The Allies Fight BackThe Allies Fight Back

1942-19441942-1944

Choosing a FrontChoosing a Front FrontFront = the line between two = the line between two

battling armiesbattling armies 3 main fronts existed 3 main fronts existed

(a.k.a Theaters)(a.k.a Theaters) Europe – GermanyEurope – Germany Africa – Italy/GermanyAfrica – Italy/Germany Asia (Pacific) – JapanAsia (Pacific) – Japan FDR, Churchill, Stalin decided FDR, Churchill, Stalin decided

Germany was #1Germany was #1 Stalin wanted GB/US Stalin wanted GB/US

to invade right awayto invade right away GB/US: “no invasion until GB/US: “no invasion until

1944”1944”

AfricaAfrica Italy tried to rebuild Roman Italy tried to rebuild Roman

EmpireEmpire Britain landed in Britain landed in

N. Africa in 1941N. Africa in 1941 GB used Medit. For trading GB used Medit. For trading

with Middle East with Middle East Italy Needed Germany’s helpItaly Needed Germany’s help Allies wanted control of Allies wanted control of

Mediterranean Sea to invade ItalyMediterranean Sea to invade Italy Clear Germany/Italy out of Clear Germany/Italy out of

Africa first (enemy behind you?)Africa first (enemy behind you?) Allies/Axis battled back and forthAllies/Axis battled back and forth Finally Allies gained control of AfricaFinally Allies gained control of Africa

EuropeEurope Allies were not ready to invade Allies were not ready to invade Western EuropeWestern Europe

Needed time to build up their Needed time to build up their own forcesown forces

Also Wanted to soften up Also Wanted to soften up German defensesGerman defenses

bombed cities, factories, and bombed cities, factories, and defenses almost daily/nightlydefenses almost daily/nightly

Allied forces did invade Italy in Allied forces did invade Italy in 19431943

Mussolini removed from power Mussolini removed from power by Italian governmentby Italian government

Italians fought on both sides for Italians fought on both sides for the rest of warthe rest of war

Asia (Pacific)Asia (Pacific) Largely America vs. JapanLargely America vs. Japan Japan dominated the battles Japan dominated the battles

early onearly on Battle for Midway Island was the Battle for Midway Island was the

turning point turning point (1942)(1942)

Japan lost three aircraft Japan lost three aircraft carriers (5min) - four totalcarriers (5min) - four total

From that point on…..From that point on….. Japan was mostly defensiveJapan was mostly defensive U.S. “island-hopped” closer U.S. “island-hopped” closer

and closer to mainland Japanand closer to mainland Japan

D-DayD-Day (June 6, 1944) Allies invaded France in a…(June 6, 1944) Allies invaded France in a… Region called Normandy (2 parts)Region called Normandy (2 parts) 1) During the night…..1) During the night….. Thousands of paratroopers landed behind enemy Thousands of paratroopers landed behind enemy

lineslines Cut communication lines; slowed German Cut communication lines; slowed German

reinforcements; took control of certain roadsreinforcements; took control of certain roads 2) Thousands of ships left England and landed in 2) Thousands of ships left England and landed in

France (approx. 6:30 am)France (approx. 6:30 am) 155,000 soldiers (US/GB/Can) rushed ashore on the 155,000 soldiers (US/GB/Can) rushed ashore on the

first dayfirst day Germans were mostly in cement bunkersGermans were mostly in cement bunkers 2,500 Allies were killed on first day2,500 Allies were killed on first day Successful landing; Allies made into EuropeSuccessful landing; Allies made into Europe

More pictures: http://blogs.denverpost.com/captured/2009/06/05/the-65th-anniversary-of-d-day-on-the-normandy-beaches/306/