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Battle of the Atlantic
The war lasted five years, eight months, and five days. Allies learned how to protect themselves by using convoy systems. Germany started to use wolf packs and they hunted in groups and at night. Between 1940 and 1941 Germany had a happy time and lost only a few ships. Allied aircraft helped convoy systems and they used radar. Also they cracked Enigma and gianed vital information. By the end 70% of germans in the nevy were dead and allies won the Atlantic. -
Battle of Britain
The battle was from July 10 to October 31, 1940. The battle was an air battle for England. It was the German air force Luftwaffe and the United Kingdom. Germany wanted to gain air superiority over the royal air force. The British radar proved to be vital as Britian emerged victorious. Air power made it extremely hard for the Germans to invade Britain and Hitler turned his attention to Russia. -
Battle of Stalingrad
Germany renewed it attack once spring came and a major target was Stalingrad because of its major industrial center on the Volga River. it was one of the bloodiest fights in history of wasrfare and sovietrs refused to let Stalingrad fall. In a counter attack Soviets trapped 250,000 Axis soldiers. Hitler was forced to surrender and Soviets began to push Germany out of Russia. Hitler had losses of 2 million and the soviets lost 12 million. This was a turning point in the war. -
Battle of El Alamein, Egypt
The battle took place near a major Egyption railway halt. This marked a major turning point in the war. This battles consisted of German and Italian powers agaisnt a mix of Allied soldiers. The battle ended the axis power in Egypt and turned the tide in the North Africa Campaign. -
Operation Torch
North Africa was the logical place for American soldeirs to enter the war. The commander was Dwight D. Eisenhower. The plan called for Americans to invade the North African countries of Morocco and Algeria. The area belonged to Vichy france and American troops had little risistence. Some 20,000 American soldiers were killed in 6 months of North Africa fighting. -
Invasion of Sicily/Italy
Soon after the attack began Roosevelt and Churchill sent a message telling them they could live or die and they chose to live and turned agaisnt Mussolini and forced him from power. Allies took Sicily a few weeks later. German forces rushed to stop allies from walking straight into Europe but allies made steady progress. Tuskegee Airmen took part in the fighting. There was a large scale invasion at Anzio where allied soldiers became trapped and were later freed by soldiers fighting through south -
Operation Overlord
It was a invasion of France. They wanted to end the war as quickly as possible so they launched a large scale invasion and chose Normandy in Northern France. Speed and planning were vital and allies feered the use of V1 flying bomb and V2 rocket. 3.5 millions soldiers were involved. Hitler feared Normandy was just a trick and there was another larger invasion. He didnt send reiforcments and the allies established a beach head. Allies landed tons of equipment on shore including member of the WAC. -
Battle of the Bulge
The Germans seemed like they were about to callape when they launched a suprise offensive. They threatened to win back vital ground. Surrounded American troops hung on in below zero tempatures and survived and George S. Patton arrived and provided relief. This became a symbol of American strength and determination. By the end of January victory was again close at hand. -
Hitler Commits Suicide
He killed himsled by gunshot in his Fuhrerbunker in Berlin. His wife killed herslef as well by taking cyanide. He was paranoid and knew he was going to be captured soon. Some speculate he escaped and never actually died but he was announced dead by the FBI almost a decade later. -
VE Day
This day marked the surrender of Nazi Germany and the end of World War II. The treaty was signed in Berlin Germany and in Reims France. Many European nations erupted in celebrations.
