drop paratroopers behind enemy lines at Normandy, France Paratroopers Paratrooper Airborne Infantry Goal Get behind enemy lines Cut off supplies Stop reinforcements D- Day Jump

D-Day Objectives Terms Where was the location of the D-Day landings and what major countries were involved? Normandy USA, Great Britain, Canada What role did Paratroopers have in the D-Day landings? Get behind enemy lines Cut off supplies Stop reinforcements “Operation Overlord”/D- Day Invasion of France Hitler’s Atlantic Wall Nickname German fortifications on the French coast

Battle for Germany Objectives Terms Why was the Allies not ready for the German counter attack during the Battle of the Bulge? What was the American out look of the war after the Battle of the Bulge? Battle of the Bulge

BATTLE OF THE BULGE In October 1944, Americans captured their first German town Battle of the Bulge Hitler responded with one last ditch massive offensive

BATTLE OF THE BULGE The weather gave the Germans cover from allied planes The battle raged for a month – German initial success The Battle of the Bulge was Germany’s last gasp USA Not Ready Hitler attacked in the winter.

Bastogne Small town in the middle of the Battle of the Bulge "road octopus“ USA occupied it- NUTS! Almighty and most merciful Father, we humbly beseech Thee…Grant us fair weather for Battle…and crush the oppression and wickedness of our enemies and establish Thy justice among men and nations. Patton’s Weather Prayer

ALLIES TAKE BERLIN ; HITLER COMMITS SUICIDE End of Hitler By April 25, 1945, the Soviet army had stormed Berlin Last Days On April 29, he married his longtime girlfriend Eva Braun The next day he gave poison to his wife and shot himself(and dog) After Germany lost Battle Nazi leaders realized the war was over

Battle for Germany Objectives Terms Why was the Allies not ready for the German counter attack during the Battle of the Bulge? Germans attacked in the winter. Weather protected Germans from Allied Air force What was the American out look of the war after the Battle of the Bulge? Germans could not win war It was only a matter of time Battle of the Bulge Hitler responded with one last ditch massive offensive

Famous picture of an American soldier celebrating the end of the war