Learning Goal

1) Students will be able to understand that in order to

secure victory in Europe, the Allies waged war in the
Atlantic, North Africa, The Soviet Union and
Western Europe between (1941-1945)

• Germany

• Italy

• Japan

• Greece

• Yugoslavia

• Also Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Croatia

Axis

• British

• Soviet Union

• Eventually the US

Allies

Allies v. Axis

Barbarossa

German and Axis Troops Invade Soviet Union

​Hitler wanted a quick win like the blitzkrieg in Europe

___

• Stalin didn't believe it was going to happen - not prepared.

• Germany killed many prisoners - violated war protocols

___

Barbarossa FAILED

• Winter weather made it hard

• Not enough supplies

• Soviet were tough

Italy invades Greece - 1940

Mussolini led Itay into Greece

• Even Hitler thought this was dumb - should have focused on N. Africa

• Greece fought back and won!

_____

Mussolini LOST and was humiliated!

Axis (germany) gains Greece & Yugoslavia

German Army attacks

Greece and Yugoslavia surrender and join the Axis

____

These two small wars delayed German invading Soviet Union (Barbarossa)

North Africa and the Balkans

NA Campaign Begins- August,

1940

- Early on British forces under

General Bernard
Montgomery have their
way with Italian forces.

• October 1940: Italian

forces invade Greece

• Greece and Yugoslavia

became members of
the Axis Power (April
1941)
– Guerillas in both

countries fought the
occupying forces

– In addition, Hungary and

Bulgaria joined the Axis
Powers

– DELAYED

BARBAROSSA!!

Germany v. North Africa

​Hitler sends Erwin Rommel to N. Africa

Known as the Desert Fox

​British forces getting beat by Rommel

.........UNTIL

El Alamein - Germany forced to retreat West

US enters N. Africa

US (Allies) Land in Morocco & Algeria

US lost in Tunisia

_____

Eisenhower consolidated his forces and increased communication

_____

US wins - Germany and Italy surrender 1943

North Africa

Feb, 1941 Hitler sends General Erwin Rommel the “Desert

Fox” and 1 German Division to reinforce the Italians.

- German forces push deep into Egypt, but forced to retreat

at El Alamein. (NOV 1942)

- Germans retreat West
- American forces land in Morocco and Algeria days later

under General Eisenhower .

- Feb, 1943 – Americans suffer defeat in Tunisia.
- May 1943, 240,000 German and Italian forces surrender

(Surrounded)

Casa Blanca Conference

FDR and Churchill in Casa Blanca, Morocco 1943

BEAT HITLER FIRST!

Only accept unconditional surrender from Germany, Italy and Japan

Casa Blanca Conference- Meeting between FDR and

Churchill in Casa Blanca, Morocco Jan, 1943.

1)

“Beat Hitler First”

2)

Accept nothing but unconditional surrender from
Germany, Italy & Japan.

Invasion of Italy

July, 1943 American 7th Army under

General George S. Patton and
British Forces under Montgomery
invade Sicily. (Taken in 38 days)

Mussolini arrested July 25, 1943

Sept- Mussolini rescued (12 SS

Paratroopers)

Oct 13, Italy declares war on Germany

Mussolini is in power in Northern Italy

(German puppet state)