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Blitzkrieg (European)
The Blitzkrieg is not a specific battle, it is a term referring to large motorized forces (moving at high speeds,) using tanks, infantry, artillery and air power. This kept the enemy off-balance and made it difficult for them to fight back. Blitzkrieg worked to the advantage of the Germans in WWII from 1939 to 1941. -
Battle of Stalingrad (European)
Throughout this battle, heavy fighting took place resulting in a heavy loss for Germany and a huge victory for the Russians. The Soviets pushed Germany's eastern borders back westward as the Allies were doing similarly on the other side. The US forces used the Ludendorff Bridge to sucessfully cross the Rhine River that runs through Switzerland. By the time the Soviets reached Berlin another ten days passed before Germany surrendered. This battle ended on February 2, 1943. -
Normandy Invasion (European)
To liberate Europe from Germany, France was invaded by the United States, Canada, and Great Britain. Five beaches were stormed and protected by three airborne divisions. The allies prevailed dispite the challenges they faced and marched all the way to Paris. -
Battle of Saipan (Pacific)
On June 15, 1944, American forces invaded the island of Saipan, part of the Mariana Islands in the Central Pacific. Keeping Saipan was crucial in the American advance of the Japanese islands. American and Japanese carriers fought a two-day sea and air battle off the coast of Saipan. It would go down as one of the biggest carrier battles of World War II. Of the 30,000 Japanese troops who defended Saipan, less than 1,000 remained alive when the battle ended July 9, when the battle ended. -
Battle of Leyte Gulf (Pacific)
In October 1944, General Douglas MacArthur and his Sixth Army returned to the Philippines through the island of Leyte. The Battle of Leyte Gulf destroyed the Japanese Navy as an effective fighting force. It was during this battle that U.S. sailors first witnessed the kamikaze attacks that would become commonplace five months later in the battle of Okinawa. As many as sixty-five thousand Japanese soldiers died defending Leyte. It ended on October 26, 1944 lasting only three days. -
Battle of the Bulge (European)
The same troops that marched to Paris in the Normandy Invasion found themselves stuck at the German border a month later. Even though they could have easily attacked Germany, the winter weather proved a challenge for the Allies. US General George S. Patton was determined to push through Belgium. With help from reinforcements in the air, they were able to push the Germans back to their old borders. This battle ended on January 25, 1945. -
Philippines Campaign Battle (Pacific)
In early January 1945, the biggest army the U.S. would commit to one battle in the Pacific invaded the main Filipino island of Luzon. The Japanese army that the Americans faced was the largest that they had faced in the Pacific. This lasted for two months. Despite defeat, hardworking Japanese would continue to fight in the jungles and mountains of the Philippines until the very end of the war. -
Iwo Jima (Pacific)
30,000 US Marines invaded Iwo Jima, a small island, to make room for American B-29 flyers. They encountered 21,000 secure Japanese defenders as they arrived. It took them a month to overtake the Japanese because of the terrain. The Battle of Iwo Jima was one of the bloodiest battles of WWII resulting in about 7,000 Marines' deaths and another 24,000 wounded. The Japanese suffered over 22,000 casualties. The Americans finally raised their flag securing Iwo Jima on March 26, 1945. -
Okinawa (Pacific)
After the war, the U.S. planned that Okinawa, once captured, would serve as a staging area for an invasion of the main islands. Okinawa saw 82 days of brutal warfare in horrific conditions at places like Kakazu Ridge, Sugar Loaf Hill and Kunishi Ridge. When the island was finally secured by US Marines, more than 12,000 U.S. soldiers and Navy personnel were dead or missing and more than 36,000 were wounded. 70,000 Japanese soldiers died as well as 100,000 to 150,000 civilians. End date: 6/22/1945 -
Battle of Berlin
This the final major offensive battle of the European Theater lasted only two weeks. Soviet forces attacked Berlin from the east, north and south. Before the battle ended Hitler and many of his follwers commited suicide. This battle ended on May 2, 1945.
