Retaking EuropeRetaking Europe

Atlantic CharterAtlantic CharterSet of principles mutually agreed upon Set of principles mutually agreed upon by FDR and Churchill that would guide by FDR and Churchill that would guide them during the war and in the years them during the war and in the years

following the war.following the war.

The U.S. Enters the WarThe U.S. Enters the War

When the U.S. When the U.S. joined the war, joined the war, Germany Germany controlled most of controlled most of Europe and was Europe and was bearing down on bearing down on British possessions British possessions in the Middle East.in the Middle East.

Battle of the AtlanticBattle of the Atlantic Britain needed supplies.Britain needed supplies. The U.S. and British territories delivered those The U.S. and British territories delivered those

supplies.supplies. German U-boats attempted to sink these ships.German U-boats attempted to sink these ships. The Allies attempted to use the convoy system.The Allies attempted to use the convoy system. The Germans countered with large groups of U-The Germans countered with large groups of U-

boats (wolf packs).boats (wolf packs). In June of 1942, 175 ships were sunk.In June of 1942, 175 ships were sunk. As the war went on, the Allies developed better As the war went on, the Allies developed better

strategies and technology for dealing with U-strategies and technology for dealing with U-boats and the effectiveness of U-boats declined boats and the effectiveness of U-boats declined significantly.significantly.

North Africa CampaignNorth Africa Campaign August 1940 – The British successfully battled August 1940 – The British successfully battled

Italian troops in Egypt and Syria.Italian troops in Egypt and Syria. February 1941 – Hitler send General Erwin February 1941 – Hitler send General Erwin

Rommel, the Desert Fox, to North Africa.Rommel, the Desert Fox, to North Africa. Rommel attacked the British successfully until Rommel attacked the British successfully until

November 1942 when the British under General November 1942 when the British under General Bernard Montgomery defeated the Germans at Bernard Montgomery defeated the Germans at El Alamein.El Alamein.

American troops landed on the Northwest coast American troops landed on the Northwest coast of Africa soon after this.of Africa soon after this.

They suffered a loss at Kasserine Pass but soon They suffered a loss at Kasserine Pass but soon after this had the Germans on the run. after this had the Germans on the run.

In the summer of 1943, 240,000 German and In the summer of 1943, 240,000 German and Italian troops surrendered.Italian troops surrendered.

The Invasion of ItalyThe Invasion of Italy By controlling North Africa, the Allies now had the By controlling North Africa, the Allies now had the

option of invading southern Europe.option of invading southern Europe. In July 1943, the U.S. Seventh Army under Patton In July 1943, the U.S. Seventh Army under Patton

invaded Sicily.invaded Sicily. The Italians quickly turned on Mussolini and the The Italians quickly turned on Mussolini and the

Fascist party.Fascist party. With the Italian government in transition, German With the Italian government in transition, German

troops tried to halt the invading Alliestroops tried to halt the invading Allies The Germans set up Mussolini as a puppet dictator in The Germans set up Mussolini as a puppet dictator in

Northern Italy.Northern Italy. Eventually, the U.S. broke through German defenses Eventually, the U.S. broke through German defenses

at Cassino and took Rome.at Cassino and took Rome. There would be many more casualties before all of There would be many more casualties before all of

Italy was taken in April 1945.Italy was taken in April 1945.

War in the Soviet UnionWar in the Soviet Union After the Battle of Britain failed, Hitler After the Battle of Britain failed, Hitler

decided to attack the Soviet Union.decided to attack the Soviet Union. He wanted their land and resources.He wanted their land and resources. In June 1941, Germany attacked the Soviet In June 1941, Germany attacked the Soviet

Union along the length of the Soviet border.Union along the length of the Soviet border. The German blitzkrieg took Soviet land very The German blitzkrieg took Soviet land very

quickly.quickly. As the Soviet army retreated, they destroyed As the Soviet army retreated, they destroyed

anything that might be of use to the invading anything that might be of use to the invading German army.German army.

By Autumn, the German army was By Autumn, the German army was threatening Moscow and Leningrad.threatening Moscow and Leningrad.

StalingradStalingrad In October the Russian winter halted German In October the Russian winter halted German

advances into the Soviet Union.advances into the Soviet Union. The next summer, Germany looked to Stalingrad and The next summer, Germany looked to Stalingrad and

its oilfields.its oilfields. The Soviet army decided to make its stand at The Soviet army decided to make its stand at

Stalingrad.Stalingrad. The German army advanced into Stalingrad and then The German army advanced into Stalingrad and then

the Soviets launched a fierce counterattack. the Soviets launched a fierce counterattack. The German soldiers were trapped inside Stalingrad.The German soldiers were trapped inside Stalingrad. Hitler urged the German soldiers to keep fighting and Hitler urged the German soldiers to keep fighting and

promised reinforcements that would never come.promised reinforcements that would never come. In January 1943, 90,000 German troops surrendered.In January 1943, 90,000 German troops surrendered. In all, Germany lost 330,00 troops at Stalingrad.In all, Germany lost 330,00 troops at Stalingrad. Soviet losses are estimated to be as high as Soviet losses are estimated to be as high as

1,100,000. 1,100,000.

The Allied Air WarThe Allied Air War

Support from the air was a key to winning Support from the air was a key to winning WWII.WWII.

Bombing raids could take out military Bombing raids could take out military targets as well as strategic targets that targets as well as strategic targets that could take away the enemy’s ability to could take away the enemy’s ability to produce weapons, produce raw materials produce weapons, produce raw materials or transport war goods..or transport war goods..

Carpet BombingCarpet Bombing At the height of the Allied bombing At the height of the Allied bombing

campaign in Germany, 3000 planes were campaign in Germany, 3000 planes were involved.involved.

Invasion of Western Invasion of Western EuropeEurope

Operation OverlordOperation Overlord Suggested by George MarshallSuggested by George Marshall Dwight Eisenhower was supreme Dwight Eisenhower was supreme

commandercommander June 6, 1944June 6, 1944 D DayD Day Heavy casualtiesHeavy casualties Within 2 months, 2 million Allied troops Within 2 months, 2 million Allied troops

were in Northern France.were in Northern France.

Battle of the BulgeBattle of the Bulge

Named for the shape in Named for the shape in the lines caused by the lines caused by Germany’s counterattack.Germany’s counterattack.

Generals Patton and Generals Patton and Bradley helped to push Bradley helped to push the Germans back.the Germans back.

Soviet Forces AdvanceSoviet Forces Advance

Much higher casualty ratesMuch higher casualty rates 11 million Soviet / 3 million German11 million Soviet / 3 million German The Soviets pushed west into Berlin The Soviets pushed west into Berlin

in April 1945.in April 1945.

Germany SurrendersGermany Surrenders

April 30, 1945, Hitler committed April 30, 1945, Hitler committed suicide as Soviet troops advanced.suicide as Soviet troops advanced.

May 8, 1945, Remaining German May 8, 1945, Remaining German troops surrender. (V-E Day – troops surrender. (V-E Day – “Victory in Europe”)“Victory in Europe”)

Yalta ConferenceYalta Conference FDR, Stalin and Churchill met to discuss FDR, Stalin and Churchill met to discuss

postwar plans.postwar plans. They agreed to split Germany into 4 zones They agreed to split Germany into 4 zones

under the control of the Allies (including under the control of the Allies (including France).France).

Stalin promised to allow free elections in areas Stalin promised to allow free elections in areas of Eastern Europe occupied by Soviet forces.of Eastern Europe occupied by Soviet forces.

He also agreed to join in the fight against He also agreed to join in the fight against Japan within 3 months.Japan within 3 months.

Stalin did not follow through on any of his Stalin did not follow through on any of his promises.promises.