America's Wars 1754-1945: Animated Battle Map

Millions of men and women have supported, fought, and sacrificed on the

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fields that created and continue to define the United States of America. Generations of Americans owe their security, prosperity, and freedom to what happened on these sacred grounds that began more than 250 years ago, during the 17th and early centuries. British settlers of the 18th century faced a constant struggle to establish control over the Atlantic coast and create and defend colonial settlements from Georgia to present-day Maine through diplomacy and armed conflict with Native Americans. At the same time, a smaller number of French settlers carved out a dominion in the middle of the Great Lakes along the St.

Lawrence River and west of the Appalachian Mountains in the mid-18th century, with both sides claiming the area surrounding the headwaters of the river. Ohio conflict soon erupts into war Virginia Governor Robert Den ingeniously sends George Washington as part of a small colonial force to assert British control of the area around the Ohio Forks, fighting begins in

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with the British victory at the Battle of Jumonville. Glenn, the arrival of more French troops, however, forced Washington to surrender at Fort Necessity the following year. General Edward Bradic leads a force of British regulars towards the forks of the Ohio, but his troops lose the

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of Manonga Hila in which Bradic is killed.

Fighting soon spreads across lands known today as Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and New York, and what began as a war in The Backwoods soon spreads like wildfire across the world. French forces take the lead in North America thanks to growing distrust and French encouragement. The Cherokee break their alliance with the British. The Open War continues in 1759 raids and skirmishes in the Gulf. North Carolina. South Carolina and today. Tennessee in 1760, the British introduce a massive army into Cherokee territory that destroys crops and towns, ending Cherokee resistance for a time. British naval forces prevail over the French fleet in several battles as increasing numbers of well-trained and well-equipped British forces arrive in North America.

The forces change course and follow the British victories in 1759. The British win the Battle of Quebec within a year. French forces outmanned and outfought and surrendered all of Canada with the Treaty of Paris that previously ended the French and Indian War known in Europe as the Seven Years' War. England takes control of Canada and the vast territory between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River to protect and control its broader domain. The royal government enacts fiscal rules and policies to pay off war debts and raise money for troops arriving in the colonies to protect their new territory. but the policies anger many colonists and fuel growing anti-British sentiment.

Discontent among the settlers grows. King George III sends troops to the colonies to maintain order, but in March 1770 one of these detachments fires on a crowd of Boston protesters, killing five and setting the colonists and the crown on an even more violent path. April 19, 1775 American militiamen at Lexington, in conquered Massachusetts, resist a British force seeking a cache of American weapons and inflict a severe defeat on the Redcoats. British troops limp back to Boston followed by militiamen surrounding the city shortly after the Green Mountain Boys seize Fort Taond Repeal along with a vast artillery trove in Boston, British forces win costly tactical victory in battle of Bunker Hill, but the patriot militia fights valiantly against American morale.

A decade of tension is triggered. Open war in Philadelphia the Continental Congress prepares for war giving command of a new continental army to General George Washington Washington works to create an effective army from the militia forces surrounding Boston Henry Knox directs the artillery movement captured from Fort Taond repeals to the heights above Boston the British fear a bombardment They evacuate the city feeling that the next British objective would be New York City Washington moves his army there and fortifies British leadership in the south encourages his Cherokee allies to pass on the offensive the offensive fails and the colonial militia retaliates by destroying dozens of Cherokee towns.

Cherokee leaders sue for peace and plant huge plots of land for settlers in the north. The Native Americans known as the Six Nations declare neutrality, but British envoys demand that they fight the colonists. Some refuse, but most side with the British and attack. Meanwhile, Americans along the New York-Pennsylvania border, as the issuance of the Declaration of Independence changes the nature of the war, British troops in the north launch the offensive near New York City, defeated to the Americans in the Battle of Brooklyn, a thick fog takes over. covering the American retreat across the East River to Manhattan Island, British troops land on Manhattan Island and in a series of battles push Washington's army toward New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Washington's exhausted army is reduced to about 2,500 men and teeters on the brink of collapse. These are the times when Triy Souls' men pin down a revolutionary writer Washington regroups his men and wins impressive victories at Trenton and Princeton, New Jersey in 1777, the British attempt to separate New England from the rest of the colonies, they target the center of Key transportation to Albany, New York. ordering three separate forces to converge on the city the first force marches from the west but falls short at Fort Stanwick a second force is supposed to advance from the south but the commander ignores the plan and instead advances towards Philadelphia Washington attempts to defend the capital but is defeated at the Battle of Brandy Wine British troops capture the American capital Washington regroups and attacks the British at Germant Town near Philadelphia the attack fails but Washington moves to a winter camp at Valley Forge with more experience To their credit In keeping with the pattern of previous conflicts, camp followers make key contributions to the Continental Force by performing vital tasks in the camps.

A third British force from Canada confronts American forces near Saratoga, New York. A month of fighting and maneuvering follows, ending with the Americans winning a surprising victory by encirclement. the British and forcing their surrender the French see better prospects for American victory in the war and form an alliance with the United States the French navy forces the British to abandon Philadelphia as the Redcoats march toward New York City Washington attacks Monmouth New Jersey on its feet Face to face with the British British troops continue towards New York and Washington puts constant pressure on the garrison. Frequent skirmishes crackle in New Jersey, frustrated by the lack of progress in the north, the British move south attracted by valuable agricultural resources and the belief that Southerners were still loyal to the crown capture Savannah Georgia and then march on Charleston South Carolina in 1780 the 5,000 American defenders hold out but eventually surrender their defeat leaves the South almost defenseless American reinforcements rush to South Carolina at Camden British troops crush an American force but Patriot militiamen annihilate a loyalist column in King's Mountain American continentals and militia crush the British at the Battle of Cowpens.

American maneuvers exhaust the British after the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, most British forces withdraw to Wilmington, North Carolina, and then depart for Virginia to await reinforcements. and a new offensive, American troops attack the remaining British forces in South Carolina and fight to a draw at Utah Springs. The remaining British retreat to Charleston with a chance to trap the British at Yorktown. Continental and French forces move to Virginia. The French navy drives away the British forces. The British fleet is destroyed and isolated from reinforcements the British army surrenders on October 19, 1781 Parliament suspends offensive operations in 1783 another Treaty of Paris ends a war, this time the Revolutionary War establishes the sovereignty of the United States of America a treaty with the Six Nations sows more land for the United States International challenges arise quickly for the young Republic in 1785 the barber state of Alers declares war on the United States American ships are captured and forced to pay ransoms as Americans create a new Constitution that helps provide new political stability and improves America's ability to organize military forces Congress authorizes the construction of new

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hips that will turn the United States into a naval power capable of protecting its vital interests throughout the world The revolution in France begins in 1789, embroiled in war with Great Britain.

The French revolutionary government asks for American support, but President George Washington directs the United States toward neutrality. This diplomatic crisis leads to an undeclared war or quasi-war in 1796, when the French attack American merchant ships. President John Adams employs the nation's growing naval forces for defense and establishes an independent Navy and The Americans in the Marine Corps win a couple of Victories and the Quasi War ends with the Treaty of mfor in 1800 in 1801 the Pasha of Tripoli declares war on the United States American marines land in Egypt march to the shores of Tripoli and aided by a naval bombardment route the barber force a treaty ends another American conflict for now more than a decade later the day declares war on the United States Steven Decor's U.S.

Navy squadron defeats the Algerian fleet and then threatens Tunisia and Tripoli ending the barbershop

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while the British confiscate property on American ships impresses American sailors and arming Native Americans to fight American settlers diplomacy fails to resolve these problems in 1812 President James Madison asks Congress to declare war an American invasion of Canada in 1812 fails with a demoralizing American defeat at Queenston Heights American forces lose The Battle of the River Raisin and a second invasion of Canada fail, but on the high seas American ships such as the USS Constitution and privateers come face to face with the Royal Navy.

American victories at Sacket Harbor and Lake Erie keep the British at bay. From New York and Michigan, General William Henry Harrison follows up an American victory at the Battle of Temps. British troops counterattack with an advance on Montreal at the Battle of Chrysler Farm and then capture Fort Niagara in 1814. General Andrew Jackson ends a brief but bloody war with the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend Jackson's Victory and his subsequent rise to political power mark further territorial conquest and the westward movement of native peoples by North Americans. The Americans moved back to Canada in June, won the Battle of Chipawa but retreated for 3 weeks.

Later, after a standoff at Lundy's Lane, British troops destroy an American force at Bladensburg and set Washington DC on fire with rockets glowing red and bombs exploding in the air. The British attack on Fort McKen Henry in Baltimore. The bombing fails. The American flag is still there. there and the British land force lacks support peace negotiations begin soon without knowledge of diplomatic affairs the British unsuccessfully attack Jackson's forces in New Orleans in early 1815 their defeat and ratification of the Treaty of Ghent ends The War of 1812 Decades of conflict establish the United States' national legitimacy, its place in the international order and as a power in the Western Hemisphere, but new challenges emerge as the nation pushes to expand its borders on the southern border.

Clashes with the Indians seminal, a force led by General Andrew Jackson pushes them south and establishes tension. piece Jackson becomes president in 1828 and works for the passage of the Indian Removal Act. The ACT orders Native Americans living east of the Mississippi River to move to Indian Territory in 1838. U.S. forces mobilize as some Natives prepare resistance in Illinois Territory. Militia troops defeat the Sock Indians in the Blackhawk War Future President Abraham Lincoln is among the militiamen who continue a resistancefundamental to expulsion policies. It unleashes a fierce war between 1835 and 1842 in other areas, especially in the Cherokee Nation.

The presence of the Army is sufficient to enforce the rules. Western Mexico becomes independent from Spain in hopes of populating the northern section of the new nation. Mexican officials invite American settlers to gain great autonomy and the right to own slaves. Thousands of Americans flood the territory fearful of losing control. The Mexican government exercises more authority over. the region and prohibits the importation of angry American slaves call for independence Mexico organizes an army to subdue the Texans in late 1835 fighting breaks out in San Antonio Bear, resulting in a siege that ends with the victory of the Texans at the same As even more Americans arrive in the region, this time to fight for Texas independence, they gather at Golad under the command of Sam Houston.

General Santa Anna's Mexican army advances and wins a small battle before advancing and besieging a force of Texans who used the old Alam mission as a fortification for the Mexicans. attack and take no prisoners except the Americans Remember the Alamo Mexicans and Texans will face each other next in the Battle of Ruo Texans try to retreat but fall captive Mexican troops execute 340 prisoners in the Golad massacre Angry Texans led by Sam Houston They counterattack the Mexicans in San Hinto on The battle is short and ends with a resounding victory for Houston's troops who avenged the men killed at the Alamo and Golad Texas becomes independent but Mexican resentment and hostility persists in 1845 Congress approves the annexation of Texas and establishes the Rio Grande as the new international border.

The clash along the Rio Grande leads Congress to declare war in 1846. Multiple campaigns ensue. Troops under General Zachary Taylor invade northern Mexico and win the battles of Palo Alto and Raka. The Naval Forces of La Palma fight in the Battle of Yerba Buena and capture what becomes San Francisco in New York. Mexico Steven Carney wins the Battle of Koso and occupies Santa Fe after battles at s p Pasqual Rio San Gabriel and Cojo Mesa Carney takes Los Angeles Taylor scores more winds at Monteray and buavVista but Taylor opposes a major invasion of Mexico and fails to pursue to the Mexican army.

General Winfield Scott is ordered to prosecute the war more aggressively. He besieges Veric. Cruz moves inland and defeats the Mexicans at Serel Gordo. In these and other battles, the future generals Ulyses Srant Robert. E Lee and other American soldiers gain key military experience in the summer of 1847. Scott advances toward Mexico City fighting in the Molina Del Re and Chapo Tec chabus contras, where marines raid the halls of Monuma. Scott's capture of Mexico City decisively ends the war between Mexico and the United States. This conflict. extends American sovereignty from the sea to the shining sea, while conflicts in the vast territories lead to growing tension over Western expansion and the politics of slavery As the Americans advance westward, the military builds a series of forts to protect the nation's borders and tensions rise among the settlers over who will rule. the new territories and how they will be governed Mormon settlers in the Utah Territory push for the appointment of a territorial governor of their own choosing President James Buchanan sends troops to enforce territorial policy a dramatic confrontation pits Mormon militia against troops Americans led by Colonel Albert Sydney Johnston but ends bloodlessly in a compromise The compromise seems impossible in the Kansas territory where violent confrontations sweep the land The new doctrine of popular sovereignty draws defenders of slavery and anti-slavery towards the region both sides try to control the organization of the new territorial government bitter violence and a largely disorganized guerrilla war engulfs bleeding Kansas.

Radical abolitionist John Brown moves east and attempts to provoke a slave uprising based at the American Arsenal at Harper's Ferry. Virginia Brown and his small group of insurgents capture the Arsenal, but the plan falls apart. He and his men are trapped in the town's fire house, a group of Marines led by Colonel Robert E Lee attack those who resist and kill or capture them. A wounded John Brown is found guilty of murder, murder, inciting a slave rebellion and treason against Virginia before being hanged, predicting that the nation's sins will only be purged with blood The Raid convinces many Southerners that their lives and their way of life are in danger the South militarizes the Civil War The conflict over slavery is looming and breaks out in 18 1960 when Abraham Lincoln wins the presidency South Carolina triumphs and six states from the Deep South continue to form the Confederacy in April 1861 Confederate forces bombard Fort Sumpter in Charleston Harbor, the fort surrenders, and Lincoln calls for 75,000 volunteers to subdue the rebellion and restore the Union.

Four more southern states join the Confederacy. Both sides are preparing for a longer war. War breaks out across the country at Bu Run Wilson's Creek Balls Bluff Port Royal and elsewhere A Union victory at M Springs begins a series of strategic successes in the North General Ulyses Grant captures Forts Henry and Donaldson opening routes of Key Water to the South another victory at P Ridge establishes Union control over Missouri. Naval forces put much of the Mississippi River under Union control, while coastal operations strengthen the Union. Naval blockade blockade. Grant uses the Tennessee River to advance into southern Tennessee.

The Confederates launch a furious counterattack at Shiloh, but Grant regroups and drives off the rebels. back Federal forces target strategic railroad hub at Corinth Mississippi in the east General George Mclen lands his Pomac army in Virginia and advances down the peninsula toward the Confederate capital at Richmond. The Confederates counterattack at Seven Pines stopping the Union push, but Southern commander General Joseph E. General Robert E Lee, wounded at Johnston Falls, takes command and drives Mlen out of Richmond in the 7-day battles. . Lee's forces advance north gaining on Cedar Mountain and the 2nd Manasses Lee crosses into Maryland.

Mclen continues to take the lead at South Mountain. Lee captures a large Union force. Soldiers at Harper's Ferry soon after, near Sharpsburg, push the rebels past a cornfield from a sunken road and away from the Burnside Bridge, but Lee holds his ground in the Battle of Antio once Lee retreats. . President Lincoln predicts that the Emancipation Proclamation will keep European countries away from slavery. of the conflict and ultimately enlists more than 200,000 black men. Confederate generals Braxton Bragg and Kirby Smith invade Kentucky fighting at Richmond Munfordville and later at Perryville. Bragg faces supply problems and others retreat to Tennessee as 1862 draws to a close.

General William T. Sherman fails at Chikasaw Bayou near Vicksburg, but Union forces under General Rosecran barely hold out against Bragg at the Battle of Stone River General Ambrose Burnside is bloodied by Lee's forces in front of a stone wall at Fredericksburg, while profits at the slaughterhouse The farm is temporary that spring General Joseph Hooker takes command and goes on the offensive, but Lee outflanks him and fights him at Chancellorsville. That spring and summer, multiple campaigns are developed. Lee advances toward Pennsylvania in hopes of ending the war at Gettysburg. The Confederates win the first day, make some gains on the second, and are bloodily repulsed.

In the picket charge on the 3rd, the new Union Army commander, General George Me, wins the largest battle of the war, while Grant finally traps the Confederate forces at Vicksburg, Mississippi. A siege follows and the Confederate army under John C. pton surrenders on July 4 at T General Rose CR. maneuvers boast of forcing rebels almost out of state in South Carolina some of the first black troops of the war attack but are repulsed at Fort Wagner near Charleston Rose CR advances and captures Chattanooga Bragg Withdraws again reinforced attacks and defeats Union troops in the massive Battle of Chaga General George Thomas helps prevent a total disaster while Chaga Rock and all of Rose Grant's Chattanooga Grant takes command and wins multiple battles there the Confederates retreat into Georgia Linin travels to Gettysburg to deliver a speech linking the future of government by and for the people to the Union victory in the Civil War, even though expectations of the time called for them to stay home during the battle.

Women on both sides mobilized to support the war and played vital roles as volunteer nurses and sometimes even as spies in the spring. 1864, Pomac's army attacks in the Wilderness, those who destroyed Grant, unlike previous commanders, advance with fierce fighting at Spotsylvania Courthouse and Cold Harbor follows Grant, traps Lee in Petersburg and establishes a siege that reflects Grant Sherman's attacks. Joseph E. Johnston's Confederates in Georgia battles break out in Rocky. He faces Raka Ridge and Kenneson Mountain, where a major Federal attack fails unfazed. Sherman continues south in July threatening to encircle Atlanta. General John Hood replaces Johnston and launches three unsuccessful attacks.

Sherman lays siege as Union forces block the torpedoes and capture Mobile Bay and then attack. at the Confederates in the Shenoa Valley Atlanta surrenders soon after, with few options remaining Hood moves toward Tennessee Sherman launches his March to the Sea arriving in Savannah in December Hood fights a desperate and costly battle at Franklin and is then defeated at Nashville in 1865 a small Confederate force Contest Sherman's advance through the Carolinas fighting at Averasboro and Bonville does nothing more than anoi Sherman after several attempts Grant breaks Le Petersburg lines the Confederate capital at Richmond Falls while Lee flees west Grant pursues crushing a last-ditch effort at Sailor Creek Lee ERS at aomax Confederate forces in North Carolina and elsewhere surrender shortly after the Union is reestablished.

The Constitutional Amendments freed slaves. Secession is deemed unconstitutional and an uncomfortable and sometimes deadly healing period ensues. The construction of the Transcontinental Railroad creates new missions. The Army is reinforced by black buffalo regimes. The soldiers reoccupy the forts they had abandoned during the Civil War to protect the railroad. As crews and settlers move westward, new forts emerge along the Union Pacific Railroad. The army also launches two major campaigns to assert control in the west. On the southern plains. The Red River War between the Comanches. and the United States begins in 1874 at the Battle of the Adobe Walls. 20 small battles follow until the Comanche surrender in 1875 on the Northern Plains.

Americans and Native warriors clash in the Reynolds Campaign after the Battle of the Rosebud. Lieutenant Colonel George Kuster and much of his force is defeated at the Battle of Little Big Horn, fighting continues until 1877 in knife fighting and at Wolf Mountain, defeated on the battlefield, Sue agreed to go to the reserves , ending military resistance on the Northern Plains in the early 1880s, the army consolidates. For S in a ring of strong Guardians who aim to keep the Indians on their reservations for the next decade, the military border in the west closes and the army presence is dramatically reduced as the internal military border shrinks.

Americans are increasingly concerned about economic and political instability in Spanish-controlled Cuba, many support Cuban revolutionaries seeking independence. Brutal Spanish tactics enrage anti-Spanish public sentiment when the American battleship Maine explodes and sinks in port. of Havana under mysterious circumstances in 1898, the United States prepares for military action on May 1. Naval forces under Admiral George Dwey defeat the Spanish Pacific Fleet in Manila Bay Philippines establishing the United States as a world naval power American troops land in Cuba and win the decisive battle of Cerro San Juan 3 days later the Navy attacks and destroys the fleeing Spanish Fleet The splendid little war is over and yet another Treaty of Paris makes peace between the United States and the kingdom of Spain despite its brief and relatively few casualties the war changes the international order The Colonial Empire Spanish in the Western Hemisphere ends Cuba becomes independent and Puerto Rico becomes a US dependency The US victory over the forcesSpanish naval operations in the Philippines, which had been part of the Spanish Empire, establishes the United States as a Pacific power.

Challenges in the Pacific arise only almost immediately; although initially allies of the United States against the Spanish, the Filipino people desire independence rather than the territorial status granted under the recent peace treaty in 1899 a skirmish between Filipino nationalists and troops Americans Trigger a war American troops expel Filipino forces from Manila and crush a revolt in the city 30 or so small clashes lead to near defeat of Filipino nationalist forces switch to guerrilla tactics thousands of small clashes follow nationalist troops surrender in 1902 tensions along the US-Mexico border rise in the early 20th century revolution in Mexico destabilizes border raids across the Spike border as Texas Rangers and the US Army attempt to stabilize the situation in 1916 Poncho Via guerrillas murder 16 American miners by troops attack Columbus, New Mexico, but American troops from Calvario counterattack and disperse against the force. 12,000 American troops under General John persist in crossing the border to disrupt the gorilla operations.

President Woodrow Wilson feels that the United States would probably be attracted. war in Europe uses diplomacy to resolve border issues U.S. military planners prepare for major conflict abroad as years-long war rages in Europe Wilson administration maintains policy of strict neutrality yet many Americans support on the British and French side in the war German Yubo attacks on ships in the Atlantic harden public opinion against Germany an attack on the RMS Lucitania in 1915 kills 128 Americans and the US demands an end to the attacks in hopes of applying pressure on the allies and breaking Germany's naval blockade of the Imperial German Navy begins an unrestricted submarine war and in 1917 the SS Aztec kills 28 Americans.

News of a plot to ally Mexico with Germany is revealed through the Zimmerman Telegram. The Germans promise to return the territory lost in the Mexican War. The United States declares war. American troops, some of whom had been trained on battlefields from past American conflicts, begin to take to the field in France. Major American combat operations begin in 1918 with the Battle of Keni. US troops employ a synchronized operation of an infantry artillery tank engineer and an AV as a display of forces for the capture and defense of the city. The integrated combat value and shows the skills of American troops.

Marines attack Bellow Wood. The fight is costly, but American combat capabilities and preparedness give them victory. Germany launches an offensive aimed at ending the war before American power tilts the strategic balance, but the attack. halts U.S. troops play key role in massive counterattack across sea Victory changes dynamics of war and Germans unable to resume offensive operations Air and tank infantry attacks in first U.S. offensive of the war drive to the German troops Returning from the Salient between Verdan and the persevering Nazi movements, his army and American troops launch the decisive Mo argon offensive. Fierce fighting during October results in little progress with staggering casualties, but soon American attacks pulverize the German positions and the advance accelerates.

An armistice is declared and the fighting comes to an end peace talks drag on until 1919 the Treaty of Versailles formally ends the Great War and includes a League of Nations that can act diplomatically to resolve international conflicts President Wilson supports it but Congress rejects it and rejects multilateral peace treaty in 1921 United States concludes separate treaty with Germany and hopes for lasting peace in 1939 Nazi Germany invades Poland. The United States tries to remain neutral, but maintains close relations with England and France. Widespread opposition to Nazi Germany's aggression makes it difficult to avoid the conflict that the United States provides. supplies allies and prepares the Selective Service to mobilize American soldiers in the event of war, the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on the infamous day of December 7, 1941 inflames Americans and results in a declaration of war on Japan Days after Japan's accession Partners Nazi Germany and Italy declare war on the United States America's allies with England The Soviet Union and China American women take on even more than they had in World War I, some with larger roles broad While doctors uniform the armed and naval forces and factory workers.

American efforts begin in the Pacific in 1942. Lieutenant Colonel James Dudle leads a bombing raid on Tokyo. Japan, although largely symbolic, the American people are encouraged by the effort. Despite this moral boost, the United States faces an uphill battle to change. The tide in the Pacific at Midway, a dramatic American victory cripples the Japanese Navy and sets the Americans on the path to success, with sometimes dire consequences. The US Army and Marine Corps and their allies destroy Japanese-controlled islands in the Philippines and the East Indies. employ an island hopping strategy that avoids easily defensible locations and focuses on capturing critical islands to isolate larger Japanese garrisons while the Navy fights 14 surface battles supporting ground troops.

Air Force and Army Navy aviators provide air support with Coast Guard sailors manning mini landing craft. Around the world, Army Air Force B7s deliver the first American strike in Europe in a raid on the Rouen sville railroad. American ground forces go to war against Germany and Italy along the northern coast of Africa. American forces land in Caan Lanka, Oron and Algiers in Morocco's intense fighting in Tunisia ends with a victory for American and British forces after success in North Africa. American troops take Sicily and advance towards the Italian peninsula at Salerno. American troops landed at Anzio in 1944, achieving complete surprise but failing to capitalize.

The Germans took a strong position. leading to months of brutal fighting American troops leave their beachhead and advance to capture Rome June 6, 1944 D-Day Americans land on the western coast of France opening a new front once fighting forces secure a beachhead Engineers establish complex of docks and supply infrastructure to support offensive operations Inland, after weeks of stalemate, Allies escape Normandy Beach in late July, while US and Allied troops advance in the north from France, another force lands and advances in the south; some predict that the war in Europe will continue. will end before Christmas in Allied High Command leaders Clash over exactly how to end the war opt to outflank the liberated sigf line in Operation Market Garden the attack fails, it was a bridge too far but the attacks continue trying to push the German army to Although Breaking Point was on the defensive during the second half of 1944, the Germans attempted to turn the tide by launching a major offensive into densely forested Arden, aided by low clouds and fog that kept aircraft grounded.

The German attack was initially successful, but strong resistance from the Americans. Troops in the Battle of the Bulge weaken the attack as the weather improves. Allied Forces Counterattack after stabilizing their lines. Allied forces begin a final advance toward Berlin. German resistance begins to crumble. Nazi Germany surrenders as the war in Europe comes to an end. American troops are approaching. In Japan it is exhausting, bloody and terrifying, but fighting in the Tropical Islands consistently favors the Americans. American troops fight for the Mariana Islands while supporting forces advance into New Guinea in support of a land campaign that cuts off Japanese supplies.

US and Australian naval forces attack the Japanese in LTE Gulf is the largest naval battle in history a months-long campaign in Luzon further restricts Japanese supplies fighting in Iojima and Okanawa position US troops for a final attack on the Japanese mainland at the same time as American leaders prepare to invade Japan's home islands predictions of mass casualties lead American leaders to resort to atomic weapons so they can quickly end the war, little boy, the first bomb 5 World War II is over . A long recovery process begins. The veterans who fought in these wars returned home and resumed their lives as best they could after witnessing such bloodshed.

A handful of the first Americans to fight in the war. they lived long enough to be photographed before passing away since then their generation has been followed by others who died and took their living memories with them through the smoke Fire and Blood have forged a new world and new births of Freedom are united in belief May their achievements be remembered, battlefields preserved and their stories told