Retaking Europe Atlantic Charter Set of principles mutually agreed upon by FDR and Churchill that would guide them during the war and in the years following the war.

The U.S. Enters the War When the U.S. joined the war, Germany controlled most of Europe and was bearing down on British possessions in the Middle East. When the U.S. joined the war, Germany controlled most of Europe and was bearing down on British possessions in the Middle East.

Battle of the Atlantic Britain needed supplies. Britain needed supplies. The U.S. and British territories delivered those supplies. The U.S. and British territories delivered those supplies. German U-boats attempted to sink these ships. German U-boats attempted to sink these ships. The Allies attempted to use the convoy system. The Allies attempted to use the convoy system. The Germans countered with large groups of U-boats (wolf packs). The Germans countered with large groups of U-boats (wolf packs). In June of 1942, 175 ships were sunk. In June of 1942, 175 ships were sunk. As the war went on, the Allies developed better strategies and technology for dealing with U-boats and the effectiveness of U-boats declined significantly. As the war went on, the Allies developed better strategies and technology for dealing with U-boats and the effectiveness of U-boats declined significantly.

North Africa Campaign August 1940 – The British successfully battled Italian troops in Egypt and Syria. August 1940 – The British successfully battled Italian troops in Egypt and Syria. February 1941 – Hitler send General Erwin Rommel, the Desert Fox, to North Africa. February 1941 – Hitler send General Erwin Rommel, the Desert Fox, to North Africa. Rommel attacked the British successfully until November 1942 when the British under General Bernard Montgomery defeated the Germans at El Alamein. Rommel attacked the British successfully until November 1942 when the British under General Bernard Montgomery defeated the Germans at El Alamein. American troops landed on the Northwest coast of Africa soon after this. American troops landed on the Northwest coast of Africa soon after this. They suffered a loss at Kasserine Pass but soon after this had the Germans on the run. They suffered a loss at Kasserine Pass but soon after this had the Germans on the run. In the summer of 1943, 240,000 German and Italian troops surrendered. In the summer of 1943, 240,000 German and Italian troops surrendered.

The Invasion of Italy By controlling North Africa, the Allies now had the option of invading southern Europe. By controlling North Africa, the Allies now had the option of invading southern Europe. In July 1943, the U.S. Seventh Army under Patton invaded Sicily. In July 1943, the U.S. Seventh Army under Patton invaded Sicily. The Italians quickly turned on Mussolini and the Fascist party. The Italians quickly turned on Mussolini and the Fascist party. With the Italian government in transition, German troops tried to halt the invading Allies With the Italian government in transition, German troops tried to halt the invading Allies The Germans set up Mussolini as a puppet dictator in Northern Italy. The Germans set up Mussolini as a puppet dictator in Northern Italy. Eventually, the U.S. broke through German defenses at Cassino and took Rome. Eventually, the U.S. broke through German defenses at Cassino and took Rome. There would be many more casualties before all of Italy was taken in April There would be many more casualties before all of Italy was taken in April 1945.

War in the Soviet Union After the Battle of Britain failed, Hitler decided to attack the Soviet Union. After the Battle of Britain failed, Hitler decided to attack the Soviet Union. He wanted their land and resources. He wanted their land and resources. In June 1941, Germany attacked the Soviet Union along the length of the Soviet border. In June 1941, Germany attacked the Soviet Union along the length of the Soviet border. The German blitzkrieg took Soviet land very quickly. The German blitzkrieg took Soviet land very quickly. As the Soviet army retreated, they destroyed anything that might be of use to the invading German army. As the Soviet army retreated, they destroyed anything that might be of use to the invading German army. By Autumn, the German army was threatening Moscow and Leningrad. By Autumn, the German army was threatening Moscow and Leningrad.

Stalingrad In October the Russian winter halted German advances into the Soviet Union. In October the Russian winter halted German advances into the Soviet Union. The next summer, Germany looked to Stalingrad and its oilfields. The next summer, Germany looked to Stalingrad and its oilfields. The Soviet army decided to make its stand at Stalingrad. The Soviet army decided to make its stand at Stalingrad. The German army advanced into Stalingrad and then the Soviets launched a fierce counterattack. The German army advanced into Stalingrad and then the Soviets launched a fierce counterattack. The German soldiers were trapped inside Stalingrad. The German soldiers were trapped inside Stalingrad. Hitler urged the German soldiers to keep fighting and promised reinforcements that would never come. Hitler urged the German soldiers to keep fighting and promised reinforcements that would never come. In January 1943, 90,000 German troops surrendered. In January 1943, 90,000 German troops surrendered. In all, Germany lost 330,00 troops at Stalingrad. In all, Germany lost 330,00 troops at Stalingrad. Soviet losses are estimated to be as high as 1,100,000. Soviet losses are estimated to be as high as 1,100,000.

The Allied Air War Support from the air was a key to winning WWII. Support from the air was a key to winning WWII. Bombing raids could take out military targets as well as strategic targets that could take away the enemy’s ability to produce weapons, produce raw materials or transport war goods.. Bombing raids could take out military targets as well as strategic targets that could take away the enemy’s ability to produce weapons, produce raw materials or transport war goods.. Carpet Bombing Carpet Bombing At the height of the Allied bombing campaign in Germany, 3000 planes were involved. At the height of the Allied bombing campaign in Germany, 3000 planes were involved.

Invasion of Western Europe Operation Overlord Operation Overlord Suggested by George Marshall Suggested by George Marshall Dwight Eisenhower was supreme commander Dwight Eisenhower was supreme commander June 6, 1944 June 6, 1944 D Day D Day Heavy casualties Heavy casualties Within 2 months, 2 million Allied troops were in Northern France. Within 2 months, 2 million Allied troops were in Northern France.

Battle of the Bulge Named for the shape in the lines caused by Germany’s counterattack. Named for the shape in the lines caused by Germany’s counterattack. Generals Patton and Bradley helped to push the Germans back. Generals Patton and Bradley helped to push the Germans back.

Soviet Forces Advance Much higher casualty rates Much higher casualty rates 11 million Soviet / 3 million German 11 million Soviet / 3 million German The Soviets pushed west into Berlin in April The Soviets pushed west into Berlin in April 1945.

Germany Surrenders April 30, 1945, Hitler committed suicide as Soviet troops advanced. April 30, 1945, Hitler committed suicide as Soviet troops advanced. May 8, 1945, Remaining German troops surrender. (V-E Day – “Victory in Europe”) May 8, 1945, Remaining German troops surrender. (V-E Day – “Victory in Europe”)

Yalta Conference FDR, Stalin and Churchill met to discuss postwar plans. FDR, Stalin and Churchill met to discuss postwar plans. They agreed to split Germany into 4 zones under the control of the Allies (including France). They agreed to split Germany into 4 zones under the control of the Allies (including France). Stalin promised to allow free elections in areas of Eastern Europe occupied by Soviet forces. Stalin promised to allow free elections in areas of Eastern Europe occupied by Soviet forces. He also agreed to join in the fight against Japan within 3 months. He also agreed to join in the fight against Japan within 3 months. Stalin did not follow through on any of his promises. Stalin did not follow through on any of his promises.