Transcript World War II Battles

This is a photo of the atomic bomb
blast over Nagasaki, Japan.
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What do you see in the
photograph.
From what point of view do we
see the atomic bomb blast?
Where is the photographer
situated? Why would he or she
have wanted to take the photo
from that location?
Do you think the photograph
glorifies or condemns the power
of the bomb? What aspects of the
image support your conclusion?
Do you think this image removes
the emotional impact of the
devastating effects of the bomb?
How? Why would you want to
remove the emotional impact of
such a destructive device?
"Awestruck, we watched it shoot upward like a meteor coming from the earth instead of
from outer space, becoming ever more alive as it climbed skyward through the white
clouds. It was no longer smoke, or dust, or even a cloud of fire. It was a living thing, a
new species of being, born right before our incredulous eyes."
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1939-1941 Germany
overtook everything
in its path. They
seemed unstoppable.
Dunkirk was a
morale boost for
Britain. Even though
it was a defeat they
saved over 300,000
troops
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“Upon this battle depends the survival of
Christian civilization. Upon it depends our own
British life and the long continuity of our
institutions and our Empire…. Hitler knows
that he will have to break us in this island or
lose the war. If we can stand up to him, all
Europe may be free and the life of the world may
move forward into broad, sunlit uplands.” -
Winston Churchill
"The gratitude of every home in our Island, in
our Empire, and indeed throughout the world
goes out to the British airmen who, undaunted
by odds, unwearied in their constant challenge
and mortal danger, are turning the tide of the
World War by their prowess and by their
devotion. Never in the field of human conflict
was so much owed by so many to so few.” –
Winston Churchill
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Germany wanted to
invade Britain, but
in order to do so, it
had to control the
air.
This battle was
fought in the air
between the British
RAF and the
German Luftwaffe.
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The German invasion consisted of:
3 million soldiers
3580 tanks,
7184 artillery guns,
1830 planes
750,000 horses.
By Day 17 of the attack, 300,000 Russians
had been captured, 2,500 tanks, 1,400
artillery guns and 250 aircraft captured or
destroyed.
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Hitler lost interest in
Britain because Russia
was a bigger prize.
A military invasion of
this size had never before
in history been tried
Hitler’s strategic mistakeHe split the army thus
they didn’t conquer as
fast as planned and
winter hit before they
reach Moscow.
Germany lost around
775,000 men and were
defeated for the 1st time.
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Moscow itself had been turned into a
fortress 422 miles of anti-tank ditches
812 miles of barbed wire
30,000 firing points
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By December, Germany was 18 miles
from the center of Moscow
Germany lost 155,000 men
Harsh winter temperatures reached -20 at
night
 Supply trains had a hard time supplying an
army spread out that far
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January of 1942 Hitler withdrew,
ending Operation Barbarossa
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Last German offensive attack
Historians believe Hitler went after Stalingrad
because it was named after Stalin
Stalingrad was a complete loss for Germany,
91,000 prisoners taken
Germany was in full retreat after this battle
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Germany was in retreat after Stalingrad, and
Hitler was worried about image and morale
He launched an offensive
Greatest Tank Battle
Germany lost
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500,000 men
Now in full retreat
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US joins the war in Europe and unites with
Britain to take back France
Normandy is the point where the Allied
invasion force lands
Heavy beach fighting as the force pushes their
way inland
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German halted their retreat for one last attack.
Largest battle fought by Americans in WWII
The Germans experienced great success to start with. Why was this?
Ø The Allies were surprised by the attack. They had received little
intelligence that such an attack would take place.
Ø Before the attack started, English speaking German soldiers dressed in
American uniforms went behind the lines of the Allies and caused havoc by
spreading misinformation, changing road signs, and cutting telephone lines.
Those who were caught were shot after a court martial.
Ø The weather was also in Hitler’s favor. Low cloud and fog meant that the
superior air force of the Allies could not be used
German success last 2 days. Then the weather
cleared and the Allies started pushing back.
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The Russians from the east and the Allies from the
west surround Hitler and his army in Berlin
On the morning of April 30 Hitler was informed
that German soldiers would soon run out of
ammunition.
Hitler and his wife of 1 day Eva Braun commit
suicide that afternoon
Germany surrendered May 2, 1945
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V.E. Day is May 8, 1945
V.E. stands for Victory in Europe
August 6, Hiroshima is bombed
August 9, Nagasaki is bombed
August 15, Japan Surrenders
V.J. Day is September 2, 1945, when the
surrender is actually signed.
V.J. stands for Victory in Japan and the final
end of WWII