All of the previous events lead up to the infamous “Battle of Berlin”, which was an occupation of the city led by the Russian forces. It would be a long and bloody battle, one that would be lengthy from the determined German resistance. The Germans had taken so many losses in the previous battles that at Berlin and the last stand of its Third Reich, both the young and the old would be equipped to fight for the fragments of Hitler’s Empire that was crumbling around them.

However the war was also fought on many different territories and wasn’t limited to Europe and Hitler’s ambitions of a world ruled by the Third Reich. There were battle grounds on the deserts of North Africa where infamous generals like Rommel of Germany and Montgomery of the British would duke it out in the plains of sand. There were also the events that took place in the Pacific, as a result of the attack by the Japanese on the American port of Pearl Harbor which brought America’s full power into the war. The Pacific Campaign would face just as many dangers as the European Campaign; however it would employ different tactics due to the geographic conditions. From its island to island campaign which required the use of large navies and fleets of landing craft, to the carrier battles that would determine who held the power in the pacific. In the end however, Germany would be defeated, and Japan in its defiant defense of its territory would feel the wrath of two atomic bombs at the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Bringing unparalleled destruction, and with that the Japanese surrender, ending World War II.

What I have hoped to communicate with this blog is a broad insight into the events of World War II, and to enlighten readers in that the war was truly dark and cost many lives. Also what the war cost, and the atrocities that took place such as the genocide/eradication of the Jewish population by the German’s, and the political happenings behind the scenes of the war. The best words I can end this on are not my own truly, but on the words of President Roosevelt with his speech "The Spirit of Man" from his Flag Day Address on June 14, 1942.

Video Source:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJt6GJwkl5A

The Roar of Flying Fortresses

Many of the battles that have been mentioned took place because of the air campaign of the allies. The air campaign over Berlin that was aimed at weakening Germany’s industry took place throughout most of the war; this provided (in the long term) the Allies overwhelming air superiority, giving them almost complete control of the skies, which helped in ground victories as well.

                There were many planes that took part in the battles in the skies, some very recognizable such as the B-17 “Flying Fortress”, a primary bomber of the Allied force that was littered with guns, including its iconic “ball-turret”. “Over 12,000 of the B-17’s were built throughout WWII, [as the need for them in the war was high.]” –(Bombing Mission).  In fact the numbers were so high that “in a single formation there could be upwards of 21 bombers” and there could be multiple formations in a single combat flight mission. –(Close Encounter). Also taking part was the B-24 “Liberator”, which is commonly mistaken with the B-17, although they share many similarities. At the beginning of the war the bomber’s had to go into German territory alone because their fighter escorts did not have the range to follow them into German skies, leaving the bomber dangerously vulnerable to German fighter attacks. However later in the war the bomber squadrons would gain a friend of a fighter known as the P-51 Mustang, which had the range necessary to follow the bombers and could outperform the German fighters as well.

                The crews of these bombers faced death every combat mission, facing not only determined German fighters but a fierce system of anti-air defenses. As well as the German ingenuity, such as the German ME-262; the first jet aircraft fielded in combat, which was ahead of its time like many of the German war machines. But the crews still went in, even with the poor odds they faced. However, the battle for Berlin didn’t take place only in the air. There would be a hard fought battle on the ground as well…

Image Source’s:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f0/B-17G_formation_on_bomb_run.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/04/B-24D%27s_fly_over_Polesti_during_World_War_II.jpg

Sources:

(Bombing Mission). Perkins, Paul. Patterson, Dan. Bombing Mission. 5/6/11. Article.

(Close Encounter).  Neely, William. Close Encounter. 5/6/11.