WWII Battles and Affects

Battle of Stalingrad Summary (Who fought, who won, etc.)

Fought between USSR and Germany.

Hitler launched operation Barbarossa to invade Stalingrad, a key city on the Volga river, and gain access to oil. Stalin declared that surrender was punishable by death, leading to brutal fighting. The German 6th Army was eventually surrounded and forced to surrender, defying Hitler’s orders. The harsh winter, Soviet snipers, and growing German losses turned the tide.

Battle of Stalingrad Short-Term Affects

Short-term: First major defeat of the German army, heavy casualties. Boosted Stalin’s reputation. The USSR shifted from defense to offense.

Battle of Stalingrad Long-Term Affects

Long-term: Germany stayed on the defensive on the Eastern Front. The destruction of the German 6th Army was a major blow. Stalingrad became a symbol of Soviet resilience and sacrifice.

Battle of Dunkirk Summary (Who fought, who won, etc.)

Allied forces (Mostly British and French) vs Germany

After Germany’s rapid Blitzkrieg invasion through Belgium, Allied forces (mostly British and French) were surrounded at Dunkirk with their backs to the English Channel. Operation Dynamo was launched to evacuate over 338,000 soldiers using military and civilian boats, including fishing vessels and yachts. The evacuation was successful despite German bombing.

Battle of Dunkirk Short-Term Affects

Short-term: Massive morale boost in Britain. Seen as a miracle. Enabled British forces to regroup for defense in the Battle of Britain.

Battle of Dunkirk Long-Term Affects

Long-term: Reinforced need for strong communication and coordination in modern warfare. Highlighted importance of air support and civilian involvement in total war.

Battle of Britain Summary (Who fought, who won, etc.)

Britain vs Germany

After the fall of France, Hitler ordered an aerial bombing campaign (Operation Sea Lion) to weaken British defenses before a possible land invasion. The Luftwaffe bombed airfields and cities (especially London), but the British RAF defended successfully using radar (Dowding System) and fighter planes like the Spitfire. Allied pilots from other countries also joined.

Battle of Britain Short-term Affects

Short-term: Britain withstood German assault, boosting national morale. Churchill’s speech (“Never in the field of human conflict…”) became iconic.

Battle of Britain Long-term Affects

Long-term: First major defeat of Hitler’s military strategy. Britain remained unconquered and a vital base for future Allied operations in Europe. Radar became essential in air warfare.

El Alamein Summary (Who fought, who won, etc.)

Axis Forces vs British Forces

Axis forces led by Rommel pushed toward the Suez Canal and Persian oil fields.

In the First Battle, British forces blocked Axis advance.

In the Second Battle, under General Montgomery, the British launched a major artillery assault and pushed the Axis into retreat. Supply issues and Allied tank strength helped. Allies won.

El Alamein Short-term Affects

Short-term: First major Allied land victory in the war. Boosted Allied morale significantly. Churchill called it “the end of the beginning.”

El Alamein Long-term Affects

Long-term: Marked the beginning of Axis retreat from North Africa. Allowed Allies to launch Operation Torch and eventually invade Italy.

Coral Sea Battle Summary (Who fought, who won, etc.)

Japan vs USA & Australia

Japan planned to capture Port Moresby (New Guinea) to threaten Australia. US and Australian forces engaged Japan in the first naval battle fought entirely by aircraft from carriers. Neither side’s ships directly saw each other. Though the US lost more ships, Japan’s invasion was stopped.

Coral Sea Short-term Affects

Short-term: Strategic Allied victory. Prevented Japanese expansion southward.

Coral Sea Long-term Affects

Long-term: Shifted naval warfare focus from battleships to aircraft carriers. Weakened Japanese fleet ahead of Midway.

Battle of Midway Summary (Who fought, who won, etc.)

Japan vs USA

Japan aimed to destroy the US Pacific Fleet and take Midway to dominate the Pacific. US intelligence cracked Japanese codes and set a trap. After initial attacks, US dive bombers struck and sank 4 Japanese carriers. USA won.

Midway Short-term Affects

Short-term: Huge blow to Japan’s naval power and morale. Stopped their Pacific expansion.

Midway Long-term Affects

Long-term: Turning point in the Pacific War. Gave the US naval superiority and enabled island hopping.

Guadalcanal Summary (Who fought, who won, etc.)

Allies vs Japan

First major Allied offensive in the Pacific. Japan was building an airfield on Guadalcanal to threaten supply lines to Australia. US Marines captured the airfield and defended it against repeated Japanese attacks over months of jungle and naval warfare.

Guadalcanal Short-term Affects

Short-term: Allies gained a crucial base for Pacific operations.

Guadalcanal Long-term Affects

Long-term: Shifted momentum to the Allies. Proved that Japan could be defeated in ground combat. Start of effective island hopping.

D-Day Summary (Who fought, who won, etc.)

Allies (Invasion) vs Germany (in France)

Allies launched the largest amphibious invasion in history to liberate Nazi-occupied France. American, British, and Canadian troops stormed 5 beaches (Utah, Omaha, Gold, Sword, Juno) after a night of aerial drops and bombardments. Heavy casualties, especially at Omaha.

D-Day Short-term Affects

Short-term: France liberated. Strengthened Allied cooperation.

D-Day Long-term Affects

Long-term: Opened Western Front. Germany now faced a 3-front war. Influenced future joint air-sea-land operations. Helped limit Soviet expansion into Western Europe.

Leyte Gulf Summary (Who fought, who won, etc.)

Japan vs Allies

Part of the Allied effort to retake the Philippines. Japan launched a complex plan using decoy and main fleets. Despite confusion, the US Navy destroyed much of the Japanese fleet. First organized kamikaze attacks were used.

Leyte Gulf Short-term Affects

Short-term: Japan lost most of its remaining naval power.

Leyte Gulf Long-term Affects

Long-term: Gave Allies naval control of the Pacific. Hastened Japan’s defeat. Showed vulnerability of large ships to air attack.

Bulge Summary (Who fought, who won, etc.)

Germany vs Allies

Germany’s final surprise offensive in the West aimed to split Allied forces and recapture Antwerp. Poor weather initially helped conceal the attack, creating a "bulge" in the Allied lines. Allies held on and counterattacked.

Bulge Short-term Affects

Short-term: Costly battle, especially for Germany. Failed offensive revealed German desperation.

Bulge Long-term Affects

Long-term: Last German offensive. Opened path to Allied invasion of Germany. Accelerated war’s end in Europe.

Iwo Jima Summary (Who fought, who won, etc.)

US Marines vs Japan

US Marines attacked to capture airfields for bomber support. Japanese troops fought from underground tunnels in a deadly last-stand defense. Nearly all Japanese soldiers died.

Iwo Jima Short-term Affects

Short-term: Island used to launch bombing raids on Japan. Famous flag-raising photo became a war symbol.

Iwo Jima Long-term Affects

Long-term: Foreshadowed the brutal fighting expected in a Japan invasion. Contributed to the decision to use atomic bombs.

Okinawa Summary (Who fought, who won, etc.)

USA vs Japan

Final and bloodiest Pacific battle. Aimed to secure Okinawa as a launch point for invading Japan. Japan used guerrilla tactics, caves, and over 1,900 kamikaze pilots. Many civilians were caught in the crossfire or encouraged to commit suicide.

Okinawa Short-term Affects

Short-term: Massive casualties on both sides. Strategic victory for Allies.

Okinawa Long-term Affects

Long-term: Okinawa became a US base. High death toll influenced Truman’s decision to drop atomic bombs instead of invading mainland Japan.