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Battle of France
The Battle of France marked the fall of France to Germany.
- Ignoring the Maginot line, Germany moved in through Northern Luxembourg and Southern Belgium.
- Germany used effective armored tanks and aircraft.
- The battle of Sedan allowed Germany to enter France.
- Allied forces evacuated their troops from Dunkirk by sea saving 338,000 troops.
- Axis troops amounted to about 3,350,000 -
Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain was the first defeat of Nazi forces. It took place with dread after the Battle of France.
- The first major battle fought entirely in the air.
- The Battle got its name before it even started.
- Hitler attempted to convince Britain to surrender without a fight.
- One of the earliest forms of radar was used.
- A British pilot rammed a German plane to save Buckingham palace. -
Battle of Leningrad
A long gruesome battle in which thousands of innocent civilians died. The Soviet Red Army held their own against the Germans with less than 15 percent of their total force.
- Was also known as the "900-day siege".
- The siege lasted 872 days.
- The German blockade claimed the lives of 650,000 Leningraders in 1942 alone.
- The city was later bestowed the title of "Hero City of the Soviet Union".
- Supplies were sent to the city by barge, truck, and sled. -
Operation Torch
Operation Torch was the name for the Allies' invasion of French North Africa. It was the first time the US and Britain worked together on an invasion plan.
- The invasion was strongly influenced by pressure from Stalin and Russia to start a new front.
- Invaded Morocco and Algeria
- The three landing spots were Casablanca, Oran, and Algiers.
- The original goal was to gain the cooperation of the French army.
- Had the largest-scale American airborne drop. -
Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad marked the end of Germany's invasion of Eastern Europe and Russia.
- Hitler disobeyed the non-aggression pack to invade Russia.
- Over 800,000 Axis forces died.
- Under order 277, the defenders could not "take one step back".
- The Luftwaffe destroyed most of the city's houses.
- 1,100,000 Red Army died. -
D-Day
D-Day marked the start of the Western front in liberating mainland Europe from Nazi Germany
- Was the largest amphibious invasion in history, with over 160,000 troops storming the beaches.
- Its code name was "Operation Overlord".
- D-Day and H-Hour stand for the secret time an operation is supposed to begin.
- 15,000 aircraft and 5,000 ships provided support for the invasion.
- Bad weather made the allies postpone the day. -
D-Day
D-Day marked the start of the Western Front's liberation of mainland Europe. It forced Germany to fight a two-front war.
- Was the largest amphibious invasion in history. Over 160,000 troops stormed the beaches.
- The code name of the the invasion was "Operation Overlord".
- D-Day and H-Hour stand for the secret time the invasion would commence.
- 13,000 aircraft and 5,000 ships supported the operation.
- 6,603 Americans, 2,700 British, and 946 Canadians died during the invasion. -
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge caused Germany's defeat to come sooner. This was the last major Nazi offensive in WW2.
- Was the largest battle fought on the Western front in WW2.
- At first, German forces consisted of 200,000 men, about 1,000 tanks and assault guns, 1,200 artillery guns, and 2,000 aircraft.
- Allied forces at first consisted of about 80,000 men and about 400 artillery guns.
- Started with 200,000 Germans and 80,000 allies.
- Lasted around a month. -
Battle of Berlin
The Battle for Berlin marked the end of WW2. The Russian victory ended Hitler's Third Reich. The German forces were in a dire state, and stretched thin from the war.
- The Red Army was on the offensive with Germany defending the capital of Berlin.
- 45,000 of Berlin's forces were either children or old pensioners.
- The Russians had a huge advantage in terms of man power and equipment.
- Joseph Stalin's two generals were ordered to race to the capital.
- 80,000 Russians and 150,000 Germans die.
