World War II 1939-1945 Part #3

The World at War 3 Main Theaters of War during WWII: Europe Eastern front – USSR fighting Germany Western/Southern front - Britain and the U.S. fighting Germany and Italy North Africa Italy and Germany both control territory there The Pacific U.S. fighting the Japanese

North Africa 1942 – British and American troops fight in the Battle of El Alamein in Egypt against the Axis Powers British forces and U.S. forces commanded by Dwight Eisenhower and George Patton defeat the German Afrika Korps By 1943 the Axis Powers are pushed out of North Africa and Hitler loses a large percentage of his troops 1943 – The Allies next invade Italy – “the soft underbelly of Europe,” and fierce fighting erupts for over a year until the country is conquered

N. Africa and Italy

D-Day When the US gets involved in WWII, Germany controls all of Europe The Allies decide to invade Europe in order to free France from German control Supreme Allied Commander Dwight Eisenhower comes up with the plan On June 6, 1944 the invasion of France by the Allies occurred, known as D-Day The success of this battle allowed the Allies to get a foothold in Europe, gradually pushing back Germany’s army

Push to Germany After liberating France, the Allies look to conquer Germany Operation Market Garden is launched in September of 1944 in an effort to end the war by Christmas – massive paratrooper invasion of Holland to weaken Germany which unfortunately fails

The Bulge In the winter of 1944-1945 Hitler launches a massive counteroffensive in the Ardennes Forest of Belgium – The Battle of the Bulge occurs and ends with an Allied victory – last great battle in the European Theater 101st Airborne gets surrounded near the town of Bastogne but refuses to surrender – become known as the Battling Bastards of Bastogne

Victory in Europe Mussolini is captured and executed by Italian guerilla fighters in 1945 Hiding out in Berlin and on the verge of being captured by the Soviets, Hitler commits suicide Axis Powers in Europe formally surrender May 7, 1945 – Germany surrenders May 8, 1945 – V-E Day (Victory in Europe) – war in Europe is officially over