Allied Advances: The Italian Campaign to the Liberation of the Netherlands

1. The Italian Campaign

2. Background • German and Russian Troops • German troops faced disaster in Russia. • They were unable to handle the freezing Russian weather. • The German army surrendered in 1943. • The Russian forces now turned their attention towards Germany. After failing in Russia, Hitler sent his forces to Italy.

3. Background • The American’s recovered quickly after Pearl Harbor. • The American aircraft carriers defeated the Japanese navy island by island moving closer to Japan. • In 1942, British and American troops drove back the Italian and German forces in North Africa. • The British and American troops then moved to Italy where the German troops had moved.

4. The Liberation of Italy • The Italian campaign was long and tough. • The German’s put up a wall of defenses from Rome to Ortona. • The American, British and Canadian forces followed the German’s through Italy. • They had to trek through the rugged mountains and were often attacked by German snipers hidden in the mountains. • It was a city-by-city takeover. • More than 30, 000 soldiers were wounded or killed.

5. The Invasion of Sicily

6. The Invasion of Sicily • Canadian soldiers had not seen any action since the disastrous raid on Dieppe. • In July 1943, Canadian’s were sent to Italy to aid in the invasion of Sicily. • This battle was fought in the hot Italian summer and lasted 38 days. • Mussolini’s dream of a new Roman Empire was shattered and his own people rebelled and through him out of power in 1943. • Hitler swiftly moved German troops into Italy; he would not let Italy’s surrender hold him back.

7. The Battle of Ortona

8. The Battle of Ortona • It was a house-by-house takeover. • Canadian’s became experts at street fighting. • They developed the mouse-holing technique.

9. The Battle of Ortona • 1,375 Canadian soldiers lost their lives. • On June 4, 1944, the Allied armies entered Rome to the cheers of the Italian people. • These soldiers, in February 1945 were transferred to join the Canadian army fighting to free Holland from German control.

10. D-Day: The Beginning of the End

11. Mind’s On – You Make the Plan • On the map you have make a plan to attack “Fortress Europe” from England. • Follow the Resources list and the questions below to help make your plan.

13. The Plan • This happened on June 6, 1944 • The goal was to penetrate “Fortress Europe” and push the Germans back • The official name was Operation Overlord

14. The Attack • This was a combined Allied effort – US, British and Canadian • This used air, sea and land forces • It began with paratroopers at 2:30 a.m. and forces started invading the beaches at 6:30

17. What Did Canada Do? • We gave paratroopers, soldiers, over 100 naval ships and airplanes • We landed at JUNO BEACH • We were the only Allied force to meet objective for the day – Take the beach and gain territory

22. Overall Effort and Impact • Over 156 000 Allied troops landed on D-Day • Roughly 30 000 were Canadian • Within a month 1 million Allied soldiers had landed • The Liberation of Europe had begun – This was The Beginning of the End for Nazi Germany

23. Wrap Up – War Art • Look at the painting of the D-Day attack. On a Post It note complete the following questions: • How does this painting compare to the actual pictures we’ve seen today? • Why is art important in telling about a historical event? • What was the Big Idea of the day?

24. Liberation of the Netherlands

25. Freeing Belgium and the Netherlands • After the success of Normandy, in 1944, Canadian troops helped free Belgium from the Nazis, and then did the same for the Netherlands. • The Dutch were starving • 6300 Canadian soldiers died liberating Belgium and the Netherlands. • The Dutch still acknowledge Canadians’ sacrifice every year by sending thousands of tulip bulbs to Ottawa.