Transcript Operation Torch

1) AXIS POWERS
Germany
Italy
Japan
VS. the ALLIED POWERS
(actively in combat in 1942)
UK (1939)
USSR (1941)
US (1941)
2) Allied Power agreement, and disagreement:
Agreed on opening up a second front against Nazi
Germany.
Disagreed on when or where…
•Stalin wanted an immediate front opened up in
Western Europe (France), to take the pressure off the
Soviet Red Army.
•Churchill and Roosevelt preferred to first attack
Germany in North Africa, and then up through Italy in
Southern Europe (the “soft underbelly” of Europe).
•Ultimately, the US & UK would spend a year
preparing for a third front against Germany, in France:
D-DAY
3) The Battle of El Alamein & ‘Operation Torch’
(North Africa 1942):
•Battle of El Alamein (Oct. 1942) - the British stop the
Germans from advancing further into Egypt (and taking
the Suez Canal), pushing the Germans WEST, back to
Tunisia.
•Operation Torch (Nov. 1942) – first combat for U.S.
army, which pushed the Germans EAST, back to
Tunisia.
•German forces were caught between British and
American forces, and ultimately forced to withdraw from
North Africa in May, 1943… another setback for Hitler.
4) The Battle of Stalingrad (Aug 1942 – Feb 1943):
TURNING POINT IN THE WAR FOR EUROPE!
•The Germans invaded & destroyed the city, but were
surrounded by the Red Army during the winter months
and cut off from re-supply.
•Hitler refused requests to retreat, dooming what was left
of the German forces.
•The defeat of the German army at Stalingrad begins the
collapse of Nazi Germany, as the Soviet Red Army will
retake land occupied by Germany, and close in on
Germany itself during the next two years.
5) What happens in Italy after the Allies invaded Sicily
& southern Italy in 1943?
•Mussolini was deposed from power, and the Italian
government “surrendered” to the Allies; however...
•Germany then seized control of Italian territory not
already controlled by Allies, and continued to fight in
northern Italy for the rest of the war, in an attempt to
defend its southern flank in Europe.
•Mussolini was eventually captured and killed by Italian
partisan fighters at the end of the war.
6) Total War:
ALL of a nation’s resources – people and production –
are dedicated to winning the war effort…
• Citizens are either in the military or producing for the
military (including women!)
• Increased civilian casualties (i.e. bombing of cities).
• Governments take control of the economy, directing
private business to manufacture war materiel
• Governments ration consumer goods to save needed
resources for the war effort, and enact price controls
on goods made scarce by war.
• Governments engage in active propaganda to support
the war effort.
Propaganda used by governments to:
→ maintain popular support for war
effort, justify war policies (also
promote purchase of war
bonds)
→ demonize the enemy
Change in labor force: Women used in
production of war materiel (again!)... also used
in military support roles (non-combat).
Government – controlled economy:
7) U.S. wartime sentiments & propaganda vs. the
Constitution: the Japanese in America, 1942 – 1946:
•Japanese-Americans (110,000 citizens and legal
residents) were sent to internment camps
(concentration camps), due to fear, paranoia, and
unproven suspicion of loyalty to imperial Japan.
•They were denied their Constitutional rights: no
compensation for lost property, or any legal due
process. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld this executive
action in a subsequent lawsuit.
•The U.S. government later acknowledged this injustice
and issued compensatory payments of $20k to
survivors in 1988.
Constitutional rights that were violated:
- Habeus Corpus (detainment without charge)
- Due Process (no trial, inadequate compensation
for lost property, violated eminent domain laws)
The Supreme Court decision has never been
reversed.
Liberty ←-------------------------------------→ Security
8) “D-Day”, June 6, 1944 (“Operation Overlord”):
- Allied invasion of Normandy (France) via the
English Channel, to open up a Western Front
against Nazi Germany in Europe.
- Included U.S., British, and Canadian forces
- Largest amphibious assault (invasion by sea) in
history.
Beach Landings:
Omaha (U.S.)
Utah (U.S.)
Gold (U.K.)
Sword (U.K.)
Juno (Canada)
Three European fronts established against Hitler by 1944:
EAST: Eastern Europe - Soviets attacking
SOUTH: Italy (via North Africa) – US & UK
WEST: France (after D Day) – US, UK, Canada
9) Maintaining the secrecy of D-Day:
• Allies created a fake army corps to deceive Hitler
• Transmitted false information to Nazi Germany
(i.e. reinforcing the idea that the attack would be at
Calais, the shortest point between UK & France).
• Assistance from the French Resistance
10) The “Battle of the Bulge” (Dec 1944 – Jan 1945):
•
Hitler’s last ditch effort to repulse the Allied attack on
his Western front, separate the U.S. & British forces,
and push the Allies back.
•
Though initially successful, it failed, since Germany
was running out of resources (i.e. replacement
soldiers, and oil!).
•
Largest, bloodiest battle in U.S. history!
11) Germany loses to the Allies (May, 1945). REASONS:
• Faced a THREE-FRONT WAR as of ‘D-Day’
• Arrogant, cocky… belief in “racial superiority” was a utopian fantasy
• Invaded, conquered too much… more than it could hold on to
• Never invade Russia… and if you do, finish before you need a coat
• Allies had more resources (esp. the U.S., an industrial power)
• Allies had radar and the Enigma machine; knew German coded
messages
• Red Army was ordered to fight to the death… and often did
(23 million dead)
• “No retreat” order = high casualties… but the USSR had a larger
population than Germany to pull it off
• Hitler micromanaged the war, ignoring sensible advice from his most
experienced generals
• LOST WAR OF ATTRITION… Allies could replenish losses in men &
materiel and war dragged on… Germany could not (after nearly six
years of fighting)
• Hitler diverted resources needed for combat operations instead to
carrying out the Holocaust