World War II European Theatre

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

Leningrad September 1941 – January 1944 seize lasted for 872 days - almost 2 ½ years ! 1,500,000 casualties Under-trained, under-supplied Russian troops defended city valiantly for 872 days Brutal Winter in 1941-42 Supply lines cut for long periods of times Stalin BEGGED FDR and Churchill to open a second front on the west to draw out the German troops Russians opened a road over a lake to get supplies and people in and out “road of death”

Leningrad September 1941 – January 1944 1,400,000 evacuated Relentless German bombing for 2 ½ years, but they never took the city. - many died from starvation - Germans tried to starve citizens (like a genocide) Reports of cannibalism after all rats, birds, and pets were eaten by survivors Special police units formed to combat cannibalism

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

Stalingrad Germans start with massive air bombing, destroying city. 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)

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

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

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

Battle of Anzio January 22, 1944 – June 4, 1944 Allies landing of 110,000 troops on the beaches of Anzio catch Germans completely by surprise. Gen Lucas makes mistake of waiting to consolidate all troops on beach He doesn’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.

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

General Dwight D. Eisenhower heads mission to invade France Normandy Invasion OPERATION OVERLORD General Dwight D. 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

Normandy invasion

Normandy invasion

Normandy invasion

Normandy invasion Statistics: Troops: 1,000,000 Tanks: 5,500 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

final german offensive 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

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