World War II in Europe
1. Beginning of War
German invasion 1936-September 1, 1939(Invasion of Poland)
On September 1st, 1939 German Forces attacked Poland from the air and on land. Adolf Hitler wanted to regain lost territory and ultimately rule Poland. The Poland invasion started World War II. The German invasion would show how Hitler intended to wage war. He used the "blitzrieg" strategy. This strategy was characterized by extensive bombing early on to destroy the enemy's railroads, communication lines, air capacity, and munitions dumps, and was followed by a massive land invasion with overwhelming numbers of troops, artillery, and tanks. Once Hitler had a base of operation within the target country, he immediately began setting up security forces to get rid of all enemies that were not part of the "perfect" race. Concentration camps were then set up for slave laborers and the extermination of civilians. The German army beat the Polish army because the Polish forces were severely under-equipped and attempted to take the Germans head-on, rather than falling back to more natural defensive positions. Any hope that the Polish people might have had of a Soviet counter-response was dashed with the signing of the Ribbentrop-Molotov Nonaggression Pact. Great Britain would soon respond with bombing raids over Germany.
German invasion 1936-September 1, 1939(Invasion of Poland)
On September 1st, 1939 German Forces attacked Poland from the air and on land. Adolf Hitler wanted to regain lost territory and ultimately rule Poland. The Poland invasion started World War II. The German invasion would show how Hitler intended to wage war. He used the "blitzrieg" strategy. This strategy was characterized by extensive bombing early on to destroy the enemy's railroads, communication lines, air capacity, and munitions dumps, and was followed by a massive land invasion with overwhelming numbers of troops, artillery, and tanks. Once Hitler had a base of operation within the target country, he immediately began setting up security forces to get rid of all enemies that were not part of the "perfect" race. Concentration camps were then set up for slave laborers and the extermination of civilians. The German army beat the Polish army because the Polish forces were severely under-equipped and attempted to take the Germans head-on, rather than falling back to more natural defensive positions. Any hope that the Polish people might have had of a Soviet counter-response was dashed with the signing of the Ribbentrop-Molotov Nonaggression Pact. Great Britain would soon respond with bombing raids over Germany.
2. D-Day/Battle of Normandy
The Battle of Normandy lasted from June of 1944 to August of 1944. The Battle of Normandy resulted in the Allied liberation of Western Europe from Nazi Germany's control. The battle began on June 6th, 1944, and is also known as D- Day. Five beaches, were code named; Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. They were located on the northeast cost of Normandy, France. On the evening of June 5th, 1944 the men were ready to attack.156,000 American, British, and Canadian forces landed on five beaches along the heavily forested cost of France's Normandy region. This invasion was one of the largest amphibious military assaults in history and required a lot of planning, and training. By late August 1944, all of northern France was liberated. By the following spring the Allies defeated the Germans. The Normandy landings have been called the beginning of the end of the war in Europe.
The Battle of Normandy lasted from June of 1944 to August of 1944. The Battle of Normandy resulted in the Allied liberation of Western Europe from Nazi Germany's control. The battle began on June 6th, 1944, and is also known as D- Day. Five beaches, were code named; Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. They were located on the northeast cost of Normandy, France. On the evening of June 5th, 1944 the men were ready to attack.156,000 American, British, and Canadian forces landed on five beaches along the heavily forested cost of France's Normandy region. This invasion was one of the largest amphibious military assaults in history and required a lot of planning, and training. By late August 1944, all of northern France was liberated. By the following spring the Allies defeated the Germans. The Normandy landings have been called the beginning of the end of the war in Europe.
3. Battle of Bulge - December 16,1944
The Battle of the Bulge, also known as the Ardennes Offensive, was the largest battle fought on the Western front in Europe during World War 2. This battle was a German offense intended to drive a wedge between the American and British Armies in France. The Germans had a code name for the offense which was Operation Autumn Mist.(Unternehmen Herbstnebel) The offense fell short of its goal but still managed to create a bulge in the American lines. It was 50 miles wide and 70 miles deep. The initial German attack force consisted of more than 200,000 men, around 1,000 tanks and assault guns. During the course of the month-long battle 500,000 German, 600,000 American and 55,000 British troops were involved. The Germans lost around 100,000 killed, wounded or missing men. In addition to the members of the Army that were killed and estimated 3,000 civilians died. The Battle of the Bulge was a massive gamble on the part of the German dictator Adolf Hitler, and he lost very badly.
4. Victory in Europe
On the May 8th, German troops throughout Europe finally laid down their arms. On May 9th, the Soviets would loose 600 more soldiers in Silesia before the Germans finally surrendered.The German surrender was realized in a final cease- fire. More surrender documents were signed in Eastern Germany and Berlin. The German's main concern was to not be taken as POWs. Meanwhile, more than 13,000 British POWs were released and sent back to Great Britain. V-E Day was not celebrated until the 9th in Moscow. On a radio broadcast Stalin himself said a salute, "The age-long struggle of the Slav nations...has ended in victory. Your courage has defeated the Nazis. The war is over." On this day in 1945, both the United States and Great Britain celebrate "Victory in Europe" Day. Cities in both nations put up flags and banners, rejoicing in the defeat of the Nazis.
Citations
"D-Day, the Battle of Normandy." D-Day, the Battle of Normandy. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2015.
"ARMY.MIL Features." Battle of the Bulge. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2015.
BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2015.
"Invasion of Poland, Fall 1939." United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. United States Holocaust Memorial Council, 20 June 2014. Web. 29 Apr. 2015.
Rebecca D.