The Allies Fight BackThe Allies Fight Back
1942-19441942-1944
Choosing a FrontChoosing a Front FrontFront = the line between two = the line between two
battling armiesbattling armies 3 main fronts existed 3 main fronts existed
(a.k.a Theaters)(a.k.a Theaters) Europe – GermanyEurope – Germany Africa – Italy/GermanyAfrica – Italy/Germany Asia (Pacific) – JapanAsia (Pacific) – Japan FDR, Churchill, Stalin decided FDR, Churchill, Stalin decided
Germany was #1Germany was #1 Stalin wanted GB/US Stalin wanted GB/US
to invade right awayto invade right away GB/US: “no invasion until GB/US: “no invasion until
1944”1944”
AfricaAfrica Italy tried to rebuild Roman Italy tried to rebuild Roman
EmpireEmpire Britain landed in Britain landed in
N. Africa in 1941N. Africa in 1941 GB used Medit. For trading GB used Medit. For trading
with Middle East with Middle East Italy Needed Germany’s helpItaly Needed Germany’s help Allies wanted control of Allies wanted control of
Mediterranean Sea to invade ItalyMediterranean Sea to invade Italy Clear Germany/Italy out of Clear Germany/Italy out of
Africa first (enemy behind you?)Africa first (enemy behind you?) Allies/Axis battled back and forthAllies/Axis battled back and forth Finally Allies gained control of AfricaFinally Allies gained control of Africa
EuropeEurope Allies were not ready to invade Allies were not ready to invade Western EuropeWestern Europe
Needed time to build up their Needed time to build up their own forcesown forces
Also Wanted to soften up Also Wanted to soften up German defensesGerman defenses
bombed cities, factories, and bombed cities, factories, and defenses almost daily/nightlydefenses almost daily/nightly
Allied forces did invade Italy in Allied forces did invade Italy in 19431943
Mussolini removed from power Mussolini removed from power by Italian governmentby Italian government
Italians fought on both sides for Italians fought on both sides for the rest of warthe rest of war
Asia (Pacific)Asia (Pacific) Largely America vs. JapanLargely America vs. Japan Japan dominated the battles Japan dominated the battles
early onearly on Battle for Midway Island was the Battle for Midway Island was the
turning point turning point (1942)(1942)
Japan lost three aircraft Japan lost three aircraft carriers (5min) - four totalcarriers (5min) - four total
From that point on…..From that point on….. Japan was mostly defensiveJapan was mostly defensive U.S. “island-hopped” closer U.S. “island-hopped” closer
and closer to mainland Japanand closer to mainland Japan
D-DayD-Day (June 6, 1944) Allies invaded France in a…(June 6, 1944) Allies invaded France in a… Region called Normandy (2 parts)Region called Normandy (2 parts) 1) During the night…..1) During the night….. Thousands of paratroopers landed behind enemy Thousands of paratroopers landed behind enemy
lineslines Cut communication lines; slowed German Cut communication lines; slowed German
reinforcements; took control of certain roadsreinforcements; took control of certain roads 2) Thousands of ships left England and landed in 2) Thousands of ships left England and landed in
France (approx. 6:30 am)France (approx. 6:30 am) 155,000 soldiers (US/GB/Can) rushed ashore on the 155,000 soldiers (US/GB/Can) rushed ashore on the
first dayfirst day Germans were mostly in cement bunkersGermans were mostly in cement bunkers 2,500 Allies were killed on first day2,500 Allies were killed on first day Successful landing; Allies made into EuropeSuccessful landing; Allies made into Europe
More pictures: http://blogs.denverpost.com/captured/2009/06/05/the-65th-anniversary-of-d-day-on-the-normandy-beaches/306/