Major Military Events of World War II

WWII starts as a Tactical War and quickly evolves into a Total War

NB #6: Military Aspects of WWII -Look over all slides that sum up 10 major military

aspects of World War II in chronological order

- Go back and the watch short video clips for FOUR (2 from first 5 and 2 from second 5) of the topics that

interest you most

- Take brief notes on the 4 events you pick & write a paragraph discussing why you picked these 4 events

and what was most surprising or interesting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q78COTwT7nECrash Course World History #38 – World War II

#1 Blitzkrieg: In Sept, 1939 Nazi Germany launches mechanized attack on Poland and then 6 months later on France called “Blitzkrieg” triggering WWII https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ha0qKquG2E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyY5AHqiTm4&feature=related

#2 Battle of Britain: Nazis Target Britain with Arial Attacks in 1940 in preparation for invasion

#3: Operation Barbarossa

In June 1941 Nazi Forces invade Soviet Union leading to USSR joining Britain against Nazi Germany. By Winter, Germans on outskirts of Leningrad, Moscow & Stalingrad

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A4HVtkjAs4

#4: “Island Hopping” Strategy in the Pacific Allies (Mostly US & Australians) vs. Japan … secondary priority to European war. Example: Battle of Guadalcanal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3yKpyZu7wY

#5: Operation Torch – aka – the North Africa Campaign (1942-43) US & Britain vs. Axis under leadership of “Desert Fox” Rommel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXnZJX4pN74

#6: Invasion of Italyhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iRuxW5NOCc Beginning in 1943, Allies invade

Southern Italy (see left) and fight mostly German forces for a year until Mussolini is captured and executed (see below) by his own

countrymen in 1944 and Italy drops from Axis alliance.

#7: Battle of Stalingrad

Nazis vs. SovietsBattle of Stalingrad

When: Aug. 1942 - Feb. 1943 Result: City is completely destroyed400,000 Germans & 1 million Soviets dieGermany retreats as winter sets in.The turning point in the Eastern Front

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3SiU2laqSg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jp7yRj-pjo

#8: Operation Overlord aka “D- Day” on June 6th, 1944Allied Invasion of France establishes new Western Front

#9: Battle of the Bulge

• After post D-Day retreat, Germany launches counterattack – When: Dec 1944 – Jan 1945– Nazi Goal: Create stalemate & push for a favorable peace treaty– Outcome: “Last Stand” for Nazi Military…Germany forced to

surrender unconditionally to Allies a few months later http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8a8fqGpHgsk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Y0gdFisD9k&feature=relmfu Iwo Jima

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3Lbv0K8gCs&feature=relmfu Okinawa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6m77C8gOl0 Hiroshima & Nagasaki

#10: Pacific War intensifies after German surrender in Europe, but Japan refuses to unconditionally surrender

until after use of 2 atomic bombs in August, 1945

Ex: Iwo Jima, Okinawa and Hiroshima/Nagasaki