Fighting World War II Allies vs Axis 1

Fighting World War II

Allies vs. Axis 1. 2. 3. 4. Great Britain. Churchill US- FDR USSR- Stalin Free Francede Gaulle 1. 2. 3. 4. Germany. Hitler Italy. Mussolini Japan- Tojo Vichy France. Petain

World War II Begins • September 1 st, 1939 - Germany invades Poland • Germans used blitzkrieg tactic – – “Lightning War” Element of surprise Air force dropped bombs Armored tanks (panzers) moved across the border – Infantry sent tons of soldiers in motorized vehicles • Britain and France declared war on Germany two days later but they were too slow • USSR helps Germany and together they take control of Poland by October

Atlantic Theater • US and other Allied leaders meet and decide to focus on Atlantic Theater then focus on Pacific • This means that they will first attack Germany and Italy then attack Japan

Eastern Front • Invasion of USSR – Germany breaks Nonaggression Pact in June 1941 – USSR declares war on Germany – Stalin starts a Scorched Earth strategy • Stalingrad – 1942 -1943 – Germany comes within miles of capturing the city – Winter sets in and Germans have no supplies – 60, 000 Germans surrender with lots of casualties on both sides

Western Front • Fall of France – June 21 st, 1940 – Germany marches through Belgium and takes over Paris – French government leaves – Hitler only takes over half of France – Vichy France • Puppet government • Nazi controlled

Western Front • Battle of Britain – Air battle to gain control over the English Channel – Luftwaffe (German Air force) Vs. Royal Air Force (British Air force) – Blitz hits London hard as the Germans bomb the cities and citizens

Western Front • Allied troops (US and Britain) move through North African to fight German and Italian troops there • They are successful in North Africa and head towards Italy

Western Front • Italy Invasion – July 1943 – The island of Sicily surrendered – Mussolini removed from power and arrested – Italy splits in two between Allies and Axis

Western Front • D-Day June 6 th, 1944 – General Dwight D. Eisenhower in charge – Normandy, France – “Saving Private Ryan” – Huge multi-national attempt – 3 divisions parachuted at night behind lines – Move towards Paris and liberate towns on the way – Liberate Paris but huge losses on both sides

Western Front • Battle of the Bulge – December 1944 – Hitler’s surprise attack – Split the Allies army on Christmas – Germany takes Allied prisoners – US attacks and wins

Victory in Europe • V-E Day – May 8 th, 1945 – Britain and US move in from Italy, Russia, and the East – They successfully storm Germany – Hitler retreats and commits suicide – Germans surrender – Atlantic war over… now to the Pacific

Pacific Theater • Japanese are doing well taking over China so they decide they want land in Southeast Asia to help them

US Involvement • Pearl Harbor – – – December 7 th, 1941 Japan’s surprise attack 2, 400 people died 1, 178 wounded Next day Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan

Pacific Theater • Philippines – April 1942 – Philippines are an American colony but the Japanese want them – General Douglas Mac. Arthur is put in charge of the Pacific Fleet – US is forced to retreat to Australia – Returns in 1944 • Island Hopping - Mac. Arthur’s plan - Leap frog, or bypass, the islands where Japan has a stronghold - Cut off Japanese supply

Pacific Theater • Battle of Midway – June 1942 – Refueling station for the US – US knew Japan’s plan to attack their refueling station • US destroyed 4 Japanese aircraft carriers, a cruiser, and about 300 aircraft – Last Japanese offensive strike – Revenge for Pearl Harbor

Pacific Theater • Iwo Jima – February 1945 – Island where US bombers could refuel to attack Japan – 22, 000 Japanese troops and 6, 800 US Marines died