11.3 Review

Why did the Allies focus on North Africa first instead of attacking Germany directly?

• The Soviet Union needed help on the Eastern Front

• The U.S. was not ready for a major European invasion

• They wanted to defeat Japan first

• North Africa had valuable resources

Answer explanation

The U.S. was not ready for a major European invasion, so the Allies chose to focus on North Africa first. This allowed them to build strength and resources before launching a direct attack on Germany.

Why was the Battle of El Alamein important?

• It helped the Germans control Egypt

• It stopped Rommel’s Afrika Korps and protected the Suez Canal

• It ended fighting in North Africa

• It led directly to D-Day

Answer explanation

The Battle of El Alamein was crucial as it halted Rommel’s Afrika Korps, preventing Axis control over Egypt and safeguarding the Suez Canal, a vital route for Allied supply lines.

What was the result of the Allied invasion of Italy?

• Mussolini gained more power

• Italy switched sides and joined the Axis

• Italy surrendered, but German troops fought to keep control

• The Soviet Union invaded Italy

Answer explanation

The Allied invasion of Italy led to Italy's surrender in 1943. However, German forces continued to fight to maintain control over parts of Italy, complicating the situation and prolonging the conflict in the region.

How did the Battle of Anzio show that Italy was not the “soft underbelly” Churchill expected?

• The battle lasted months with heavy casualties

• Germany surrendered quickly

• Italy was harder to invade than North Africa

• The U.S. never reached Rome

Answer explanation

The Battle of Anzio lasted months with heavy casualties, demonstrating that Italy was not the easy target Churchill anticipated. This prolonged conflict highlighted the challenges of invading Italy compared to earlier campaigns.

Why was the capture of Rome in 1944 important?

• It was the last battle of WWII

• It was the first Axis capital to fall

• It forced Germany to surrender

• It led to the end of the war in Europe

Answer explanation

The capture of Rome in 1944 was significant as it marked the first Axis capital to fall, symbolizing a turning point in the war and boosting Allied morale, although it did not directly force Germany to surrender or end the war in Europe.

Why did Hitler want to capture Stalingrad?

• It was an important industrial city

• It was the capital of the Soviet Union

• It had important oil fields

• It was home to a German military base

Answer explanation

Hitler aimed to capture Stalingrad because it was an important industrial city, crucial for the Soviet war effort. Control over such cities would weaken the Soviets and bolster German resources.

How did Soviet snipers help in the Battle of Stalingrad?

• They sabotaged German equipment

• They fired from the ruins to ambush German soldiers

• They led surprise attacks

• They retreated to avoid German forces

Answer explanation

Soviet snipers played a crucial role in the Battle of Stalingrad by firing from the ruins, allowing them to ambush German soldiers effectively. This tactic leveraged the urban environment to their advantage.

Why was Stalingrad a turning point in the war?

• The Germans continued their advance

• The Soviet Union was forced to surrender

• The Germans never recovered from the loss

• The battle had no impact on the war

Answer explanation

Stalingrad marked a significant turning point as the Germans suffered a devastating defeat, which they never fully recovered from. This loss weakened their offensive capabilities and shifted the momentum of the war in favor of the Soviet Union.

What made D-Day so important?

• It was the first time the U.S. fought in WWII

• It was the first step to liberating France

• It ended the war in Europe

• It forced Japan to surrender

Answer explanation

D-Day was crucial as it marked the beginning of the liberation of France from Nazi occupation. This operation opened a new front in Europe, leading to the eventual defeat of Germany.

Why was fighting on Omaha Beach especially difficult?

• It was the biggest landing site

• German defenses were heavily fortified

• It had the most ships

• The weather caused the invasion to fail

Answer explanation

Fighting on Omaha Beach was especially difficult because German defenses were heavily fortified, making it challenging for Allied forces to advance and secure the beach during the D-Day invasion.