World War II European Theatre

War in Europe Much of war planning was joint British- American strategy  American in favor of immediate offensive against the continent  British favored a more conservative approach Scarred by 3 hard years of war Go after the “softer underbelly” of the enemy

Dieppe Raid Reinforced British view August Raid by Canadian forces to test strength of German defenses in France Disastrous results Canadians incur over 3,000 casualties Good lessons  Improved amphibious attack strategies  Not prepared for French invasion yet

Offensive in North Africa Combined British and American force attacks Heavy resistance around Casablanca Race for control of Tunisia Kasserine Pass-American inexperience shows against Afrika Corps Ultimately able to push by Rommel’s forces

Battle of the Atlantic Allied strategy:  Land-based air patrols  Escort Carriers  Escort vessels Increasingly German undersea activities became a useless drain on resources

Sicily/Italy Next step after North Africa Massive Force-160,000 troops Quickly overrun Island Move on to Italy  Two landings Germans had taken over most of Italian defenses Italy would be a long and bloody campaign

European Air War British campaign used night-time mass bombing raids  Disrupt economy  Lessen will of German people to fight American strategy was to fly precision, daytime raids— B-24’s, B-17’s Schweinfurt-October 1943  Need for long-range fighter Impact of air campaign often overrated  Accuracy limited-bombsights marginally accurate  Bomb loads relatively small  Psychological impacted limited—Battle of Britain  Ground support role was very effective

Invasion of France Russians had pressed for 2 nd front since Germans expecting attack in 1944  Pas de Calais region Normandy-5 beaches  Germans have strong beach defenses 3 Airborne divisions dropped before dawn 5 divisions—resistance light, except Omaha Beach

D-Day Germans initially mistake invasion for a diversion.  Unable to prevent beachhead Within 2 weeks, over 1 million men ashore Quickly turned from battle for Normandy to Battle for France By August 25 th, Paris fell By Autumn 1944, German position looks hopeless

Marketgarden September 1944 Allies make “leapfrog” German defenses Dropped three airborne divisions behind German lines to secure bridges over Meuse, Waal, and Rhine rivers. Fails British 1 st airborne unable to hold Arnhem British armor unable to punch through German lines

Battle of Bulge Hitler’s final gamble-Counteroffensive through weak center of Allied line in Ardennes Forest Winter allows for secret troop buildup Germans strike December 16 Inflict heavy losses-Encircle Bastogne Uses up German reserves

Final Offensive British and American forces move into Germany Meet up with Russian forces heading West.