End of WW2 in Europe

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Created by
Jaena

Cards (5)

  • Germany's early success
    Blitzkrieg → Suprise attack led to great success
    1 Sep 1939 → Successfully conquered Poland, dividing it with USSR as per the Nazi-Soviet Pact
    April - June 1940 → Conquered Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands & France
  • The Battle of Britain

    July 1940
    1. Hitler saw Britain as a difficult opponent
    Luftwaffe (German Airforce) successfully bombed the south defences of the British Royal Airforce (RAF)
    2. RAF was under great pressure, and Britain retaliated by bombing Germany back
    3. The Blitz : Germany then decided to bomb British cities, hoping to demoralise Britain and make them surrender
    4. Actually allowed RAF to recover and repair defences, Britain would play a key role in WW2
  • Operation Barbarossa

    June 1941
    1. Hitler broke the Nazi-Soviet Pact and attacked the USSR
  • Battle of Stalingrad

    August 1942
    1. Hitler renewed (continued) their offensive in USSR
    2. Wanted to take over city with Stalin's name
    3. Hitler wanted rich resources of Caucasus and Stalingrad
    4. Germany was initially successful, obtained large territories

    Germany's Defeat
    1. Unable to seize Moscow fast enough
    2. Fighting a war on 2 fronts
    → Dec 1941 - USA (Pearl Habour) & USSR
    → divided resources
    3. Environment in Russia was too cold and unfavourable for G, many died of hypothermia
    4. USSR put up fierce resistance, managed to reclaim territory (city of Kursk)
    5. Germany tried to retake Kursk, reassert strength, deployed many tanks (Known as largest tank battle in history)
    6. Germany still outnumbered and forced to retreat

    Impact
    1. Boosted Allies confidence
    2. Germany wasted resources & manpower
  • Operation Overlord
    D-Day
    6 June 1944
    1. France was one of the first countries to fall to Germany, Allies wanted to liberate France
    2. Many months of planning by Allies (Mainly USA and Britain)
    3. Allied troops launched the largest amphibious assault
    4. Landed on 5 different beaches in France on the same day, large manpower involved
    5. Germany had strong fortifications along the French Coast
    6. Allies secured a beachhead in France

    Impact
    1. Allowed men and equipment to be brought over to mainland Europe
    2. Even though Germany fought back fiercely, but Allies managed to steadily close in on Germany from both sides (Allies from one side and USSR from the other)