Dateline WWII

U.S. Navy turns the tide off Guadalcanal ending stalemate. The Vichy French government surrenders to the Allies in North Africa. Germans trapped in Stalingrad by Red Army. The U.S. becomes the arsenal of democracy.

Allies fight to hold New Guinea against Japanese forces. Red Army tightens the trap of German forces in Stalingrad. The miracle of Pearl Harbor: Battleships shattered in December 1941 attack salvaged, refloated, repaired and many re-enter active service. Liberty Ships - cargo ships - production goes into high gear in the U.S.

Allied Leaders meet at Casablanca to decide on their future strategy. French Admiral Darlan is assassinated.

The German grip in Russia broken at Stalingrad and Leningrad. In North Africa British forces take Tripoli. Japan's Hollow Army: After Midway with the Allies naval forces on the offensive, Japan's troops in the South Pacific began to feel the effects of dwindling supplies. New technology: Radar scans the horizon.

The Americans claim victory on Guadalcanal, while the Germans hit the US hard at Kasserine Pass.

Allies inflict major defeat on Japanese trying to reinforce New Guinea at battle of Bismarck Sea. British bombing campaign against Germany targets Nazi industrial base. In North Africa, Patton takes over American forces. Russian Air Force getting upper hand against Luftwaffe. American troops train for jungle warfare.

Admiral Yamamoto is killed at Bougainville. A look at nose art on American planes, and a day in the life on a carrier.

The Battle of Hill 609 in Tunisia is a key victory for American forces. British fool Germans with Operation Mincemeat convincing German High Command Allies next target is Greece, not Sicily. In the Atlantic, Allies push U-Boats to the brink with Nazi subs retreating from the North Atlantic. A look at life aboard an aircraft carrier.

The Battle of Attu in the Aleutians in May 1943 was the only land battle in World War II fought on incorporated territory of the United States. Attu and Kiska had been occupied by the Japanese as part of the complex Midway campaign undertaken by the Japanese Navy and Army. It is also the only land battle in which Japanese and American forces fought in Arctic conditions.

U.S. plans for Pacific Campaign in 1943 centers on Central Pacific Theater. German armored forces on the Eastern Front move towards Kursk in Russia leading to climactic tank battle. In Europe, the Allies invade Sicily. A look at the Engineers in the European Theater.

Patton takes Palermo in Sicily in route to Messina. American forces capture Munda and key airfield n New Georgia island group in the Solomons. Allies bomb Ploesti oil fields in Romania, a key oil producing complex for the Axis armies. On the Eastern Front the Red Army gets relief.

General George Patton and his 7th Army and British Field Marshal Montgomery and his 8th Army race to take Messina in Sicily and cut off German forces. Patton's forces, which also took Palermo, arrive first and establish a new model for mobile warfare . A new tactic: Island hopping as Island 'Leapfrog' campaign begins in the Pacific. On the Eastern front in Europe, Russian Army rolling.

Italy surrenders. MacArthur fools Japanese on New Guinea. Also, a look at Japan's elite military institutions.

Mussolini rescued by German paratroopers and restored to power in Northern Italy. In the Pacific U.S. Navy launches major drive toward Japanese homeland. Daylight air raids halted in Europe while nighttime raids continue. A look at life in Britain: Civilians share the sacrifice.

Allies take Naples. Italian government turns on Germany and lines up with Allies. Germans fortify northern Italy with more troops. On the Eastern front Russians retake Kiev in the Ukraine. A look at Terra Infirma: Mud on the Battlefield.

Admiral Halsey takes Bougainville in the Solomon Islands isolating main Japanese base at Rabaul. Heavy German resistance stalls Allies Italian offensive across all fronts. Allied leaders Churchill and FDR meet in Cairo to discuss Normandy campaign. Off hours in Italy: A touch of home.

Allies plan the invasion of France on both sides of the channel. American Marines bloodied on beaches of Tarawa.

A faster and more lethal Mustang fighter, the P-51 D, provides better cover for Allied bombers in Europe in bombing raids against Germany. Allies invade New Britain in December 1943 in the Pacific bottling up Japanese stronghold at Rabaul. 1943: The Tide Turns: The Year in Review. In the East, the Leningrad Siege lifted after 872 days.