110 likes | 249 Vues
From the successful Allied invasion of Rome to the monumental D-Day assault on June 6, 1944, marked by Operation Overlord, this period witnessed significant advances against German forces. Allied troops, aided by extensive air and naval support, launched attacks across five beaches in Normandy, leading to the liberation of France and Belgium. By spring 1945, Allied forces from the West joined the Soviets attacking from the East, culminating in the encirclement of Germany and its surrender on May 7, 1945, with General Eisenhower accepting the capitulation.
E N D
The Tide Turns in WWII June 1944 – May 1945
The Allied success in Rome was followed by the biggest Allied invasion of the war • June 6, 1944 – “D-Day” – codenamed Operation Overlord, was launched – a full scale invasion of the European continent • 5 landing beaches along an 80 km stretch of beach on the Normandy coast (N. France) • Sword / Gold (GB) • Omaha / Utah (US • Juno (Cdn)
The night before the invasion, US paratroopers were dropped behind German lines
The Allied troops had 2 advantages: • 1) massive air and naval support (+1 million troops) • 2) unlike Dieppe, the attack had been kept secret – German meteorologists had decided the Allies would not attempt a landing in bad weather!
After weeks of fighting, the Allies moved inland…and then began their 11 month advance through France and Belgium and towards Germany • In March 1945, the Americans and British attacked Germany from the West and the Soviets attacked from the East • The Canadians were given a separate task – the liberation of the Netherlands • By May, the Germans were surrounded • The Canadians made air drops of food and supplies • Germany surrendered to the Allies May 7, 1945
German General Alfred Jodl surrenders to US General Dwight Eisenhower at Reims, France