The War for Europe and North Africa

World War II

US and Britain Join Forces Agree to defeat Hitler

first, then Japan

Battle of the Atlantic Germany tried to prevent

supplies from reaching UK Convoys and sonar help

US ships survive attacks Allies gain control of the

seas

Eastern Front and Mediterranean Battle of Stalingrad

(1941-1943) First turning point in

the war Soviets trap

Germans and cut off supplies

Germany surrenders 1/31/43

Soviets lost 1.1 million defending city

Eastern Front and Mediterranean Operation Torch – November 1942

Allies attempt to take N. Africa Led by Gen. Eisenhower German Gen. Rommel surrendered May 1943 Morale for Allies

Eastern Front and Mediterranean Italian Campaign

“Soft Underbelly” of Europe

Allies capture Sicily Mussolini forced to

resign Allies don’t capture

Italy until 1945

Eastern Front and Mediterranean Decorated Minority Units

Tuskegee Airmen: African Americans Japanese 442nd Combat Team was most decorated

unit in US history

Allies Liberate Europe D-Day: June 6, 1944

Massive invasion of Normandy coast Largest land-sea-air invasion in history German retaliation was brutal

Allies work for 3 months to liberate France August 1944: Paris liberated September 1944: All of France

liberated

Allies Liberate Europe Battle of the Bulge

Hitler tried to cut off Allied supply lines Germans push 60 miles into France Germans forced to retreat, suffer heavy losses

Allies begin discovering concentration camps

Allies Liberate Europe April 12, 1945: FDR dies in GA

Truman becomes President Hitler shot himself to avoid capture VE Day (Victory in Europe): May 8, 1945