1. The War In Europe & North Africa
Chapter 24
Section 1
The U.S. in World War II
Riddlebarger

2. objectives
How and why did the Allies fight the Battle of the Atlantic?
What were the key events of the war in the Soviet Union?
What did American forces accomplish in North Africa and Italy?

3. The Battle of the Atlantic
For the U.S. & the Allies, defeating the Axis Powers depends largely on control of the seas.
Only way for US to get soldiers & supplies to Europe
Germans Navy mainly relies on u-boats (subs) to harass Allied shipping.

4. U-Boat Attacks
In World War I, Allies learned to protect ships with convoys
Early in World War II, US & British don’t have enough ships to form effective convoys.
German wolfpack tactics increase effectiveness of attacks.
Hunt in groups & attack at night.

5. Allies fight back After US declares war, attacks increase.
American shipyards begin producing at an amazing rate.
Now form bigger, more effective convoys.
Enigma
By wars end, 70% of Germans who served on subs are dead.
The Atlantic Ocean will belong to the Allies.

6. USSR= Soviet Union = Russia

7. "You only have to kick in the door and the whole rotten structure will come crashing down." - Hitler, on invading the Soviet Union

8. War in the Soviet Union
In the summer of 1941, Hitler broke his non- aggression pact with Stalin.
Once he sends his forces into the Soviet Union, the Soviets join the Allies.

9. Operation Barbarossa
For the next several months, Germans storm into Soviet Union
Soviets seem unable to stop blitzkrieg
While close to collapse, they do not fall
Russian winter helps to save them.
germanhistorydocs.ghi-dc.org

10. Siege of Leningrad Germans hold a huge portion of Soviet Union
Lay siege to Leningrad (St. Petersburg)
900 day siege costs over 600,000 Soviet civilian casualties

11. Battle of Stalingrad
Stalingrad is major target for Germans- large industrial center
Some of the bloodiest fighting in the history of warfare here.
Germans fail to take city -Stunning defeat marks begin of end for Germans in USSR
Germans lose 2 million; Soviets 12 million; millions of civilian deaths.

12. German Failure Soviets were successful because:
Winter set in
Vast distance to cover
Supply lines become too stretched
Soviets ultimately faced the brunt of German aggression
Loss of 27 million lives

13. American Forces in North Africa & Italy
After fall of France in 1940, British & Italians begin battle for North Africa
Vital region for Allies- to control shipping of oil in Mediterranean Sea
Suez Canal
Italians based out of Libya; British out of Egypt
Italians beaten badly forcing Hitler to send in troops to region.
British win major victory at El-Alamein despite brilliance of German Gen. Erwin Rommel (the Desert Fox)

14. Operation Torch FDR anxious for U.S. to make quick impact.
Stalin wanted an invasion of Europe to divide German attention
Allies decide to go to North Africa

15. Operation Torch Landing
Dwight D. Eisenhower is US commander
Allies meet little resistance in 6 months of fighting.
US gains valuable experience
Now Allies will cross Mediterranean and go into Italy

16. On To Italy 1st: invasion of Sicily FDR & Churchill warning
Italians turn on Mussolini and force him from power
Battle of Anzio leads to Allied breakthrough.
30,000 casualties
Allied foothold in Europe
Fighting in Italy lasts over a year with 300,000 casualties.

17. The Battle of the Bulge

18. Battle of the Bulge After D-Day, Allies move eastward in fall of 1944.
Germans fight well in places but appear near collapse
In December, Germans launch a surprise attack.
Battle of the Bulge- refers to bulge in Allied lines.

19. Allied Victory
For several days, Allied gains are threatened by German advances.
U.S. troops led by George S. Patton turn a key battle in Allied favor.
Symbol of American strength & determination.