Hitler’s Strategy and the Allies Big Decisions

US 2 AP/IB

Shape of the World in 1942

• “A Unity…never before witnessed in this country.” ~ member of Congress after Pearl harbor

• War going badly– France taken over– Britain about to collapse– Soviet Union staggering– Japanese taking Allied strongholds in Pacific

Europe or Pacific?Although the US were fighting on both fronts, they had to

decide where to concentrate the most resources

Europe Pacific

Allies tied up in Europe US want to avenge Pearl Harbor

Hitler more dangerous Japan advancing into other US/Ally territory

Hitler developing Nuclear Weapons

US’s Pacific fleet needs approx. 1 year to rebuild

Evidence of Persecution of Jews and others

Allies have very little resources to give to Pacific offensive

FDR/Allies choose to concentrate on Europe

Hitler’s Strategy

• Goals– Take more Eastern Europe for natural

resources– Take Middle East for Oil– Maintain possessions in West

Hitler’s Strategy

• Move east take Moscow and Stalingrad to take out Russia

• Continue south from Stalingrad to Middle East

• Attack from Coast North Africa Egypt Middle East

• Connect two forces in Middle East

German Movement

German Desired Path

British Movement

US Movement

France vs. Africa

• US had less control over European operations because in conjunction w/ GB, exiled French forces, and Soviets

• US supported a plan for invasion of France via English Channel in Spring 1943, but faced challenges– Soviets facing brunt of the war, wanted invasion as early as

possible– GB wanted series of offensives around Nazi Empire (N. Africa,

S. Europe) first

• FDR torn– Didn’t want to upset Soviets– BUT Knew Invasion would take a long time to prepare

What would you do?

FDR chose to side with Great Britain, wanted to maintain close relationship

with Churchill – US went to Africa

Leaders in the North African Front

North African Offensive• German Goal: Oil in

Middle East, wanted to go through Eastern Europe and N. Africa and unite in middle east to get oil

• October 1942, GB opened offensive in North Africa

• Germany threatened the Suez Canal, but was forced to retreat from Egypt by GB

• US joins allies in North Africa via Morocco

German Movement

Battle

British Movement

US Movement

North African Offensive• US moves east toward

Rommel, British pushed west from Egypt

• Rommel chose to push against inexperienced American forces, forcing American defeat at the Kasserine Pass in Tunisia

• Patton regrouped American troops and began an effective counter offensive.

• Finally drove Germans out of Africa, May 1943, many Germans captured

We surrender

German Movement

Battle

British Movement

US Movement

Allies Press Into Italy

• July ‘43 - Allies land in Sicily

• Sept ‘43 – Italy surrenders

• Sept ’43 – Allies land at Salerno

• Oct ‘43 - Allies enter Naples

• 10/13/43 - Italy declares war on Germany

• Jan ‘44 - Allies land at Anzio

• May ‘44 - Germans retreat from Anzio.

• 6/5/44 - Allies enter Rome.