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Subject:
The 30 Greatest Battles of World War II
Mercenary2k
4/23/2004 7:38:53 PM
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| The 30 Greatest Battles of World War II
Battles are ranked by a combination of Importance in the outcome of World War II, Amount of Men and Materials committed to the Battle, Intensity of Fighting and Casualties and Losses incurred in Men and Materials.
1.) Battle of Kursk ? July 5, 1943 to July 13, 1943 ? Germany launches its 3rd Summer Offensive against the Russians and its last. The largest Tank Battle ever fought in History. German aim to capture 66 Soviet Divisions fails as the Battle becomes a battle of attrition. Germany accepts a tactical draw and withdraws. Germany lost 100,000 killed/wounded/captured and Soviet Union lost 250,000 killed and 600,000 wounded and the destruction of 50% of their tanks.
2.) Battle of Prussia ? June 22, 1944 to August 16, 1944 ? Soviet Union launches the greatest offensive in human history. Its aim is to destroy 100 German Divisions guarding Prussia and Poland. Hitler does not give the order for the Massive German Army Center to withdraw and the Army is totally destroyed. Germany lost 800,000 killed/wounded/captured and Soviet Union lost 1,300,000 killed and wounded. This was the greatest disaster to befall on the German Army in World War II.
3.) Battle of Stalingrad ? August 23, 1942 to February 2, 1943 ?The Bloodiest battle ever fought in history and the greatest urban battle ever fought. The biggest defeat on the German Army since the war began. Germany lost 300,000 killed/wounded/captured and Soviet Union lost 1,200,000 killed.
4.) Battle of Vistula ? January 12, 1945 to March 30, 1945 ? The Soviets launch the Biggest offensive of World War II even bigger than their Summer offensive 6 months ago. The German Army guarding the Vistula River is totally destroyed and a massive German army retreats to the final defenses around Berlin. Germany lost 500,000 killed/wounded/captured and Soviet Union lost 600,000 killed and wounded.
5.) Battle of Berlin ? April 16, 1945 to May 7, 1945 ? The 2nd most fierce urban warfare battle. Germany lost 200,000 killed and over 200,000 civilians killed and Soviet Union lost 600,000 men killed and wounded.
6.) Battle of Normandy ? June 6, 1944 to July 24, 1944 ? The Invasion of Western Europe by the Allied forces. Germany lost 216,000 men killed/wounded/captured and Allies lost 209,000 killed/wounded/captured.
7.) Battle of Moscow ? November 17, 1941 to January 28, 1942 ? The German attack to capture the city fails due to Soviet counter offensives and severe winter storms which paralyzes the German Army. Germany lost 200,000 men killed/wounded/captured and Soviet Union lost 700,000 killed/wounded/captured.
8.) Battle of Ardennes ? December 16, 1944 to January 28, 1945 ? The last great German offensive in World War II. Germany lost 100,000 killed and USA lost 81,000 killed/wounded/captured and 1,400 British losses.
9.) Battle of Atlantic ? September 1, 1939 to June 6, 1944 ? The longest Battle of World War II in which German Submarines tried to sink supply ships going to England and Soviet Union. The Battle peaked in 1942 but slowly German Submarines were subdued. Germany lost 50,000 Naval Officers and Allies lost 50,000 Merchant and Sailors.
10.) Battle of Britain ? July 10, 1940 to October 31, 1940 ? The largest Air Battle in History. Germany aim to crush the RAF before Invasion of England fails. Germany loses 3,000 Pilots and England loses 1,800 Pilots as well as 20,000 British Civilians are killed.
11.) Battle of France ? May 10, 1940 to June 22, 1940 ? The German invasion of France through Belgium and Holland completely catches the French Army off guard. The ill-prepared British and Belgium army are totally defeated by the German Armored Divisions. The British Army evacuates from Dunkirk leaving the French to fend for them. The Bulk of the French Army is deployed on the German border and is unable to move to counter the German Army coming through the Belgium border. France loses 350,000 Men killed and wounded, England loses 100,000 men killed/wounded/captured with 40,000 prisoners taken at Dunkirk and Germany loses 100,000 men killed and wounded.
12.) Battle of Midway ? June 4, 1942 to June 7, 1942 ? The Greatest Air Craft Carrier Battle in History. Japanese attempt to threaten Hawaii by invading the island of Midway ends in total disaster. They lose 4 Air Craft Carriers and USA loses 1. Japan lost 3,500 Sailors and USA loses 500. This was Japan?s final offensive in the Pacific War and after this it?s Navy will only be used in Defensive operations.
13.) Battle of Leyte Gulf ? October 22, 1944 to October 25, 1944 ? The Largest Naval Battle in History. Japan?s attempt to destroy US transport ships carrying troops and supplies to the Philippines ends in total destruction of the Japanese Navy. Japan loses over 10,000 Sailors and USA around 2,000 half of them dying on the American Air Craft Carrier St. Lo, from a Kamikaze Attack.
14.) Battle of Imphal ? March 6, 194 |
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