War in Europe Con’t Goal 10

D-Day  After the Allied forces had great success in N. Africa and Italy.  The Allies now planed to invade deeper into Europe and head to Germany.  The Allies nicknamed the invasion Operation Overlord. He selected General Dwight D. Eisenhower as the commander of Allied Forces in Europe.

D-Day  The Allied Forces had decided to launch an amphibious assault on the German from France.  Hitler knew that the allies would invade from France so he fortified the coast. He just did not know where they would land. The Allies had the element of surprise.  The Axis powers felt the Allies would land in Calais, a area of land closest to Britain. The Allies convinced the Germans of this by placing fake items there.

D-Day  The real target was Normandy.  By 1944 the invasion was ready. They Allies had over 1.5 million soldiers, 12,000 airplanes, and more than 5 million tons of equipment. The invasion had to begin at night so that the ships could be hid by the cover of darkness on the English Channel. They also had to have a low tide at dawn so that the gunners could see their targets.  They also needed a clear moonlit night so that the paratroopers could be dropped behind enemy lines and see where to land. The weather had to be clear and calm.  Eisenhower gave the order to go on June 6, 1944.

D-Day  Nearly 7,000 ships carrying more than 100,000 soldiers set sail for Normandy. 23,000 paratroopers were dropped behind enemy lines. At dawn the firestorm began.  Utah Beach – landing here went well. The Allies took the beach in less than 3 hours and suffered 200 casualties.

D-Day  Omaha Beach – Allies came under heavy fire. The Allies thought about evacuating Omaha Beach. Slowly, the Allies started to gain land over the German forces. 2,500 Americans were killed or wounded at Omaha Beach. The invasion into Normandy was successful.

The End is Near  The Allies pushed closer to Germany. Hitler decided to stage one last offensive. His goal was to cut off the supply lines in Belgium. The attack began on Dec. 16, inches of snow covered the ground and it was cold. Germans caught the Americans by surprise. The Americans were asked to surrender and they replied with one word – “Nuts!”

The End is Near  General Patton arrived and helped the Allied troops when they needed him the most. On Christmas Eve the German troops were forced to halt. They were out of food and fuel. The fighting continued for three weeks and they won. German suffered more than 100,000 casualties.

V-E Day  Russia did their part and forced the Germans back into Poland. The Soviets and Americans squeezed the Germans back into her boarders.  Hitler dies and on May 7, 1945 German surrenders unconditionally.  May 8, 1945 was declared V-E Day Victory in Europe Day.

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