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WWII - US European Campaign
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War is Declared
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hitler and his Axis partners declare war on the US. The United States responds quickly by declaring war on Germany and the Axis power. The United States begins to stregthen their military and mass production of weapons and ammo begins. -
Troops arrive in French North Africa
American and British troops land on the beaches of Morocco and Algeria in French Noth Africa. They are able to push up to the Tunisian border, where the Germans set up a defensive line. -
Tunisia is Invaded
After many failed attacks on Tunisia, American and British forces finally break the last German line of defense in Tunisia. Once the line was broken, Allied troops moved in to capture Tunisia. Germany surrendered, and 250,000 troops were taken prisoners. The North African campaign was over, and Italy was the next target. -
Invasion of Sicily
American and British forces launch the largest amphibious assault to date at the island of Sicily. By mid-August, the Allied forces are able to take control of Sicily. -
Fighting for the Control of Italy
American and British forces land on the beaches of Italy. The Allied forces push into Italy to take control of Rome. Months of fighting ensues. Over time, Allied forces are able to make their way to Rome. -
Italy is Liberated
On June 4, 1944, Allied forces finally liberate Rome and take control of Italy. Although the Italian troops stopped fighting, German troops continued to fight. Nazi troops continued to hold Northern Italy until the end of World War II. -
D-Day - Battle of Normandy
"Operation Overlord" is executed. American, British, and Canadian forces land on the beaches of Normandy. 156,000 Allied troops landed on the beaches. Along with the assault of the beaches, paratroopers were airdropped behind the German defenses. Allied forces successfully took control of the beaches and established a western front on Germany. -
Invasion of France
American and British forces push out of the Normandy beachheads towards Paris. Allied forces land south of France and push towards the Rhine River. -
Liberation of France
After many months of fighting, American, British, and French forces capture Paris and liberate France. By September, Allied forces reach the German border. By December, France, most of Belgium, and parts of the Netherlands are liberated. -
Battle of the Bulge
Germany executes a counter-attack in the Ardennes forests, almost retaking Belgium. This attack took the Allied defenses by surprise and a "bulge" was created in the Allied defensive line. However, with Allied reinforces, the counter-attack was repelled and the Germans were forced to retreat. -
US Troops Push into Germany
The "Bulge" created by the German counter-attack is closed as US troops meet up. US troops push into Germany and towards the Rhine River, the last obstacle into Germany. Germany is crippled after the bombings on production facilities. -
Crossing the Rhine
US troops were able to capture a bridge that crossed the Rhine River at Remagen. This allowed Allied troops a direct access to the center of Germany. With the Russian forces pushing into Germany from the East, the war would soon be over. Many concentration camps were liberated by both the Russians and the Americans. -
German Forces in the Rhur Surrender
With Allied forces pouring into Germany, thousands of German troops began to surrender. The Rhur pocket, as it was called, was the last set of resistance in western Germany. In the end, German forces surrendered and became prisoners of war. -
Germany Surrenders
With the death of Adolf Hitler, and Germany under occupation of the Allies, Germany surrendered to the Allied forces. All the fighting in Germany stops, and the Nazi resistance in Italy surrendered.
