World War II D-Day to Unconditional Surrender

Europe Four stages of Attack: 1.North Africa 2.Italy and Eastern Europe 3.France and Western Europe 4.Germany

Operation Overlord 3 Million troops were to invade Normandy, France in summer of 1944 A dummy army was set up near Calais, France to keep the Germans guessing US General Eisenhower was in charge of the mission Paratroopers would drop in behind enemy lines at night followed by amphibious attack at dawn on the beaches Soldiers from US, GB, and Canada would attack at 5 beach heads

D-Day June 6, 1944 Paratroopers dropped in and worked to regroup behind enemy lines Amphibious assault on 5 beaches (Utah, Omaha, Sword, Gold, and Juno) Heavy casualties (2,700 Americans died in the attack) Set up the ability to liberate France and push toward Germany by September

Battle of the Bulge December 1944 Germans counterattacked Allies on Western Front and broke through the line Created a “Bulge” in the Allied line Allies eventually pushed back

Unconditional Surrender March 1945 Allies move into Germany, by April Soviets are in Berlin Hitler committed suicide and a week later Germany surrendered the war May 9, 1945 V-E Day