1. War in Europe

2. The First Turning Point
D-Day Invasion (June 6, 1944)

3. World War II – European Theater
Many important battles, but D-Day stands alone
- June 6, 1944
“Operation Overlord”
Largest amphibious assault in world history
Allied Forces landed on the beaches of Normandy, France

4. The Invasion Attacks by land
Parachute/Glider -Airborne Divisions dropped soldiers behind enemy lines
Disrupt enemy forces
Capture strategic points
Bridges

6. Life Expectancy of Pilots in Combat:
Gliders
Nicknamed "canvas coffins," the flimsy gliders had plywood floors and a steel tubing frame covered with a canvas skin.
Life Expectancy of Pilots in Combat:
Bomber Pilots hour, 46 minutes
Fighter Pilots minutes
Glider Pilots seconds

8. The Invasion(cont’d) Attacks by sea
Crossed English Channel to land on five beaches
Omaha, Utah, Sword, Gold, Juno
175,000 Allied troops attacking 10,000 Germans
Allied Losses: 10,000
Axis Losses: 9,000

14. The Second Turning Point
The Battle of the Bulge
(December, 1944 – January, 1945)

15. The Battle of the Bulge
Hitler reinforces the army with thousands of draftees
Some as young as 15 years old
December 1944
Germany launches counterattack in Belgium and Luxembourg

16. General Dwight D. Eisenhower orders more troops
General Patton moved the Third Army north to help
Within 3 weeks-U.S. restarted Allied drive into Germany

17. Germans Lost 100,000 Summary of the Battle of the Bulge
Largest Battle of World War II
Takes Place in Belgium and Luxembourg
600,000 Troops involved
80, 000 Americans Killed, wounded, captured
Germans Lost 100,000
Battle proved to Nazi leaders that the WAR WAS LOST!!!

18. Germany Surrenders
Hitler commits suicide in Berlin bunker on April 30, 1945
Remaining German troops surrender May 8th

19. Decide to re-shape Germany
Yalta Conference (Feb 4 – 11, 1945)
Roosevelt, Churchill, Stalin meet in:
Yalta, Soviet Union
Decide to re-shape Germany
Stalin does not fulfill promises
Basis for conflict between Soviet Union and Western Allies
Beginning of Cold War