The Tide Turns

Ch. 5 (p. 144-148) The Italian Campaign

►War turning in Allies favour, invasion of France being planned, second invasion needed to divide German military ►Italy “soft underbelly” of Europe ►Battle of Sicily: 7/1943, Allies (inc. Canadians) invade Sicily, move to mainland Italy ►Muddy conditions, slow moving like WWI ►Urban warfare – fighting in streets, buildings ►Battled both Italians and Germans until Italy surrendered Sept. 1943 The Italian Campaign The Italian Campaign

►Battle of Ortona . Small town on Italy’s east coast . December 1943, battle in town between Canadians and Germans . Long, fierce battle . Fighting in the streets, from house to house . Canadians take town by New Years . 1372 Canadians killed ►Nearly 6000 Canadians killed in Italy The Italian Campaign The Italian Campaign The Italian Campaign Video Clip

►The Crucible – On the Attack D-Day

►Full-scale invasion of Europe ►Codenamed “” ►Planned and prepared for months in advance ►Launched June 6, 1944 . Had been delayed because of bad weather ► British, Americans, and Canadians to invade coast of (north coast of France) ►Amphibious attack (originated from the sea) D-Day ►Air attacks weaken German defences, paratroopers dropped behind enemy lines ►Ships land soldiers on beaches, shell defences . 5 beaches codenamed Utah and Omaha (American); Sword and Gold (British); and Juno (Canadian) ►30,000 Canadian soldiers storm . Extremely dangerous: concrete barriers and barbed wire, nests on shore . Germans surprised by invasion in poor weather . 359 Canadians killed, 715 wounded D-Day Animation D-Day D-Day D-Day D-Day D-Day Video

►Saving Private Ryan The Liberation of Europe

►Reinforcements pouring in behind D-Day invasion, Allies work their way eastwards ►Battle of the ( – Oct. 1944) . Scheldt River controlled by Germans . Bitter fighting for a month, Canadian victory . Allies use river to get supplies ►Battle of the Rhineland (N. Germ. – Feb 1945) . Slow, muddy fighting – 5300 Canadians killed . Germans were pushed back, allowed Allies access to Battle of the Scheldt Battle of the Rhineland The Liberation of Europe

►Netherlands Campaign . Canadians to liberate Netherlands while other Allies move on to Germany . Dutch supplies cut-off, land flooded, many starving to death . Canadians begin to air drop food . Spring 1945: attack Germans in Netherlands . Slow, fierce fighting (similar to Italian Campaign) The Liberation of Europe

►Netherlands Campaign . Canadians eventually surround Germans . Germans in Netherlands surrender May 5, 1945 . 6300 Canadians killed . Canadians increase food supplies to Dutch, treated like heroes in victory parades ►Victory in Europe (V-E Day) . Germany invaded by British/Americans (west) and Soviets (east) . Germany surrendered on May 7, 1945 ►Hitler had committed suicide earlier in his bunker Netherlands Campaign Netherlands Campaign Netherlands Campaign V-E Day V-E Day V-E Day