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Battle of France
-The evacuation of Allied soldiers during World War II from the beaches and harbor of Dunkirk.
-The Germans employed Blitzkrieg tactics, using armored vehicles and aircraft to make rapid territorial gains.
- Around 8,000,000 French, Dutch and Belgian refugees were created during the Battle of France.
- There were 3,350,000 axis troops deployed in the Battle of France.
- The British Expeditionary Force was sent to help defend France.
IMPORTANCE: It led to the collapse of the French Army. -
Battle of Britain
-Defended the United Kingdom against large-scale attacks by Nazi Germany's air force
- Hitler tried to convince Britain to surrender without a fight.
- It was the first battle in history waged almost exclusively in the air.
- A British pilot famously rammed a German bomber to prevent the destruction of Buckingham Palace.
- The Spitfire was not Britain’s main aircraft.
IMPORTANCE: It helped protect Nazi's from United Kingdom. -
Battle of Leningrad
Prolonged siege of the city of Leningrad in the Soviet Union by German and Finnish armed forces.
- Leningrad’s entire able-bodied population was mobilized to build anti tank fortifications along the city’s perimeter.
- Many people living in Leningrad died due to starvation and disease.
- A successful Soviet offensive ended the siege.
- The Soviet government awarded the Order of Lenin to Leningrad.
IMPORTANCE: The Germans only had one army and they still won proving their strength. -
Battle of Stalingrad
- Where Germany and its allies fought the Soviet Union for control of the city of Stalingrad -Result of Hitler’s decision to invade the Soviet Union without any declaration of war. -The continuous bombing of the city killed thousands and thousands
- Had the air smelling like dead corpse.
- Fights took place in every ruin. IMPORTANCE: This event marked the end of Germany's advances into eastern Europe and Russia.
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Operation Torch
- The invasion of North Africa during the North African Campaign.
- The first time the British and Americans had jointly worked on an invasion plan together.
- The landings started before daybreak on November 8th.
- Some ships from the French Navy attempted to attack the Allied invasion fleet but were sunk or driven ashore.
- Operation Torch also was the first large American airborne drop. IMPORTANCE: This was the first time British and American forces invaded together.
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D-Day
- British and Canadian forces landed on beaches in Normandy.
- The invasion was one of the largest amphibious military assaults in history and required extensive planning.
- The Allies created a distraction to mislead the Germans about the intended invasion target.
- The Normandy landings have been called the beginning of the end of war in Europe.
- D-day resulted in the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi Germany’s control. IMPORTANCE: This was the main invasion of Europe.
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Battle of the Bulge
-The last major German offensive campaign on the Western Front during World War II.
- Hitler's generals advised against the attack.
- Early German gains were largely due to the attack catching them by surprise.
-Major General phoned Lieutenant General to ask to withdraw, the line was bad and he understood incorrectly, and ordered to keep his troops in position.
- Fuel shortages helped doom the German offensive
IMPORTANCE: This ended the German army and the Nazi reign. -
Battle of Berlin
- It was the final major offensive of the European theater of World War II.
- There had always been tensions in the alliance between the Western powers.
- On the night of May 1st, most of the remaining German soldiers attempted to break out of the city and escape to the western front.
- Flag Day is May 2 to commemorate the day it raised the Polish flag over Berlin in victory.
- A million Germans were left without homes, clean water, or food. IMPORTANCE: This put an end to Adolf Hitler's rule.
