Japan/Pearl Harbor
What resource did the U.S. cut off from Japan in 1941 that threatened to collapse Japan's entire military?
Oil (petroleum)
What was the Bataan Death March, and who was forced to participate?
A brutal 65-mile forced march of ~78,000 Allied POWs (Filipinos and Americans) by the Japanese Army after the fall of the Philippines.
What was Operation Torch?
The Allied invasion of North Africa in November 1942 — the first major U.S. offensive in the European theater.
What was Operation Fortitude, and what was its purpose?
A deception campaign using inflatable tanks, fake radio traffic, wooden aircraft, and Patton as a decoy commander to convince Germany the invasion would land at Pas-de-Calais.
What were the five D-Day beaches
Utah & Omaha (USA); Gold & Sword (Britain); Juno (Canada)
What event on December 7, 1941 brought the United States into World War II?
The Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor
What was the Doolittle Raid, and why was it significant even though military damage was limited?
A U.S. bombing mission on Tokyo launched from an aircraft carrier in April 1942. It proved Japan was not untouchable and boosted American morale.
Name one major challenge Allied forces faced fighting in North Africa.
Answers may include: harsh desert terrain, Rommel's experienced Afrika Korps, supply line difficulties, inexperienced U.S. troops early on.
Why did the Allies choose Normandy over Pas-de-Calais as the invasion site?
Normandy was farther from England but less heavily defended, giving a greater chance of surprise. Pas-de-Calais was closest but most fortified.
Which Beach was the deadliest of the five landing zones?
Omaha Beach
How many aircraft carriers did Japan deploy in the Pearl Harbor attack, and how many aircraft did they send?
6 aircraft carriers; 353 aircraft
How did American intelligence give the U.S. an advantage at the Battle of Midway?
U.S. codebreakers cracked Japanese naval codes, revealing the attack date, location, and objectives — allowing Admiral Nimitz to set an ambush.
Why did the Allies choose to invade North Africa and Italy before launching a direct invasion of France?
To build experience, open supply routes through the Mediterranean, knock Italy out of the war, and divert German troops before the larger Normandy invasion.
Describe Hitler's Atlantic Wall and why German commanders believed it could stop an invasion.
A system of concrete bunkers, machine gun nests, artillery, and beach obstacles along the French coast. Hitler believed he could destroy any invasion force at the shoreline before they could establish a foothold.
Describe what happened in the first hours of D-Day — beginning at midnight
After midnight, 13,000+ paratroopers dropped behind enemy lines to block reinforcements and secure roads/bridges, though many landed off course.
Name one of the other simultaneous targets Japan attacked on December 7–8, 1941, beyond Pearl Harbor.
Any of: Philippines, Guam, Wake Island, Hong Kong, Malaya
What did Japan lose at the Battle of Midway, and why was this loss so difficult to recover from?
4 aircraft carriers and hundreds of experienced pilots. Japan could not replace trained crews, permanently shifting naval power to the U.S.
What happened when Allied forces invaded Italy in 1943 that was considered both a success and a disappointment?
Italy surrendered/switched sides (success), but Germany occupied Italy and fierce fighting continued — making Italian advance slow and costly (disappointment).
What was the scale of the D-Day invasion force? Give at least three specific statistics.
156,000 troops on Day 1; 5,000 ships; 11,000 aircraft; largest amphibious invasion in history.
Why did Hitler hesitate to send Panzer divisions to Normandy on June 6?
He believed Normandy was a diversion and the real invasion would come at Pas-de-Calais.
He required personal approval to move key armored units, causing critical delays that allowed the Allies to survive.
Explain Japan's strategic reasoning for attacking Pearl Harbor — what did they hope to accomplish, and why did they believe they had no other choice?
Japan wanted to destroy U.S. naval power to buy time to seize Southeast Asian oil fields.
Without U.S. oil, Japan had only ~18 - 24 months of fuel.
They calculated a surprise knockout blow would force America into negotiation rather than war.
Why is the Battle of Midway considered a turning point in the Pacific War? Use at least three specific details.
Japan lost 4 carriers and elite pilots it couldn't replace; Japan shifted from offense to defense; the U.S. gained momentum and strategic initiative; Japanese expansion was permanently stopped.
How did the North Africa and Italy campaigns directly prepare the Allies for D-Day? Give specific examples.
Answers should include: Allied generals gained amphibious invasion experience, coordination between U.S./British forces improved, German troops were diverted, Allied logistics were tested, air superiority strategies were developed.
How did Operation Fortitude's success directly save the Allied invasion on June 6? Be specific.
Hitler believed Normandy was a feint/diversion for a larger Calais landing.
He delayed releasing Panzer divisions and required personal approval before moving armor.
These lost hours gave Allied troops time to survive on the beaches and establish a foothold.
Why did D-Day mark the point of no return for Germany's defeat? Use evidence from the lessons.
Germany now faced war on three fronts: Soviets in the East, Allies in the West, and constant aerial bombing.
It could not replace losses fast enough. Allied foothold in France opened supply lines. Combined with Midway in the Pacific, Allied momentum was unstoppable.