The United States in World War II Chapter

The United States in World War II Chapter 14

The War in Europe and North Africa Chapter 14, Section 1

The Battle of the Atlantic l l Allies were depending on control of the ocean’s for the delivery of goods to Europe. Germany introduced new surface ships. l l Britain sunk the Bismark Forced Germany to turn to a familiar weapon l The U-boat

U-boat Attacks l l l Early in WWII the US and Britain did not have enough ships to use the convoy system that was successful in WWI U-boats hunted in wolf packs http: //polishgreatness. bl ogspot. com/2012/05/ba ttle-of-atlantic-part-2 wolf-pack. html

U-boat Attacks l After just a few months 360 ships were sunk by German U-boats.

The Allies Fight Back l l When the United States entered the war American shipyards quickly began to produce ships. The mass production of ships allowed for the allies to use a convoy system to limit the effectiveness of the U-boat.

Convoy System

The Allies Fight Back l l l Big advance for the allies was the cracking of the enigma machine. This gave away locations and plans for U-boats. By the end of the war 70% of Germans that served on a Sub died. l Came to be known as “iron coffins”

War in the Soviet Union l l Summer of 1941, Hitler broke the nonaggression pact with the Soviet Union. Germans advanced using the same strategy as in Poland l l Russia had no answer for the German invaders The cold forced German troops to stop.

War in the Soviet Union l In the city of Leningrad the citizens suffered. l l 200, 000 residents died in Jan and Feb alone. Hundreds of thousands more would die

Battle of Leningrad

Battle of Leningrad

Battle of Stalingrad l l When spring returned the Germans began their assault again. Stalingrad was important for two reasons l l l Major industrial city on the Volga River Namesake of the Russian leader http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Qd_Wt 4 N 1 Sss

The Battle of Stalingrad l l Soviet Victory Many historians say this is the turning point of WWII Approx 2 million total soldiers killed. Hundreds of thousands of civilians dead.

American Forces in North Africa and Italy l l l After France fell in 1940 Britain and Italy fight in North Africa. This is important for allies because controlling North Africa protects shipping in the Mediterranean. By 1941 the Italians were being beat badly, Hitler was forced to send troops

l Hitler put Erwin Rommel in charge of the Africa Corps l l One of the most famous German tank commanders. Was known as the “Desert Fox” Known for ignoring orders to kill Jewish solders and other commandos. Committed suicide with Hitler.

Operation Torch

Operation Torch l Stalin wanted America to invade Europe, but the US was not prepared. l l Decided to invade Africa instead. Commander of Operation Torch was Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Operation Torch l First battle for the American forces was at Kasserine Pass l 20, 000 Americans were killed or wounded.

On to Italy l FDR and Churchill asked the Italian people “whether they want to die for Mussolini and Hitler or live for Italy and civilization. ” l l The Italians chose to live. Within months the Italians rose up against Mussolini.

l l German troops rushed to prevent the Allied advance slowed near Rome. Allied commanders decided to have 100, 000 troops invade behind enemy lines in the town of Anzio

l l Allied troops were stuck at the beachhead in Anzio. 25, 000 -30, 000 were killed. Troops from the South were eventually able to free the stranded solders. In total 300, 000 allied troops were killed.

Bridge over the Arno in Florence

D-Day Invasion of France Known as Operation Overlord

Planning for Operation Overlord l After months of planning the Allies decided on Normandy, France.

Landing at Normandy l l June, 1944 an Allied force of 3. 5 million were waiting in England. D-day was delayed because of bad weather, but eventually happened on June 6, 1944. Phase 1 was paratroopers being dropped behind enemy lines. http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Qj 3 X 7 Hfez z. E

D-day l Bombers provided cover for amphibian troops. 10, 000 Allied casualties

The War in the Pacific Chapter 14, Section 3

Japanese Advances l l Late 1941 the Japanese defeated the US at Wake Island Guam. Japanese also took l l l Hong Kong from Britain. Dutch East Indies (Indonesia) Burma from the British

Japanese Advances l Reasons l l l Japanese solders were well trained. Aircraft was as good if not better than US. Ships and torpedoes were technologically advanced.

The Philippines l l Japanese attacks on Hong Kong, Singapore, Dutch East Indies was all done with the Philippines in mind. Philippines were defended by Gen. Douglas Mac. Arthur. l The American troops were low in number and poorly trained.

The Philippines l l The Americans retreated to the Bataan Peninsula to get a defensive position. Mac. Arthur called for ships to help, but Henry Stimson (Secretary of War) replied “There are times when men have to die”

The Philippines l March 1942 Mac. Arthur was called away from the troops. l l Less than a month later, suffering from exhaustion and starvation 10, 000 American troops and 60, 000 Filipino troops surrendered. Japanese solders forced the recently surrendered troops to walk through the Bataan jungle. l l Those that fell or could not continue were shot. Bataan Death March

Fortunes Shift l James Doolittle l l Led 16 bombers on an air raid of Tokyo. Doolittle’s Raiders picked up American spirits.

The Battle of Coral Sea l This represented the first time the Japanese Naval advance had been stopped.

The Battle of Midway l The Japanese wanted to engage the US in a large naval battle in the hopes of destroying the Navy. l The US Navy was able to crack Japanese codes. l Because the invasion was not a secret US ships were placed out of harms way.

The Battle of Midway l The Japanese were defeated and no longer clearly controlled the seas.

The Allies Make Progress

Island Hoping l The United States began of policy of island hoping. l Taking back territory one island at a time.

Iwo Jima l In late 1944 American B-29 bombers were regularly bombing Japanese cities

Iwo Jima l l Even after the United States captured the high ground the Japanese refused to surrender. All but 1, 000 of the 20, 000 Japanese defenders died.

Battle for Okinawa l The Japanese lost 110, 000 soldiers. l The will to fight to the death shocked many American leaders.