HW 12

Pearl Harbor (1941):

December 7, 1941, Japan attacked an American naval base in the Hawaiian Islands with an air raid bombing. 350 aircraft and 5 naval ships were destroyed, and 3700 men killed or wounded within two hours. The significance of this was that it was the catalyst which brought America into the war, and it furthered Japan's control of the Pacific.

Midway (1942):

This was significant because it allowed the allies to begin reclaiming the Pacific from the Japanese, who controlled it almost entirely at this point. The Japanese lost strike planes and carriers, weakening them greatly.

El Alamein (1942):

Important because it prevented Egypt and the Suez Canal into German hands -- the Suez Canal was important for access to Africa, so that was important. It led to the complete removal of Axis forces from North Africa. El Alamein also prevented the possible joining between the Axis Powers and Ukraine or the Middle East.

Stalingrad (1942):
The German defeat at Stalingrad had a psychological effect; it boosted Russian morale and showed that the Germans were invincible, showed Hitler's poor judgement.

The Battle of the Atlantic:
Important because, with Britain's losses sustained in March 1943 and stayed in the war, without winning the battle of the Atlantic. Also eliminated the fear of German U-Boat attacks, gave the allies sea power.

Allied Bombing of Germany and Japan:
Cut off fuel and armaments production for the Axis and destroyed their railway communications. Also functioned as a diversion of many aircraft from the eastern front, allowing the Russians to advance into Germany.

A.
Second Front: A war fought with enemies on both fronts. For example, when Hitler declared war on both of the Western Powers and the USSR, he started a two front war.

Area bombing: The practice of leveling everything in a target area, including the homes of civilians -- a practice of total war.

The Allies:The forces fighting against Germany, Japan and Italy, included Great Britain, France, USSR, Canada, France, Australia and the USA.

Operation Torch: Three British-American armies invaded the French colonies Morocco and Algeria.


B
a) Soldiers conditions similar to each other:
-Ended with their victories.

b) Soldiers conditions different from each other:
-Location
-Australian soldiers fighting Japan
-The German army fighting the Allies