Chapter 37Chapter 37

Fighting of WWIIFighting of WWII

War Begins in Europe - War Begins in Europe - ReviewReview

• War Begins with the signing of the War Begins with the signing of the Nazi-Soviet Non Aggression Pact Nazi-Soviet Non Aggression Pact (difference between public and (difference between public and private terms of the agreement)private terms of the agreement)

• Germany invades Poland – Germany invades Poland – September 1939 (France and Britain September 1939 (France and Britain declare war on Germany declare war on Germany immediately)immediately)

Hitler’s Lightning WarHitler’s Lightning War

• Hitler introduced the Hitler introduced the “Blitzkrieg” – or “Blitzkrieg” – or ‘Lightning War’ – as ‘Lightning War’ – as his principle his principle strategystrategy

• Took the enemy by Took the enemy by surprise using fast surprise using fast moving tanks and moving tanks and airplanes – followed airplanes – followed by infantry soldiersby infantry soldiers

Stalin Moves the SovietsStalin Moves the Soviets

• Soviet Union annexed Estonia, Soviet Union annexed Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania without a fightLatvia, and Lithuania without a fight

• Forced to fight fiercely against Forced to fight fiercely against Finland in brutal 1939-40 winterFinland in brutal 1939-40 winter

• Soviets eventually successfulSoviets eventually successful

Hitler Attacks Western Hitler Attacks Western EuropeEurope• April 1940 – Hitler invaded April 1940 – Hitler invaded

Denmark and Norway (he Denmark and Norway (he wanted coastline areas to wanted coastline areas to launch future attacks on launch future attacks on Britain)Britain)

• May 1940 – Hitler attacks May 1940 – Hitler attacks Holland, Belgium, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Luxembourg, and eventually Franceeventually France

• France fell in June 1940France fell in June 1940

• French Gen. Charles de French Gen. Charles de Gaulle fled to London and Gaulle fled to London and set up a government-in-set up a government-in-exileexile

Hitler and his generals in Paris after the city fell to the Nazis – June 1940

Hitler Attacks BritainHitler Attacks Britain

• P.M. Winston Churchill P.M. Winston Churchill declared that England declared that England would “never surrender”would “never surrender”

• Battle of Britain: Aerial Battle of Britain: Aerial Battle between the Battle between the German Luftwaffe & the German Luftwaffe & the British Royal Air Force British Royal Air Force (RAF)(RAF)

• Germany’s effort began Germany’s effort began with bombing with bombing campaigns – first campaigns – first airfields & factories, airfields & factories, then civilian sections of then civilian sections of citiescities

• Britain had radar and a Britain had radar and a code-making machine code-making machine called the Enigmacalled the Enigma

• The Battle of Britain The Battle of Britain continued to June 1941 continued to June 1941 – until Hitler decided to – until Hitler decided to put resources elsewhereput resources elsewhere

The Battle of BritainThe Battle of Britain

The Eastern Front and The Eastern Front and MediterraneanMediterranean

• Italy and Germany Italy and Germany wanted to access the wanted to access the British-controlled Suez British-controlled Suez Canal (why?)Canal (why?)

• Italians first tried – Italians first tried – Brits pushed them Brits pushed them backback

• Hitler sent Gen. Erwin Hitler sent Gen. Erwin Rommel (the Desert Rommel (the Desert Fox) with his new tank Fox) with his new tank unit – The Afrika Korpsunit – The Afrika Korps

WWII in the BalkansWWII in the Balkans

• Hitler wanted Balkan Hitler wanted Balkan nations – they would nations – they would make a Soviet Union make a Soviet Union invasion easierinvasion easier

• Bulgaria, Romania, Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary joined and Hungary joined the Axisthe Axis

• Germany defeated Germany defeated Yugoslavia and Yugoslavia and Greece in daysGreece in days

Hitler invades the Soviet Hitler invades the Soviet UnionUnion• ““Operation Barbarossa”Operation Barbarossa”• June 22, 1941 – June 22, 1941 –

Germany invades the Germany invades the Soviet UnionSoviet Union

• 5 million-man Red Army 5 million-man Red Army not equipped nor not equipped nor prepared for Hitler’s prepared for Hitler’s smaller (3 million), more smaller (3 million), more mobile troops (tanks)mobile troops (tanks)

• Germans moved 500 Germans moved 500 miles into Russia – the miles into Russia – the Reds simply retreated Reds simply retreated and burnedand burned

Problems for Germany in the Problems for Germany in the invasion of Russiainvasion of Russia• Blitzkrieg effective – but fighting soon Blitzkrieg effective – but fighting soon

broke down in citiesbroke down in cities• Size of Soviet Union (easy to invade – but Size of Soviet Union (easy to invade – but

how do you hold it?)how do you hold it?)• Germans outran their supply linesGermans outran their supply lines• Germans unprepared for winterGermans unprepared for winter• Russians started getting help from U.S. Russians started getting help from U.S.

Lend Lease ActLend Lease Act• Russia felt “united” after German Russia felt “united” after German

“betrayal” – The Great Patriotic War“betrayal” – The Great Patriotic War

Battle of LeningradBattle of Leningrad

• Sept. 1941 – Germans Sept. 1941 – Germans surround Leningrad, surround Leningrad, isolating itisolating it

• Hitler wanted to Hitler wanted to “starve” the people “starve” the people (cut off supplies, (cut off supplies, bombed food bombed food warehouses)warehouses)

• 1 million die – but city 1 million die – but city doesn’t surrenderdoesn’t surrender

Attack on MoscowAttack on Moscow• Discouraged by Discouraged by

Leningrad, Hitler Leningrad, Hitler decides to attack decides to attack Moscow – Oct. 1941Moscow – Oct. 1941

• Soviet Gen. Georgi Soviet Gen. Georgi Zhukov had fresh Zhukov had fresh troops and an early troops and an early winterwinter

• Germans froze in their Germans froze in their summer uniforms – summer uniforms – Hitler gave the order Hitler gave the order to never surrenderto never surrender

• Stalemate ensued Stalemate ensued west of Moscow – not west of Moscow – not until 1943 do the until 1943 do the Russians start to push Russians start to push backback

Axis Powers in 1942Axis Powers in 1942

Pearl Harbor from the Cockpit of a Japanese Pilot

Pearl Harbor from the Cockpit of a Japanese Pilot

Pearl Harbor - Dec. 7, 1941Pearl Harbor - Dec. 7, 1941

A date which will live in infamy!

President Roosevelt Signs the US Declaration of WarPresident Roosevelt Signs the US Declaration of War

Farthest Extent of Japanese Conquests

Farthest Extent of Japanese Conquests

Axis Powers in 1942Axis Powers in 1942

The Allied War StrategyThe Allied War Strategy

• Open up a multi-Open up a multi-front war on Hitlerfront war on Hitler

• N. Africa & Italy in N. Africa & Italy in the South; Russia the South; Russia attacks from the attacks from the East; U.S. and East; U.S. and Britain from the Britain from the WestWest

Phase #1: The War in AfricaPhase #1: The War in Africa• Germans under Gen. Germans under Gen.

Erwin Rommel Erwin Rommel advanced to within advanced to within miles of the Suez Canal miles of the Suez Canal (middle eastern oil) at (middle eastern oil) at the city of the city of El AlameinEl Alamein

• British Gen. Bernard British Gen. Bernard Montgomery attacked Montgomery attacked and pushed Rommel and pushed Rommel backback

• Fresh American troops Fresh American troops led by Gen. Dwight led by Gen. Dwight Eisenhower push Eisenhower push Rommel from the westRommel from the west

• Rommel’s Afrika Korps Rommel’s Afrika Korps forced out and retreats forced out and retreats in May 1943in May 1943

The Battle for Sicily: June, 1943

The Battle for Sicily: June, 1943

General General George S. PattonGeorge S. Patton

The Italian Campaign [“Operation Torch”] :

Europe’s “Soft Underbelly”

The Italian Campaign [“Operation Torch”] :

Europe’s “Soft Underbelly” Allies plan Allies plan

assault on assault on weakest Axis weakest Axis area - North area - North Africa - Nov. Africa - Nov. 1942-May 1942-May 19431943

George S. George S. Patton leads Patton leads American American troopstroops

Germans Germans trapped in trapped in Tunisia - Tunisia - surrender surrender over 275,000 over 275,000 troops.troops.

Mussolini & His Mistress,

Claretta Petacci

Are Hung in Milan, 1945

Mussolini & His Mistress,

Claretta Petacci

Are Hung in Milan, 1945

Operation Barbarossa:Hitler’s Biggest MistakeOperation Barbarossa:

Hitler’s Biggest Mistake

Phase #2 – The War in the Phase #2 – The War in the EastEast

• Germans had attacked Russia, but Germans had attacked Russia, but their advancements had stalled at their advancements had stalled at Leningrad and Moscow by late 1941Leningrad and Moscow by late 1941

• Hitler ordered attack on Stalingrad in Hitler ordered attack on Stalingrad in August 1942August 1942– Began with blistering bombing raidsBegan with blistering bombing raids– Soviet Union had huge numbers of Soviet Union had huge numbers of

troops – but many were poorly equippedtroops – but many were poorly equipped

Battle of StalingradBattle of Stalingrad• Very Important City for Very Important City for

the Germans and the Germans and RussiansRussians– Near the oil fields of Near the oil fields of

the Caucasus Mts.the Caucasus Mts.– Major industrial cityMajor industrial city– Named after StalinNamed after Stalin– Hitler began with Hitler began with

constant bombing constant bombing raidsraids

– Stalin ordered “not Stalin ordered “not one step backward”one step backward”

– Germans caught Germans caught inside city during inside city during winter of 1942-43winter of 1942-43

– Hitler orders “no Hitler orders “no retreat”retreat”

More with StalingradMore with Stalingrad

• Germans were caught inside Stalingrad – Germans were caught inside Stalingrad – which was 99% destroyed at this pointwhich was 99% destroyed at this point

• Through winter 42-43, only 90,000 Through winter 42-43, only 90,000 German troops are left (of original German troops are left (of original 300,000) – most are starving and frost-bit300,000) – most are starving and frost-bit

• Soviets lose over a million men – plus Soviets lose over a million men – plus hundreds of thousands of civilianshundreds of thousands of civilians

• BUT… The Soviets are now on the BUT… The Soviets are now on the offensive against the Germansoffensive against the Germans

Battle of Stalingrad:Winter of 1942-1943

Battle of Stalingrad:Winter of 1942-1943

German ArmyGerman Army Russian ArmyRussian Army1,011,500 men1,011,500 men 1,000,500 men1,000,500 men

10,290 artillery 10,290 artillery gunsguns

13,541 artillery 13,541 artillery gunsguns

675 tanks675 tanks 894 tanks894 tanks

1,216 planes1,216 planes 1,115 planes1,115 planes

Europe at the time of the D-Europe at the time of the D-Day invasion – June 6, 1944Day invasion – June 6, 1944

Gen. Eisenhower Gives the Orders for D-Day [“Operation

Overlord”]

Gen. Eisenhower Gives the Orders for D-Day [“Operation

Overlord”]

D-Day (June 6, 1944)D-Day (June 6, 1944)

Normandy Landing

(June 6, 1944)

Normandy Landing

(June 6, 1944)

Higgins Landing Higgins Landing CraftsCrafts

German German PrisonersPrisoners

July 20, 1944 Assassination Plot

July 20, 1944 Assassination Plot

Major Claus Major Claus vonvon

StauffenbergStauffenberg

July 20, 1944 Assassination Plot

July 20, 1944 Assassination Plot

  

1. Adolf Hitler 2. Field Marshall Wilhelm Keitel 3. Gen Alfred von Jodl 4. Gen Walter Warlimont 5. Franz von Sonnleithner 6. Maj Herbert Buchs 7. Stenographer Heinz Buchholz 8. Lt Gen Hermann Fegelein 9. Col Nikolaus von Below10. Rear Adm Hans-Erich Voss11. Otto Gunsche, Hitler's adjutant12. Gen Walter Scherff (injured)13. Gen Ernst John von Freyend14. Capt Heinz Assman (injured)

US & Russian Soldiers Meet at the Elbe River:

April 25, 1945

US & Russian Soldiers Meet at the Elbe River:

April 25, 1945

Hitler Commits Suicide April 30, 1945

Hitler Commits Suicide April 30, 1945

The FThe Füührer’s hrer’s BunkerBunker

Cyanide & PistolsCyanide & Pistols

Mr. & Mrs. HitlerMr. & Mrs. Hitler

Asia for Asians!Asia for Asians!

Allied Counter-Offensive:“Island-Hopping”

Allied Counter-Offensive:“Island-Hopping”

Battle of Midway Island:June 4-6, 1942

Battle of Midway Island:June 4-6, 1942

Battle of Midway Island:June 4-6, 1942

Battle of Midway Island:June 4-6, 1942

Japanese Kamikaze Planes:

The Scourge of the South Pacific

Japanese Kamikaze Planes:

The Scourge of the South Pacific

Kamikaze Kamikaze PilotsPilots

Suicide Suicide BombersBombers

Gen. MacArthur “Returns” to the

Philippines! [1944]

Gen. MacArthur “Returns” to the

Philippines! [1944]

US Marines on Mt. Surbachi,

Iwo Jima [Feb. 19, 1945]

US Marines on Mt. Surbachi,

Iwo Jima [Feb. 19, 1945]• Iwo Jima and Iwo Jima and

Okinawa – Okinawa – – Final battles for US Final battles for US

in the Pacificin the Pacific– Japanese defend Japanese defend

islands to the deathislands to the death

Yalta: February, 1945Yalta: February, 1945 Allied conference to discuss post-war Allied conference to discuss post-war

worldworld FDR wants quick Soviet entry into FDR wants quick Soviet entry into

Pacific war.Pacific war. FDR & Churchill concede Stalin needs FDR & Churchill concede Stalin needs

buffer, FDR & Stalin want spheres of buffer, FDR & Stalin want spheres of influence and a weak Germany.influence and a weak Germany.

Churchill wants Churchill wants strong Germany strong Germany as buffer as bufferagainst Stalin.against Stalin.

FDR argues FDR argues for a ‘United for a ‘United Nations’.Nations’.

Potsdam Conference:July, 1945

Potsdam Conference:July, 1945

FDR dead, Churchill out of office as FDR dead, Churchill out of office as Prime Minister during conference.Prime Minister during conference.

Stalin only original.Stalin only original. The United States The United States

has the A-bomb. has the A-bomb. Allies agree Germany Allies agree Germany

is to be divided into is to be divided into occupation zones occupation zones

Poland moved Poland moved around to suit around to suit the Soviets. the Soviets.

P.M. Clement President P.M. Clement President JosephJoseph Atlee Truman Stalin Atlee Truman Stalin

Tinian Island, 1945Tinian Island, 1945

Little Boy Fat ManLittle Boy Fat Man

Enola GayEnola Gay CrewCrew

Hiroshima – August 6, 1945

Hiroshima – August 6, 1945© 70,000 killed 70,000 killed

immediately.immediately.© 48,000 buildings. 48,000 buildings.

destroyed.destroyed.© 100,000s died of 100,000s died of

radiation radiation poisoning & poisoning & cancer later.cancer later.

Nagasaki – August 9, 1945

Nagasaki – August 9, 1945

© 40,000 killed 40,000 killed immediately.immediately.

© 60,000 injured.60,000 injured.© 100,000s died of100,000s died of

radiation radiation poisoningpoisoning& cancer later.& cancer later.

Post-War MiseryPost-War Misery

• Cities across Europe Cities across Europe and Asia were in ruins and Asia were in ruins – some completely – some completely destroyed (Berlin, destroyed (Berlin, Dresden, Warsaw, Dresden, Warsaw, London, Leningrad, London, Leningrad, Stalingrad, Tokyo, Stalingrad, Tokyo, Hiroshima, Nagasaki)Hiroshima, Nagasaki)

• WWII was another WWII was another TOTAL WAR – Civilians TOTAL WAR – Civilians are seen as legitimate are seen as legitimate targetstargets

WWII – “Total War”WWII – “Total War”

• Industrialized nature of 20Industrialized nature of 20thth century wars century wars• Factories, infrastructure, and people were Factories, infrastructure, and people were

deemed legitimate military targetsdeemed legitimate military targets• Examples:Examples:

– Bombing of London and other English citiesBombing of London and other English cities– Destruction of Jewish ghettos / HolocaustDestruction of Jewish ghettos / Holocaust– Internment and labor camps (Germany & U.S)Internment and labor camps (Germany & U.S)– Bombing of Japanese citiesBombing of Japanese cities

Dresden, Germany after the Dresden, Germany after the firebombingfirebombing

Japanese A-Bomb Survivors

Japanese A-Bomb Survivors

Hiroshima MemorialsHiroshima Memorials

V-J Day (September 2, 1945)

V-J Day (September 2, 1945)

V-J Day in Times Square, NYC

V-J Day in Times Square, NYC

WW II Casualties: Europe

WW II Casualties: Europe

Each symbol indicates 100,000

dead in the appropriate theater

of operations

WW II Casualties: AsiaWW II Casualties: Asia

Each symbol indicates 100,000

dead in the appropriate theater

of operations

Post-War JapanPost-War Japan

• U.S. undertook U.S. undertook complete occupation complete occupation of Japanof Japan

• U.S. then U.S. then “demilitarized” Japan “demilitarized” Japan – took away their – took away their armed forcesarmed forces

• Executed war Executed war leadersleaders

• U.S. then wrote U.S. then wrote Japan’s new Japan’s new constitutionconstitution

The U.S. & the U.S.S.R. Emerged as the Two

Superpowers of the later 20c

The U.S. & the U.S.S.R. Emerged as the Two

Superpowers of the later 20c

7 Future American Presidents Served in World War II

7 Future American Presidents Served in World War II

U.S. involvement – The Early U.S. involvement – The Early YearsYears

• Be able to answer:Be able to answer:– Why did the U.S. pass a series of Why did the U.S. pass a series of

Neutrality Acts between 1935 and 1937?Neutrality Acts between 1935 and 1937?– Why did FDR ultimately let the Allies buy Why did FDR ultimately let the Allies buy

materials from the U.S.? Why did he say materials from the U.S.? Why did he say they must pay for the supplies in cash they must pay for the supplies in cash and carry them on their own ships?and carry them on their own ships?

– What was the Lend Lease Act?What was the Lend Lease Act?– What was the Atlantic Charter?What was the Atlantic Charter?