Fighting World War II

Allies vs. Axis Great Britain- Churchill Germany- Hitler US- FDR USSR- Stalin Free France- de Gaulle Germany- Hitler Italy- Mussolini Japan- Tojo Vichy France- Petain

World War II Begins September 1st, 1939- Germany invades Poland Germans used blitzkrieg tactic “Lightning War” Element of surprise Air force dropped bombs Armored tanks (panzers) moved across the border Infantry sent tons of soldiers in motorized vehicles Britain and France declared war on Germany two days later but they were too slow USSR helps Germany and together they take control of Poland by October

Atlantic Theater US and other Allied leaders meet and decide to focus on Atlantic Theater then focus on Pacific This means that they will first attack Germany and Italy then attack Japan

Eastern Front Invasion of USSR Stalingrad Germany breaks Nonaggression Pact in June 1941 USSR declares war on Germany Stalin starts a Scorched Earth strategy Stalingrad 1942-1943 Germany comes within miles of capturing the city Winter sets in and Germans have no supplies 60,000 Germans surrender with lots of casualties on both sides

Western Front Fall of France June 21st, 1940 Germany marches through Belgium and takes over Paris French government leaves Hitler only takes over half of France Vichy France Puppet government Nazi controlled

Western Front Battle of Britain Air battle to gain control over the English Channel Luftwaffe (German Air force) Vs. Royal Air Force (British Air force) Blitz hits London hard as the Germans bomb the cities and citizens

Western Front Allied troops (US and Britain) move through North African to fight German and Italian troops there They are successful in North Africa and head towards Italy

Western Front Italy Invasion July 1943 The island of Sicily surrendered Mussolini removed from power and arrested Italy splits in two between Allies and Axis

Western Front D-Day June 6th, 1944 General Dwight D. Eisenhower in charge Normandy, France “Saving Private Ryan” Huge multi-national attempt 3 divisions parachuted at night behind lines Move towards Paris and liberate towns on the way Liberate Paris but huge losses on both sides

Western Front Battle of the Bulge December 1944 Hitler’s surprise attack Split the Allies army on Christmas Germany takes Allied prisoners US attacks and wins

Victory in Europe V-E Day May 8th, 1945 Britain and US move in from Italy, Russia, and the East They successfully storm Germany Hitler retreats and commits suicide Germans surrender Atlantic war over… now to the Pacific

Pacific Theater Japanese are doing well taking over China so they decide they want land in Southeast Asia to help them

US Involvement Pearl Harbor December 7th, 1941 Japan’s surprise attack 2,400 people died 1,178 wounded Next day Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan

Pacific Theater Philippines April 1942 Philippines are an American colony but the Japanese want them General Douglas MacArthur is put in charge of the Pacific Fleet US is forced to retreat to Australia Returns in 1944 Island Hopping - MacArthur’s plan - Leap frog, or bypass, the islands where Japan has a stronghold - Cut off Japanese supply

Pacific Theater Battle of Midway June 1942 Refueling station for the US US knew Japan’s plan to attack their refueling station US destroyed 4 Japanese aircraft carriers, a cruiser, and about 300 aircraft Last Japanese offensive strike Revenge for Pearl Harbor

Pacific Theater Iwo Jima February 1945 Island where US bombers could refuel to attack Japan 22,000 Japanese troops and 6,800 US Marines died