V-E DayWorld War II

The North African Front

The North African Front

First strategy upon entry was the north African front

DISCUSS WHY

The North African Front

First strategy upon entry was the north African front

DISCUSS WHY Germany was close to

controlling the Suez Canal

Would give access to oil fields in middle east

North African Front

Allies had success in N. Africa when generals Eisenhower and Montgomery used 850 ships in surprise landing

General Rommel (Germany) surrendered Victory in N. Africa led to second phase Sicily

and Italy (Summer 1943)

Sicily and Italy

Germany forces were not permitted to surrender in Italy at Hitler’s requirement. Difficult conquest

Italians became upset with Mussolini, forced his resignation and replaced him with Marshal Pietro Badoglio negotiated peace.

Sicily and Italy

What did they do with Benito Mussolini?

Sicily and Italy

Casablanca Conference

Roosevelt and PM Churchill meet in1943 where allies agreed to stop only with an “unconditional surrender” by axis powers.

What does unconditional surrender mean?

Casablanca Conference

Roosevelt and PM Churchill meet in1943 where allies agreed to stop only with an “unconditional surrender” by axis powers.

Peace with Germany, Italy and Japan will not be NEGOTIATED

In Eastern Europe

Stalin is still holding ground against Nazis in battle that will continue for years

Stalin asks from allies Massive aid (planes, ammo,

food, oil, etc) Recognition of his territorial

demands in E. Europe

Requests denied

Germans in Russia

Siege at Leningrad lasted 2 years. Germans stopped at Leningrad and Moscow and shifted southward for OIL.

Hitler defeated in Stalingrad (Winter 1942-1943) Soviets surrounded and captured 250,000 Germans

Last German battle was launched summer of 1943 at Kursk Victory for soviets

After Kursk, Germans took defensive as Soviets pushed them back

D-Day

What does the D stand for?

D-Day

June 6, 1944 under General Eisenhower 120,000 troops within 24 hours on 5 beachs

5,000 ships and paratroopers Germans were surprised by location Normandy Peninsula: no natural ports, extreme

tidal variations, protected by the Atlantic Wall

Operation Overloard

Code name for D-Day Just so you know

Allies Take France

Patton led assault across France and Paris was liberated in August 1944

Battle of the Bulge December 1944, in

Belgium. German counter attack but Allies push Germans back

Yalta Conference

Feb 1945, meeting of Churchill, FDR and Stalin to discuss postwar peace

Stalin promises to join the fight against Japan

V-E Day

V-E Day = Victory in Europe Day

American and Russian troops met at Elbe River (100 miles west of Berlin)

Hitler commits suicide while Berlin under attack

Germans sign unconditional surrender on May 8, 1945

Excitement Fades

Realities of concentration camps

Continued war in Pacific

Roosevelt’s death April 12, 1945