The War for Europe and North
Africa
20.5
1. This battle was the turning point of World War
II in Europe.
2. This was the name for the invasion of Axis
controlled North Africa.
3. These men were pilots in the all-black 99th
Pursuit Squadron.
4. This was codename for the invasion of
Normandy.
5. This was Germany’s last-ditch offensive.
The plans for the war
• Germany was top priority. Why?
– Hitler enemy # 1
– Stalin is in trouble
– US needs help in the Pacific
• Unconditional Surrender is required controversial.
1. Why was unconditional surrender so
controversial?
The Battle of the Atlantic
• US has no control of Atlantic
• By July 1942 - 681 allied ships lost in the
Atlantic
• US Ships begin moving in protected
convoys - the tide turns
• 1939-1940 (102 ships built)
• By early 1943 (140 ships built each month)
2. What is the BAY closest to where we live?
The tide turns in Europe
• The BRUTAL battle of Stalingrad
– By Mid 1942 - Germans as far as Stalingrad
– Entire city destroyed. Stalin will sacrifice everything
for his city.
– General “Winter” and General “Starvation” (Winter of
1943)
– A German army of 330,000 reduced to 91,000
– Soviets lose 1,100,000 soldiers and civilians in the
battle.
3. Who won the Battle of Stalingrad?
Attack of the “Soft Underbelly”
• Dwight D. Eisenhower - North African
•
•
•
•
commander
German Afrika Korps - Rommel
The liberation of Italy proved to be difficult.
Allies were assisted by “partisans” Underground Italian Resistance
movement.
Italians not too sympathetic to Mussolini
4. Why did the US choose to attack the “Soft
Underbelly” of Europe first?
5.
Review Questions:
1.Why do you think the USA was so
unprepared for World War II?
2.Why did the Allies choose to focus on the
war in Europe first?
3.Why was “unconditional surrender” a
controversial goal?
4.In your opinion, who won the battle of
Stalingrad? Why?
5.Why did the allies attack the “soft
underbelly” of Europe?
The opening of the Western
Front
• Northern France bombed for one month
•
•
•
•
(Roads, Bridges, Supply Lines)
June 6, 1944 -156,000 troops invade.
The largest invasion in world history.
George Patton - pushes toward Paris
Paris is liberated with the help of French
resistance troops.
Presidential Election of 1944
• No-brainer - Roosevelt and Harry Truman
win “Don’t change horses midstream”
• Fourth term as US president
Hitler’s last gasp
• The Battle of the Bulge - the last German
offensive.
• 120,000 troops, 600 tanks, 1,600 planes
lost
• Hitler in rapid retreat by 1945
• Soviets advancing from the East, other
allies from the West.
The strange end of a strange
man
• Upon learning his demise
was near, Hitler promptly:
– Marries one lucky lady Ava Braun
– Blames the Jews for
starting the war
– Blames his generals for
losing it
– Shoots his dog, then
himself. Wife “bites” it too literally.
May 8th 1945 - V-E day
• The third Reich under ??? Generals that
really don’t want to be there anymore.
Unconditional surrender.
• US attention turns to the Pacific.
25.3
Use your notes to DESCRIBE the US
strategy to win the war in the Pacific: The
response needs:
1. The overall strategy with description
2. 3 Key Battles
3. 2 Key US ADMIRALS