1. GERMANY’S COLLAPSE
Hitler’s Last Stand

2. World War II <------------------------------------------------->
Battle of
Stalingrad
&
Operation Torch
Battle of
Britain
Poland
Invasion
Pearl
Harbor
D-Day
< >
Invasion
Soviet
Union
France
Falls
Battle of
Midway
Germany
Surrenders

3. How would Hitler respond?
D-Day--June 6th 1944—
How would Hitler respond?
After D-Day
Germans initially retreats
Prepares for next battle

4. “This battle is to decide whether we shall live or die” Adolf Hitler
December 1944

5. Battle of the Bulge After D-day defeat, Germany launches counterattack
When: Dec 1944 – Jan 1945
Goal: defeat allies & push for a favorable peace treaty
Short term victory for Germany:
Surprise & poor weather were key factors
Allies initially retreat

6. Battle of the Bulge
Hitler’s Last Stand
600,000 Troops!

7. German Soldiers during the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes

8. 81,000 US deaths Over 500,000 Americans Fight
Largest land battle for the USA during WWII
81,000 US deaths
Germany retreats & Allies rush to Berlin

9. Battle of the Bulge

10. Bombing of Dresden 35,000-100,000 killed Was this necessary?
Feb British & American Bombers completely destroy German city
35, ,000 killed
Was this necessary?

11. Dresden is still controversial today! Did the Allies go too far?

12. Race to Berlin (April 1945) By April Allies race towards Berlin
Soviets approach from East
6 million troops
U.S. troops approach from West
3 million troops
Berlin

13. U.S. in Transition Franklin D. Roosevelt Dies (April 12th 1945)
Harry Truman becomes President

14. Hitler’s Death May 1st, 1945 Hitler commits suicide
“I myself and my wife choose to die in order to escape the
disgrace… of capitulation…..”I die with a happy heart”
May 7th -Germany signs unconditional surrender