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Battle of the Atlantic
Axis powers depended largely on control of the seas. The U.S. needed the seas to deliver supplies. German U-boats attack Allied ships in groups known as Wolf packs. They hunted in groups and attacked at night. 360 American ships were sunk compared to just eight U-boats. The U.S. began using convoys and hacked the Enigma (German Code) giving them U-boat information. -
Battle of Britain
Winston Churchill refused to negotiate a peace agreement with Germany. While Hitler was preparing to invade Great Britain. The first stage of the German plan was to destroy the British Royal Air Force (RAF). The Germans failed. Using Radar, technology that used radio waves to detect approaching airplanes, the RAF inflicted heavy damage on German planes. The German airforce (Luftwaffe) began to bomb London. There were about 3,960 casualties and the British won. -
Battle of Stalingrad
The Germans attacked the city of Stalingrad, a major industrial center on the Volga River. The fight was extremely bloody because the Soviets refused to let Stalingrad fall. The Germans failed to take Stalingrad and exposed themselves to a counterattack, forcing 250,000 Axis Soldiers to surrender. Also, was a turning point in WWII. -
Battle of El Alamein, Egypt
After the fall of France, the British and Italians began a battle for North Africa. This territory was vital for the Allies. Early on, Italian forces tried to drive the British from Egypt but failed. The Italians were then driven backwards and Hitler sent troops to support the Italians. Erwin Rommel (Desert Fox) was the German General and Bernard Montgomery (Monty) was the British general. Their was about 37,060 casualties and Germany lost. Also was a turning point in the war. -
Operation Torch
North Africa was the logical place for American soldiers to enter the war. Dwight D. Eisenhower (Ike) was the commander. American forces invaded Morocco and Algeria. Vichy leader were still there but the French forces helped the Americans in battle. 20,000 Americans died fighting the Germans and was a victory for the Allies. -
Invasion of Sicily/Italy
Fighting began on the island of Sicily. Roosevelt and Churchill messaged the Italian people asking if they want to die for Mussolini and Hitler or live for Italy and civilization. Mussolini was forced from power shotly after. The Allies went ashore at Anzio and took Sicily a few weeks later with General George Patton, who perfected the blitzkrieg, at command. Hitler attempted to stop the Allies take over of Italy and sent forces to stop them. The Tuskegee Airmen took part in fighting too. -
Operation Overlord
To end the war as soon as possible Allies planned a massive invasion on the beaches of Normandy. Eisenhower commanded the mission and chose General Omar Bradley to lead the American troops. The British commander was Bernard Montgomery. D-Day arrived as 3.5 million soldiers invaded Normandy. Offshore ships shot artillery and aircraft filled the sky as cover for the troops and dropping parachuters behind enemy lines. The Allies were victorious. -
Battle of the Bulge
The Germans launched a surprise invasion of their own. Battle of the Bulge referred to the bulge in the Allied lines created by the German Advance.The city of Bastogne was defended by a small group of Americans who clinged to survival in below-zero temperatures with low supplies. Troops led by Lietenant General George S. Patton relieved the American force. This victory blunted the German offensive and was a crossroads for the battle. -
Hitler Commits Suicide
In the final weeks of April 1945 the steady destruction of the German resistance continued. Units from the Soviet Union met up with other Allied forces. At the same time, Berlin was under heavy bombardment. April 30 was the day Hitler realized hope was lost and he killed himself in his Berlin Bunker along with his wife who took poison. -
VE Day
Fighting stopped as Hitler's death spread. On May 2 Berlin surrendered and the German armies gave up the fight. The new leader of Germany, Karl Donitz, agreed to surrender on May 7. This surrender took effect May 8. In the United States it was proclaimed V-E-Day-Victory in Europe Day.
