After securing North Africa, the Allies turned their attention to Italy. American and British troops took Sicily and then part of southern Italy while Soviet troops took away Italian gains in Eastern Europe. Italian troops officially surrendered in September, 1943.

But Germany wasn't willing to let Italy go. German troops took over and put up fierce resistance. A new Italian government was formed in the south, and the new Italy declared war on Germany.

Meanwhile, Soviet troops were making steady advances in the east. One Soviet city after another was retaken from German troops.

British and American planes began bombing German troop positions, while Allied armies solidified their gains in Italy.

The United States began sending men and weapons and ships and tanks in record numbers to Britain, in preparation for a massive invasion. This invasion took place on June 6, 1944, at Normandy, on the coast of France. It was called D-Day.

A great many men were killed that day, but the Allies were in charge of the beaches. The invasion of Hitler's Fortress Europe had begun. In August, Paris was liberated.

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