Group 3

What were the major battles of World War Two?

Provide a BRIEF reason why the battle was significant.

Pearl Harbor

• December 7th, 1941.• The Japanese wanted

to cripple the U.S. Navy and prevent it from stopping their actions in the Pacific.

• Significance: Brought the U.S. into the war on the side of the Allies.

Operation Torch

• Codename for Allied offensive in North Africa and Italy.

• Significance: 1. Gives the American forces valuable combat experience. 2. Forces Hitler to move troops from other areas to support the Italians.

• http://www.history.co.uk/explore-history/ww2/north-africa/video/operation-torch/.html;jsessionid=2FCD350BE05B6B7E6ACDBE93E32EF717

Operation Overlord

• Codename for Allied invasion of Europe.

• Signaled the beginning of the end for the Axis forces.

• Significance: Forced the German forces to fight a two-front war. Stretched their thin forces even more.

• http://www.history.co.uk/videos?bcpid=843702856001&bckey=AQ~~,AAAABSuB6rk~,bvP8ORzdajrZP8ZKU34eDnJVzB1vRMR4&bctid=73392417001

Map of Operation Overlord

Mariana Islands

• Also called the Battle of the Philippine Sea, and “the Great Turkey Shoot.”

• Aircraft battle where Japanese lost 600+ aircraft and the U.S. only lost 123.

• Significance: Severely reduced Japanese airpower in the Pacific and led to kamikaze styled attacks.

Battle of the Bulge

• German counteroffensive in 1945. • Armored tanks played major role. • Significance: The failure of this counteroffensive

signaled the end of the German war effort. After this battle, the Germans continued to retreat to Berlin where they would meet defeat.

http://www.army.mil/botb/newsreel.html

Battle of Stalingrad

• Decisive battle in Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of Russia.

• German forces surrounded within the city and forced to surrender.

• Significance: 1. Valuable resources lost to the Russian forces. 2. Galvanized the struggling Russian forces.

http://www.history.co.uk/explore-history/ww2/stalingrad/video.html?bctid=62952072001&Battle-of-Stalingrad

Battle of Okinawa

• Part of the U.S. island hopping strategy.

• Last major Japanese stronghold before main islands.

Quiz Question 1

• Why did the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor?A. Wanted a new vacation spot

B. Wanted to cripple U.S. Navy

C. Response to U.S. attack on Iwo Jima

D. Hitler told them to

Quiz Question 2

• What was the advantage the Allies had after Operation Torch?

A. Valuable combat experience

B. Knew how to light fires

C. Hitler forced to divert valuable forces to assist Italy

D. B only

E. A&C

Quiz Question 3

• Why was the Battle of the Philippine Sea nicknamed “the Great Turkey Shoot?”

A. Good hunting area

B. It happened during Thanksgiving

C. The Japanese navy lost a large number of aircraft

D. It was a decisive Japanese land battle victory

Quiz Question 4

• Which battle was the final German counteroffensive in Europe?

A. Battle of Britain

B. Battle of the Bulge

C. Battle of Leyte Gulf

D. Battle of Point du Hoc

Quiz Question 5

• Why was the Battle of Stalingrad significant?

A. An entire German battle group was force to surrender

B. Galvanized the Russian forces

C. The Russian’s lost a large number of tanks

D. A&B