Blitzkrieg & Sitzkrieg

1. Blitzkrieg & Sitzkrieg Hitler Takes Europe In A Season

2. Blitzkrieg • Also known as “Lightning Warfare” • An intense military attacked designed to bring about a swift victory • Used by the Germans in World War II

3. Elements of Blitzkrieg • 1. Surprise • 2. Psychological Warfare • 3. Concentration of Firepower • 4. Speed • 5. Leadership from the Front • 6. Co-odination

4. The Theory of Blitzkrieg • The tactic was developed by German army officer Hans Guderian • Designed to hit hard and move on instantly • It aimed to create panic amongst civilians

5. The Theory of Blitzkrieg • Once a strategic target had been selected, Stuka dive bombers were sent in to ‘soften up’ the enemy, destroy all rail lines, communication centres and major rail lines • Done as the German tanks were approaching • Planes would withdraw last minute so the enemy did not have time to recover

6. Blitzkrieg Unleashed • The German Air Force (Luftwaffe), tank divisions (Panzers), and the army (Wehrmacht) smashed into Poland • Poland was the perfect target for a blitzkrieg attack • A flat country with no natural obstacles; large out of date army • September 1st 1939, surprise bombing raids began on Poland’s aerodromes • Poland’s air force is destroyed

7. Blitzkrieg Unleashed • Luftwaffe began bombing raids on Poland’s railways and military convoys to disrupt mobilization • German ground forces moved in from the North and South • Poland’s army had nowhere to retreat • The final blow came in mid-September when the USSR invaded Poland from the East

8. Blitzkrieg Unleashed • Two days later, honouring their obligations to Poland, France and Britan declare war on Germany • On September 9th 1939, Canada declares war on Germany • The USSR invaded Poland from the East on September 17th under the terms of a secret pact with Germany • Warsaw surrended on September 27. By october 6, Poland ceased to exist as a country. World War II had begun.

9. Sitzkrieg • Also known as “Phoney War” • There was no fighting in Europe until Hitler turned his attention to the rest of Europe in April 1940 • Prime Minister King & President Roosevelt hoped that Hitler would stop with Poland. They were sadly mistaken

10. The Fall of European Nations • In April of 1940 Denmark & Norway fall to Nazi Germany • Soon after Holland falls to Nazi Germany • Then on May 10th 1940 the Germans invaded France

11. The Fall Of France • German forces pushed through the Ardennes, outflanking the Maginot Line and unhinging the Allied defenders • Paris was occupied on June 14 • For Hitler, it was a spectacular victory

12. The Effects of Blitzkrieg • France was divided into a German occupation zone in the north and west, a small Italian occupation zone in the southeast, and a collaborationist government in the south, Vichy France • The British Expeditionary Force and many French soldiers were evacuated from Dunkirk • France remained under German occupation until after the Allies defeated the German forces in France following the Allied landings on D-Day 1944

13. The Rescue At Dunkirk • Allied troops were trapped by an advancing German Army at Dunkirk • With their backs to the sea and Germans closing in, Hitler’s army ceases to pursue their capture • The Allies launch a massive rescue by sending 900 ships across the English Channel they save 14,000 French Troops and 200,000 British Troops • The troops would form the core of the allied invasion that liberates Europe

14. The Effects of Blitzkrieg • Due to the success of Blitzkrieg the Nazis swept through Europe from Poland to the Atlantic in 9 months • The Nazis now effectively held the mainland of Europe • What was next…..?