The End of World War II

The North African Campaign Britain and US wanted to defeat the Axis, starting in North Africa Britain and US wanted to defeat the Axis, starting in North Africa June 1942: General Erwin Rommel (Germany) took Tobruk, Libya  Germans then advanced into Egypt June 1942: General Erwin Rommel (Germany) took Tobruk, Libya  Germans then advanced into Egypt October 1942: General Bernard Montgomery (UK) launched massive attack at El Alamein, Egypt October 1942: General Bernard Montgomery (UK) launched massive attack at El Alamein, Egypt Germans were defeated Germans were defeated

The Allied invasion of North Africa was known as Operation Torch. The Allied invasion of North Africa was known as Operation Torch. November 1942: Large Allied force, led by Dwight D. Eisenhower (US) invaded North Africa November 1942: Large Allied force, led by Dwight D. Eisenhower (US) invaded North Africa The German army in Africa was defeated by May 1943 The German army in Africa was defeated by May 1943

Stalingrad Summer 1942: German troops headed south to get oil and capture the city of Stalingrad Summer 1942: German troops headed south to get oil and capture the city of Stalingrad August 23, 1942: Battle of Stalingrad began August 23, 1942: Battle of Stalingrad began Germans destroyed most of the city, but Stalin would not surrender Germans destroyed most of the city, but Stalin would not surrender

The Battle of Stalingrad November 1942: Soviets launched a counter-attack and cut off the Germans from their supplies November 1942: Soviets launched a counter-attack and cut off the Germans from their supplies Hitler refused to abandon Stalingrad Hitler refused to abandon Stalingrad February 1943  Germans surrendered February 1943  Germans surrendered 99% of Stalingrad was destroyed 99% of Stalingrad was destroyed

Importance of Stalingrad TURNING POINT BATTLE in Europe TURNING POINT BATTLE in Europe After this, the Germans were on the defensive and began to retreat After this, the Germans were on the defensive and began to retreat

Invasion of Italy Allies went to Italy after North Africa  thought it was the weakest part of the Axis powers Allies went to Italy after North Africa  thought it was the weakest part of the Axis powers July 1943: Allies invade Sicily  captured it from Germans and Italians July 1943: Allies invade Sicily  captured it from Germans and Italians Mussolini was fired by King Victor Emmanuel and on September 1943, Italy surrendered. Mussolini was fired by King Victor Emmanuel and on September 1943, Italy surrendered.

Germany Invades Italy Germany invaded Italy and put Mussolini back in power Germany invaded Italy and put Mussolini back in power Fighting continued in Italy until May 1945 Fighting continued in Italy until May 1945 April 1945  Mussolini captured and killed April 1945  Mussolini captured and killed

Preparations to Invade Western Europe 1943: Allies started to build up an invasion force in Britain 1943: Allies started to build up an invasion force in Britain They tricked the Germans into thinking the invasion would come either in Norway or Calais, France They tricked the Germans into thinking the invasion would come either in Norway or Calais, France Inflatable TankPlywood Guns

D-Day Operation Overlord was the plan to invade France Operation Overlord was the plan to invade France Under the command of Dwight D. Eisenhower Under the command of Dwight D. Eisenhower British, American, French, Canadian forces invade at Normandy, France British, American, French, Canadian forces invade at Normandy, France Allies expected heavy casualties Allies expected heavy casualties The actual day the Allies invaded is known as D-Day. It occurred on June 6, The actual day the Allies invaded is known as D-Day. It occurred on June 6, 1944.

Military road vehicles awaiting shipment to France at Southampton docks.

Empress Dock almost completely filled with landing craft preparing for D-Day

D-Day Statistics: Statistics: 5000 ships5000 ships 150,000 men150,000 men 30,000 vehicles30,000 vehicles Six parachute regiments with over 13,000 menSix parachute regiments with over 13,000 men 800 planes800 planes By end of the day, more than 9000 Allied solders were dead, but 100,000 made it ashore By end of the day, more than 9000 Allied solders were dead, but 100,000 made it ashore IMPORTANCE: allowed Allies to establish a beachhead and bring more men and supplies into France. IMPORTANCE: allowed Allies to establish a beachhead and bring more men and supplies into France.

Battle of the Bulge After D-Day, Hitler faced a two-front war After D-Day, Hitler faced a two-front war December 1944: German’s last offensive launched December 1944: German’s last offensive launched Known as the Battle of the Bulge Known as the Battle of the Bulge Eventually the Allies won and forced the Germans to continue retreating Eventually the Allies won and forced the Germans to continue retreating

The End of the War in Europe March 1945: Allies invaded Germany March 1945: Allies invaded Germany By end of April, Soviets attacking Berlin By end of April, Soviets attacking Berlin April 30, 1945: Hitler committed suicide April 30, 1945: Hitler committed suicide May 7, 1945: Germany Surrendered May 7, 1945: Germany Surrendered V.E. Day celebrated: May 9, 1945 V.E. Day celebrated: May 9, 1945

Island Hopping Continues The US strategy in the Pacific was called island hopping. The US attacked smaller, weakly defended islands, getting closer and closer to Japan The US strategy in the Pacific was called island hopping. The US attacked smaller, weakly defended islands, getting closer and closer to Japan October 1944: Allied forces returned to the Philippines after the Battle of Leyte Gulf October 1944: Allied forces returned to the Philippines after the Battle of Leyte Gulf

Kamikaze Attacks After the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the Japanese had no navy left After the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the Japanese had no navy left The Japanese were using more kamikaze attacks. The Japanese were using more kamikaze attacks. These were Japanese suicide pilots. They crashed planes into Allied ships. These were Japanese suicide pilots. They crashed planes into Allied ships.

Kamikaze Attacks USS Missouri during a kamikaze attack, April 11, 1945

USS St Lo after a kamikaze attack, October 25, 1944

Iwo Jima and Okinawa March 1945: American Marines took Iwo Jima March 1945: American Marines took Iwo Jima April 1945: Americans invaded Okinawa  This was one of the bloodiest battles of the war. April 1945: Americans invaded Okinawa  This was one of the bloodiest battles of the war. Americans began planning an invasion of Japan Americans began planning an invasion of Japan The invasion was expected to cost about 1 million American lives The invasion was expected to cost about 1 million American lives

The End of the War The Manhattan Project was the secret government project that was building atomic bombs. The Manhattan Project was the secret government project that was building atomic bombs. President Truman warned Japan of “a rain of ruin from the air.” President Truman warned Japan of “a rain of ruin from the air.” August 6, 1945: US dropped atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan August 6, 1945: US dropped atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan 70,000-80,000 people killed immediately 70,000-80,000 people killed immediately August 9, 1945: US dropped a-bomb on Nagasaki August 9, 1945: US dropped a-bomb on Nagasaki More than 70,000 killed immediately More than 70,000 killed immediately Japan surrendered on September 2, 1945 Japan surrendered on September 2, 1945

VJ Day