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1943: Turning Point of WW2 in Europe (Documentary)

Real Time History・87 minutes read

German control in Europe peaked in 1942, but significant changes occurred by 1943 with the Red Army capturing German forces in Stalingrad, leading to a turning point. The Allies make strategic advances in North Africa, resulting in heavy losses for Axis forces and paving the way for further Allied victories in Sicily and Italy.

Insights

  • The Red Army's victory at Stalingrad in February 1943 marks a significant turning point in the war, leading to a shift in German control in Europe.
  • Operation Torch, the Allied landing in Morocco and Algeria, sets the stage for further Allied advancements towards Tunisia, emphasizing the strategic importance of North Africa.
  • The Battle of Kasserine Pass and subsequent engagements in Tunisia showcase the challenges faced by Axis forces due to terrain and supply shortages, ultimately leading to their defeat.
  • The Allied Combined Bomber Offensive in 1943 targets key German industries and military sites, inflicting heavy losses on both sides and highlighting the psychological stress and casualties faced by bomber crews.

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  • What was Operation Torch in World War II?

    Operation Torch was the Allied invasion of Morocco and Algeria.

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Summary

00:00

Allies Shift Momentum in Europe 1943

  • In 1942, German control in Europe is at its peak, but by 1943, significant changes occur.
  • The Red Army captures German forces in Stalingrad in February 1943, marking a turning point.
  • Axis forces in North Africa face setbacks after Rommel's defeat at El Alamein in late 1942.
  • The Allies land in Morocco and Algeria as part of Operation Torch to reach Tunisia.
  • Roosevelt and Churchill meet in Casablanca in January 1943 to discuss military strategy.
  • The Allies agree to attack Sicily soon, delay France invasion to 1944, and intensify bombing campaigns.
  • The Axis presence in North Africa needs to be eliminated before Allied plans can proceed.
  • Rommel's forces, despite setbacks, gather in Tunisia with German and Italian troops.
  • The Axis forces in Tunisia face challenges due to the terrain, posing a threat to the Allies.
  • The Battle of Kasserine Pass in February 1943 results in both US and German defeats, leading to changes in leadership.

14:04

Allies Triumph in Tunisia Campaign

  • Rommel's relationship with von Arnim impacts operations as von Arnim only sends half of the 10th Panzer Division and keeps the Tigers for himself, leading to losses in a failed offensive.
  • By March, the Germans only receive 29,000 tons of supplies out of 140,000 required, while the US alone brings in 400,000 tons.
  • Rommel relocates to the Mareth Line to face Montgomery, despite having fewer tanks and almost no Luftwaffe support.
  • Rommel orders a spoiling attack to disrupt British preparations but faces disagreements from his subordinates on the attack strategy.
  • Montgomery's forces, including tanks and anti-tank guns, are prepared for the Axis attack, leading to heavy losses for Rommel.
  • Rommel's last action in North Africa results in the loss of 56 tanks and his agreement to take sick leave in Germany.
  • Montgomery launches a frontal charge supported by a wider flank, with New Zealand, Indian, and French Senegalese soldiers involved.
  • The Allies establish a bridgehead across the Wadi Zigaou but soon lose the position with heavy casualties, leading to a shift in strategy towards a flanking maneuver.
  • Allied forces break through Axis defenses, leading to a dire situation for the Axis troops.
  • The Allies capture Bizerte and Tunis, leading to the surrender of Axis forces, including German veteran units, marking the end of the Tunisia campaign.

28:20

Allied Tactics Defeat U-boats in WWII

  • The top priority is closing the mid-Atlantic Air Gap and taking the fight to the U-boats.
  • Ultra intelligence, from the cracked German Enigma, provides general U-boat locations, but is slow and not always accurate.
  • Allied escorts are equipped with better sonar and radar by early 1943, aiding in detecting U-boats.
  • High Frequency/Direction Finding technology helps detect U-boat radio communications, aiding in proactive measures.
  • The Western Approaches Tactical Unit conducts wargames to develop new evasion tactics based on previous attacks.
  • Very Long-Range bombers and escort carriers become crucial in attacking U-boats, leading to significant losses.
  • The SC-130 convoy battle in May 1943 sees Allied forces successfully repel U-boat attacks, sinking three U-boats.
  • German U-boats face challenges due to Allied developments like HF/DF, radar, and Enigma decryption, leading to losses.
  • U-boat performance declines due to lack of experienced crew, with veterans replaced by inexperienced captains.
  • The Allied invasion of Sicily, Operation Husky, involves around 160,000 men, 600 tanks, and 1,800 guns, facing Axis forces with up to 1,600 aircraft.

41:50

Allied Forces Secure Sicily, Face Axis Resistance

  • The air force bombards the nearby fortress islands of Pantelleria and Lampedusa into submission.
  • On July 2, Sicily and targets in Southern Italy face heavy aerial and naval bombardment to disrupt supply lines, airfields, and defenses.
  • Axis forces relocate most aircraft to mainland Italy, leaving only around 125 in Sicily.
  • The Mediterranean Air Command achieves air superiority, but German Luftflotte 2 retains reserves to potentially disrupt the Sicily landing.
  • British and American paratroopers prepare for drops, with concerns about friendly fire and lack of experience among pilots.
  • 5300 airborne troops are set to land in Sicily, with US troops jumping from C-47s and British paratroopers arriving on gliders.
  • Glider and paratrooper landings face challenges, with many missing targets and casualties due to anti-aircraft fire.
  • Despite challenges, Anglo-American troops capture key objectives, including bridges and high ground.
  • Allied seaborne units land successfully, securing beaches and airfields, with British and Canadian divisions making progress.
  • Axis counterattacks slow Allied progress, but ultimately fail to prevent the advance towards Catania, with ongoing challenges and casualties.

55:03

Allied Advance in Sicily: Operation Husky Success

  • Montgomery shifts focus to swing around Mount Etna, facing resistance on July 17th along Highway 124 near Enna.
  • Axis forces counter the move, planning to defend Sicily before withdrawing to Italy.
  • Patton seizes the opportunity to capture Palermo, advancing against Italian troops who often surrender.
  • US troops, including Italian-Americans, receive local support and intelligence, aided by Sicilian mafia connections.
  • German troops face hostility from civilians, leading to tensions and even murder.
  • Americans take Palermo by July 22, capturing 50,000 Italian prisoners with minimal casualties.
  • Patton directs troops towards Messina, racing against British forces.
  • Mussolini is ousted in Rome, signaling Italy's continued war commitment despite his removal.
  • Allied forces face challenges in Sicily, with poor coordination, communication issues, and missed opportunities.
  • Operation Husky results in significant losses for both sides, setting the stage for the invasion of the Italian peninsula.

01:09:12

Soviet Defense and Counteroffensive at Kursk

  • Soviet anti-tank crews target vision ports or commanders’ hatches on German tanks to disable them.
  • Six defensive belts, totaling 9200km of trenches and 1 million mines, are built by the Soviets to protect against German attacks.
  • The first two belts are the strongest, housing anti-tank strongpoints with riflemen, engineers, anti-tank guns, and tanks.
  • Soviet artillery, with up to 70 guns per kilometer, forms a crucial part of their defense strategy.
  • Soviet partisans launch attacks behind German lines, damaging logistics and infrastructure.
  • Operation Kutuzov and Commander Rumiantsev are planned counteroffensives by the Soviets.
  • Hitler decides to attack at Kursk instead of Donbass, influenced by his generals' advice.
  • Operation Citadel, set for July 5, aims to encircle and crush Soviet forces with 900,000 men, 3900 tanks, and 1800 planes.
  • Soviet artillery strikes prematurely, leading to heavy losses in planes, contrary to initial reports.
  • The German offensive at Kursk fails due to underestimating Soviet strength, leading to a Soviet counteroffensive.

01:23:03

Red Army Victorious, Axis Powers Retreat

  • The 4th Panzer Army and Army Detachment Kempf are weakened due to units being sent elsewhere, leaving them with 210,000 men and 640 tanks, of which only 270 are combat-ready.
  • The Red Army breaks the German line north of Kharkiv, leading to a German retreat to avoid being surrounded.
  • Soviet forces liberate Belgorod and Oryol on August 5, marking a significant victory for the Red Army in a summer battle.
  • General Katukov's 1st Tank Army reaches Bogodukhov, close to Kharkiv, prompting the German command to rush Panzer divisions to stop the Soviet advance.
  • The Battle of Kursk concludes on August 22-23 after 50 days, with significant losses on both sides. The Red Army emerges victorious, halting the German summer offensive.
  • The Red Army's success at Kursk marks a turning point, leading to further setbacks for the Axis powers in the east.
  • The Allied Combined Bomber Offensive against Germany is launched in 1943, focusing on key industries and military targets.
  • The US Eighth Bomber Command conducts raids over occupied Europe, with a significant operation known as Blitz Week targeting Norway and Germany.
  • Operation Double Strike targets Regensburg aircraft factories and Schweinfurt ball-bearing plant, resulting in heavy losses for the Eighth Bomber Command.
  • The Eighth Bomber Command faces challenges such as enemy fighters, accidents, and psychological stress, with high casualties and significant impact on German civilians.

01:37:32

"Bomber Crew Casualties and Controversies"

  • 57% of bomber crew members are killed, missing, or captured, with 17% wounded, killed in accidents, or discharged due to mental conditions.
  • Casualty rates among bombers vary significantly within different parts of formations.
  • The 100th Bomber Group earns the nickname "Bloody Hundredth" due to high losses, losing nine of 21 bombers at Regensburg.
  • Rumors circulate among US crewmen about Luftwaffe fighters targeting them deliberately.
  • Vulnerable positions within bomber formations, like the high and low squadrons, lack supporting fire and are often targeted first.
  • The Münster raid on October 10, 1943, targets civilian housing to disrupt factory workers and transport facilities.
  • The Münster raid turns disastrous due to fog, lack of fighter escort, and a large Luftwaffe interception.
  • The 100th Bomb Group faces heavy losses during the Münster raid, with 30 B-17s shot down and significant casualties.
  • The second Schweinfurt raid targets a ball-bearing plant to disrupt German fighter production.
  • The 1943 bombing campaign impacts German war industry but fails to cripple production significantly, leading to debates on its effectiveness.

01:51:37

Nazi atrocities and Jewish resistance in WWII.

  • Germans killed 250,000 Jews at Sobibor, 600,000 at Belzec, and 874,000 at Treblinka by September 1943.
  • In November 1943, more than 40,000 are killed at Majdanek, Trawniki, and Poniatowa camps in Operation Harvest Festival.
  • SS officials deport 50,000 Jews from Salonica to Auschwitz in February, where 2/3 are immediately gassed.
  • Bulgarian authorities deport 11,000 Jews from Macedonia and Thrace to be killed by Germans.
  • Italian Jews are targeted for deportation and murder in Auschwitz after Italy surrenders in September.
  • Danish government contacts Swedes to accept Jewish refugees escaping by boat, with the majority doing so.
  • Warsaw Ghetto uprising in April and May sees 750 armed Jews resist 2000 German troops for 23 days.
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