WWII: American Forces on the Western Front in Europe

Explore America's WWII journey on the European front in this 5-week course, tracing key battles, strategy, and one soldier’s story through memoirs.

Following the Fight: A Closer Look at WWII’s Western Front

This course offers an in-depth exploration of American involvement on the European western front during World War II. Building upon general knowledge, the course unpacks the strategic decisions, military campaigns, and human experiences that shaped the final years of the war in Europe.

Beginning with the attack on Pearl Harbor and the development of joint Allied strategy between President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill, you’ll trace America’s growing role in key operations.

Participants will examine:

• The invasion of North Africa and Sicily
• The Allied bombing campaign
• Preparations for D-Day and breakout from the beachhead
• The liberation of France, including the invasion of southern France
• Operation Market Garden, The Bulge, and the Huertgen Forest
• Crossing the Rhine; the broad front in the campaign in Germany; discovering the concentration camps
• The meeting at Torgau and Germany’s surrender

Who should attend

This class is designed for anyone with a desire to learn more about World War II.

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  Dr. Paul Chase is a retired lecturer in European and German history and former Dean and Campus Executive Officer at UW-Barron County. Dr. Chase studied European History at Stony Brook University (NY) and Heidelberg and Berlin (Germany). He has traveled throughout Europe with frequent visits to Germany over the past 50 years.