WWII Battles (continued) Italian campaign and D-Day.

WWII Battles (continued)WWII Battles (continued)

Italian campaign and D-DayItalian campaign and D-Day

WWII BattlesWWII Battles

7. 7. Italian CampaignItalian Campaign

a. Rommel defeated in Africa by a. Rommel defeated in Africa by 19431943

b. The next step would be two b. The next step would be two fold: An invasion of fold: An invasion of ItalyItaly, and an , and an invasion of invasion of Northern EuropeNorthern Europe

1. Stalin pushed for help.1. Stalin pushed for help.

2. Heavy casualties for 2. Heavy casualties for the the Russians on the Eastern Russians on the Eastern frontfront


c. c. Italian CampaignItalian Campaign1. Invasion of Sicily1. Invasion of Sicily

a. Two weeks of heavy a. Two weeks of heavy fightingfighting

2. 2. General George S. PattonGeneral George S. Pattona. Lead US general in a. Lead US general in

Italy Italy and tank corps and tank corps commandercommander

3. Tuskegee Airmen3. Tuskegee Airmena. Segregated African-a. Segregated African-

American pilots, participating American pilots, participating in in battle for the first time in battle for the first time in Italy!Italy!


4. 4. Italy surrendersItaly surrenders

a. Italian government a. Italian government rejects Mussolini’s rejects Mussolini’s leadership.leadership.

b. Italy surrenders Sept. b. Italy surrenders Sept. 3, 1943 and joins the 3, 1943 and joins the allies.allies.


8. 8. D-Day: Operation OverlordD-Day: Operation Overlorda. It was decided a quick knock-out a. It was decided a quick knock-out blow must be delivered to Germanyblow must be delivered to Germany

New German weapons?New German weapons?

1. V-2 Rocket1. V-2 Rocket

2. Atomic Bomb?2. Atomic Bomb?

b. b. AmphibiousAmphibious invasion from England invasion from England

1. Landing troops onto land 1. Landing troops onto land from from naval shipsnaval ships


c. “c. “Atlantic Wall”Atlantic Wall”

1. A series of underground German 1. A series of underground German bunkers, artillery fortifications, and bunkers, artillery fortifications, and rocket sites stretching from Norway rocket sites stretching from Norway to the coast of Spain.to the coast of Spain.

2. 2. Allied TargetAllied Target: Normandy, France: Normandy, France

3. Fake landing at Calais 3. Fake landing at Calais

a. Hitler believed it… did not a. Hitler believed it… did not reinforce Normandy!reinforce Normandy!


d. d. June 6, 1944June 6, 1944

1. 3.5 million total soldiers1. 3.5 million total soldiers

2. 2. Allied CommandersAllied Commanders::

Omar Bradley (US)Omar Bradley (US)

Bernard Montgomery (UK)Bernard Montgomery (UK)

3. Naval shelling, airborne attack, 3. Naval shelling, airborne attack, amphibious attack, and bombing amphibious attack, and bombing raids all used to secure the beaches.raids all used to secure the beaches.

4. 4. BreakoutBreakout occurred in a few short occurred in a few short weeks, pushing through to Paris.weeks, pushing through to Paris.


5. Massive casualties for US 5. Massive casualties for US troops.troops.

6. Overall, an amazing 6. Overall, an amazing success!success!


e. e. Battle of the BulgeBattle of the Bulge

1. Last gasp by German army 1. Last gasp by German army to try to win the war.to try to win the war.

2. Initially, Germans take 2. Initially, Germans take control in the battle, looking like control in the battle, looking like they will repel the D-Day they will repel the D-Day

advance.advance.

3. 3. Battle of BastogneBattle of Bastogne

a. Patton- Tank corps a. Patton- Tank corps blunts blunts the German attack the German attack setting up setting up an allied victory!an allied victory!

Last War Years Last War Years

f. 3 monthsf. 3 months

1. 3.5 million men landed on the 1. 3.5 million men landed on the coast of Francecoast of France

2. Pushed through the German 2. Pushed through the German lineslines

3. Moved through to liberate Paris3. Moved through to liberate Paris

4. By April 1945 it was a race to 4. By April 1945 it was a race to Berlin with the Russians.Berlin with the Russians.

g. g. May 7, 1945-May 7, 1945- European Theater European Theater fighting is overfighting is over

WWII Battles (continued) Italian campaign and D-Day.

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