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Battle of the Atlantic
The battle took place between the German and Italian navies, and the navies of Allied Powers in the Atlantic Ocean.The Germans used wolf packs, or U-boats that attacked at night, and Enigma, the code in which they relayed their messages, to make advances against the Allies. The Allies used aircraft to protect their convoys by using radars to find and destroy U-boats. The Allies were able to crack Enigma and gain vital information. After gaining the advantage, the Atlantic belonged to the Allies. -
Battle of Britain
The Germans wanted to gain air superiority over Britain's air force. The German airforce, Luftwaffe, was unable to gain air superiority even after months of targeting air bases and military posts on the UK. The Royal Air Force's victory saved the UK from a ground invasion, and possible occupation.The British had an effective air defense system,and a great leader. Luftwaffe's lack of intelligence caused them to faulter and plunder under the Royal Air Force. -
Battle of Stalingrad
Stalingrad was a major industrial center on the Volga River. The Soviets refused to let Stalingrad fall to the Germans in some of the bloodiest fighting in the history of warfare. The Germans exposed themselves to Soviet counterattack, and 250,000 soldiers were trapped. Stalingrad marked the beginning of Germany's collapse, and the Soviets began to push German forces back toward Germany. The Germans lost 2 million, the Soviets lost 12 million, and millions of civilains died. -
Battle of El Alamein, Egypt
Commander Bernard Law Montgomery launched an attack on Erwin Rommel and the German Forces. In the attack, they implemented Operation Lightfoot, in which the Allies had to attack first. The soldiers would not trip the mines like the tanks would, hence the name.The British had a larger army and better weapons, which lead them to victory. Rommel tried to stop the advancing British army, but was unable to with the British's overwhelming artillery and large army. This batlle lasted until November 11. -
Operation Torch
The commander was Dwight D. Eisenhower. The plan called for American forces to invade the North African countries of Morocco and Algeria in November. The Allies met little resisteance upon landing, and French forces soon joined them. The Allies turned east to fight the Germans. About 20,000 Americans were killed, but they were able to defeat Rommel's forces. -
Invasion of Sicily/Italy
Roosevelt and Churchill issued a message to the Italian people asking them if they wanted to die for Mussolini and Hitler, or live for Italy. Of course, they chose life, and by the end of the month, they had turned against Mussolini, and forced him out of power. Germans's tried to stop the Allies, but were not well prepared. The Allies were making progress with the help of the Tuskagee Airmen. When they arrived in Rome, fighting raged for four months, and they were finally able to take Sicily. -
Operation Overlord
The Allied plan to invade the mainland of Europe in
World War II, starting with D-Day landings. They worked for months to select a location, and they finally decided on the beaches of Normandy, in northern Europe.Eisenhower commanded the mission and chose Omar Bradley to lead the American troops. Fortunately, the German's were slow to respond to the invasion. German's tried to secure ket sites, but the Allies ships and aircrafts were constantly shelling to coastline to destroy the Germans. -
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was a surprise offensive made by the Germans. For several days, Hitler's forces threatened to win back vital ground from the Allies. A key moment came at the Beglian city of Bastogne. The Germans were determined to take it, but the small American force was even more determined. Americans clung to survival in the low temps. Lieutenant General George S. Patton provided relief for the American force.This victory helped blunt German offensive, and became a symbol of strength. -
Hitler Commits Suicide
Hitler shot himself in his underground bunker along with wife, Eva. The two had been married only two days. It is believed they both swallowed cyanide pills before killing themselves. Hitler had the chance to run away to the Bavarian Alps, where he owned a home. Both of their bodies were cremated. As news spread about his death, fighting came to a halt, and Berlin surrendered on May 2. Karl Donitz, who had taken over after Hitler's death, agreed to surrender on May 7. -
VE Day
Victory in Europe Day was the day when the Allies celebrated victory in Europe in World War II. Nazi Germany had finally surrendered its armed forces.
