* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Download The Italian Campaign
Diplomatic history of World War II wikipedia , lookup
Propaganda of Fascist Italy wikipedia , lookup
Operation Torch wikipedia , lookup
Technology during World War II wikipedia , lookup
Consequences of Nazism wikipedia , lookup
World War II by country wikipedia , lookup
Military history of Italy during World War II wikipedia , lookup
Operation Bodyguard wikipedia , lookup
Fascism in Europe wikipedia , lookup
Military history of Greece during World War II wikipedia , lookup
Italian Empire wikipedia , lookup
Italian Social Republic wikipedia , lookup
Allies of World War II wikipedia , lookup
European theatre of World War II wikipedia , lookup
Battle of the Mediterranean wikipedia , lookup
The Italian Campaign The Story of Canada’s “D Day Dodgers” Review 1. By 1942, which nation had joined the Allies? i. Why? 2. In Europe, where were Allied forces located? 3. What attack had this nation fended off previously? 4. At this point in time where is fighting in Europe occurring? 5. How can the Allies get back into Continental Europe? North Africa The Lead up…. The North African Campaign • On January 1, 1942 the U.S., Britain, and the Soviet Union (Allies) joined to defeat the Axis Powers (Germany, Italy, Japan) • Even though Japan was conquering much of the Pacific the Allies agreed to concentrate on fighting Germany in Europe first. • Europe and Africa were almost completely conquered by Hitler and the Allies felt if the Soviet Union were conquered, Germany might prove unstoppable. •Although Stalin wanted an assault on Europe by the Allies to open a second Western Front, it was deemed to difficult at the start of the war and instead the Allies started by attacking German forces in North Africa The North African Campaign Cont’d • Axis forces in Africa were under the command of General Erwin Rommel known as the “Desert Fox” because of his success in desert warfare. • In November 1942, the British defeated Rommel at El Alamein, (on the boarder of Libya and Egypt) that prevented the Germans from capturing the Suez Canal linking the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. Results of North Africa • The Germans had wasted valuable resources in an indecisive theater • Mussolini was severely weakened domestically • Wait… who is Mussolini? It Begins… • Victory in the North African Campaign allowed Allies to re-enter occupied Europe. • The first logical step was to enter Italy. – Italy was becoming less enthusiastic about participating in the war. By invading Italy it would hopefully knock them out of the war, providing at least a major propaganda blow. – The elimination of Italy as an enemy would also enable the Royal Navy to completely dominate the Mediterranean Sea, massively improving communications with Egypt, the Far East, the Middle East and India. – It would also mean that the Germans would have to transfer troops from the Russian Front to defend Italy and the entire southern coast of France, thus aiding the Russians. Let’s Think… • Why did the leader of the Soviet Union, Josef Stalin, want a second front in the War? • Why did the Allies want to open up a second front? Second Front • Since July 19, 1941, Stalin had been demanding the Allies open up a second front to relieve the German pressure Russia was facing • Invading Italy would help meet Stalin’s demand Not-at-all-fun-fact • Josef Stalin is one of the most brutal totalitarian political leaders to ever live • He is thought to be the most prolific mass murder in history – It is estimated that he is responsible for the deaths of 20 000 000 people within the Soviet Union (his own nation) The Enemy of My Enemy is My Friend… 1. Why were the Allies making a deal with this guy, and this regime? 2. What would happen immediately after the end of the War? British Approach Sicily • The Allies enjoyed great tactical success in capturing the island of Sicily but did not have a good plan for what to do next • The Germans were able to escape to the Italian mainland • The King placed Mussolini under arrest but the Allies were slow to exploit this diplomatic opportunity and Hitler shored up his defenses in Italy So What Next ?…. • “We can’t win a war by capturing islands.” – General Mark Clark, Fifth Army commander One down, two to go: Cartoon on jeep shows Mussolini crossed out with Hitler and Hirohito next Messina: With Mainland Italy in the Distance Salerno, 1943 Invading the Italian Mainland The Invasion • Its initial goals were the capture of Naples and of the Foggia and Rome airfields. • The Allied landing started on the morning of September 3rd, 1943; on September 8th, the Italian government announced its surrender. Let’s Think… 1. So, Italy has surrendered. Is that the end of the Campaign? 2. Who still has a strategic interest in keeping the Allies out of Europe? i. Why? Gustav Line • The Germans withdrew to a defense centered on Monte Cassino astride the Liri, Sangro, Rapido, and Garigliano Rivers – Major position from which to defend Rome • Exposed the Allies to costly and slow mountain fighting that was getting them nowhere – Allies needed a way to alleviate the stalemate Strategic Situation in late 1943 • The Campaign stalled about 80 miles short of Rome and was beginning to resemble the trench warfare of World War I Rome Anzio Gustav Line Salerno Canadian Participation • The 1st Canadian Division landed near Reggio di Calabria on September 3rd, 1943, and met no opposition whatsoever. – They then started moving along the coast towards the Gulf of Tarento; then turned up north meet up with the Fifth Army. • In October, Canadian troops harassed the enemy throughout the area north of Potenza to the Fortore and Biferno rivers, near the Adriatic Sea. Canadian Participation Cont’d • Campobasso fell on October 14th. Enemy casualties were heavy and the Germans learned to respect the soldiers of the 1st Canadian Division. • The progression of the Canadian army had been rather trouble-free to begin with; since September the German strategy was simply to delay their progression as much as possible. – Their commanders had orders to retreat until they could take solid positions between the Bernhard Line that cut across the Italian Peninsula from Gaeta in the west to Ortona in the east. – That line protected Rome and the Germans had clear orders: They shall not pass! December, 1943 The Battle of Ortona • Canadian troops had begun their fight in Italy by easily driving up the peninsula from the Southern tip of Sicily in an attempt to drive German soldiers back to Germany. • German forces made a stand at Ortona to try to protect Rome from falling. • Canadian troops distinguished themselves at Ortona by defeating elite German soldiers and capturing the city on December 27. • This was one of Canada’s greatest achievements in the war. German under fire in Ortona Germans Defending a Street Tanks Attack Ortona Canadian Infantry in Ortona The San Tommaso Cathedral in Ortona was literally gutted during the December 1943 fighting. From higher ground, a 14th Armoured Regiment (Calgary) Sherman tank covers the progression of the West Nova Scotia Regiment towards Potenza, September 20th, 1943. Tanks of the Régiment de Trois-Rivières driving along the corso Vittorio Emanuele towards the Piazza Municipale, December 23rd, 1943. Soldier firing 6pounder anti-tank gun at the end of a street in Ortona, Italy, 21 December 1943. Overview of the Invasion of Italy • The Allies now had areas to prepare military bases to launch an invasion of southern Europe • They took the Island of Sicily in the summer of 1943 and landed on the Italian mainland in September of 1943. • As the Allies advanced on their capture of Italy, Hitler had to divert men and resources to try and help his Italian Allies. • With Allied advances on Rome the Italian population grew disenchanted with Mussolini and the war. Overview of the Invasion of Italy Cont’d • Mussolini was overthrown by the Italian people, Italy surrendered and Italian forces were out of the war. • However, German forces continued to fight. • Fighting in the Italian mountains slowed the Allies who made an amphibious landing at Anzio, near Rome in an attempt to capture the capital. • The Allies were pinned down on the beach for four months until they finally broke through German forces and advanced to take Rome and liberate the capital in June of 1944. Mussolini, after being killed he was hung at a gas station along with 15 other leading fascists. People were allowed to desecrate his body in order to take out their frustrations with his rule. Video After Italy • The Italian Campaign ended in February 1945 • The British 8th Army, with the 1st Canadian Infantry Division moved into NW Europe after the D Day landings and fought in the Netherlands Ortona Remembered • Fought by Canada’s 1st Division (“D Day Dodgers”) • Ortona is remembered as “Little Stalingrad” due to the brutal nature of the vicious street fighting • Canadians invented “mouse holing” • 1375 Canadian soldiers dead in 1 week • Almost ¼ of all Canadian WWII casualties occurred at Ortona Remembrance… • The name “D Day Dodgers” is not meant to be a compliment. What does this tell you about Canadians level of understanding of the importance of the Italian Campaign and the sacrifices made by the soldiers who fought in it?