1. The Liberation of Europe

2. The Canadians in Sicily and Italy In the summer of 1943, after 3 yrs. of training, Canadians were sent to Sicily In the summer of 1943, after 3 yrs. of training, Canadians were sent to Sicily They were to join Br. troops under General Montgomery. They were to join Br. troops under General Montgomery. The plan was to trap the Italian and Ger. soldiers before they could escape to the mainland. The plan was to trap the Italian and Ger. soldiers before they could escape to the mainland. The next step would be to attack Italy, the weakest of the Axis powers. The next step would be to attack Italy, the weakest of the Axis powers.

3. The Canadians (along with Br. and U.S. forces) landed on the Italian mainland in late 1943.The Canadians (along with Br. and U.S. forces) landed on the Italian mainland in late 1943. The Allies moved towards Rome, but it would be a difficult campaignThe Allies moved towards Rome, but it would be a difficult campaign

4. The Canadians at Ortona The route to Rome was blocked by the Germans at Ortona and Cdn forces were ordered to capture the town. The route to Rome was blocked by the Germans at Ortona and Cdn forces were ordered to capture the town. The Germans had blown up all the bridges in the area and the steep countryside gave them an advantage. The Germans had blown up all the bridges in the area and the steep countryside gave them an advantage. On Dec. 27th the Canadians captured Ortona On Dec. 27th the Canadians captured Ortona Germans Defending a Street German under fire in Ortona

5. The Canadians at Ortona Can. casualties were high – many had to be evacuated because of sickness and battle fatigue. Can. casualties were high – many had to be evacuated because of sickness and battle fatigue. By June 1944. the Allies captured Rome. By June 1944. the Allies captured Rome. Canadians continued fighting until 1945 in Italy, and then were re- united in north-western Europe as the 1st Canadian army. Canadians continued fighting until 1945 in Italy, and then were re- united in north-western Europe as the 1st Canadian army. Canadian Infantry in Ortona

6. Italy surrendered by the end of Sept. (Mussolini was deposed), but the Germans had taken over the country. Mussolini, after being killed he was hung at a gas station along with 15 other leading fascists. People were allowed to desecrate his body in order to take out their frustrations with his rule.

8. D-Day/The Normandy Invasion The “lessons of Dieppe” (?) were taken into account in 1944 - better planning & communications and a unified command were in place The “lessons of Dieppe” (?) were taken into account in 1944 - better planning & communications and a unified command were in place Supreme Allied Supreme Allied Commander = The invasion was preceded by: effective training – attention to detail The invasion was preceded by: effective training – attention to detail - Meteorology/Geology - Meteorology/Geology – Espionage/Disinformation (La Resistance) – Espionage/Disinformation (La Resistance) – Massive naval/aerial prelim. bombardment – Massive naval/aerial prelim. bombardment – Tech. improvements ("Funnies")... – Tech. improvements ("Funnies")...

9. all were taken into acc't in this ambitious plan that sought to open a 2nd front against Ger. in W. Europe and therefore bring WW II to an end. all were taken into acc't in this ambitious plan that sought to open a 2nd front against Ger. in W. Europe and therefore bring WW II to an end. The plan was to invade Normandy w/ an invasion force of 150 000 men, inc. 30 000 Cdns. The plan was to invade Normandy w/ an invasion force of 150 000 men, inc. 30 000 Cdns. The Americans attacked on the w. (Utah and Omaha beaches), w/ the Br. and Cdns. taking the e. (Gold, Sword, and Juno beaches. The Americans attacked on the w. (Utah and Omaha beaches), w/ the Br. and Cdns. taking the e. (Gold, Sword, and Juno beaches. 7000 ships played a role here too, and all the allied air forces participated in this largest invasion in world history. 7000 ships played a role here too, and all the allied air forces participated in this largest invasion in world history.

10. After all the planning, the invasion (Op. Overlord) - surprise intact - took place on June 6, 1944. After all the planning, the invasion (Op. Overlord) - surprise intact - took place on June 6, 1944. There were still sig. probs. - American forces at Omaha beach were hard hit, and Cdn. forces were delayed b/c of high seas and reefs. There were still sig. probs. - American forces at Omaha beach were hard hit, and Cdn. forces were delayed b/c of high seas and reefs. But beach heads were established that first week But beach heads were established that first week by August, Paris would be liberated. by August, Paris would be liberated. Ger. was on the run on 3 fronts now - in France, Italy, and E. Europe... Ger. was on the run on 3 fronts now - in France, Italy, and E. Europe...

11. At this point, the Allies began to plan for the end of the war, scheduling the Yalta Conference for Feb. 1945 At this point, the Allies began to plan for the end of the war, scheduling the Yalta Conference for Feb. 1945 FDR, Churchill, and Stalin planned for postwar Europe, deciding that Ger. would be demilitarized and de-nazified, FDR, Churchill, and Stalin planned for postwar Europe, deciding that Ger. would be demilitarized and de-nazified, as well as divided into 4 occupation zones. zones. The groundwork The groundwork for the United Nations was also set out here.

12. The final events of the war: The final events of the war: Winter 1944-1945 - The Battle of the Bulge – it was Hitler's last counteroffensive, intended to stop the W. Allies from crossing the Rhine River into Ger. Winter 1944-1945 - The Battle of the Bulge – it was Hitler's last counteroffensive, intended to stop the W. Allies from crossing the Rhine River into Ger. it delayed them until March, but the result was inevitable by this time... it delayed them until March, but the result was inevitable by this time... Soviet forces were in Berlin by April, and on April 30, Hitler committed suicide in his bunker. Soviet forces were in Berlin by April, and on April 30, Hitler committed suicide in his bunker. Command of the 3rd Reich passed to Adm. Doenitz, who surrendered on May 8,1945 Command of the 3rd Reich passed to Adm. Doenitz, who surrendered on May 8,1945 (V-E Day) Cdn. troops during this period were charged w/ the job of liberating the Netherlands, under the command of Gen. Harry Crerar. (Battle of the Scheldt, Antwerp) Cdn. troops during this period were charged w/ the job of liberating the Netherlands, under the command of Gen. Harry Crerar. (Battle of the Scheldt, Antwerp)

13. The Atomic Bomb and Victory in the Pacific kamikaze kamikaze Manhattan Project Manhattan Project August 6,1945 August 6,1945 Enola Gay Enola Gay "Little Boy” "Little Boy” VJ Day VJ Day