Section 2: War in Africa and Europe

What was really tough about WWII was: we were fighting 2 wars at once One in Europe (against the Germans and Italians) One in Europe (against the Germans and Italians) One in the Pacific (against the Japanese) One in the Pacific (against the Japanese)

When the Japanese attacked the U.S. had to get ready to fight right away. Any man had to register for military service. Any man had to register for military service. The U.S. forces included The U.S. forces included 1,000,000 African Americans 1,000,000 African Americans 300,000 Mexican Americans 300,000 Mexican Americans 300,000 women 300,000 women 51,438 Puerto Ricans 51,438 Puerto Ricans 13,311 Chinese 13,311 Chinese 20,080 Japanese 20,080 Japanese 1,320 Hawaiians 1,320 Hawaiians 19,567 American Indians 19,567 American Indians 11,506 Filipinos 11,506 Filipinos

The first place the allies concentrated on: Europe and Northern Africa Allies in Europe were led by General Eisenhower (9). Allies in Europe were led by General Eisenhower (9). Winning back Africa happened pretty quick. Winning back Africa happened pretty quick. Defeating Italy didn’t take too long either (Italy was mad at Mussolini and put him in jail). Defeating Italy didn’t take too long either (Italy was mad at Mussolini and put him in jail).

The Germans were still fighting all over Europe – including the Soviet Union, where… The Germans had endure the horrible Russian winter and were pushed back. The Germans had endure the horrible Russian winter and were pushed back. Hitler concentrated on the rest of Europe, but that eventually started to fall apart on him, beginning when… Hitler concentrated on the rest of Europe, but that eventually started to fall apart on him, beginning when… The propaganda message on this Russian postcard is: The propaganda message on this Russian postcard is: This is the living space that the German soldier found at the Eastern Front. Six feet under the soil and a birch cross on the ground. Like a shroud the snow covers the fallen, the wind whistles, the crows can "K- r-r-Kraut, Kraut." Hitler has lied to you, German soldiers. He has promised you the capture of Moscow but gave you maiming and death. On Christmas Eve German women weep for Hitler's victims. You, who are left alive, finish with Hitler! Finish with the war! This is the living space that the German soldier found at the Eastern Front. Six feet under the soil and a birch cross on the ground. Like a shroud the snow covers the fallen, the wind whistles, the crows can "K- r-r-Kraut, Kraut." Hitler has lied to you, German soldiers. He has promised you the capture of Moscow but gave you maiming and death. On Christmas Eve German women weep for Hitler's victims. You, who are left alive, finish with Hitler! Finish with the war!

The Allies started a huge invasion of Europe – starting on June 6 th, 1944 (D-Day) (15) (by the way – D in D-day doesn’t stand for anything – it’s a random army letter). This was the largest sea invasion in history. This was the largest sea invasion in history. The Allies ended up successfully attacking and moving to Paris, but… The Allies ended up successfully attacking and moving to Paris, but… Total Allied casualties on D-Day are estimated at 10,000, The US forces lost 6603 men. Total Allied casualties on D-Day are estimated at 10,000, The US forces lost 6603 men.

Over 425,000 Allied and German troops were killed, wounded or went missing during the Battle of Normandy. This figure includes over 209,000 Allied casualties, with nearly 37,000 dead amongst the ground forces and a further 16,714 deaths amongst the Allied air forces. Of the Allied casualties, 83,045 were from 21st Army Group (British, Canadian and Polish ground forces), 125,847 from the US ground forces. The losses of the German forces during the Battle of Normandy can only be estimated. Roughly 200,000 German troops were killed or wounded. The Allies also captured 200,000 prisoners of war (not included in the 425,000 total, above). During the fighting around the Falaise Pocket (August 1944) alone, the Germans suffered losses of around 90,000, including prisoners. Over 425,000 Allied and German troops were killed, wounded or went missing during the Battle of Normandy. This figure includes over 209,000 Allied casualties, with nearly 37,000 dead amongst the ground forces and a further 16,714 deaths amongst the Allied air forces. Of the Allied casualties, 83,045 were from 21st Army Group (British, Canadian and Polish ground forces), 125,847 from the US ground forces. The losses of the German forces during the Battle of Normandy can only be estimated. Roughly 200,000 German troops were killed or wounded. The Allies also captured 200,000 prisoners of war (not included in the 425,000 total, above). During the fighting around the Falaise Pocket (August 1944) alone, the Germans suffered losses of around 90,000, including prisoners.

There was still more fighting and many battles One of the last of these battles was the Battle of the Bulge (19). One of the last of these battles was the Battle of the Bulge (19). 120,000 German casualties 120,000 German casualties 80,000 Americans killed, captured, or wounded. 80,000 Americans killed, captured, or wounded.

The Germans had some good skills at fighting wars. The Luftwaffe (extra page in packets) was one of the best air forces in the world. The Luftwaffe (extra page in packets) was one of the best air forces in the world. But these just weren't enough But these just weren't enough

After more fighting…. By April, 1945, Hitler knew the end was near He was in his bunker in Berlin (with his girlfriend – Eva Braun). He was in his bunker in Berlin (with his girlfriend – Eva Braun). They took cyanide, shot themselves, and had his men burn their bodies. They took cyanide, shot themselves, and had his men burn their bodies. He didn’t want to be captured alive and he didn’t want the Allies “showing off” his dead body. He didn’t want to be captured alive and he didn’t want the Allies “showing off” his dead body. 5 days later – Germany surrendered (V-E Day). 5 days later – Germany surrendered (V-E Day).

This picture was taken on V-E Day (Victory in Europe)

When allied troops reached Berlin they made a horrifying discovery – the victims of the Holocaust (30) They eventually captured some of the leaders of this atrocity, put them on trial and several were executed. They eventually captured some of the leaders of this atrocity, put them on trial and several were executed. Hitler called this plan his “final solution” (32)

The top picture is from “Kristallnacht” – extra page in your packets

High altitude High altitude Freezing Freezing Sulfanilamide Sulfanilamide Twins Twins Poison Poison Tuberculosis Tuberculosis Phosgene Phosgene Bone, muscle, and joint transplantation Bone, muscle, and joint transplantation Sterilization Sterilization Artificial insemination Artificial insemination Seawater Seawater High altitude High altitude Freezing Freezing Sulfanilamide Sulfanilamide Twins Twins Poison Poison Tuberculosis Tuberculosis Phosgene Phosgene Bone, muscle, and joint transplantation Bone, muscle, and joint transplantation Sterilization Sterilization Artificial insemination Artificial insemination Seawater Seawater