Important People of World War II

Charles de Gaulle:

Charles de Gaulle was a French general during the time of World War II. After the fall of France on June 22, 1940, he fled to London, England in order to escape the now German-ruled country. While in London he began working to win France back to the French. He set up a government-in-exile with the sole purpose of reconquering France. He delivered a broadcast to the people of France on June 18, 1940. In this broadcast he stated that it was a crime against the country to give up and lay down their arms. But they must keep the fight going until France was theirs again. The Free French military was formed as a result of de Gaulle's efforts, and they went on to battle the Nazis until the 1944 liberation of France.

Winston Churchill:

Winston Churchill was the British prime minister during the time of the Nazis invasion of Europe. He was keen to never surrender to the Nazi party because after the fall of France, Great Britain was standing alone against Hitler and his power. Churchill said, "We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets...we shall never surrender." This attitude gave the soldiers of Great Britain a heightened morale. He used his exceptional speaking ability to rally the British people to crush the opposing Germany. He, as a speaker, was the greatest weapon Britain had.

Isoroku Yamamoto:

Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto was Japan's greatest naval strategist during World War II. He was responsible for the surprise attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, arguing that the fleet was "a dagger pointed at [Japan's] throat." The attack on Pearl Harbor left about 2,400 Americans dead. Yamamoto was also a leading figure in the Battle of Midway. By attacking the island, he had hoped to gain control of it, while finishing off the U.S. Pacific fleet. However, after heavy American bombing, Yamamoto ordered his decrepit fleet to withdraw from the attack on Midway. The battle ended on June 6, 1942.

Douglas MacArthur:
  
General Douglas MacArthur was the commander of the Allied land forces in the Pacific after the Battle of Midway. With his strong will he became one of the greatest military strategists of World War II. He introduced the fighting style of "island hopping." This meant taking control of all or most of the smaller, weaker islands around a larger, stronger target island. He said, "Hit 'em where they ain't, let 'em die on the vine." This fighting technique came in handy in the struggle against the Japanese controlled island of Guadalcanal. The Japanese were attempting to build an airbase there and after a long battle, fled the island in February, 1943.