Hitler-The Second World War
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Hitler-The Second World War
- 1. PREMIER UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF BUSINESS STUDIES 19th Batch, 6th Semester, Section: A
- 3. SECOND WORLD WAR SUBMITTED BY: NAME ID AHMED SHAZED SULTAN 0919113072 KALPITA PRASUN TALUKDER 0919113067 MD ISMAIL SOHEL 0919113048 ASHRAFUL HOQUE SHOHEL 0919113059
- 4. CONTENT: SECOND WORLD WAR Summary Entry into Politics Causes of Second World War Religion of German Why did Hitler start Second World War ? Involving Country’s Legal Rise to Power Hitler’s “Mein Kampf” Convince The People Controlling People’s Minds Hitler’s Army “Wehrmacht” Hitler’s Final Solution “Holocaust” The Role of Women Hate Jews Theater’s War The “Phony War” Dunkirk “Operation Dynamo” Battle of Britain “Operation Sea Lion” Russia “Operation Barbarussa” Deaths of War And Finally
- 5. SECOND WORLD WAR • The Second World War was the most deadly, destructive and consequential war in history. It began in September 1, 1939 when Britain and France declared war on Germany following Germany's invasion of Poland. Seventeen million military personnel died in the war, it cost more money and damaged more property. Civilian deaths in the Soviet Union and China alone totaled 30 million. All of the countries directly involved in Second World War were Germany, Italy, Japan, France, Great Britain, China, Russia, and America. And the Second World War finished on September 2, 1945. SUMMARY:
- 6. with British Empire allies (including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa)
- 7. Eastern Task ForceWestern Task Force Center Task Force Montgomery Clark 1th Abn Div 15th Army Grp Alexander 15th Army Grp Alexander 1 8 Patton 7 5 Montgomery with British Empire allies (including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa)
- 8. 8 5 Clark 15th Army Grp Alexander 1 2 21th Army Grp Montgomery 15th Army Grp Alexander Montgomery 8 15 with British Empire allies (including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa)
- 9. 1 2 21th Army Grp Montgomery 7 1 15th Army Grp Alexander 8 12th Army Grp Bradley 6th Army Grp Devers 5 21th Army Grp Montgomery 9 12th Army Grp Bradley 12 1 3 9 15th Army Grp Clark 15 8 with British Empire allies (including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa)
- 10. 1 15th Army Grp Clark 8 6th Army Grp Devers 21th Army Grp Montgomery 9 1 2 1 12th Army Grp Bradley 91 3 1 7 5 15 8 with British Empire allies (including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa)
- 11. with British Empire allies (including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa) US Sector British Sector Soviet Sector French Sector
- 12. HITLER “ENTRY INTO POLITICS • After World War I Hitler returned to Munich. Having no formal education and career plans or prospects, he tried to remain in the army for as long as possible. In July 1919 he was appointed Verbindungsmann (intelligence agent) to influence other soldiers and to infiltrate the German Workers' Party (DAP). While monitoring the activities of the DAP, Hitler became attracted to the founder Anton Drexler's anti-Semitic. Drexler is a strong active government, a "non-Jewish" version of socialism, and solidarity among all members of society. Drexler invited him to join the DAP. Hitler accepted on 12 September 1919, becoming the party's 55th member. SECOND WORLD WAR
- 13. SECOND WORLD WAR Adolf Hitler's German Workers' Party (DAP) membership card
- 14. SECOND WORLD WAR CAUSES OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR • It has been said that Second World War was just a continuation of First World War, yet there are some specific causes was in possible without the rise of Hitler and his Nazis. The rearmament of Germany was a cause for war because it broke the Treaty of Versailles (28th June, 1919)
- 15. RELIGION OF GERMAN • The German census of May 1939 indicates that 54 percent of Germans considered themselves Protestant and 40 percent considered themselves Catholic, with only 3.5 percent claiming to be neo- pagan "believers in God," and 1.5 percent unbelievers. This census came more than six years into the Nazi era. SECOND WORLD WAR
- 16. SECOND WORLD WAR WHY DID HITLER START SECOND WORLD WAR? • Adolf Hitler did so, because he wanted to take revenge on France and England for winning the first war. • He felt that Germany was shamed after the First World War and tried to prove that their country was also a great superpower. • He believed in racial purification and wanted to take over Europe and re- model it the way he wanted.
- 17. SECOND WORLD WAR INVOLVING COUNTRIY’S Second World War involved most of the world's nations which fought for either of two military alliances - the Axis Powers and the Allies. • The Axis powers were a group of countries led by Nazi Germany, the Kingdom of Italy and the Empire of Japan. They were considered the aggressors of the conflict. • The Allies, led by the United Kingdom, its Commonwealth and France were joined in the European theatre by the Soviet Union in June 1941 and by the United States in December 1941. The Axis Power Germany •Austria •Japan •Italy •USSR (Until 1941) The Allies Power •Great Britain •France •Canada •China •United States (From 1941) •USSR (from 1941)
- 18. LEGAL RISE TO POWER • Used popularity from failed revolution and book to seize power legally. • Spoke to mass audiences about making Germany a great nation again. • Nazi Party: – 1930 = 18% of vote – 1932 = 30% of vote • Hitler becomes Chancellor in 1933. SECOND WORLD WAR
- 19. Nazi Party Election Result SECOND WORLD WAR
- 20. • While in jail for previous government up rise attempts, Hitler wrote a book: "Mein Kampf"- My Fight or more specifically My Struggle. In this book Hitler told of his plans to better Germany, many people read this and became slightly interested. Later on when Hitler was freed from jail he began came back into politics. SECOND WORLD WAR HITLER’S “MEIN KAMPF”
- 21. SECOND WORLD WAR CONVINCE THE PEOPLE • Hitler was a very charismatic man and the people liked what they heard from him. • Hitler wrote a book “Mein Kempf”. In this book he told of his plans to better Germany. the people red this book and interested. • He promised the people jobs and happiness. • Hitler assured them that the Aryan race was superior and that all of the problems that Germany now endured were because of the Jewish community.
- 22. SECOND WORLD WAR CONTROLLING PEOPLE’S MINDS • Once Hitler had complete control of the government, he began to control all aspects of life. Germany became a police state. • 2 million Nazis now made up the Salvation Army, Hitler’s army of Storm troopers. • He also had his SS (Schutzstaffel). These men had sworn eternal life to Hitler as the protectors of his Aryan race. They were trained, ruthless killers who did whatever Hitler asked. • Hitler used propaganda to instill fear in his people.
- 23. SECOND WORLD WAR HITLER’S ARMY • Hitler had been building his army, navy and air force since he became Chancellor of Germany in 1933 • When Germany invaded Poland on September 1st, 1939 he used a method called “Blitzkrieg” (lightning warfare) in which he attacked the country very quickly using all his resources.
- 24. WEHRMACHT • The military of the Third Reich – the Wehrmacht – was the name of the unified armed forces of Germany from 1935–1945 with Heer (army), Kriegsmarine (navy), Luftwaffe (air force) and a military organization Waffen-SS (military branch of the SS, which was, de facto, a fourth branch of the Wehrmacht). SECOND WORLD WAR
- 25. SECOND WORLD WAR HITLER’S FINAL SOLUTION “HOLOCAUST” • Adolf Hitler announced at many occasions the "annihilation of the Jews" living in the territory under his control. • In his mind, murdering millions of Jews could only be accomplished under the confusion of war - from the beginning he was planning a war that would engulf Europe. • Second World War caused the greatest loss of life and material destruction of any war in history, killing twenty-five million military personnel and thirty million civilians. • Approximately 11 million people were killed because of Hitler's genocidal policy.
- 26. SECOND WORLD WAR HOLOCAUST STATISTICS 0 1,000,000 2,000,000 3,000,000 4,000,000 5,000,000 6,000,000 7,000,000 8,000,000 9,000,000 10,000,000 BEFORE KILLED SURVIVORS JEWISH POPULATION
- 27. Gas Chamber • In August 1943 a Gas Chamber was installed in this building, seen here after the liberation of the camp, in the Natzweiler- Struthof concentration camp. France, 1945 • Piles of shoes that belonged to prisoners killed in the gas chambers at Auschwitz- Birkenau. Poland, wartime. SECOND WORLD WAR
- 28. THE ROLE OF “WOMEN” • Women in Nazi Germany were to have a very specific role. Hitler was very clear about this. This role was that they should be good mothers bringing up children at home while their husbands worked. Outside of certain specialist fields, Hitler saw no reason why a woman should work. Education taught girls from the earliest of years that this was the lifestyle they should have. SECOND WORLD WAR
- 29. WHY DID HITLER AND NAZI’S HATE JEWS • Many of the 'theories' about Hitler's hatred of the Jews, especially those claiming to be based on a single experience early in his life, are no more than fanciful guesswork. • The reasons given by Hitler in 'Mein Kampf' should be treated with caution. The book is not a reliable source. • Blamed for Germany’s defeat in First World war. • Blamed for the death of Christ. • Blamed for spreading black death, the Bubonic Plague that killed 1/3 of all Europeans SECOND WORLD WAR
- 30. THEATER’S WAR • The main war with Germany was known as the EUROPEAN THEATER. (1939-1945) • The other theater was the PACIFIC THEATER (1940-1945). This war was fought against Japanese aggression in the Pacific Ocean SECOND WORLD WAR
- 31. SECOND WORLD WAR THE PHONY WAR • From September, 1939 when war was declared on Germany to April 1940 there was no fighting. • All the countries were preparing for war. • Britain sent troops to Europe
- 32. SECOND WORLD WAR DUNKIRK “OPERATION DYNAMO May 26 – June 3, 1940 • German troops chase the British to the English Channel. Hitler wanted his air force to come in for the “kill”, but they were unable because of fog.
- 33. SECOND WORLD WAR BATTLE OF BRITAIN “OPERATION SEA LION” • July 1940 - Hitler orders his “Luftwaffe” (air force) to attack Britain to knock out airfields and supply factories . • After a German aircraft accidentally bombs London, the British RAF retaliates by bombing Berlin.
- 34. SECOND WORLD WAR RUSSIA “OPERATION BARBARASSA”• Operation Barbarossa was the name given to Nazi Germany’s invasion of Russia on June 22nd 1941. • June 22, 1941 Surprise “blitzkrieg” attack launched by 3 million German troops on Russia which had 8 million men on the eastern front.
- 35. SECOND WORLD WAR DEATH OF WAR • Germany- 3 million combat deaths (3/4ths on the eastern front). • Japan – over 1.5 combat deaths; 900,000 civilians dead. • Soviet Union - 13 million combat deaths. • U.S. – 300,000 combat deaths, over 100,000 other deaths. • When you include all combat and civilian deaths, World War II becomes the most destructive war in history with estimates as high as 60 million, including 25 million Russians.
- 36. SECOND WORLD WAR AND FINALLYAND FINALLY • It ended with the unconditional surrender of the Axis powers. • Germany surrendered on May 7th to the Western Allies, and May 8th to the Soviet Union, 1945, about a week after Adolf Hitler had committed suicide. • The surrender was signed on Sept. 2, 1945 aboard the battleship A.S.S. Missouri in Tokyo Bay. President Truman officially declared an end to hostilities by Presidential Proclamation on December 31, 1946.
- 37. SECOND WORLD WAR AFTER THE WAR: • The Dutch economy prospered by leaving behind an era of neutrality and gaining closer ties with neighboring states. The Netherlands was one of the founding members of the Benelux (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg) grouping, was among the twelve founding members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and was among the six founding members of the European Coal and Steel Community, which would later evolve into the EEC (Common Market) and then the European Union.
- 38. NOW I LIKE TO SHOW THE SOME PICTURE OF SECOND WORLD WAR SECOND WORLD WAR Members of a Jewish family walking along a Berlin street wear the compulsory Star of David. Berlin, Germany
- 39. SECOND WORLD WAR German Jews crowd the Palestine Emigration Office in an attempt to leave Germany. Berlin, Germany, 1935.
- 40. SECOND WORLD WAR German Jews try to emigrate to Palestine; long lines in front of the Palestine and Orient Travel Agency. Berlin, Germany, January 22, 1939.
- 41. SECOND WORLD WAR Children eating in the ghetto streets. Warsaw, Poland, between 1940 and 1943.
- 42. SECOND WORLD WAR German soldiers lead Jews captured during the Warsaw ghetto uprising to the assembly point for deportation. Poland, May 1943.
- 43. SECOND WORLD WAR Family members say goodbye to a child through a fence at the ghetto's central prison where children, the sick, and the elderly were held before deportation to Chelmno. Lodz, Poland, September 1942.
- 44. SECOND WORLD WAR Interior of a gas chamber at the Majdanek Camp in Poland
- 45. SECOND WORLD WAR German soldiers taken into custody after Allied forces free Paris
- 46. SECOND WORLD WAR American soldiers find bodies in concentration camp located in Buchenwald, Germany
- 47. SECOND WORLD WAR Survivors of the Buchenwald Concentration Camp in Germany
- 48. SECOND WORLD WAR Starvation was a leading cause of death in Nazi concentration camps.
- 49. SECOND WORLD WAR August 9, 1945: A U.S. plane drops an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Nagasaki.
- 50. SECOND WORLD WAR • Nagasaki after the bomb.
- 51. SECOND WORLD WAR • IN MEMORY OFIN MEMORY OF –6 MILLION JEWS,6 MILLION JEWS, –20 MILLION RUSSIANS,20 MILLION RUSSIANS, –10 MILLION CHRISTIANS10 MILLION CHRISTIANS • MURDERED – GASSED,MURDERED – GASSED, SLAUGHTERED, RAPED, STARVED,SLAUGHTERED, RAPED, STARVED, ABUSED, BURNT, HUMILIATED.ABUSED, BURNT, HUMILIATED.
- 52. SECOND WORLD WAR Never to forget
Editor's Notes
- PREMIER UNIVERSITY
- GERMAN EXPANSION 1933 – The Nazi Party came to power in Germany (the Third Reich forms). Hitler began to rebuild the military in direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles (secretly at first, and in public by 1935 – the Western democracies do nothing). March 1936 – Germans occupied the Rhineland with troops – again violating the Treaty of Versailles and again resulting in no reaction from the Western democracies. March 1938 – Austria was annexed by the Third Reich. Sept 1938 – Munich Agreement. Britain and France agreed to Hitler’s demands to ‘free’ oppressed German people that lived within the Czech Republic. German troops occupied the Sudetenland in the first weeks of October. March 1939 – Germany seized the remainder of western Czechoslovakia. The western democracies finally realized Hitler’s true intention of conquest. The southeastern portion became the Slovak Republic, allied with Germany. April 1939. Similarly, Italy invaded Albania and then become officially allied with Germany with the “Pact of Steel” in May. 1 September 1939 Germany invaded Poland with two Army Groups. On 17 Sept the Soviet Union, who had previously signed a non-aggression agreement with Germany (Molotov-Rippentrop Pact: 23 August 1939) invaded and occupied eastern Poland. France and Britain declared war on Germany. 27 September 1940. Tripartite Pact: The Axis Powers formally came into being. Germany, Japan and Italy signed this agreement to mutually support each other in their quest to conquer their spheres of influence. Hungary and Romania joined in November ’40 and Bulgaria joined in March 41. October 1939-April 1940. The ‘Phony War’. Germany built up forces to invade France while France established defenses behind her Maginot Line (a series of strong fortifications on the French-German Border). Since the Maginot Line did not extend beyond that border, the French positioned their more mobile forces, including the British Expeditionary Force, on the Belgium Border, which would cross that border should the Germans attempt a repeat of the Schlieffen plan they had executed at the beginning of WW I. This, the Dyer Plan, would meet and defeat any German attack trying to swing around the Maginot Line, through Belgium/Netherlands. 9 April – German forces occupied Denmark 9 April – June. Germans invaded Norway. These two actions protect the German trade routes with Sweden (Iron Ore) and assisted Germany to execute her future submarine campaign in the Atlantic. 10 May 1940 – Battle of France. The Germans invaded the Netherlands and Belgium (bypassing the Maginot Line). Britain and France moved to counter this attack. German Army Group A (containing the majority of the Panzer Units) attacks through the Ardennes Forrest and cuts off two French Armies and the BEF from the rest of the French Forces. These troops either surrendered or were evacuated at Dunkirk. 22 June – The Battle of France ends. After the disaster in the Low Countries, the French Army becomes almost totally ineffective, and the Germans easily attack through northern and eastern France. France surrenders and Vichy France was established, which is Southern France, Corsica and the French Colonies that now became essentially allied with Germany. July – October 1940. Battle of Britain. An attempt by Germany to gain air superiority, in order to invade Britain (Operation Sea Lion). The Germans failed and eventually called off the Operation. NOT SHOWN: Sept 1940-Nov 1942: North Africa Campaign. A series of see-saw battles between German/Italian Forces (Libya) and the British (Egypt). October 1940. Italy attempted to invade Greece, but failed miserably. They actually lose half of Albania, and the British sent forces to defend Greece. April 1941. Germany goes to the aid of Italy by invading Greece, and consequently Yugoslavia when the Yugoslav government was overthrown, cancelling her previous agreement to allow the Germans to pass through their county. 20-31 May 1941. Germany seized Crete with an almost purely Airborne Assault. They suffered such great losses, they never again conducted a major airborne assault. 22 June – December 1941. Operation Barbarossa. Three German Army Groups attacked into the Soviet Union, but were finally stopped just short of Moscow by stiff Soviet resistance, strategic overreach and the winter. Canada 1939 August 26: All Canadian merchant ships passed from the control of their owners to the control of the Royal Canadian Navy. September 3: Battle of the Atlantic begins with the sinking of the Montréal-bound passenger ship SS Athenia by a German submarine west of Ireland. September 10: Canada declares war on Germany. September 16: The first convoy sailed from Halifax escorted by the Canadian destroyer St. Laurent. September: 58,000 Canadians enlist in the Canadian Armed Forces. December: First Canadains set sail for Europe. December: The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan created by an agreement in December 1939 between Canada, Britain, Australia, and New Zealand, called for Canada to train these countries’ air crews. 1940 Spring: Department of Munitions and Supply and the Wartime Industries Control Board established. Late 1940: Canada sends two fighter squadrons to Britain. August 26: No. 1 Fighter Squadron, RCAF, became the first Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) unit to engage enemy planes in battle when it met a formation of German bombers over southern England on August 26, 1940. September 27: 303 Squadron RAF and 1 Squadron RCAF attacked the first wave of enemy bombers of the Luftwaffe's last major daylight attack. 1941 1941: Canadian government imposed strict wage and price controls. Beginning in 1942, it rationed many commodities such as meat, sugar, coffee, gasoline, rubber and textiles. October: Contingent of 1,975 Canadians soldiers from the Winnipeg Grenadiers and Royal Rifles of Canada are sent to Hong Kong to help garrison the British colony. December 7: Japan declares war on Canada. Canada declares war on Finland, Hungary, Japan and Romania. December 8: A 50,000 strong Japanese force attacks Hong Kong. Canadian, Indian and British defenders put up valiant defense, outnumbered 5 to 1. December 19: Sgt. Major John Robert Osborn wins Victoria Cross at Hong Kong. December 24: After seventeen and a half days of fighting, the defence of Hong Kong was over. At 3:15 p.m. Christmas Day, General Maltby advised the Governor that further resistance was futile. The white flag was hoisted.
- NORTH AFRICA AND ITALY 8 November 1942: Operation Torch. Knowing that they are not yet strong enough for a direct assault into Europe, but realizing they must attack somewhere, the Allied Combined Chiefs of Staff decided to attack North Africa to assist the British 8th Army destroy the German/Italian Forces that were fighting in the vicinity of Egypt. At three landing sights, the Allies landed in Morocco and Algeria and quickly defeat the Vichy forces there. 10 November 1942: Germans occupied Southern France and Corsica as the Vichy government began to topple (due to defections in N. Africa). November 1942 – The allies advanced toward Tunisia to seize critical supply ports. However, the Germans rushed troops into Tunisia from Italy/Sicily and form the 5th Panzer Army. The Germans successfully halted the Allied advance just short of their goal. The British 1st Army was now forced to go on the defense and wait for supplies and reinforcements to arrive from their very long supply lines, as well as wait for better weather. A French and American Corps occupied positions to the south of the main British Corps. In early February, Panzer Army Afrika (Rommel) arrived in Tunisia after being driven from Egypt by the 8th Army. Rommel proposed that the combined German Armies attack the weak allied right flank to attempt to cut the 1st Br Army from its supply lines prior to the 8th Army’s arrival in force. Feb 1943. Battle of Kasserine Pass: This battle was a tactical defeat for the Americans, but an operational failure for the Germans who are unable to follow up on their initial success. The 8th Army finally arrived in force and the two German Armies surrendered in May 1943. With the Allies still unprepared to invade Europe, a decision was made at the Casablanca Conference to attack into Sicily (the decision to invade Italy was made with the success of the Sicilian operation) 10 July 43: 15th Army Group (AG) with the US 7th Army (Patton) and the British 8th Army (Montgomery) invade Sicily (Operation Husky). 505th Parachute Regt (82nd Airborne Division) and 1st British Airborne Division assist. 10 July – 17 August 43: Sicily was conquered. The US 7th Army attacked up the western side of the island, protecting the flank of the British 8th Army that attacked up the eastern side. The Germans were able to evacuate much of their men and equipment. 3 Sept 43: British 8th Army invaded the ‘toe’ of Italy as a diversion (Operation Baytown). The US 5th Army (Clark) then made the Allied main amphibious assault (Operation Avalanche) at Salerno on 9 September, while the 1st British Airborne Division conducted a supporting amphibious assault (Operation Slapstick) at the ‘heel’ of Italy. Salerno was a very difficult operation for the allies, but poor German coordination resulted in a successful invasion. Just prior to the Salerno invasion, Italy surrendered to the Allies. This was announced during the invasion to create havoc for the Germans. The Germans, however, had anticipated this capitulation and rapidly disarmed the Italian forces. 16 Sept – 8 Oct 43: Movement to the Gustav Line. The British 8th Army linked up with the US 5th Army by 16 Sept and the Germans (under Luftwaffe Field Marshall Kesselring) withdrew to and held the Gustav line by 8 October. July-Nov 43: After two failed German offensives (Stalingrad in 1942 and Kursk in July 1943), the Soviet Union begin the 1st of their major offensives to push the Germans back to Germany. This offensive occurred along the majority of the eastern front and reached the Dnieper River. Canada 1942 1942: Federal government forcibly removes 22,000 Japanese-Canadians from the coastal areas of British Columbia and relocated them inland. August 19: 5,000 Canadian, 1,000 British and 50 Americans participate in raid on Dieppe, France. Canadians took 3,367 casualties including 907 killed. August 19: Lt. Col. Charles Cecil Ingersoll Merritt (South Saskatchewan Regiment) earns Victoria Cross at Dieppe. August 19: Rev. John Weir Foote (Royal Hamilton Light Infantry) earns Victoria Cross at Dieppe. November 8: Capt. Frederick Thornton Peters (Royal Navy) wins Victoria Cross at Oran, North Africa.
- INVASION OF EUROPE 24 December 1943: Montgomery is named the 21st AG commander (the US 1st Army and the British 2nd Army) and the final preparations for the invasion of Europe (Operation Overlord) began. Fall 1943: With the capture of Foggia in Italy, the US Army Air Force now had two locations to conduct the Strategic Bombing of the German industry and resources. The 8th Air Force had begun limited operations from England in the summer of 1942, and now with the 15th Air Force in Italy (and with the British Bomber command conducting night raids against German moral) the US Strategic bombers conducted large, 1000 bomber raids (with emphasis on transportation and oil production) deep into enemy territory. These initial raids proved to be very costly, but continued through the rest of the war. 22 Jan 1944: After continuously unsuccessful attacks on the Monte Casino and the rest of the Gustav Line, the 15th AG attempted to break the stalemate by conducting another major amphibious landing with the US VI Corps at Anzio (Operation Shingle). While the landing was virtually unopposed, the US Corps Commander, General Lucas, failed to advance. Simultaneously, the drive by the US 5th Army (to link up with VI Corps) failed again to break the Gustav line. 16-19 Feb 44: The Germans counter-attacked the US beachhead, and almost pushed them back to the sea, but ultimately failed. Anzio now turned into a siege until May. 19-25 Feb 44: Bomber Offensive. The US orient on the destruction of the German aircraft industry. The scale and success of the attacks resulted in it being called ‘Big Week’ after the fact. US Fighter Planes were now able to escort the bombers all the way to their targets and back (due to drop tanks). They (and the heavily defended bombers) destroyed so many German fighter planes, that air superiority was assured for the coming Overlord invasion. The Germans can now only defend their most critical industrial locations. Jan-Apr 44: Soviet Spring Offensive frees Leningrad from it’s two year siege and pushes into the Ukraine. 11 May – 4 June 44: In attempt to draw German units into the Italian Theater (and thus away from the Overlord Invasion) the 15th AG conducted Operation Diadem and finally broke the Gustav Line. The 5th Army linked up with the VI Corps at Anzio and entered Rome on 4 June (two days prior to Overlord). 6 June 44: Operation Overlord – 3 Airborne Divisions (82nd, 101st and 6th British) landed in Normandy in the early hours, to protect the flanks of the amphibious landing sites. 6 June 44: Operation Overlord – 21st AG landed in Normandy on 5 beachheads: Utah (4th ID), Omaha (1st and 29th ID), Gold (50th British ID), Juno, (3rd Canadian ID) and Sword (3rd British ID). Allied air forces successfully conducted strikes which slowed and even prevented German reinforcements from arriving at the Normandy beachheads. June-Oct 44: After the fall of Rome, the 15th AG was able to push the Germans north on the Italian Peninsula. They quickly break the German Gothic line but cannot push much further and the opposing forces settled into a static line for the winter/spring of 44/45. Canada 1943 January: No. 6 (R.C.A.F.) Group of Bomber Command organized. it Included nearly 300 four-engined Halifax or Lancaster heavy bombers. December 14: Capt. Paul Triquet wins Victoria Cross at Casa Berardi, Italy. 1944 February 6: Major Charles Hoey (1st Battalion, The Lincolnshire Regiment) wins Victoria Cross at Maungdaw, Burma. May 24: Major John Keefer Mahony (The Westminster Regiment) wins Victoria Cross at Melfa River, Italy. June 6: 14,000 Canadians land on Normandy beaches apart of 'Operation Neptune.' 1,000 Canadian casualties. June 8-12: Canadians repel fierce German counter-attacks and hold the Normandy beach head. June 12: P.O. Andrew Charles Mynarski (Royal Canadian Air Force) wins Victoria Cross at Cambrai, France. June 24: Flt. Lt. David Ernest Hornell (Royal Canadian Air Force) wins Victoria Cross at Shetland Islands, U.K. July 10: Canadians capture Caen. July 25: Operation Spring Launched: Black Watch of Canada slaughtered at Verrières Ridge. August: Canadians close the gap at Falaise completing the pinzer movement, traping 200,000 Germans inside the pocket. August 4: Sqdn. Ldr. Ian Willoughby Bazalgette (Royal Air Force) wins Victoria Cross at Trossy St. Maximin, France. August 18: Major David Vivian Currie (The South Alberta Regiment) wins Victoria Cross at St. Lambert-sur-Dives, Falaise, France. October 21-22: Pte. Ernest Alvia Smith (Seaforth Highlanders of Canada) wins Victoria Cross at Savio River, Italy. November: After heavy losses in front-line infantry units serving in Northwest Europe and Italy, Ottawa authorized the dispatch of 16,000 home defence conscripts overseas.
- BREAKOUT 25 July 1944. Operation Cobra. After an immense buildup of forces and the slow expansion of the allied beachhead, the US 8th and 9th Air forces (strategic and tactical) conduct a concentrated ‘carpet bombing’ mission which assisted in the breakout attack of the US 1st Army through the very difficult bocage countryside. 1 August 44: With this breakout, the US 12th Army Group (Bradley) was formed – US 1st Army (Hodges) and US 3rd Army (Patton). 1-25 August 44: Patton’s 3rd Army poured through and exploits the breakout created by Operation Cobra and attacked in two directions – Brittany and the Seine River. With this rapid movement, the German 7th and 5th Panzer Armies are almost cut off, but escape with a large portion of their men (but not equipment) at the Falaise Gap when the Canadian 1st Army failed to rapidly link up with the US 3rd Army. Paris was liberated on 25 August. 15 August 44: Operation Anvil (Dragoon) – US 7th Army landed in Southern France in support of the attack in Normandy. June-August 44: The Soviets crush the German Army Group Center and reach the outskirts of Warsaw. 25 August – 15 September 44: Eisenhower takes over direct control of the ground battle from Montgomery (1 September) and the 21st and 12th Army Groups attacked along a ‘Broad Front’ toward the Rhine River. The 12th Army Group linked up the newly formed 6th AG (Devers) which contained the US 7th and French 1st Armies. Also, the 9th Army (Simpson) is formed in 5 September and clears the rest of Brittany (The port of Brest). General Clark became the 15th AG commander in October. Operation Market-Garden: 21st AG’s attempt to rapidly cross many rivers/canals in the Netherlands (2 part operation) 17 Sept 44: Operation Market - 101st, 82nd, and 1st British Airborne divisions are dropped to capture a series of bridges located between Arnhem and the British front lines. 17-20 September 44: Operation Garden - British XXX Corps attacks to link up with the Airborne (ABN) units and cross the captured bridges. The XXX Corps is finally stopped after it links up with the US 82nd ABN just short of the British 1st ABN at Arnhem. Only 2,200 of that surrounded division escaped back to British lines. August – December 44: Soviet offensive to clear the Balkans. Romania and Bulgaria surrender and join the Allies. Nov 8 – 15 Dec 44: Eisenhower shifted the Main Effort to the 12 AG. Both the 3rd and 7th Armies attacked to the German “West Wall”. This was also the time that 1st Army fights the costly battle of the Hurtgen Forrest. The 9th Army, initially paced between 1st and 3rd Armies, was moved to the 12 AG’s northern boundary. Bradley, anticipating a future transfer of forces to Montgomery, made the shift as he did not want to lose his veteran Army.
- Battle of The Bulge and Final German Defeat Ardennes Offensive (Operation Watch on the Rhine) The Germans massed the 6th SS Panzer, 5th Panzer and 7th Armies for a final counter-attack against the Western Allies. Hitler planned to split the US from the British at the lightest defended portion of the American line – the Ardennes (the same location that they concentrated their panzer forces to defeat the French in 1940). This attack would then continue to the coast and capture the critical supply port of Antwerp. This would become known as the Battle of the Bulge. 15-24 Dec 44: Battle of the Bulge (1) - Germany attacked and created a ‘bulge’ in the allied line. As the 1st and 9th Armies are cut off from the 12th AG (due to the ‘bulge’), command of these two armies shift to the 21st AG. 20-21 Dec 44: 3rd Army displaced from its front lines and reoriented to attack into the southern portion of the ‘bulge’. Patton began his attack on 22 December. 26 Dec – 7 Feb 45: Battle of the Bulge (2) - the 12th and 21st AGs pushed the Germans back to their start line. Jan – Apr 45: The Soviets pushed to the Oder river in the north, followed by attacks in Hungry and Austria in the south. 22 Feb – 21 March: Rhineland Campaign. All Army Groups pushed forward to the Rhine River. By chance, the US 1st Army was able to capture a bridge still intact on 7 March at Remagen and created an unexpected bridgehead on the east side of the Rhine River. (The 1st Army was returned to 12 AG after the Battle of the Bulge) 22 & 23 March: The US 3rd and British 2nd Armies conducted river crossings of the Rhine. 28 March – 7 May: Attack and occupation of Germany. The German Army Group B (Model) is captured in the Rhur Pocket. The 15th AG made a final push to capture the rest of Italy and the US 5th and 7th Armies linked up on 4 May. 15 Apr – 6 May: Soviets attacked into Eastern Germany and captured Berlin. Hitler committed suicide on 30 April and the Germans surrendered on 7 May. Canada 1945 January: 13,000 conscript soldiers proceeded to Britain, but only a few thousand entered combat in Europe before the war ended. February 25-26: Sgt. Aubrey Cosens (Queen's Own Rifles of Canada) wins Victoria Cross at Mooshof, Germany. March: Over 167,000 students (including 50,000+ pilots) trained in Canada under the BCATP from May 1940. March 1st: Major Frederick Albert Tilston (Essex Scottish Regiment) wins Victoria Cross at Hochwald, Germany. March 24: Cpl. Frederick George Topham (1st Canadian Parachute Battalion) wins Victoria Cross at East of the Rhine, Germany. May 5: German forces on the British and Canadian front surrender. May 8: The Germans formally surrender in Europe, known as Victory-in-Europe "V-E" day. August 9: Lt. Robert Hampton Gray (Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve) wins Victoria Cross at Onagawa Wan, Japan.
- Post War Occupation of Germany: US Sector British Sector Soviet Sector French Sector All 4 Powers divide Berlin