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Battle of France
Germany used Blitzkrieg strategy to invade France
Mussolini declared war on Allies
French surrendered through a cease-fire agreement
France, Belgium, and Britain launched an operation to rescue captive troops
Germany occupied France for only 2 years This battle caused the collapse of the 3rd French Republic. -
Battle of Britain
Germany had a goal to destroy Britain's air force
Hitler's invasion plans were called Operation Sea Lion
Germany bombs Britain
Britain was bombed 57 days in a row at one point
Germany stopped because they needed to invade Russia This was the first major battle to be fought with only air forces. -
Siege of Leningrad
German invasion of the USSR's 2nd largest city
This siege lasted 872 days
Around 1.5 million people died
Each year the city celebrates the day the siege ended
Books, houses, and valuables were burned This siege led to Germany being humiliated after their general surrendered because the Russian blockade successfully defended them. -
Battle of Stalingrad
German Luftwaffe bombed Stalingrad, Russia
91,000 German soldiers were captured
Germany had to surrender and Hitler took away the general's rank
German tanks had trouble navigating the city because of rubble and rough terrain
Soviet army was led by General Zhukov This battle marked the end of Germany's advances into Russia and other parts of eastern Europe. -
Operation Torch
Britain and America invade Northwest Africa
First time Britain and America worked together on an invasion plan
First airborne assault by the US during the war
500 allied soldiers killed
US wanted to focus on Europe instead of Japan This battle postponed the landing of France until 1944. -
D Day
Allied forces invaded Northern France
Code name was Operation Overlord
Commanded by Dwight D. Eisenhower
13,000 aircraft and 5,000 ships were involved
The "D" doesn't stand for anything; D-day is a term for the day a military operation begins This invasion led to the freedom of France and is considered the most important event of WWII. -
Battle of the Bulge
Major factor in ending WWII
Heavy casualties and losses for both sides
Dwight D. Eisenhower played a significant role
Allies lost 300 tanks and 300 aircraft, Germany lost 700 tanks and 1,600 aircraft
Largest battle fought on western front during WWII This battle marked the last major Nazi offensive of WWII and Germany was not able to launch another attack on the Allies. -
Battle of Berlin
Last major battle in Europe during WWII
Germany VS Soviets, Germany was greatly outnumbered
German army surrenders and Hitler commits suicide
150,000 Polish soldiers fought with the Soviet Union
Left over 1 million Germans without food, water, or shelter This was the final battle of WWII and marked the end of Hitler's reign.
