-
Allied invasion at Salerno
The Allies gain a front in Europe by invading Italy at Salerno on 9 September in 1943. The Allies had to fight, but the battle was not nearly as bloody as the invasion at Normandy would be. -
Period: to
World War II, Sept. 1943 - Sept. 1945
-
Romae Liberatio
Allied troops, having successfully landed near the city about 5 months earlier, finally liberate Rome from Axis control. This gives the Allies the ability to bomb targets in Eastern Germany for the first time. -
TURNING POINT
Hilter and his German army have taken over much of Europe. The Allies must invade the German-occupied France to stay in the war. The upcoming battle at Normandy will be one of the most important of the war, and its outcome could decide the fate of Europe. -
D-Day: Landing at Normandy (Allied Victory)
American and British troops storm the beach at Normandy, France. The ensuing battles were costly to both sides; new research suggests that the Allies lost over 4,400 men in the battle, with over 10,000 casualties. Also, in operations that lead up to the D-Day invasion, the Allied air forces lost about 12,000 airmen. However, due to careful planning and the will and hard work of the soldiers on the ground, the Allies succeeded in taking the beach and gained their "Second Front". -
Breaking the Beachhead
The Allies plow their way off of the beachhead of Normandy and set course for Paris, France. -
La libération de Paris
After reaching the French capital 5 days before, Allied troops enter Paris and liberate her people from the Germans. A major morale-booster, the Allies quickly sweep through France and most of Belguim, reaching the German border. -
Germany is Falling
At this point, Germany is going to lose the war. Supplies are low, the Luftwaffe is all but destroyed, and the Allies are rapidly pushing toward the homeland. Hitler must try to turn the war around to have any hope of keeping his rule. -
Battle of the Bulge (cont.)
However, the bad weather doesn't last. The skies clear, and British and American aircraft arrive and decimate the German artillary. -
Battle of the Bulge
As the Allied forces begin to infiltrate Germany, the remnants of the German military launch a massive, last-ditch offensive in an attempt to turn the tide of the war. They wait for bad weather to attack; because their air focres are gone, the fog is the only protection from the Allied air forces. As the battle progresses, the Germans are winning. Artillary fire has the Allies pinned down. Hitler may have saved the war. -
Berlin encircled, the war ends
The Allies are able to sweep through the the rest of Germany. Berlin is surrounded by the Soviet Union. World War II in Europe ends a week after Adolf Hitler kills himself.
