BellworkJanuary 30, 2014 The U.S. became involved in the

war because of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, but the war started with Hitler. We had to start somewhere, Japan or Hitler.

Where do you think we started and why? Write at least 2 COMPLETE sentences in your Composition Book

Where to start?Hitler

◦The situation in Europe was desperate German forces occupied almost all of

Europe and much of North Africa◦If the Germans defeated the

Soviets… Hitler and the German might be

unstoppable

Europe is the starting point but where in Europe?Stalin and American leaders

wanted to launch attacks through the English Channel◦Hitler would be forced to defend the

heart of his empireChurchill thought it would be too

much of a risk due to the large amounts of German troops◦FDR agreed◦North Africa was the starting point

North AfricaGerman troops under the command of

General Erwin Rommel◦Known for success in desert warfare

November 1942- British troops defeated Rommel at El Alamein◦Prevented the capturing of the Suez Canal and

the linking of the Mediterranean and Red seaNovember 8, 1942- American, British and

Canadian troops landed in Algeria and Morocco◦General Dwight D. Eisenhower

North AfricaEisenhower moved quickly to the

east but met defeat in TunisiaWith the backing of British air

and naval power General Patton closed in on Rommel

May 1943- Germans were driven out of North Africa

813th Tank Destroyers Battalion, Company B

Invasion of ItalyWho is the leader is in Italy?

◦MussoliniBases in N. Africa were used to

launch attacks on Southern Europe◦Sicily taken in the Summer of 1943◦Landed on Italian mainland in

September 1943◦Allies failed to capture Monte Cassino in

central Italy in Winter 1943

Invasion of Italy January 1944- Allies landed at Anzio,

a seaport near RomeGerman forces held the Allies on the

beaches for 4 monthsAllies broke through in May and marched

towards RomeRome was liberate in June 1944

War with GermanySummer 1942- Allies launched air war

against Germany◦Massive bombing campaigns◦Each day German factories and cities were

hammered with bombs American forces by day British forces by night

July 1943◦Week-long series of bombing on the port of

Hamburg created a fire that engulfed the city◦More than 30,000 Germans died◦Germany still determined to win the war

Closure #2Don’t forget your heading

◦Name◦Period◦Date◦Closure #2

Why did the U.S. make the decision to start fighting in Europe over Japan?

How long were Allie troops held on Anzio beach?

What year was Rome liberated?

What are any questions that you have about any that we have discussed today or since the beginning of our WWII unit?