WORLD WAR II COMES TO GERMANY

THE TIDE TURNS When 1942 began, the Axis Powers(Germany, Italy, Japan) were dominant in their respective areas. As the year went on it was apparent that their success and victory in the war was in doubt. The Allied Powers(Britain, USSR, USA)coordinated their efforts and developed a strategy for victory. The entire direction of the war had changed.

The Great Mobilization Men prepared for war as industries turned to manufacturing war materials to support the Allied armies.

ALLIED STRATEGY To attack the Germans Europe would be a difficult task. Dieppe Raid-August 19, 1942 approximately 5000 Canadians, British and Americans attacked the small French port of Dieppe. The ineffective landing of 27 tanks and the discovery of the invasion by the Germans made its failure inevitable. Over 3000 of the invaders never returned. This failure showed the Allies that to invade Europe and defeat the Nazis would take more planning and materials.

DIEPPE RAID

ALLIED STRATEGY Where should the Allies strike? The Allies evaluated their enemies and decided that Nazi Germany was the greatest threat in the war. The Allies also concluded that the weakest of the Axis Powers was Fascist Italy. Italy was seen as the ‘soft underbelly’ of Europe and should be pressured first.

OPERATION TORCH The Allies decided to invade North Africa. The Allies hoped to catch the Vichy French/Italian forces between the invaders in the west and the British in Egypt. The Germans sent the Africa Corp to North Africa to support the Italians.

MONTGOMERY, PATTON, ROMMEL

NORTH AFRICA Key Battle: El Alamein-decisive British victory over Rommel and the Germans in North Africa. The victory drove the Germans away from the Suez Canal and the oil of the Middle East. The Germans and Italians surrendered in May, The next step: the invasion of Italy.

INVASION OF ITALY Begun in September of It was led by General Patton(USA) and General Montgomery(Br). Mussolini was overthrown and imprisoned. Italy signed an armistice. Mussolini was rescued by a German commando raid and made leader of German-held Italy.

TEHRAN CONFERENCE 1943 November-December, Joseph Stalin, Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt met. Honest discussions took place as the Allies talked about the war and how they were going to win it

TEHRAN CONFERENCE 1943

The Allies agreed that the Axis powers must surrender unconditionally(without any deals or preconditions). The Soviets pleaded for Britain and the USA to open a ‘Second Front” against the Germans in Europe. This would help to relieve German pressure on the USSR. Britain and the USA guarantee it will happen as soon as all preparations were in place. They let the Soviets know that if it fails, there won’t be another try for a long time.

OPERATION OVERLORD Allied plan for the invasion of German-held France at Normandy. In this endeavor, failure was not an option. 2 years in preparation. Details: beach sand consistency, tides, etc. Must achieve air superiority against the German Luftwaffe over the English Channel ships.

CALAIS, FRANCE

POINT DU HOC

FAKE PARATROOPERS

LANDING CRAFT

PATHFINDERS

MULBERRYS

D-DAY

Execution of the ‘Overlord’ plan. The Allies controlled the skies over the English Channel. The attack was to take place along the Normandy coast(Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, Sword). The results of the first day: 120,000 soldiers landed in France. A foothold was established. Preparation began for the ‘breakout’. The “Second Front” had begun. Germany was now fighting for real in two directions.

D-DAY

THE BREAKOUT The Allies held a 40 mile wide, 7 mile deep area. The goal was to stockpile fuel, ammunition, medical supplies, military equipment and soldiers. This was preparation for the battle to come. The move off the beaches began in July, August 25, 1944-Paris was liberated.

THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE

December 16, 1944 German attack in the West designed to split the Allies, Britain and the USA. Hitler believed his armies could split the Allies and run to the English Channel just like in With this show of force, Hitler believed that he could convince Britain and the USA to join the Nazis as allies determined to destroy Communism. At first, the Allies lost ground.

THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE

The advance by the Germans created a ‘bulge’ in the lines. The British(Montgomery) in the north and the USA(Patton) in the south cut off the bulge with a pincer move. The German forces in the west were finished. They would fight in grudging retreat.

THE YALTA CONFERENCE Yalta, USSR. February, Roosevelt(USA), Churchill(Britain), Stalin(USSR). Now that Germany was on the verge of defeat, the Allied Powers met to discuss how the war would end in Europe. Questions were addressed. Who would conquer Berlin? How would Germany be occupied? How would new governments be installed in liberated territories?

THE YALTA CONFERENCE Roosevelt was very weak physically. He often let details of the negotiations be handled by aides. Churchill believed you could somewhat trust Stalin. The Allies agree: the USSR would take Berlin, Germany and Berlin would be occupied by all of the Allies, and liberated territories would hold “free” elections to choose their new governments.(This was a misunderstanding by the USA and Britain in regards to what the Soviets meant.)