Pushing Back the Axis

Question 1

What was the focus of the Casablanca Conference?

Answer 1

Strategic bombing + planning next phase of war against Germany + Italy

The conference involved discussions between Allied leaders on how to intensify the war effort.

Question 2

What was the impact of strategic bombing on Germany?

Answer 2

• damage to infrastructure + industrial capacity
• Germany’s war efforts

Strategic bombing campaigns aimed to destroy key military and economic targets.

Question 3

What does ‘Striking the Soft Underbelly’ refer to?

Answer 3

Allied strategy to invade Italy to weaken Axis powers

This strategy involved launching attacks through Sicily and the Italian mainland.

Question 4

What was the significance of the invasion of Sicily?

Answer 4

• first major Allied offensive in Europe
• led to downfall of Mussolini

The successful campaign in Sicily facilitated the subsequent invasion of mainland Italy.

Question 5

What was the impact of the Allied operations in Italy?

Answer 5

fighting + diverted German resources from Eastern + Western fronts

Italy’s surrender in 1943 shifted focus to liberating the country from German occupation.

Question 6

What was discussed at the Tehran Conference?

Answer 6

Allied military strategy against Germany and opening of second front

This conference included leaders like Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin.

Question 7

What was Operation Overlord?

Answer 7

codename for Allied invasion of Normandy, France

This operation is commonly known as D-Day.

Question 8

Who was in charge of Operation Overlord?

Answer 8

General Dwight D. Eisenhower

Eisenhower was the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force.

Question 9

What is referred to as ‘The Longest Day’?

Answer 9

D-Day, June 6, 1944,
- Allied forces landed on beaches of Normandy

This day marked a significant turning point in World War II.

Question 10

What was the two-pronged strategy against Japan?

Answer 10

use both General MacArthur’s forces in Philippines + Admiral Nimitz’s forces in Pacific

This strategy aimed to defeat Japan through coordinated attacks from multiple fronts.

Question 11

Who were the key commanders in the Pacific Theater?

Answer 11

General Douglas MacArthur Admiral Chester Nimitz

Both played crucial roles in the Allied efforts against Japan.

Question 12

What was the significance of the Battle of Guadalcanal?

Answer 12

marked first major offensive by Allied forces against Japan

The battle was crucial for gaining control of the Solomon Islands.

Question 13

What does ‘Island-Hopping’ refer to?

Answer 13

military strategy used by Allies
- capture strategically important islands in Pacific

This strategy aimed to bypass heavily fortified Japanese positions.

Question 14

What was the outcome of the Battle of Tarawa?

Answer 14

strategic victory for Allied forces in Pacific

The battle demonstrated the challenges of amphibious assaults.

Question 15

What role did Navajo Code Talkers play in the war?

Answer 15

used native language to create a code for secure communications

This was a vital contribution to the success of various military operations.

Question 16

What is an amphtrac?

Answer 16

amphibious tractor used to land troops and supplies on beaches

Amphtracs played a key role in amphibious assaults during the war.

Question 17

What were kamikaze attacks?

Answer 17

Suicidal air assaults by Japanese pilots against Allied naval vessels

These attacks aimed to inflict maximum damage at the cost of the pilot’s life.