Download - Phase 3 July 1943 – June 1944
Phase 3July 1943 – June 1944
• Towards the end of 1942 and into 1943, the power of the war shifted away from the Axis.
• Stalingrad , USSR – July 1942 - February 1943
• Germany loses “bloodiest battle in the history of warfare”
Phase 3July 1943 – June 1944
• By the summer of 1943, the allies were on the offensive and Germany was on the defensive.
• On the “eastern front”, Germany began to retreat back to Berlin from the Soviet Union
• In the Pacific, the Americans were successful in pushing Japan back.
What about Canada?
• A Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) formed its own bomber group in 1943 - the No. 6 Bomber Group.
What about Canada?
• Canadians were part of the Italian Campaign – the fight to capture Italy.
• After securing North Africa, allied troops crossed the Mediterranean to Sicily, them mainland Italy.
• Italy surrendered in 1943, however, Germany took over Italy and the fighting continued.
Phase 4June 1944 – September 1945
• Clearly, the allies needed to create a “western front” in Europe to try and push Germany back.
• Plans for the invasion of Europe began early
• Operation Overlord – The Invasion of Europ
• The actual operation took place June 6, 1944 and continued through the summer.
Phase 4June 1944 – September 1945
• The invasion of Normandy was successful– The allies now had a foothold in Europe– Germany was on the defence and losing
ground– The allies could continue to liberate other
areas of western Europe
Phase 4June 1944 – September 1945
• 2 052 299 Allied troop were landed on the beaches of Normandy
• 36,976 killed, 153,475 wounded and 19,221 missing
• 4,101 aircraft were lost and 16,714 airmen were
• total Allied casualties 226,386
What about Canada?
• The Canadians were instrumental in the Invasion of Normandy
• They took Juno Beach on June 6 and reached their inland objective by the end of the day
• They went on to participate in the rest of the invasion of Europe.
What about Canada?
• Canadian troops were part of the force which moved into France and then Belgium during the autumn of 1944