The Fall of Germany
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The Fall of Germany. From D-Day to Surrender. Europe - Western Front (Summer 1944). D-Day was a huge success Allies moved deeper into France Within weeks Paris was liberated (set free) Germany could not hold back Allied forces (GB, US, Can) Germany retreated in the west.
The Fall of Germany
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Presentation Transcript
The Fall of Germany From D-Day to Surrender
Europe - Western Front(Summer 1944) • D-Day was a huge success • Allies moved deeper into France • Within weeks Paris was liberated (set free) • Germany could not hold back Allied forces(GB, US, Can) • Germany retreated in the west
Europe - Eastern Front(Summer 1944) • Germany struggled in Russia • Too much ground; not enough supplies (diverted to West Eur.) • Two weeks after D-Day in France… • Stalin launched his own offensive to push Nazis back • Both sides suffered many casualties – brutal fighting • Russia could afford the losses • Germany could not • Germany retreated in the east
Hitler’s Last Offensive (Winter 1944) • Germany made one last attack – Western Front • Tried to drive the Allies out of France – back across the English channel • Known as The Battle of the Bulge • Fighting in the Ardennes Forest (Belgium; also in France/Lux. in West) – winter: horrible conditions • Goal: Split British and U.S. forces in half, surround them, and destroy until Allies would want a peace treaty. • Germany moves troops in secret • Successful at first (Allies take significant damage while defending in the Ardennes) • But the Allies recovered (change in weather allows U.S. air force to fight) • Germany’s attack failed - retreated http://vimeo.com/11174763 http://vimeo.com/11174739
The Death of Roosevelt • FDR’s health had been fading • Suffered a massive brain hemorrhage • American people were shocked • V.P. Harry S. Truman was sworn in as Pres. • Truman vowed to continue fighting • Germany was crumbling on both Fronts • Hitler didn’t want to face defeat; or a trial • Feared being captured and punished • As the Allies pushed in from both sides…. • He moved into his underground bunker • Committed suicide (w/ wife) The Death of Hitler April 12, 1945 April 30, 1945
Final German Surrender- May 7, 1945 • Remaining Nazi officials surrendered • May 8 V-E Day = Victory in Europe • Allied countries celebrated in the streets • Japan was not ready to surrender • Allies now focused on defeating Japan • Two-Front war • Allied industry too big – out produced Nazis • Hitler took military control - bad decisions • Germany ran low on supplies (blockade) • Japan/Italy were little help in Europe • Conquering the world is difficult Why Did Germany Lose?