The War in Europe: Part I

1. The War in Europe: Part I Get Ready For the Quiz

2. Quiz 1. What Act gave Hitler total power over Germany? 2. When did Britain and France declare war on Germany? 3. Which three nations were part of the Axis Powers? 4. Which nations formed the Allies? 5. What attack strategy did Germany use on Poland?

3. Quiz 1. What Act gave Hitler total power over Germany?The Enabling Act 2. When did Britain and France declare war on Germany? 3 September 1939 3. Which three nations were part of the Axis Powers? Germany, Italy, Japan 4. Which nations formed the Allies? Britain (and the common wealth) and France 5. What attack strategy did Germany use on Poland?Blitzkreig

4. Fall of France:Evacuation of Dunkirk, 1940 • After the “Phony War” (waiting for 7 mo.) Suddenly, Germany moved north, taking only 2 hours to occupy Denmark, 1 month to conquer Norway, the next move was west • France built strong fortifications on the German border • This concrete chain of artillery was called The Maginot Line

5. Fall of France:Evacuation of Dunkirk, 1940 • Unfortunately for the French, history repeated itself. • Germany made its thrust through the Netherlands and Belgium • Within days the Allies were beaten back to the English Channel • The Allies were surrounded at the town of Dunkirk. • A massive evacuation was started on May 26. • Fishing boats & small craft joined naval vessels in evacuating soldiers before the Germans descended on the town.

6. Fall of France:Evacuation of Dunkirk, 1940 • Approximately 900 ships sailed from England and rescued 340,000 soldiers • A few weeks after the evacuation, France surrendered to Germany, leaving Britain and the commonwealth against Germany • It was significant because it represented a moral victory for the Allies and saved the best of the British forces who would live to fight another day

7. Fall of France:Evacuation of Dunkirk, 1940 • June 14, Paris fell and France surrendered to Germany • North and West France fell to outright control of Nazis • Southeast France governed by French-Nazi collaborators (Vichy French) • Charles DeGaulle fled to Britain to lead the resistance (Free French) • In May, Winston Churchill replaces Chamberlain as British P.M. Hitler in Paris

8. Battle of Britain, 1940(Operation Sea Lion) • Hitler expected Britain to surrender as well. When they did not, Hitler launched Operation Sea Lion, the invasion of Britain • “Since Britain still shows no sign of willingness to come to an agreement in spite of her hopeless military situation, I have decided to prepare and, if necessary carry out, a landing operation against England,” Hitler said. “The purpose of this operation will be to eliminate the English homeland as a base for continuation of the war against Germany and, if necessary, to occupy it completely.” • Britain is protected by the English Channel and the Royal Navy

9. Battle of Britain, 1940(Operation Sea Lion) • On July 10, 1940, the German Air Force (Luftwaffe), began bombing harbours and shipping facilities in England. Germany had to gain control of the airspace before it could dominate the Channel. • In August, they began bombing airfields and airplane factories • In September they began to bomb civilian targets.

10. Battle of Britain: The Blitz • August 1, 1940 – Hitler attacks England. Hitler says, “the war against England is to be destructive attacks against industry and air force targets,” however, “I reserve to myself the right to decide on terror attacks as measures of reprisal” – this would be attacks on civilians. At this point, targets were just air force and industrial • On the night of August 24/25 a Luftwaffe aircraft mistakenly dropped a bomb on London.

11. Battle of Britain: The Blitz • As a result, more than 80 British bombers attacked Berlin. Hitler ordered attacks on the population and air defenses of major British cities, including London, by day and night • For 55 consecutive nights, London was bombed (& other cities) • This was known as “The Blitz” • More than 23, 000 people were killed in the Blitz, mostly British civilians

12. Battle of Britain, 1940(Operation Sea Lion) • October 1940 – Hitler turns his attention to the Soviet Union, and would never return to Operation Sea Lion • May 1941, the invasion was over

13. Battle of Britain, 1940The War in the Air • Summer 1940 – German Luftwaffe air force fought against the British Royal Air Force (RAF). Canadians served in Britain’s air forceBritish outnumbered 3:1 • Thanks to BCATP, Canadians were some of the best and strongest • BCTAP was also a boost to the Canadian Aircraft industry; all planes used were Canadian • The Br. created RCAF units (Royal CANADIAN), but only 40% of our pilots flew with Canadian Units.

14. Battle of Britain, 1940The War in the Air • RCAF officers pressed for improvements in Canada’s Air Force. • By the end of the war, the number of Canadian Squadrons grew from a total of 25 to 48 overseas and 40 in Canada • RAF fighters flew well against German Bombers & their escorts • The Br. had RADAR, giving them advance warning of raids • The Br. planes were also better (Spitfire & Hurricane). • About 80 Canadian pilots were involved in defending against the Blitz.

15. The War in the Air Bomber Command • Canadians took part in the night bombing of Germany (as well as North Africa, Italy & Asia) • Bombing runs were aimed at industry, then civilian populations. • The city of Hamburg was bombed so heavily that fires created their own winds, which fed more fires, causing a firestorm. • The Germans fought back fiercely • In 1942 there was a 1 in 3 chance of surviving a tour of duty- 30 missions.

16. The War in the Air Bomber Command • In 1943, an all Canadian group, Group 6, was formed • Group 6 was a junior group, stationed farthest north (longer distance to fly) and was the last to get newer, better planes. • The survival rate in Group 6 was 1 in 8. • By 1944, better training and equipment improved the numbers • 17,701 RCAF died, 9,880 of them were with Bomber Command

17. Notes • Looking back on your notes, highlight /circle with pen any contributions Canadians made to the War in the Air