Germany:
· Germany had conquered most of Europe and invaded the Soviet Union in 1941.
· The Soviets retreated as the Germans advanced on Moscow, burning crops and farm equipment as they went in order to keep them out of German hands.
· During the German siege of Leningrad, over one million Soviets were killed.
Japan:
· After attacking Pearl Harbor, the Japanese seized Guam, Wake Island, Hong Kong, Malaya, Burma and the Dutch East Indies.
· The Japanese also defeated American and Filipino forces, led by U.S. General Douglas MacArthur, in the Philippines.
· The Allies enjoyed victories in the Pacific, North Africa, Italy and Russia. (see the specific battles below)
· In Italy, Mussolini had been overthrown and the new government joined the Allies.
· In 1943, the Allies invaded Italy from North Africa, eventually liberating Rome from Nazi control in June of 1944.
· In order to ease pressure on the Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin asked the Allies to open a second front by crossing the English Channel and attacking the Germans in France.
· The planned invasion of Europe was called Operation Overlord, and General Eisenhower was named commander of the Allied forces in Europe.
· Eisenhower had to organize the eventual invasion of Normandy France, know as D-Day, which involved over 3 million Allied forces.
Battle of Midway Island:
When? – June 1942
Where? – Midway Island (Pacific Islands)
Results? - The U.S. sank four Japanese aircraft carriers.
Importance? – It limited Japan's ability to attack Hawaii again or other Allied positions.
Campaign for Guadalcanal:
When? – August 1942
Where? Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands (Pacific Islands)
Results? – The U.S. defeated the Japanese, gaining control of the island.
Importance? – Guadalcanal became a military base from which to counterattack the Japanese.
Battle of El Alamein:
When? – October 1942
Where? - El Alamein, Egypt
Results? – British and U.S. forces drove the German army, led by General Rommel, from Egypt west into Tunisia.
Importance? –U.S. Gen. Eisenhower led the Allies in an invasion of Tunisia, from Algeria, forcing Rommel to surrender in May of 1943.
D-Day:
When? – June 6, 1944
Where? – Normandy, France
Results? – A fleet of 4,000 ships carried Allied troops to Normandy in order to invade France in an attempt to defeat the Germans.
Importance? – On August 25, 1944, Allied forces liberated Paris from Nazi rule.
Battle of the Bulge:
When? – December 16, 1944
Where? – border areas near Luxembourg, France and Germany
Results? – The Germans began a counterattack against the Allies as the Allies attempted to drive the Germans completely out of France.
Importance? – This battle showed the desperation of the German forces. While the Germans were able to slow down the Allied advance, they could not stop it completely.
