![]() ![]() Like 16 million others from his generation, Dean W. casualties and the Japanese losing some 600 aircraft, two oilers and three carriers.He was a chemistry student in college on his way home for a visit when news of Pearl Harbor came over the car radio. Prepared for the strike, the United States launches a stunning counter-attack, and the battle is later called the "Marianas Turkey Shoot" due to minimal U.S. Japan attacks Allied forces who have advanced in the Pacific Theater to the Marianas Islands in the war's largest aircraft carrier battle. Battle of the Philippine Sea: June 19-20, 1944 It’s seen as a failure for the Allies, although it does keep German troops from moving to France in the days before the invasion at Normandy. However, continued Axis resistance and counter-attacks ensue, resulting in a stalemate that doesn't end until the fall of Rome. Battle of Anzio: January 22 to June 5, 1944Īttempting to liberate Italy, the Allies land at Anzio, catching the Germans by surprise and quickly securing a beachhead during Operation Shingle. Polish troops capture the abbey on May 18, leading the way for the Allied capture of Rome soon after. However, in a bomber attack by the Allies, the abbey is destroyed, leading to public outcry and, post-bombing, as shelter for the Nazis. Evacuated by the Germans, both sides tell the Vatican it will not be attacked or used in military operations. Battle of Monte Cassino: January 17 to May 18, 1944Īdvancing in Italy toward Rome, the Allies attack the Gustav Line, held by the Axis, at the mountain town of Monte Cassino, home to a Benedictine abbey dating to 524 A.D. In its last blitzkrieg offensive, Germany attacks the Red Army near Kursk, Russia, but due to delays and the cracking of the German Wehrmacht code, the Soviets are prepared and keep Hitler from conquering Russia. Military history's largest tank battle takes place on the Eastern Front involving an estimated 6,000 tanks, 4,000 aircraft and 2 million soldiers. The victory is touted by Winston Churchill as the "end of the beginning." Battle of Kursk, July 5 to August 23, 1943 Eisenhower leads attacks on Oran, Algiers and Casablanca before advancing on Tunis and causing the Vichy French to realign with the Allies. The Allies invade French North Africa in an attempt to draw the Axis away from Soviet attacks on the Eastern Front and gain control of the Mediterranean shipping lanes. One of the longest, biggest and deadliest battles of the war, it ends with close to 2 million casualties, including civilians, with brutal winter weather and a Russian blockade causing many Germans to starve to death. In a conflict that marks the war's outcome tipping in the favor of the Allies, the Red Army defends the Russian city of Stalingrad from German attack, bringing an end to the Axis's eastern Europe advances and handing it its first decisive defeat. Battle of Stalingrad, Augto February 2, 1943 The Allies lose 29 ships and 7,100 soldiers. But with reinforcements arriving, hand-to-hand jungle combat follows with Japan finally retreating six months later, with 31,000 casualties and the loss of 38 ships. forces launch a surprise attack, taking control of the airfield and forcing the Japanese into initial retreat. ![]() Weeks after Japan begins building a strategic airfield on Guadalcanal, part of the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific Ocean, U.S. Battle of the Guadalcanal Campaign: Augto February 9, 1943 forces, including dive bombers, attack, sinking four of Japan's aircraft carriers and the victory serves as a turning point in the conflict. In one of America's most important World War II naval wins, American intelligence is able to break codes to thwart a Japanese attack on the US. Germany claims victory with remaining Allied troops surrendering, but the evacuation serves to boost British morale, still referred to as the "Dunkirk spirit." But with Adolf Hitler halting Germany's advance there, the Allies are able to perform a daring-and successful-evacuation, called Operation Dynamo. Battle of Dunkirk from May 26 to June 4, 1940Ī German invasion around the French coastal town of Dunkirk separates the French and British armies, marooning Allied forces. Over five years, thousands of ships engage in 100-plus battles in the Atlantic Ocean with approximately 100,000 lives lost. The Axis, with its U-boats, responds with a counter-blockade that is at first successful, but the Allies' use of convoys, aircraft and technology eventually turns the tide. World War II's longest continuous campaign takes place, with the Allies striking a naval blockade against Germany and igniting a struggle for control of Atlantic Ocean sea routes. ![]() Battle of the Atlantic: Septemto May 8, 1945 ![]()
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