World War II 1945

1. World War II 1945

2. January • Jan. 1-17: The German soldiers pull out of the Ardennes. • Jan. 17: The Soviet Army captures Warsaw, Poland • Jan. 26: The Soviet Army liberates the Nazi concentration camp, Auschwitz.

3. Ardennes Offensive • Also known as Battle of the Bulge • Dec.16, 1944- Jan.25, 1945 • Major German offensive • Mountain region of Wallonia, Belgium • German goal: To split British and American allied line in half, capturing Antwerp (supported allies’ supplies), then encircling and destroying four allied armies, forcing western allies to negotiate a peace treaty in the Axis power’s favor. Hitler then would fully concentrate on eastern theatre. • German’s starting advantage: Surprise, Dress as American troops, Weather (grounded air force) • Germany’s defeat: Based their attack on massive armored onslaught, requires support they didn’t have. Conclusion: Was the largest battle fought by Americans in WWII. 600,000 American troops involved, 81,000 lost. Germans lost 100,000, including killed wounded and captured.

4. Soviet army liberates Warsaw • Soviet troops liberate the Polish capital from German occupation. • After Stalin mobilizes 180 divisions against Germans in Poland and East Prussia, Georgi Zhukov’s troops cross Vistula, north and south of Polish capital, liberating the city from the Germans • Pre-War population of Poland: 1.3 millioin • Post War population of Poland: 153,000

5. February • Feb. 4-11: The Big Three, Roosevelt, Stalin and Churchill meet at Yalta. • Feb.19: Battle of Iwo Jima

6. Meeting at Yalta • Roosevelt, Stalin, Churchill • The wartime meeting of the heads of government of U.S, U.K and Soviet Union discussing Europe’s post war reorganization. • What was decided: • Disarm Germany • Try German War criminals • Arrange German reparations • Roosevelt’s military advisors overestimated Japan’s strength, making them prepared to do anything for the Russian’s support. Roosevelt expected three main things: • Britain could control the Mediterranean • France would dominate western Europe • Britain and France could contain Germany with Russian cooperation • Stalin gained part of Poland and territorial/economic concessions in the far east. For this he promised Roosevelt free elections in Poland and to join in the Battle against Japan in the Pacific. Roosevelt’s expectations were not met due to these promises not being kept.

7. Battle of Iwo Jima • Major battle in which the U.S fought and captured the island Iwo Jima from the empire of Japan • America desired to destroy Japan’s merchant fleet so the mainland could not be supplied from South East Asia • Iwo Jima was an island that was considered to have great tactical importance due to two airfields located on the island. • 22,000 Japanese soldiers under the command of Lieutenant-General Kuribayashi • Days prior to the attack, six American battleships launched a continuous barrage on the island, proved as a disadvantage • March 16, the island was declared secure and resistance ceased by the 26th • U.S marines lost 6,891 men, only 212 Japanese soldiers taken prisoner • Showed American’s the Japanese determination to defend their country, later would influence the decision to use atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki

8. March • Mar. 6: The last German offensive takes place in their attempt to defend the oil fields in Hungary. • Mar. 7: The allied forces take Cologne and build a bridge crossing the Rhine into Remagen. • Mar.30: The Soviet Army takes Danzig.

9. Operation Lumberjack • U.S army operation to reach west bank of the Rhine • The Rhine posed the last major geographical obstacle to allies • Hitler ordered the Ludendorff bridge to be destroyed • March 7th, U.S reaches heights overlooking Remagen and captures the bridge, opening a way for allies into the heart of Germany.

10. April • Apr.12: The allied forces liberate two concentration camps, Buchenwald and Belsen. Also President Roosevelt dies, and Harry Truman takes over. • Apr.16: The Soviet army begins their final attack on Berlin. • Apr.21: The Soviets arrive in Berlin. • Apr.28: Mussolini is captured by the Italians and hanged upside down, the allies move into Venice • Apr.30: Adolf Hitler commits suicide.

11. Harry Truman • Was only vice president for 82 days when Roosevelt died • Hinted to Stalin about atomic bomb testing intended for Japan • Authorized the use of atomic weapons against Japan

12. The Fall of Berlin • Stratiegic Offensive operation by Soviet Union, The final major offensive in European Theatre of WWII • April 16, Red Army breached German front and advanced west, two Soviet fronts attacked Berlin from east and south while the third overran German forces in north Berlin • German defenses were depleted and badly equipped (Wehrmecht and Waffen SS divisions) • Led to General Hasso von Manteuffel surrender to U.S army

13. May • May.2: The German troops in Italy surrender. • May.7: Germany surrenders to the Allies. • May.8: Victory day in Europe.

14. June • June.5: Allies divide Germany in two and take over their Government

15. July • July.16: The first U.S atom bomb test. • July.26: Atlee succeeds Churchill as the British Prime Minister.

16. August • Aug. 6: The first Atomic bomb is dropped on Hiroshima • Aug. 9: The second Atomic bomb is dropped on Nagasaki. • Aug. 14: The Japanese agree to unconditional surrender.

17. September • Sept. 2: Japanese officially surrenders V.J Day

18. October • Oct. 24: The United Nations is born!

19. Quiz • 1. What was the ultimate reason for Germany’s defeat in the Ardennes Offensive? /1 • 2. Name one thing decided at the Yalta meeting /1 • 3. What promises did Stalin make and did not keep? /2 • 4. What did the battle of Iwo Jima help influence the U.S to do? Why? /2 • 5. What was Germany’s disadvantage in the Battle of Berlin? What did the outcome lead to? /2 • 6. When was V.J day? (month and date) /1