History: World War Ii and Allies Land Essay

Submitted By tonyclarke
Words: 768
Pages: 4

Critical Points (Battle Check Points) Sinking of the Bismarck (German Battleship) prevented Germany from controlling the Atlantic Ocean with surface ships (Germany was already dominating with U-Boats). This enabled the shipping supply line of food war supplies to continue (The Lend-Lease Act - the U.S. would lend and lease supplies to Great Britain and other nations fighting against aggressors. In Roosevelts words, America would become the great arsenal of democracy.). Air War Over Germany using British bases, Allied pilots began bombing German cities (started in the Summer of 42). Bombed three main areas Transportation Lines Industrial Plants Military Installations Effective because it disrupted halted German transportation, war production, industry. Also allowed Allies to invade Germany. CostlyAllies lost over 158,000 pilots over 40,000 planes. Invasion of Italy (Soft Axis Underbelly) Invasion of Sicily (July 1943). Successful victory encourages Anti-Fascists to overthrow Mussolini, who was then imprisoned, then shot hung in Milan with his mistress. Italian government secretly surrenders to the Allies, but Hitler sends troops into Italy to resist the Allies. The fighting continues Nov. 1943 Allies invade Cassino Jan. 1944 Allies land at Anizo (near Rome) Amphibious Landing May 1944 Allies march into Rome, declare it an open city. Germans surrender Italy. The Eastern Front Stalin asks Allies for Three (3) things Massive supplies Territorial concessions in Eastern Europe (3) A second front in Western Europe Siege of Stalingrad (Nov.-Jan. 1942-43) Lasts 900 days Soviets capture an entire German Army push Hitlers forces back to Germany. Hitler doesnt learn from Napoleons mistake of Russian Winter. Soviets also help Britain U.S. troops launch an invasion of Europe from Britain. Over 1.5 million Russian lives lost. D-Day (Operation Overlord) Normandy, France (June 6th, 1944) success depended on three (3) things Allies had to have enough landing vessels an enormous reserve of troops supplies. Secrecy had to be maintained (Germany expected an attack, but didnt know where or when), Weather had to be clear (paratroop landings behind German lines beach landings critical). This was the largest amphibious invasion in history. From the southern coast of England to the beachheads in northern France. Six out of every ten Americans in the first assault groups were wounded or killed. Six weeks later, the Allies fully secured the 40-mile stretch of beaches. Captured the port of Cherbourg, which became a major receiving point of supplies for the rest of the war. With U.S. and British led forces coming in from the west, and Soviet troops advancing from the east, Adolf Hitlers days were numbered. The Allies converged on Berlin in the Spring of 1945, capturing the city on May 2. Hitler had committed suicide the previous day. With Hitler defeated, they now turned their attention to finishing the war in Asia. The Japanese, however, were not willing to unconditionally surrender. Truman (who succeeded Roosevelt after his