World War II European Theatre

The Soft Underbelly Sicily Anzio Stalingrad Leningrad Normandy Battle of the Bulge Battle of the BulgeEgypt Morocco Tunisia German Advancement by 1942 Rome

leningrad September 1941 – January 1944 seize lasted for 872 days - almost 2 ½ years ! 1,500,000 casualties Brutal Winter in Supply lines cut for long periods of times Under-trained, under-supplied Russian troops defended city valiantly for 872 days Stalin BEGGED FDR and Churchill to open a second front on the west to draw out the German troops Russians opened a “road of death” over a lake to get supplies and people in and out

leningrad September 1941 – January ,400,000 evacuated - many died from starvation - Special police units formed to combat cannibalism Reports of cannibalism after all rats, birds, and pets were eaten by survivors Germans tried to starve citizens (like a genocide) Relentless German bombing for 2 ½ years, but they never took the city.

Stalingrad September 1942 – February 1943 Bloodiest battle in history of modern warfare German Dead: 300,000 Russian Dead: 1.5 million Civilians Dead: 200,000 Hilter and Stalin both ordered “fight to last man” Germans exterminate all civilians captured TOTAL: 2 million

Stalingrad German Goal: Huge Oil fields NEAR CITY Germans start with massive air bombing, destroying city. Soviets use the rubble to hide and fortify positions. Becomes a 6 month hand-to-hand battle in the streets. 1,000,000 Soviet troops surround German Army and trap them in city Ultimately 91,000 German troops surrender (only 6,000 make it home)

Leningrad German Advancement by 1942

Casablanca Conference January 1943 Roosevelt and Churchill meet to plan stages of war 1. bomb germany “the progressive destruction of the German military, industrial, and economic system, and undermining of the morale of the German people.” 2. Attack sicily “soft underbelly” Italians will quit the war if Allies Invade their homeland deGaulle, Roosevelt, Giraud, Churchill France US French Gen Britain

TUNISIA (NORTH AFRICA) February 1943 – May 1943 Battle of Kasserine Pass 1 st American battle against Germans Embarrassing loss: Lasts only 2 days 7000 US dead Gen. Eisenhower immediately appoints Gen. George S. Patton Gen. Rommel (Germany) discredits US as being weak and a non-threat

TUNISIA (NORTH AFRICA) February 1943 – May 1943 second battle in tunisia– lasts 2 months Gen. Erwin Rommel Gen. George S. Pattonvs. under new leadership, allies regroup and push germany out of africa “Desert Fox” first major u.s. victory in wwii

Battle of Anzio January 22, 1944 – June 4, 1944 Allies landing of 110,000 troops on the beaches of Anzio. Germans caught by surprise. Allies makes mistake of waiting to consolidate all troops on beach Allies don’t attack for 6 days: Germans set up their defenses Turns into five month battle. Allies finally capture Rome on June 4, 1944 ITALY SURRENDERS Total American casualties in Italy: 300,000 Bloodiest campaign of the war for US.

MUSSOLINI EXECUTED January 22, 1944 – June 4, 1944 MUSSOLINI captured and executed by Italian communists along with 14 other Fascists and his mistress Bodies were hung in square for public to see.

Pas de Calis Normandy Three Requirements: - Low Tide - Moonlit Night - Good Weather

Normandy invasion OPERATION OVERLORD General Eisenhower heads mission to invade France D-Day June 6, 1944

Normandy invasion Beach separated into five landing zones: Utah Omaha Gold Juno Sword Prior to amphibious landing, sent in paratroops behind enemy lines

OPERATION OVERLORD Statistics: Troops:1,000,000 Tanks: 5,500 Artillery: 4,400 Ships: 1,600 Assault Crafts: 4,000 Casualties: 4,400 US Casualties: 2,500 August 24, 1944 Allies liberated Paris

Battle of the Bulge Final German Offensive December 16, 1944 – January 8, 1945 American troops surrounded. Gen. Patton’s unit comes and breaks German lines 100,000 German casualties View video on my website Take additional notes if needed

WAR ENDS IN EUROPE May 8, 1945 V-E Day