Disembarkment DayDisembarkment Day

June 6, 1944June 6, 1944

Invasion of EuropeInvasion of Europe

Fortress Europe (Invincible)Fortress Europe (Invincible)

Germany has had four years to prepare Germany has had four years to prepare for this dayfor this day

French coast is heavily fortifiedFrench coast is heavily fortified• pill boxespill boxes• anti-tank barriersanti-tank barriers• good internal supply linesgood internal supply lines

Operation OverlordOperation Overlord

Years in preparationYears in preparation Need to initally hit the beach with:Need to initally hit the beach with:

• 176,475 men176,475 men• 20,111 vehicles (trucks, jeeps, etc.)20,111 vehicles (trucks, jeeps, etc.)• 1,500 tanks 1,500 tanks • 12,000 plane providing air cover12,000 plane providing air cover

– Germany has been reduced to 119 fightersGermany has been reduced to 119 fighters

Why Normandy ?Why Normandy ?

Least heavily protected stretch of coast Least heavily protected stretch of coast because it is the most forbiddingbecause it is the most forbidding

We can capture the port of CherbourgWe can capture the port of Cherbourg• Germans blew up the docks butGermans blew up the docks but• Allies had anticipated that and had Allies had anticipated that and had

constructed docks they floated over and constructed docks they floated over and sank in the harborsank in the harbor

Invasion Route & DestinationInvasion Route & Destination

Invasion MapInvasion Map

Germans Caught by surprise!Germans Caught by surprise!

Rommel had returned to GermanyRommel had returned to Germany Allowed the allies to take the beaches Allowed the allies to take the beaches

before a Panzer tank division was sent before a Panzer tank division was sent inin

By June 27, By June 27, one millionone million men had been men had been unloaded at the port of Cherbourgunloaded at the port of Cherbourg

Invasion of GermanyInvasion of Germany

Aachen is the first German city taken in Oct of Aachen is the first German city taken in Oct of 1944 (Only bridge standing crossing the Rhine 1944 (Only bridge standing crossing the Rhine River)River)

Battle of the BulgeBattle of the Bulge• Germans want to take the port city of Germans want to take the port city of

Antwerp(Belgium)Antwerp(Belgium)• German Panzer division and best infantry push a 60 German Panzer division and best infantry push a 60

to 90 mile bulge in allied linesto 90 mile bulge in allied lines• City of Bastogne surrounded 101st airborne City of Bastogne surrounded 101st airborne

trapped, saved by Pattontrapped, saved by Patton

Battle of Bulge StatisticsBattle of Bulge Statistics Over 1 million men fight in battleOver 1 million men fight in battle 600,000 Americans involved in battle 600,000 Americans involved in battle

(more than Gettysburg)(more than Gettysburg) 500,000 German involved in battle500,000 German involved in battle 55,000 British involved in battle55,000 British involved in battle 100,000 German casualties, killed,

wounded or captured. 81,000 American casualties, including

23,554 captured and 19,000 killed. 1,400 British casualties 200 killed. The Malmedy Massacre, where 86

American soldiers were murdered, was the worst atrocity committed against American troops during the course of the war in Europe.

In it's entirety, the “Battle of the Bulge,” was the worst battles - in terms of losses - to the American Forces in WWII.

Bastogne Battle MapBastogne Battle Map

Important Facts for End of WWII Important Facts for End of WWII in Europein Europe

April 29, 1945- Hitler commits suicideApril 29, 1945- Hitler commits suicide May 7, 1945- General Alfred Jodl May 7, 1945- General Alfred Jodl

surrenders German army to Alliessurrenders German army to Allies May 8, 1945- V-E Day May 8, 1945- V-E Day (Victory in Europe)(Victory in Europe)