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TRANSCRIPT
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.