D-DayD-DayJune 6June 6thth, 1944, 1944

What was the situation in 1944?What was the situation in 1944?

• The Russians have The Russians have defeated the defeated the Germans and are Germans and are advancing in the advancing in the EastEast

• The Allies are The Allies are victorious in Africa victorious in Africa and launch an and launch an assault on mainland assault on mainland Italy through SicilyItaly through Sicily

The Russian FrontThe Russian Front• On August 23On August 23rdrd, 1939, , 1939,

Stalin and Hitler signed a Stalin and Hitler signed a “Non-Aggression Pact” “Non-Aggression Pact” which vowed not to which vowed not to interfere in each other’s interfere in each other’s businessbusiness

• On June 22On June 22ndnd, 1941, , 1941, Germany invaded the Germany invaded the Soviet UnionSoviet Union

• Having purged his Having purged his military of many of its military of many of its best officers, Stalin and best officers, Stalin and the Soviets were not the Soviets were not ready for warready for war

The Eastern FrontThe Eastern Front• Operation “Barbarossa” – Operation “Barbarossa” –

began on June 22began on June 22ndnd, 1941, 1941• The early days saw the The early days saw the

Germans drive into the Germans drive into the Soviet Union almost Soviet Union almost reaching Moscow by reaching Moscow by OctoberOctober

• The German army besieged The German army besieged Leningrad for what was to Leningrad for what was to become a two year become a two year struggle ending in the struggle ending in the death of more than one death of more than one million civiliansmillion civilians

• When the severe Russian When the severe Russian winter arrived the Nazi winter arrived the Nazi offensive broke down and offensive broke down and the German attack was the German attack was haltedhalted

The Tide TurnsThe Tide Turns

• The Nazis needed supplies The Nazis needed supplies and resources to continue the and resources to continue the war so victory in the Soviet war so victory in the Soviet Union was essentialUnion was essential

• From Sept. 14From Sept. 14thth, 1942 – Feb. , 1942 – Feb. 22ndnd, 1943 – the Germans and , 1943 – the Germans and Russians fought for the Russians fought for the strategic city of Stalingrad on strategic city of Stalingrad on the Volga Riverthe Volga River

• Hitler and the Nazis lost the Hitler and the Nazis lost the battle – 500 000 German and battle – 500 000 German and other troops were killed or other troops were killed or taken prisonertaken prisoner

• By the Autumn of 1943 the By the Autumn of 1943 the Germany army of 2.5 million Germany army of 2.5 million soldiers faced an army of 5.5 soldiers faced an army of 5.5 million Soviet soldiersmillion Soviet soldiers

ItalyItaly

• From July 10From July 10thth to August 17 to August 17thth – the Allies including – the Allies including the Canadians fought and took Sicily from the the Canadians fought and took Sicily from the German Army – Codenamed “Operation Husky”German Army – Codenamed “Operation Husky”

• The Campaign of Italy was designed to take the The Campaign of Italy was designed to take the pressure off their Russian Allies and pull German pressure off their Russian Allies and pull German troops out of north-western Europe readying the troops out of north-western Europe readying the area for Operation “Overlord”area for Operation “Overlord”

• 9th September, 1943 the attack began on Italy9th September, 1943 the attack began on Italy• The Canadians were forced to fight for every The Canadians were forced to fight for every

metre of the mountainous terrain as the Germans metre of the mountainous terrain as the Germans refused to give it uprefused to give it up

• Italian Campaign Animated MapItalian Campaign Animated Map

The Italians SurrenderThe Italians Surrender• On the 8On the 8thth of September, of September,

1943, the Italian 1943, the Italian Government surrendersGovernment surrenders

• The Allied planners thought The Allied planners thought the Italian Campaign would the Italian Campaign would be over in a matter of be over in a matter of weeks.weeks.

• They were wrong. Italy They were wrong. Italy would represent frustration would represent frustration and death for thousands of and death for thousands of Allied soldiers in a bitter Allied soldiers in a bitter stagnated fight. stagnated fight.

• It would be a year before It would be a year before Allied troops entered Rome, Allied troops entered Rome, and the Invasion of France and the Invasion of France would overshadow that would overshadow that victory.victory.

The Battle for ItalyThe Battle for Italy

• When Italy formally When Italy formally surrendered on September surrendered on September 88thth, the Italians separated into , the Italians separated into two camps, pro-Allied and two camps, pro-Allied and pro-German factions. pro-German factions.

• On September 9, the Allies On September 9, the Allies landed Americans at Salerno landed Americans at Salerno and the British landed at and the British landed at TarantoTaranto

• By September 26 the Allies By September 26 the Allies had built a force of 189,000 had built a force of 189,000 men and 30,000 vehicles. men and 30,000 vehicles.

• Following the Italian Following the Italian surrender, the German Army surrender, the German Army took control of the defence of took control of the defence of GermanyGermany

OrtonaOrtona• Ortona is an ancient city Ortona is an ancient city

that consists of narrow that consists of narrow streets and connected streets and connected houseshouses

• Much of Ortona was reduced Much of Ortona was reduced to rubble, making it difficult to rubble, making it difficult for the Canadians to use for the Canadians to use tankstanks

• The Germans barricaded The Germans barricaded themselves in houses and themselves in houses and mined the streetsmined the streets

• The fighting was house-to-The fighting was house-to-house-literally – the house-literally – the Canadians blasted their way Canadians blasted their way through walls to get from through walls to get from building to building. building to building.

• The battle continued over The battle continued over Christmas Day, 1943 but Christmas Day, 1943 but three days later the three days later the Germans withdrew. Germans withdrew.

The Liberation of RomeThe Liberation of Rome• Following the fall of Ortona the Following the fall of Ortona the

Allies ground to a halt due to Allies ground to a halt due to blizzards and drifting snow at blizzards and drifting snow at the end of December the end of December

• The Allied focus then turned to The Allied focus then turned to the western front where it was the western front where it was considered to have the best considered to have the best chance of a breakthrough chance of a breakthrough towards Rome. towards Rome.

• It took four major offensives It took four major offensives between January and May 1944 between January and May 1944 before the Allies including before the Allies including British, US, French, Polish, and British, US, French, Polish, and Canadian Corps broke throughCanadian Corps broke through

• Rome was declared an open Rome was declared an open city by the German army and city by the German army and the Allies took possession on the Allies took possession on June 4June 4thth. .

The Move on to FranceThe Move on to France

• Having the Having the Germans occupied Germans occupied in Italy allowed the in Italy allowed the allies to move allies to move forward with their forward with their plan to open up the plan to open up the long awaited long awaited western front in western front in EuropeEurope

The PlanThe Plan• Winston Churchill and Winston Churchill and

Franklin Roosevelt Franklin Roosevelt agreed it was time to agreed it was time to open up a new front in open up a new front in the West through the the West through the beaches of Francebeaches of France

• The obvious choice for The obvious choice for a landing area was the a landing area was the Pas de Calais so the Pas de Calais so the Allies decided to Allies decided to attack in Normandy attack in Normandy instead but believed instead but believed they had to deceive they had to deceive the Germans they the Germans they intended to attack intended to attack elsewhereelsewhere

Normandy It Is!Normandy It Is!• NormandNormand

y is a y is a peninsulpeninsula on the a on the French French CoastCoast

• It was It was chosen chosen because because the the Germans Germans expected expected the the attack to attack to be on be on the Pas the Pas de Calaisde Calais

The CriteriaThe Criteria1.1. The enemy must The enemy must

remain ignorant of the remain ignorant of the proposed landing siteproposed landing site

2.2. The enemy must be The enemy must be prevented from prevented from bringing up bringing up reinforcements quickly reinforcements quickly once the allies landedonce the allies landed

3.3. Complete Allied air Complete Allied air and naval superiority and naval superiority in the English Channel in the English Channel

4.4. Local defences must Local defences must largely be destroyed largely be destroyed by air and sea by air and sea bombardmentbombardment

Operation “Overlord”Operation “Overlord”

• There would be There would be five sectors that five sectors that would be would be attacked:attacked:

1.1. Utah – AmericanUtah – American

2.2. Omaha – Omaha – AmericanAmerican

3.3. Gold – BritishGold – British

4.4. Juno – CanadianJuno – Canadian

5.5. Sword - BritishSword - British

The Attack – June 6The Attack – June 6thth, 1944, 1944• Operation Overlord SimulationOperation Overlord Simulation

The Atlantic WallThe Atlantic Wall• The The Atlantic WallAtlantic Wall was an was an

extensive system of coastal extensive system of coastal fortifications built by the fortifications built by the Germans between 1942 and Germans between 1942 and 1944 1944

• Built along the western coast Built along the western coast of Europe to defend against of Europe to defend against an anticipated Anglo-an anticipated Anglo-American led Allied invasion American led Allied invasion of the continent from Great of the continent from Great Britain.Britain.

• Fritz Todt, the designer of the Fritz Todt, the designer of the Siegfried Line along the Siegfried Line along the Franco-German border, was Franco-German border, was the chief engineer the chief engineer

• Thousands of forced laborers Thousands of forced laborers were forced to construct were forced to construct these permanent these permanent fortifications along the Dutch, fortifications along the Dutch, Belgian and French coastsBelgian and French coasts

The Atlantic WallThe Atlantic Wall• Early in 1944, Field Marshal Erwin Early in 1944, Field Marshal Erwin

Rommel was assigned to improve Rommel was assigned to improve the defenses of the Wall. the defenses of the Wall.

• Rommel believed the existing Rommel believed the existing coastal fortifications were entirely coastal fortifications were entirely inadequate.inadequate.

• A string of reinforced concrete A string of reinforced concrete pillboxes were built along the pillboxes were built along the beaches to house machine guns, beaches to house machine guns, antitank guns, and light artillery. antitank guns, and light artillery.

• Minefields and antitank obstacles Minefields and antitank obstacles were planted on the beaches and were planted on the beaches and underwater obstacles and mines underwater obstacles and mines were planted in the waters just were planted in the waters just off shore to destroy incoming off shore to destroy incoming craftcraft

• By the time of the invasion, the By the time of the invasion, the Germans had laid almost 6 Germans had laid almost 6 million mines in northern France. million mines in northern France.

The Atlantic Wall!The Atlantic Wall!

The Time Has ComeThe Time Has Come• On the evening of On the evening of

June 5June 5thth paratroopers paratroopers dropped in to dropped in to secure bridges for secure bridges for the allied advancethe allied advance

• Heavy bombers Heavy bombers dropped their dropped their payloads on what payloads on what was supposed to be was supposed to be the beach defencesthe beach defences

• In the early In the early morning the largest morning the largest armada of ships armada of ships left Britain for the left Britain for the French coastFrench coast

The Canadians on D-DayThe Canadians on D-Day• Of the nearly 150,000 Allied Of the nearly 150,000 Allied

troops who landed or troops who landed or parachuted into the parachuted into the invasion area, 14,000 were invasion area, 14,000 were Canadians Canadians

• The Royal Canadian Navy The Royal Canadian Navy contributed 110 ships and contributed 110 ships and 10,000 sailors in support of 10,000 sailors in support of the landings while the the landings while the R.C.A.F. had helped prepare R.C.A.F. had helped prepare the invasion by bombing the invasion by bombing targets inland targets inland

• Canadians suffered 1074 Canadians suffered 1074 casualties, including 359 casualties, including 359 killed. killed.

The Battle for NormandyThe Battle for Normandy• For the first month following For the first month following

the D-Day landings, a the D-Day landings, a stalemate developed during stalemate developed during which the Allies built up their which the Allies built up their forces forces

• In July Canadian troops helped In July Canadian troops helped capture Caen and then turned capture Caen and then turned towards Falaise where they towards Falaise where they aimed at joining an American aimed at joining an American advance from the south to advance from the south to encircle the German forces in encircle the German forces in Normandy. Normandy.

• By August 21, the Germans By August 21, the Germans had either retreated or been had either retreated or been destroyed between the destroyed between the Canadian-British and American Canadian-British and American pincers pincers

• The ten-week Normandy The ten-week Normandy Campaign cost the Canadians Campaign cost the Canadians alone more than 18,000 alone more than 18,000 casualties, 5000 of them fatal. casualties, 5000 of them fatal.

The Liberation of Northwest The Liberation of Northwest EuropeEurope

• September 1944 the September 1944 the British captured the British captured the Belgian port of Antwerp Belgian port of Antwerp

• It was a key victory for the It was a key victory for the allies because they allies because they desperately required its desperately required its docking facilities to bring docking facilities to bring in supplies. in supplies.

• The problem was that the The problem was that the Germans occupied both Germans occupied both banks of the 70-kilometre banks of the 70-kilometre long Scheldt River estuary long Scheldt River estuary linking Antwerp to the sea. linking Antwerp to the sea.

•Realizing the value of Antwerp to the Allied supply line, the 2nd Realizing the value of Antwerp to the Allied supply line, the 2nd Canadian Army under the command of Lieutenant-General Guy Canadian Army under the command of Lieutenant-General Guy Simonds was assigned to the task of securing the Scheldt Simonds was assigned to the task of securing the Scheldt EstuaryEstuary

Liberating The Scheldt Liberating The Scheldt EstuaryEstuary

• The The Battle of the ScheldtBattle of the Scheldt, was a series of military operations which , was a series of military operations which took place in northern Belgium and southwestern Netherlands from took place in northern Belgium and southwestern Netherlands from October 2 to November 8, 1944 October 2 to November 8, 1944

• By September, 1944, it had become urgent for the Allies to clear both By September, 1944, it had become urgent for the Allies to clear both banks of the Scheldt Estuary in order to open the port of Antwerp to banks of the Scheldt Estuary in order to open the port of Antwerp to Allied shipping, thus easing logistical burdens in their supply lines Allied shipping, thus easing logistical burdens in their supply lines stretching hundreds of miles from Normandy.stretching hundreds of miles from Normandy.

• The British captured Antwerp on September 4The British captured Antwerp on September 4thth, 1944 but the , 1944 but the Germans still controlled the Scheldt Estuary making the port uselessGermans still controlled the Scheldt Estuary making the port useless

The Scheldt Con’tThe Scheldt Con’t• After five weeks of difficult After five weeks of difficult

fighting, the First Canadian fighting, the First Canadian Army with support from Army with support from other countries was other countries was successful in securing the successful in securing the Scheldt EstuaryScheldt Estuary

• It took numerous It took numerous amphibious assaults, amphibious assaults, crossing of canals, and crossing of canals, and fighting over open ground. fighting over open ground.

• Both land and water were Both land and water were mined, and the Germans mined, and the Germans defended their retreating defended their retreating line with artillery and line with artillery and snipers.snipers.

• The Allies finally cleared the The Allies finally cleared the port areas on November 8, port areas on November 8, but at a cost of 12,873 Allied but at a cost of 12,873 Allied casualties (killed, wounded, casualties (killed, wounded, or missing), half of them or missing), half of them Canadians.Canadians.

The Battle of the BulgeThe Battle of the Bulge

• The The Ardennes OffensiveArdennes Offensive known to the general public known to the general public as the as the Battle of the Bulge, Battle of the Bulge, started on December 16, started on December 16, 19441944

• Three powerful German Three powerful German armies plunged into the armies plunged into the semi-mountainous, heavily semi-mountainous, heavily forested Ardennes region of forested Ardennes region of eastern Belgium and eastern Belgium and northern Luxembourg. northern Luxembourg.

• Their goal was to reach the Their goal was to reach the sea, trap four allied armies, sea, trap four allied armies, and impel a negotiated and impel a negotiated peace on the Western front. peace on the Western front.

The Battle of the BulgeThe Battle of the Bulge• Thinking the Ardennes was Thinking the Ardennes was

the least likely spot for a the least likely spot for a German offensive the line German offensive the line was thin with American was thin with American manpower concentrated manpower concentrated north and south of the north and south of the Ardennes. Ardennes.

• Even though the German Even though the German Offensive achieved total Offensive achieved total surprise, the American surprise, the American troops did not give ground troops did not give ground without a fightwithout a fight

• Within three days the Within three days the Americans, assisted by the Americans, assisted by the arrival of powerful arrival of powerful reinforcements insured reinforcements insured that the Germans would that the Germans would not achieve their goal.not achieve their goal.

Battle of the Bulge OutcomeBattle of the Bulge Outcome

• The German losses in the The German losses in the battle were critical battle were critical

• The last of the German The last of the German reserves were now gonereserves were now gone

• The The LuftwaffeLuftwaffe had been had been brokenbroken

• The German Army in the The German Army in the West was being pushed West was being pushed back. back.

• Most importantly, the Most importantly, the Eastern Front was now Eastern Front was now ripe for the taking and the ripe for the taking and the German Army was unable German Army was unable to halt the Soviets to halt the Soviets

• German forces were sent German forces were sent reeling on two fronts and reeling on two fronts and never recovered. never recovered.

The Final DaysThe Final Days• In April 1945, the battle is In April 1945, the battle is

coming to a close. coming to a close. • On the 30th April, Hitler On the 30th April, Hitler

commits suicide together commits suicide together with his mistress Eva with his mistress Eva Braun hours after they Braun hours after they were married. were married.

• Hitler gave strict orders Hitler gave strict orders for his body to be burned, for his body to be burned, so that his enemies so that his enemies wouldn't do what they wouldn't do what they had done to Mussolini, had done to Mussolini, who was publicly who was publicly displayed hanging upside displayed hanging upside down. down.

The Soviets Arrive – Berlin The Soviets Arrive – Berlin FallsFalls• By 2 May, the Reichstag, By 2 May, the Reichstag,

the old German the old German parliament falls and Berlin parliament falls and Berlin surrenders to Marshall surrenders to Marshall Zukhov, who receives the Zukhov, who receives the honour of being the honour of being the conqueror of Berlin. conqueror of Berlin.

• The battle for Berlin cost The battle for Berlin cost the Soviets over 70,000 the Soviets over 70,000 dead. Many of them died dead. Many of them died because of the haste with because of the haste with which the campaign was which the campaign was conducted.conducted.

VE-DayVE-Day

• The major Allied ground The major Allied ground offensive from the west offensive from the west against German territory against German territory began on 8 February began on 8 February 1945 1945

• In April, Canadian troops In April, Canadian troops liberated most of the liberated most of the Netherlands Netherlands

• The Germans formally The Germans formally surrendered on 8 May surrendered on 8 May 1945, known as Victory-1945, known as Victory-in-Europe, or ‘V-E’ Day in-Europe, or ‘V-E’ Day

Hiroshima and NagasakiHiroshima and Nagasaki

• Following FDR’s death, Following FDR’s death, Harry Truman becomes Harry Truman becomes President of the United President of the United StatesStates

• Truman decided to use the Truman decided to use the bomb on Japan because he bomb on Japan because he believed that it was the believed that it was the only way to get the only way to get the Japanese to surrender and Japanese to surrender and save American livessave American lives

• On August 6On August 6thth, 1945 a lone , 1945 a lone B-29 Superfortress called B-29 Superfortress called the Enola Gay by its crew the Enola Gay by its crew took off and headed for took off and headed for HiroshimaHiroshima

VideoVideo

Fat Man and Little BoyFat Man and Little Boy

• At 8:15am the atomic At 8:15am the atomic bomb nicknamed “Little bomb nicknamed “Little Boy” was dropped on Boy” was dropped on HiroshimaHiroshima

• Within seconds two thirds Within seconds two thirds of the city was flattened of the city was flattened and thousands were deadand thousands were dead

• On August 11, a bomb On August 11, a bomb called “Fat Man” was called “Fat Man” was dropped on Nagasaki at dropped on Nagasaki at 11:02 am11:02 am

• At noon, August 15At noon, August 15thth, 1945 , 1945 – Emperor Hirohito spoke – Emperor Hirohito spoke directly to his people to directly to his people to tell them Japan had tell them Japan had surrenderedsurrendered

Why Did the Allies Win?Why Did the Allies Win?

• Complete material superiority – Complete material superiority – weapons etc.weapons etc.

• More soldiersMore soldiers

• Better StrategyBetter Strategy

• TechnologyTechnology

• MoraleMorale

• Material and financial WealthMaterial and financial Wealth