Station #2 North Africa: El Alamein Europe: Battle of Britain ,Stalingrad, Normandy Landings (D-day) Pacific: Pearl Harbor, Midway, Iwo Jima and Okinawa, Hiroshima and Nagasaki Allied Powers (after Germany invaded Poland in 1939) Great Britain France Soviet Union Canada Australia Later the United States in 1941 after Pearl Harbor Axis Powers Germany Italy Japan Allies In Europe: Defeat Hitler first In Pacific: “Island Hopping” Axis In Europe: Germany Take Soviet Oil Fields Defeat Great Britain before US enters (bombing raids) Submarine warfare on war supplies to Great Britain from US In Pacific: Japan Take over main islands of Pacific: Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, Hawaii August-November, 1942 Location: Deserts of North Africa Germans, led by “Desert Fox” Erwin Rommel, attempting to overtake Suez Canal and cut Allied supply lines. Key Allied victory. Hitler attempting to control Middle Eastern Oil and attack Soviet Union from South. This Ally victory kept the supply lines open and stopped German advance on the Soviet Union from the South. July 10, 1940-October 31, 1940 Air attack by the Germans over the G.B. After taking France the German forces moved north on Great Britain. The British Royal Air Force (RAF) was able to fight off the German Air Force (Luftwaffe). This victory for the British delayed Hitler’s amphibious land invasion and turned his focus to the Soviet Union in 1941. Winter of 1942-1943 Located in Russia Hitler, full of pride, desires to take the city because of the name (Stalin-grad). Named after their leader Joseph Stalin. Thousands of German soldiers died. Germany attempting to overtake Soviet oil fields. Hitler’s military stopped by the harsh winter and lack of supplies in the Soviet Union. This battle stopped German control in Eastern Europe. June 6, 1944 Location: Beaches of France (Omaha Beach) Led by Dwight Eisenhower (future President after the war) American and Allied troops attack German controlled beaches of France. Hundreds of American casualties. Victory stopped German control of Western Europe France liberated from German control. December 7, 1941 Japanese surprise air strike against American base in Hawaii in early morning hours on a Sunday. Japanese attack Americans over an embargo (ban on trade) placed on Japan of oil and steel. Japanese needed this to fuel their take over of China. United States declares war on Japan June, 1942 Location: Midway Island in the Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and Japan. After Pearl Harbor attacks. Japan attempting to seize control over entire Pacific Ocean (control trade). American victory started “Island Hopping” campaign to get closer to Japan. Americans would take island by island getting closer to Japan. Feb. 1945 Part of the “Island Hopping” Campaign Located: Islands of Japan Key airfields located on these islands. Victories for Americans here brought us closer to Japan for future bombing raids. Ended Japanese control over the Pacific Ocean Thousands of casualties on both sides. Among the bloodiest battles. Japanese soldiers and civilians committed suicide , known as “Kamikazes” rather than surrender or become POW’s. Monday, August 6, 1945 First city: Hiroshima Atomic bomb nick- named “Little Boy” 2/3 of Hiroshima was destroyed 70,000 died instantly Another 70,000 within 5 years of radiation poisoning. After Japan refused to officially surrender. 3 Days, later, August 9th, the Americans drop another atomic bomb on the city of Nagasaki Americans threaten Japan with continued bombings unless a formal surrender is issued. The Japanese surrender…