World War 2 Turning Points Flashcards
What were the aims of the Battle of the Coral Sea?
Japanese decide to take Port Moresby and Soloman islands to strengthen defensive position in the Pacific and cut allies supply routes.
Summary of events of Battle of the Coral Sea
Japan plan involved the use of three aircraft carriers. H/w USA learnt of planned attack as they had cracked the Japanese code and also sent two aircraft carriers h/w they didn’t know the exact location of Japanese forces. USS lexington sinks.
What was the significance of the Battle of the Coral Sea?
-First time battle fought where ships couldn’t see each other
-Both sides suffered losses (Japan = one aircraft carrier sunk and two damaged and unavailable that couldn’t be used for Midway, US = two aircraft carriers damaged)
-First time japan advance had been stopped
-significant for australia which stopped potential invasion and first time us and aus had fought together
Who won the battle of the coral sea?
Tactical win for japan in terms of ships and aircraft lost but strategic victory for the allies
What were the aims of the Battle of Midway?
- Deliver a final crushing blow to americans
- Eliminate threat of US aircraft carriers
- Capture vital American outpost close to Pearl Harbor
What were the events of the Battle of Midway?
Japan sent a diversionary force to Aleutin islands to hopefully lure US over. However US had already cracked the code thus ignored it and set trap for japanese forces and wen they refueled, americans got direct hits and japan had to abandon mission. USS Yorktown sinks.
Significance of the Battle of Midway
- Japanese military had suffered it’s first defeat and the battle was considered a turning point of the Pacific theatre.
- Japan would be on the defensive for the rest of the war and not launch another offensive
- Cemented a new type of warfare of ships not seeing each other and vital importance of aircraft carriers.
Why did Stalingrad happen?
Stalin didn’t expect this but Hitler split forces between leningrad and stalingrad when he thought it would be moscow again. He chose stalingrad as it was an important industrial centre for russia as it produced weapons, key shipping route and also as an attempt to do propaganda.
What did Hitler announce before the battle started?
That all male residents would be killed and all women would be deported > people fighting for their life
Events of the Battle of Stalingrad
The city’s 400,000 civillians weren’t allowed to leave. Luftwaffe bombed and killed 25,000 civilians. Then invasion happened involve brutal destruction, street by street warfare. Operation Uranus = Soviet troops encircle 300,000 germans and hitler refuses to surrender instead orders a air lift and eventially forced to surrender.
What was the significance of Stalingrad?
- Largest battle ever fought with over 2 million men, up to 1.9 million casualties and at least 40,000 civilians killed
- Defeat of Nazi Germany’s strongest army which severely weakened them
- Nazi germany didn’t win another battle for the rest of the war
- increased soviet morale and confidence
Why did Kursk happen and why was Kursk chosen?
After Stallingrad, Hitler decided that he wanted to strike back so confidence wouldn’t be lost. Kursk was chosen as it was a small town with no signficance however it was a vulnerable sailent in the soviet frontline and if defeated exposed 5 armies.
What were the numbers of men and advantages going into the Battle of Kursk?
- Germany = 500,000 men vs Russia = 1.3 million men
- Hitler had delayed attack for better weather and his new state of the art tanks Panther and Tiger which gave the russians time to prepare
- Germans planned to do surprise attack however russians had cracked the code and knew
What was the significance of the Battle of Kursk?
Losses enormous for both sides (800,000 for russians and 200,000 for germany), germans unable to replace losses, germans had been stopped from making a major breakthrough and the were never able to launch another major offensive with the russians now having the time to prepare for last fatal blow
