World War 2: The Battles
Paige Thetford
The European Front
"Fascism accepts the individual only insofar as his interest coincide with the state's"
-Benito Mussolini
Closing The Ring
By invading through North Africa, into Italy, the United States tried to overcome the fascists powers of Mussolini and Hitler. The US attack routes included, and are were not limited to, domination through the Soviet Union, advancing through North africa into Italy, and lastly, through Great Britain to end with the infamous D-Day.
The Invasion of Normandy
June 6, 1944
With Hitler and Mussolini having been dominated in Europe, the United States prepared for one final attack to end the War. Known as D-Day, this battle took place in Normandy and lasted until the day's end. Ending with the deaths of 9,000 Allied Soldiers, the United States was able to drive into the inlands of Europe, and defeat Hitler's forces once and for all. In the words of Dwight D. Eisenhower, "we will accept nothing less than full victory".In these words, Eisenhower gave President Roosevelt the "go" to launch what would be the turning point of World War 2.
Omar Bradley, "The Soldier's General"
The video above includes Eisenhower's address to the soldiers embarking on the D-Day invasion.
The Battle of the Bulge
16 December 1944-25 January 1945
In an attempt to sever the Allied Forces military, Hitler arranged a blitzkrieg attack from Ardennes to Antwerp -Northern Europe- where US troops were located. Hitler's attack on the US line of force from the center created a literal "bulge" in the line, hence creating the name of this month long battle. However, one main way in which the Americans prevailed was by destroying German fuel depots, devastating the Germans aerial forces. Further aiding the battle, Hero General George Patton lead the Third army into Germany and Czechoslovakia, further breaking the lines into Germany.
"Compared to war, all other forms of human endeavor shrink to insignificance"
- General George Patton
The Navajo Code Talkers
The Tuskegee Airmen
THE FALL OF BERLIN
George Marshall
War Two began. He was responsible for greatly increasing the US army and received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1953.
The Pacific Front
"Let us pray that peace be now restored in the world, and that God will preserve it always."
-General Douglas MacArthur
The Bataan Death March
Two-Pronged Attack Strategy
Island Hopping
Battle of Midway
June 4-7 1942
The Battle of MIdway served as a major turning point in the Pacific because it ceased Japanese expansion. This battle was won through the intercepting and decoding of Japanese messages which allowed for the Americans to destroy four Japanese carriers and 300 planes.