Notes on World War II: The War in the Pacific and Europe

Japanese Invasion of the Philippines

• Japan quickly conquered the Philippines after Pearl Harbor.

• 10,000 troops died in the Bataan Death March.

The War in Europe

• U.S. attacked outer areas to avoid two fronts.

• Allies invaded Morocco and Algeria for experience.

• Merchant ships traveled in convoys for safety.

• Stalingrad Offensive: harsh winter caused German retreat from Stalingrad.

• Intensification of Bombing Campaigns: increased bombing missions over German cities.

• Italy was an easier target for invasion.

• Fall of Mussolini: The Italian king arrested Mussolini, and Germany took back control of northern Italy.

• Key Conferences and Military Operations included the Tehran Conference, which planned what happens after the war, and Operation Overlord, the D-Day invasion of France.

Ending the War

• French Resistance liberated Paris on August 25.

• Battle of the Bulge was Germany's last big attack.

• Hitler killed himself in his Berlin bunker.

• VE Day was celebrated on May 8, 1945.

• The Manhattan Project secretly developed atomic bombs.

• Truman chose to use bombs against Japan.

• Hiroshima was bombed on August 6, 1945, followed by Nagasaki on August 9, 1945.

• VJ Day was celebrated on August 15, 1945.