Turning Points of the War The Allies begin to gain ground

El Alamein German General Erwin Rommel, the Desert Fox, had been advancing through Africa Most noted for his battle tactics and use of the German Panzer Tank Rommel was stopped at the long battle of El Alamein in Egypt by the British Gerneral Bernard Montgomery His forces were pushed back to Tunisia

Eisenhower American General Dwight D. Eisenhower takes command of the Anglo American forces in Africa Will eventually trap Rommel’s army, which was forced to surrender in May, 1943.

Invasion of Italy Victory in North Africa allowed the Allies to begin an invasion of Italy In July, 1943, a combined British and American army landed first in Sicily and then in southern Italy. The Allies defeated the Italian forces in Southern Italy in about one month

Death of Mussolini During this invasion, the Italian people became fed up with Mussolini and overthrew his government. Hitler sent troops in to rescue Mussolini, which met the Allies, and fought relentlessly as they retreated back towards Germany.

The Red Army Stops Germany After being stalled outside of Leningrad, Hitler launches a new offensive strike against the Soviets. This time, he will only get as far as the city of Stalingrad One of the costliest battles of the war, Hitler was as determined to take the city as Stalin was to defend it. The Germans first encircled the city, but the Russians resisted, and eventually surrounded German forces. As the winter progressed, the battle became fierce fighting from street to street. This victory encouraged the Soviets to launch a counter attack which would eventually push Germany out of the Soviet Union.

The Invasion of Normandy Eisenhower was made the Supreme Allied Commander. By 1944, the Allies were prepared to open up a two front war. To prepare for the invasion, Allied planes bombed German factories and aircraft . The Allies chose June 6, 1944 for the invasion of France: D-Day. The invasion was planned for Normandy, away from Germany’s strongest defenses.

D Day!! Prior to the invasion, the United States dropped paratroopers behind enemy lines. One of the first and most famous missions of the US Army’s Airborne Division.

D-Day!!! Then at dawn, the largest aquatic assault in world history began. Thousands of ships took 176,000 Allied troops to the beaches of Normandy. Soldiers fought their way through underwater mines, machine gun and artillery fire. The Allies would take the beach, and eventually Europe.