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Blitzkrieg: The Nazi Conquest of Europe 1939-1940

Explore the Nazi-Soviet Pact, Blitzkrieg tactics, and the Miracle of Dunkirk during WWII. Learn about the division of Poland, the Maginot Line, and the Allied response to German aggression.

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Blitzkrieg: The Nazi Conquest of Europe 1939-1940

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  1. Blitzkrieg The Nazi Conquest of Europe: 1939-1940

  2. The Molotov-Ribbentrop (Nazi-Soviet) Pact • After Britain & France abandoned Czechoslovakia Stalin felt he could not count on such “friends” to come to the defense of the USSR • Hitler could not afford to fight two enemies at once • Germany & USSR sign a non-agression treaty – they will not go to war against eachother • Agree to divide poland between them • Stalin’s motivation – buy time to build military • Hitler’s motivation – avoid a 2 front war

  3. Soviet-Nazi division of central Europe 1939

  4. Blitzkrieg • Revolutionary style of warfare • Based on surprise attack with fast moving armored & infantry divisions • Requires close coordination of; • Panzer (tank) divisions • Luftwaffe (air force) • Infantry (moving in behind panzer divisions • Strategy: • Panzer divisions would focus on a narrow portion of enemy front • Luftwaffe & artillery would first bomb enemy, next panzers would race through enemy position • Infantry would follow behind on motorized transport (motorcycles, horses, trucks etc…), bulk of army would follow on foot • Enemy positions would be encircled and isolated

  5. Success of Bliztkrieg

  6. The Maginot LineWhere did Germany invade in WWI?Where did France concentrate its defenses?Where do you think Germany will invade? (*see why history is important!)

  7. The Allied “Sitzkrieg” • After Hitler invaded Poland Britain and France finally declared war on Germany • No action was taken except to issue disparaging propaganda about Nazi Germany – often referred to as the “Phoney War” • Lasted about 7 months

  8. The Miracle of Dunkirk • The Allies had no plans to thwart the German blitzkrieg – inferior tactics despite superior strength • About 400,000 French & British troops retreat to coastal town of Dunkirk • Panzer divisions halt – fear outrunning their supply lines & counter attack • New British Prime Minister Winston Churchill orders all able boats to cross the English channel and rescue troops • 340,000 troops are saved, but all heavy equipment is lost

  9. Sir Winston Churchill

  10. The Miracle of Dunkirk

  11. Allied soldiers on the beaches of Dunkirk awaiting evacuation

  12. Significance • The British had survived to fight another day • BUT, could they survive the German blitzkrieg?

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