GERMANY’S COLLAPSE Hitler’s Last Stand
Dec 13, 2015
World War II
1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945
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D-Day
GermanySurrenders
PolandInvasion
France Falls
Battle of Britain
InvasionSovietUnion
Battle ofStalingrad &Operation Torch
Battle ofMidway
PearlHarbor
D-Day--June 6th 1944— How would Hitler respond?
Germans initially retreats
After D-Day
Prepares for next battle
Battle of the Bulge
• After D-day defeat, Germany launches counterattack – When: Dec 1944 – Jan 1945
– Goal: defeat allies & push for a favorable peace treaty
• Short term victory for Germany:– Surprise & poor weather were key factors
– Allies initially retreat
Over 500,000 Americans Fight
81,000 US deaths
Germany retreats & Allies rush to Berlin
Largest land battle for the USA during WWII
Battle of the Bulge
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pttlm1DcWzk
Bombing of Dresden
• Feb. 1945- British & American Bombers completely destroy German city
• 35,000-100,000 killed
Was this necessary?
Race to Berlin (April 1945)
• By April Allies race towards Berlin
• Soviets approach from East – 6 million troops
• U.S. troops approach from West – 3 million troops
Berlin
U.S. in Transition
• Franklin D. Roosevelt Dies (April 12th 1945)
• Harry Truman becomes President