Western Civilizations TEST 3

Year: 1941 What?:Hitler attacked the Soviet Union against the advice of his generals. No one was suprised except for Stalin who was in denial. 3 German army groups attacked Russia (North, centre, South). Failed only due to the harsh winter conditions. Why?: The largest military attack of the World War; showed Russians had an advantage in the cold and also taught them how to use blitzkrieg.

Year?: 1944 What?: Allies invaded Holland. Was designed to capture the bridge over the Rhine River in Arnhem in four days. Instead it took 13. Troops never took the city. Montgomery said the operation was successful but attempted too much. Why?: Largest airborne operation in world history.

Year: 1944 What?: The Allies invaded France to free it from the Germans. Crossed the English Channel and dropped over a million troops on 5 Normady beaches. They attacked from the East, West, and South which only allowed the nazi's the retreat. Why?: One of the most intense operations of the war and gave France back to the French people.

Year: 1945 What?: It was a meeting of the big 3 (Churchill, Stalin, and Roosevelt) intended to map out plans to end the war in Asia and to establish order in postwar Europe. The meeting laid the foundation for the creation of the united nations. Why?: Last time the leaders of the three great powers were able to work together peacefully for more than 30 years.

Year: 1944-45 What?: A study of American combat effectiveness. Found that only 25% of American troops fired at the enemy. When asked why the soldiers said they did not want to kill or did not see anybody. Why?: Became a major factor in redesigning American training and combat doctrine.

Year: 1942What?:Said that any special forces soldier captured alive by the Germans should be shot. The Geneva Convention was not to be extended to the commandos. Why?:Used as a major piece of evidence in the Nuremburg trials.

Year: 1941What?: The commisar's were Russian snipers. The German's said that international laws did not apply to the commisars. Therefore, if commisar's were captured they were to be executed.Why?: Went against the geneva convention; major piece of evidence in nuremburg trials.

Year: 1937What?: A secret meeting between Adolf Hitler and his military and foreign policy leaders. Outlined Hitler's plans for expansion in Europe. Showed Hitlet did not want full-scale war until 1941-44.Why?: Marked a turning point in Hitlet's foreign policies. Used as a major piece of evidence in Nuremburg trials.

Year: Nov 1942- Feb 43What?: Stalingrad was the Soviet's industrial center at the edge of European Russia. Russia isolated the 6th army in Stalingrad and fought them until they ran out of supplies. 110,000 german soldiers were captured. onyl 10,000 returned home after the war.Why?: Turning point on the eastern front

Year: 1924What?: Financial agreement between France, Great Britain, and the US. Solved the crisis between war reparations and loans. German debt was refinanced by the US who paid France and Britain and then Germany would pay US back.Why?: Allowed Germany to get back in good financial standing and to rise back to power.

Year: 1943What?: Last Major German counter-offensive on the eastern front. Russian's used blitzkrieg techniques against the German's. Demoralized by being beat at their own game, Germany retreated. Why?: Permanently turned the war in the east; largest tank battle in history.

When?: Early WWIIWhat?: Means lightening war. German attack strategy. Involved rapid air cover and rapid motorized tank and troop movements. Why?: Responsible for German'y triumphs early in the war.

Year: 1944What?: Last major German counter-offensive of the war designed to capture Antwerp. Stopped by the 121st and 82nd Airborne at Bastogne. Germany Failed.Why?: Germany's final battle of the war