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The War In Europe & North Africa

Chapter 24Section 1The U.S. in World War IIRiddlebarger

objectives▶ How and why did the Allies fight the Battle of the

Atlantic?▶ What were the key events of the war in the Soviet

Union?▶ What did American forces accomplish in North Africa

and Italy?

The Battle of the Atlantic▶ For the U.S. & the Allies, defeating the Axis Powers

depends largely on control of the seas.▶ Only way for US to get soldiers & supplies to Europe

▶ Germans Navy mainly relies on u-boats (subs) to harass Allied shipping.

U-Boat Attacks▶ In World War I, Allies

learned to protect ships with convoys

▶ Early in World War II, US & British don’t have enough ships to form effective convoys.

▶ German wolfpack tactics increase effectiveness of attacks.▶ Hunt in groups & attack at

night.

Allies fight back

▶ After US declares war, attacks increase.▶ American shipyards begin producing at an amazing rate.▶ Now form bigger, more effective convoys.▶ Enigma

▶ By wars end, 70% of Germans who served on subs are dead.

▶ The Atlantic Ocean will belong to the Allies.

USSR= Soviet Union = (communist)Russia

"You only have to kick in the door and the whole rotten structure will come crashing down." - Hitler, on invading the Soviet Union

War in the Soviet Union

▶ In the summer of 1941, Hitler broke his non-aggression pact with Stalin.

▶ Once he sends his forces into the Soviet Union, the Soviets join the Allies.

Operation Barbarossa

▶ For the next several months, Germans storm into Soviet Union▶ Soviets seem unable to stop

blitzkrieg▶ While close to collapse,

they do not fall▶ Russian winter helps to

save them.

Siege of Leningrad

▶ Germans hold a huge portion of Soviet Union

▶ Lay siege to Leningrad (St. Petersburg)

▶ 900 day siege costs over 600,000 Soviet civilian casualties

Battle of Stalingrad

• Stalingrad is major target for Germans- large industrial center• Some of the bloodiest fighting in the history of warfare here.• Germans fail to take city -Stunning defeat marks begin of end

for Germans in USSR• Germans lose 2 million; Soviets 12 million; millions of civilian

deaths.

German Failure▶ Soviets were successful because:▶ Winter set in▶ Vast distance to cover▶ Supply lines become too stretched

▶ Soviets ultimately faced the brunt of German aggression▶ Loss of 27 million lives

American Forces in North Africa & Italy▶ After fall of France in 1940, British & Italians begin battle

for North Africa▶ Vital region for Allies- to control shipping of oil in

Mediterranean Sea▶ Suez Canal

▶ Italians based out of Libya; British out of Egypt▶ Italians beaten badly forcing Hitler to send in troops to

region.▶ British win major victory at El-Alamein despite brilliance

of German Gen. Erwin Rommel (the Desert Fox)

Operation Torch

▶ FDR anxious for U.S. to make quick impact.▶ Stalin wanted an invasion of Europe to divide

German attention ▶ Allies decide to go to North Africa

Operation Torch Landing

▶ Dwight D. Eisenhower is US commander

▶ Allies meet little resistance in 6 months of fighting.

▶ US gains valuable experience

▶ Now Allies will cross Mediterranean and go into Italy

On To Italy

▶ 1st: invasion of Sicily▶ FDR & Churchill warning▶ Italians turn on

Mussolini and force him from power

▶ Battle of Anzio leads to Allied breakthrough.▶ 30,000 casualties▶ Allied foothold in Europe

▶ Fighting in Italy lasts over a year with 300,000 casualties.

The Battle of the Bulge

Battle of the Bulge▶ After D-Day, Allies move

eastward in fall of 1944. ▶ Germans fight well in places

but appear near collapse▶ In December, Germans

launch a surprise attack.▶ Battle of the Bulge- refers to

bulge in Allied lines.

Allied Victory

▶ For several days, Allied gains are threatened by German advances.

▶ U.S. troops led by George S. Patton turn a key battle in Allied favor.

▶ Symbol of American strength & determination.