Major Battles of

World War II

Major Battles of

World War II

Invasion of Polandbackground

Invasion of Polandbackground

In 1939, Adolf Hitler was looking to further expand Germany’s borders.

In 1939, Adolf Hitler was looking to further expand Germany’s borders.

He had already taken Austria and the Sudetenland without a fight.

He had already taken Austria and the Sudetenland without a fight.

Next, he set his sights on Poland.Next, he set his sights on Poland.

"The tragedy of this Sudeten woman, unable to conceal her misery as she dutifully salutes the triumphant Hitler, is the tragedy of the silent millions who have been `won over' to Hitlerism by the

`everlasting use' of ruthless force."

"The tragedy of this Sudeten woman, unable to conceal her misery as she dutifully salutes the triumphant Hitler, is the tragedy of the silent millions who have been `won over' to Hitlerism by the

`everlasting use' of ruthless force."

Soviet Foreign Commissar Vyacheslav Molotov signs the Nazi-Soviet nonaggression pact; Joachim von Ribbentrop and Josef Stalin stand behind him.

Moscow, August 23, 1939

Soviet Foreign Commissar Vyacheslav Molotov signs the Nazi-Soviet nonaggression pact; Joachim von Ribbentrop and Josef Stalin stand behind him.

Moscow, August 23, 1939

August 1939

Germany and the Soviet Union sign a Nonaggression Pact

August 1939

Germany and the Soviet Union sign a Nonaggression Pact

They also secretly agree to divide Poland.They also secretly agree to divide Poland.

September 1st, 1939 – Germany invades PolandSeptember 1st, 1939 – Germany invades Poland

World War II begins

World War II begins

In response, Britain and France declare war on Germany

In response, Britain and France declare war on Germany

The German blitzkrieg easily The German blitzkrieg easily overwhelms Polish defenses.overwhelms Polish defenses.

German troops parade through Warsaw, Poland. September 1939

German troops parade through Warsaw, Poland. September 1939

The Fall of FranceMay - June 1940

The Fall of FranceMay - June 1940

After taking Poland, Hitler looks West.After taking Poland, Hitler looks West.

April 1940:Nazis invade Denmark and Norway

April 1940:Nazis invade Denmark and Norway

May 10, 1940:Nazis invade France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands

May 10, 1940:Nazis invade France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands

The Maginot LineThe Maginot Line

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/launch_ani_fall_france_campaign.shtmlFall of France battle animation

British POWs at DunkirkBritish POWs at Dunkirk

Only Britain is left to oppose Hitler in Europe.

Only Britain is left to oppose Hitler in Europe.

France surrenders.France surrenders.

Battle of BritainBattle of BritainAugust - October 1940August - October 1940

The German Luftwaffe attacks British air fields, towns, and cities.

The German Luftwaffe attacks British air fields, towns, and cities.

The British Royal Air The British Royal Air Force (RAF) takes to Force (RAF) takes to the skies to defend the the skies to defend the British homeland.British homeland.

London 1940London 1940

London 1940London 1940

The RAF saves the day.The RAF saves the day.

•Use of RADAR helps Britain head off Nazi bombing raids.

• British pilots show their skills.

• The Luftwaffe cannot control the skies over Britain.

Hitler abandons plans to invade.

•Use of RADAR helps Britain head off Nazi bombing raids.

• British pilots show their skills.

• The Luftwaffe cannot control the skies over Britain.

Hitler abandons plans to invade.

War in the PacificWar in the Pacific

While Hitler is running amok in Europe, Japan is grabbing territory in Asia and the Pacific.

While Hitler is running amok in Europe, Japan is grabbing territory in Asia and the Pacific.

In 1940, Japan signs a pact with Germany and Italy, forming the Axis Powers.

After the Fall of France, Japan moves into French Indochina.

The United States condemns Japans actions, and declares an oil embargo.

Japan thinks war with the U.S. is inevitable.

In 1940, Japan signs a pact with Germany and Italy, forming the Axis Powers.

After the Fall of France, Japan moves into French Indochina.

The United States condemns Japans actions, and declares an oil embargo.

Japan thinks war with the U.S. is inevitable.

Captured Japanese photograph taken aboard a Japanese carrier before the attack on Pearl

Harbor, Hawaii. December 7, 1941

Captured Japanese photograph taken aboard a Japanese carrier before the attack on Pearl

Harbor, Hawaii. December 7, 1941

Hoping to neutralize the

U.S. in the Pacific,

Japan plans an attack on the

Navy’s Pacific fleet at

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Hoping to neutralize the

U.S. in the Pacific,

Japan plans an attack on the

Navy’s Pacific fleet at

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

On December 7, 1941, Japan launches the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.

On December 7, 1941, Japan launches the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.

USS Shaw USS ArizonaUSS Shaw USS Arizona

• 5 battleships sunk,• 2 destroyers sunk, 1 damaged• 1 other ship sunk, 3 damaged• 3 battleships damaged,• 3 cruisers damaged

• 5 battleships sunk,• 2 destroyers sunk, 1 damaged• 1 other ship sunk, 3 damaged• 3 battleships damaged,• 3 cruisers damaged

• 188 aircraft destroyed, • 155 aircraft damaged,• 2,345 military and 57 civilians killed,• 1,247 military and 35 civilians wounded

• 188 aircraft destroyed, • 155 aircraft damaged,• 2,345 military and 57 civilians killed,• 1,247 military and 35 civilians wounded

President Roosevelt signs declaration of war against Japan

President Roosevelt signs declaration of war against Japan

The U.S. declares war on Japan,

officially entering World War II.

The U.S. declares war on Japan,

officially entering World War II.

http://plasma.nationalgeographic.com/pearlharbor/ax/frameset.html

Pearl Harbor attack map

Battle of MidwayBattle of MidwayJune 4June 4thth – 7 – 7thth, 1942, 1942

•Japanese Navy wants to Japanese Navy wants to take Midway Island, tries take Midway Island, tries to lure U.S. Navy into to lure U.S. Navy into trap.trap.

•BUT…U.S. had broken BUT…U.S. had broken Japanese secret code.Japanese secret code.

•Admiral Chester Nimitz Admiral Chester Nimitz sends all available sends all available carriers to the area.carriers to the area.

• U.S. Naval forces and planes sink four Japanese aircraft carriers.

• Japanese Navy is crippled.

• Pacific war turns in America’s favor. Japan goes on the defensive.

• U.S. Naval forces and planes sink four Japanese aircraft carriers.

• Japanese Navy is crippled.

• Pacific war turns in America’s favor. Japan goes on the defensive.

Diorama by Norman Bel Geddes, depicting the attack by USS Diorama by Norman Bel Geddes, depicting the attack by USS Yorktown (CV-5) and USS Enterprise (CV-6) dive bombers on Yorktown (CV-5) and USS Enterprise (CV-6) dive bombers on the Japanese aircraft carriers Soryu, Akagi and Kaga in the the Japanese aircraft carriers Soryu, Akagi and Kaga in the

morning of 4 June 1942.morning of 4 June 1942.

Diorama by Norman Bel Geddes, depicting the attack by USS Diorama by Norman Bel Geddes, depicting the attack by USS Yorktown (CV-5) and USS Enterprise (CV-6) dive bombers on Yorktown (CV-5) and USS Enterprise (CV-6) dive bombers on the Japanese aircraft carriers Soryu, Akagi and Kaga in the the Japanese aircraft carriers Soryu, Akagi and Kaga in the

morning of 4 June 1942.morning of 4 June 1942.

Battle of the Atlantic1939-1945

Battle of the Atlantic1939-1945

From the beginning of the war, the German and British navies battle it out in the Atlantic.

One of the German goals is to cut off supplies from North America.

In March 1941, U.S. Congress passes the Lend-Lease Act, loaning Britain $7 billion in weapons and supplies.

In order to cut off this aid, German U-boats sink Allied cargo ships.

From the beginning of the war, the German and British navies battle it out in the Atlantic.

One of the German goals is to cut off supplies from North America.

In March 1941, U.S. Congress passes the Lend-Lease Act, loaning Britain $7 billion in weapons and supplies.

In order to cut off this aid, German U-boats sink Allied cargo ships.

The Allies organize ships into The Allies organize ships into convoysconvoys, protected , protected by by BritishBritish and and CanadianCanadian navy ships and planes. navy ships and planes.

With the Lend-Lease Act, the With the Lend-Lease Act, the U.S.U.S. also begins also begins escorting ships as far as Iceland.escorting ships as far as Iceland.

In September 1941, a German U-boat fires on a In September 1941, a German U-boat fires on a U.S. destroyer. U.S. destroyer.

FDR tells U.S. forces to shoot threatening U-boats FDR tells U.S. forces to shoot threatening U-boats on sight.on sight.

The Germans and the Allies battle at sea until the end of the war in 1945.

The British use SONAR to detect German U-boats.

German U-boats are unable to cut off supply lines.

Allied victory remains possible.

The Germans and the Allies battle at sea until the end of the war in 1945.

The British use SONAR to detect German U-boats.

German U-boats are unable to cut off supply lines.

Allied victory remains possible.

Back in Europe… Back in Europe…

Operation BarbarossaOperation Barbarossa•In June 1941 (6 months before Pearl Harbor), Hitler betrays Stalin.

•Nazi forces begin Operation Barbarossa – an invasion of Soviet Union. Their aim is to take Moscow.

•Largest military operation in History. 900,000 German and 3,000,000 Russian casualties.

•In June 1941 (6 months before Pearl Harbor), Hitler betrays Stalin.

•Nazi forces begin Operation Barbarossa – an invasion of Soviet Union. Their aim is to take Moscow.

•Largest military operation in History. 900,000 German and 3,000,000 Russian casualties.

•Even though the Soviets sustain greater losses, the operation is a failure for the Germans.

•The Nazi Army regroups, goes after Stalingrad.

•The Battle of Stalingrad will become the bloodiest in history, with over 1,500,000 casualties.

•750,000 Germans killed or wounded, 91,000 captured.

•478,000 Russians killed or missing, 650,000 sick and wounded. Over 40,000 civilian deaths.

•Even though the Soviets sustain greater losses, the operation is a failure for the Germans.

•The Nazi Army regroups, goes after Stalingrad.

•The Battle of Stalingrad will become the bloodiest in history, with over 1,500,000 casualties.

•750,000 Germans killed or wounded, 91,000 captured.

•478,000 Russians killed or missing, 650,000 sick and wounded. Over 40,000 civilian deaths.

Battle of StalingradBattle of StalingradJuly 1942 – February 1943

• The Nazis want Soviet oil fields. Controlling Stalingrad will give them access.

• Neither army will retreat or surrender.

• September – German and Romanian forces surround Stalingrad.

July 1942 – February 1943

• The Nazis want Soviet oil fields. Controlling Stalingrad will give them access.

• Neither army will retreat or surrender.

• September – German and Romanian forces surround Stalingrad.

German Luftwaffe attacks

on Stalingrad

Summer 1942

German Luftwaffe attacks

on Stalingrad

Summer 1942

• November – JanuaryRed Army counterattacks, defeats the Romanian forces, pushes the Nazi Army away from the city.

• German commander Friedrich Von Paulus sees hope is lost. His force of 300,000 is down to 91,000 starving, freezing men. But Hitler won’t let him surrender.

• He surrenders anyway.

• November – JanuaryRed Army counterattacks, defeats the Romanian forces, pushes the Nazi Army away from the city.

• German commander Friedrich Von Paulus sees hope is lost. His force of 300,000 is down to 91,000 starving, freezing men. But Hitler won’t let him surrender.

• He surrenders anyway.

German POWs in Stalingrad

February 1943

German POWs in Stalingrad

February 1943

Stalingrad, 1943Stalingrad, 1943

•Russia stops the blitz.

•Crushing defeat for the Germans ends their advances in Eastern Europe.

•The tide in Europe begins to turn in the Allies’ favor.

•Russia stops the blitz.

•Crushing defeat for the Germans ends their advances in Eastern Europe.

•The tide in Europe begins to turn in the Allies’ favor.

War in Africa1940 - 1943

War in Africa1940 - 1943

• British Commonwealth forces fight back

and forth with Italian and German forces in North Africa and the Mediterranean

Both sides want to control the Suez Canal

• British Commonwealth forces fight back

and forth with Italian and German forces in North Africa and the Mediterranean

Both sides want to control the Suez Canal

The Battle of El Alamein

The Battle of El Alamein

• Their forces meet at El Alamein, near Alexandria, Egypt.

• Montgomery uses superior numbers to overwhelm German forces.

• Rommel convinces Hitler that he has to withdraw; begins 1,400 mile retreat across North Africa.

• Their forces meet at El Alamein, near Alexandria, Egypt.

• Montgomery uses superior numbers to overwhelm German forces.

• Rommel convinces Hitler that he has to withdraw; begins 1,400 mile retreat across North Africa.

October 23 – November 5, 1942October 23 – November 5, 1942

British GeneralBernard Montgomery

British GeneralBernard Montgomery

German GeneralErwin Rommel

German GeneralErwin Rommel

Australian soldiers at El AlameinAustralian soldiers at El Alamein

•Soon after the battle, U.S. forces under Generals George S. Patton and Dwight D. Eisenhower land in Africa.

•End of Axis threat in Africa.

•Allies can focus on Mediterranean

•Soon after the battle, U.S. forces under Generals George S. Patton and Dwight D. Eisenhower land in Africa.

•End of Axis threat in Africa.

•Allies can focus on Mediterranean

The Battle of El AlameinThe Battle of El Alamein

After El Alamein(1943-1944)

After El Alamein(1943-1944)

July-September ‘43

• Allies land in Italy.

• Mussolini overthrown.

1944

• Allied bombing of German targets in France.

July-September ‘43

• Allies land in Italy.

• Mussolini overthrown.

1944

• Allied bombing of German targets in France.

February ‘44

• Allied bombing of Germany begins.

June ‘44

• Allies capture Rome.

•Operation Overlord

February ‘44

• Allied bombing of Germany begins.

June ‘44

• Allies capture Rome.

•Operation Overlord

General Dwight D. Eisenhower addresses U.S. troops prior to the Invasion of Normandy.

General Dwight D. Eisenhower addresses U.S. troops prior to the Invasion of Normandy.

Operation OverlordOperation Overlord

• Allies cross the English Channel to retake France from Germany.

• June 5th, 1944:paratroopers descend behind German lines

• Allies cross the English Channel to retake France from Germany.

• June 5th, 1944:paratroopers descend behind German lines

• June 6th, 1944:

D-Day

• June 6th, 1944:

D-Day

D-Day (Invasion of Normandy)

D-Day (Invasion of Normandy)• Over 160,000 US,

British, and Canadian troops and 30,000 vehicles land on the beaches of Normandy, France.

• Landings begin at 6:30 am.

• By midnight, the Allies control the beaches.

• Over 160,000 US, British, and Canadian troops and 30,000 vehicles land on the beaches of Normandy, France.

• Landings begin at 6:30 am.

• By midnight, the Allies control the beaches.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/launch_ani_d_day.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/launch_ani_wwtwo_movies_dday.shtml

After D-DayAfter D-Day

• Allied forces and French Resistance liberate Paris in August.

• Liberations of France, Belgium, Luxembourg.

• Allied forces and French Resistance liberate Paris in August.

• Liberations of France, Belgium, Luxembourg.

US soldiers in Belgium, December 1944

Battle of the BulgeDecember 1944 - January 1945Battle of the BulgeDecember 1944 - January 1945

• Hitler’s last offensive.

• 250,000 Nazi soldiers advance through Ardennes forest, pushing 50 miles into Allied lines.

• Hitler’s last offensive.

• 250,000 Nazi soldiers advance through Ardennes forest, pushing 50 miles into Allied lines.

Three members of an American patrol cross a snow-covered Luxembourg field on a scouting mission.

White bedsheets camouflage them in the snow.

Three members of an American patrol cross a snow-covered Luxembourg field on a scouting mission.

White bedsheets camouflage them in the snow.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/bulge/sfeature/sf_footage_01.htmlDescription of battle

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/bulge/sfeature/sf_footage_04.htmlMcAuliffe’s surrender message

Battle of the BulgeDecember 1944 - January 1945Battle of the BulgeDecember 1944 - January 1945

• Over 76,000 Americans are killed, wounded, or captured, mostly in the first three days of battle.

• UK forces under Montgomery attack the ‘bulge’ from the north, US forces under Patton attack from the south.

• German forces - cold, frustrated, and low on fuel and ammunition - withdraw.

• The end is near for Nazi Germany.

• Over 76,000 Americans are killed, wounded, or captured, mostly in the first three days of battle.

• UK forces under Montgomery attack the ‘bulge’ from the north, US forces under Patton attack from the south.

• German forces - cold, frustrated, and low on fuel and ammunition - withdraw.

• The end is near for Nazi Germany.