The document summarizes several major battles of World War 2, providing brief details about each battle and their significance. It discusses the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor which brought the US into the war, Operation Torch which gave American forces combat experience and stretched German forces, Operation Overlord which was the Allied invasion of Europe and forced Germany to fight on two fronts, and several other key battles in both the European and Pacific theaters. It concludes with several multiple choice quiz questions about the details and outcomes of these major WW2 battles.

1. Group 3
What were the major battles of World War
Two?
Provide a BRIEF reason why the battle was
significant.

2. Pearl Harbor
• December 7th, 1941.
• The Japanese wanted
to cripple the U.S.
Navy and prevent it
from stopping their
actions in the Pacific.
• Significance: Brought
the U.S. into the war
on the side of the
Allies.

3. Operation Torch
• Codename for Allied offensive in North Africa
and Italy.
• Significance:
1. Gives the American forces valuable combat
experience.
2. Forces Hitler to move troops from other areas
to support the Italians.
• http://www.history.co.uk/explore-history/ww2/north-africa/video/operation-
torch/.html;jsessionid=2FCD350BE05B6B7E6ACDBE93E32EF717

5. Operation Overlord
• Codename for Allied invasion
of Europe.
• Signaled the beginning of the
end for the Axis forces.
• Significance: Forced the
German forces to fight a two-
front war. Stretched their thin
forces even more.
• http://www.history.co.uk/videos?
bcpid=843702856001&bckey=AQ~~,AAAABSuB6rk~,bvP8ORzdajrZP8ZKU3
4eDnJVzB1vRMR4&bctid=73392417001

6. Map of Operation Overlord

7. Mariana Islands
• Also called the Battle of the
Philippine Sea, and “the Great
Turkey Shoot.”
• Aircraft battle where Japanese
lost 600+ aircraft and the U.S.
only lost 123.
• Significance: Severely
reduced Japanese airpower in
the Pacific and led to
kamikaze styled attacks.

8. Battle of the Bulge
• German counteroffensive in 1945.
• Armored tanks played major role.
• Significance: The failure of this counteroffensive
signaled the end of the German war effort. After
this battle, the Germans continued to retreat to
Berlin where they would meet defeat.
http://www.army.mil/botb/newsreel.html

9. Battle of Stalingrad
• Decisive battle in Operation Barbarossa, the
German invasion of Russia.
• German forces surrounded within the city and
forced to surrender.
• Significance:
1. Valuable resources lost to the Russian forces.
2. Galvanized the struggling Russian forces.
http://www.history.co.uk/explore-history/ww2/stalingrad/video.html?bctid=62952072001&Battle-of-Stalingrad

10. Battle of Okinawa
• Part of the U.S. island hopping strategy.
• Last major Japanese stronghold before main
islands.

11. Quiz Question 1
• Why did the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor?
A. Wanted a new vacation spot
B. Wanted to cripple U.S. Navy
C. Response to U.S. attack on Iwo Jima
D. Hitler told them to

12. Quiz Question 2
• What was the advantage the Allies had
after Operation Torch?
A. Valuable combat experience
B. Knew how to light fires
C. Hitler forced to divert valuable forces to assist Italy
D. B only
E. A&C

13. Quiz Question 3
• Why was the Battle of the Philippine Sea
nicknamed “the Great Turkey Shoot?”
A. Good hunting area
B. It happened during Thanksgiving
C. The Japanese navy lost a large number of
aircraft
D. It was a decisive Japanese land battle victory

14. Quiz Question 4
• Which battle was the final German
counteroffensive in Europe?
A. Battle of Britain
B. Battle of the Bulge
C. Battle of Leyte Gulf
D. Battle of Point du Hoc

15. Quiz Question 5
• Why was the Battle of Stalingrad
significant?
A. An entire German battle group was force to
surrender
B. Galvanized the Russian forces
C. The Russian’s lost a large number of tanks
D. A&B