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Events of the War in Europe

Events of the War in Europe. Europe by June 1940. War Returns to Europe. The Nazi-Soviet Pact gave Hitler the opportunity to use his armies in Western Europe without the interference of the Soviet Union. Blitzkrieg!.

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Events of the War in Europe

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  1. Events of the War in Europe

  2. Europe by June 1940

  3. War Returns to Europe • The Nazi-Soviet Pact gave Hitler the opportunity to use his armies in Western Europe without the interference of the Soviet Union.

  4. Blitzkrieg! • On August 31st, Hitler had German agents pretend to be Polish officers, and stage assaults at the German borders to make it look like Poland were attacking Germany (this was a LIE!) http://bcove.me/aworc64u • He used this lie, and on September 1, 1939, the German Wehrmacht (military) marched into Poland; • On September 3, 1939, Britain and France declared war on Germany. • On September 10, 1939, Canada formally declared war on Germany.

  5. Canada's Enters the War… • How did Canada’s entry to WWII differ than her entry to WWI? • What new law allowed Canada to make her own decisions? • Prime Minister Mackenzie King was prepared to send roughly 40 000 troops and anticipated a role as the main supplier of food and war materials for Britain The House of Commons on September 7, 1939, the first day of the special session in which Canada's Parliament decided to declare war on Germany. Canada declared war on Sept. 10, 1939

  6. Technology was key to Hitler’s initial success; • In the 6 years before WW2 Hitler had built up Germany’s military with the latest technology; • When he invaded Poland, Hitler used BLITZKRIEG tactics – hard, fast warfare, based on surprise attack.

  7. Blitzkrieg Tactics • AIR STRIKES: key tactical sites, like roads, bridges and command posts, were taken out. • INFANTRY: troops were placed along the entire front line to confuse the enemy as to where the main attack would come. • A MECHANIZED FORCE: using surprise as its main weapon, a concentrated force of tanks or armoured infantry penetrated the enemy front line where it was least expected. • THE MAIN FORCE: securing the gap created by the mechanized force, the main force would try to encircle the enemy as the armoured troops paralyzed communications farther behind enemy lines.

  8. Success was based on co-operation between the German panzer (tank) division, and the Luftwaffe (air force). • First the panzers would crash through weak spots on the enemy line; • The Luftwaffe would bomb from above; • Troops would be dropped behind the enemy lines to destroy communication and transportation lines; • The main body of infantry would head around enemy lines and scout to report on enemy positions.

  9. Germany attacked Poland from the north, west, and south. • The Polish troops were taken completely by surprise and didn’t have the technology to effectively fight back. • By September 19, to the shock of the world, Poland fell to the Germans, who had lost only 14000 soldiers against the 700000 in the Polish army. http://bcove.me/0hcifpfv

  10. This front page is actually from a comic book.

  11. The Phony War • For the first 7 months of the war, both sides were locked in a war of nerves, during which no shots were fired. • This was called a “sitzkrieg”, or “phony war”. • Meanwhile, a smaller German army sat along the French border, while the British and French watched them. • The French had a strategy to defend against a German advance, but they were not prepared to make the first attack. • The British were still not convinced or prepared to fully commit soldiers and resources.

  12. The Rest of Europe • The Soviets invaded Finland in November 1939; by March 1940, Finland had been defeated. • In April, 1940, Blitzkrieg struck Denmark (1 day) and Norway (1 month). By May, both had fallen to the Nazis. • In May, the Netherlands (4 days), Luxemburg, and Belgium (3 weeks) had been conquered, and Hitler was quickly advancing through France.

  13. The Fall of France • May 27 – June 4, 1940 • French port of Dunkirk along the English Channel • Allies: France and Britain • Axis: Germany • Allied forces surprised by the speed of the German invasion in Europe and become trapped by advancing German armies on 3 sides • Allied troops retreat to Dunkirk, France for a miracle evacuation

  14. Fall of France • France had prepared for another major war; built concrete defences along the French-German border: the Maginot Line • On May 10, 1940 German troops march north around the line into Belgium and then France http://bcove.me/oe5tafgq

  15. The Fall of France - The Miracle of Dunkirk • By May 21 1940, the Panzers had reached the English Channel; • The French were caught off guard, and 400000 retreating British forces were trapped in the French coastal town of Dunkirk, with the German troops just 10 miles away.

  16. http://bcove.me/oyzuv9wl

  17. The Miracle at Dunkirk – HITLER'S FIRST MISTAKE • Hitler ordered the Wehrmacht to hold off the final strike so that the Luftwaffe could have the final blow. • Fortunately, there was a dense fog that kept the Luftwaffe grounded, giving the British troops time to escape. • “Operation Dynamo” was launched, and boats were sent across the English Channel to rescue the trapped troops. • 68000 British troops were lost, but over 300000 had been saved. • These troops would later form the core of the Allied forces that would invade Nazi-occupied Europe • To date, many historians claim the Miracle at Dunkirk as one of the reasons why Hitler lost the war. http://bcove.me/l1ujgfvg http://bcove.me/vgzrmasj

  18. “Miracle at Dunkirk”

  19. Movie Clip: Atonement • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07Z-UJDPJOs

  20. Paris Falls • On June 14, 1940, the Nazis marched into an undefended Paris. • The French government surrendered on June 25, 1940 • Hitler was now master of Europe from Poland to the Atlantic Ocean. • All Hitler had left to conquer was Britain in the west, and the Soviet Union in the east. http://bcove.me/j3y7yez6 http://bcove.me/yc2mkzoc

  21. The Move to Centre Stage… • QUESTION: How would Hitler’s successes in Europe change Canada’s role in war? • Although Prime Minister King had hoped Canada would be a supplier of war materials in a short, limited war, the reverse was soon true. • Hitler’s dramatic success meant that Britain stood alone in Europe and depended more than ever on Canada’s support. • Canada’s role in WWII evolved to the centre stage: • -Canadian increased wartime industries such as food, guns, munitions, supplies and armed forces • As in WWI Canadian convoys were a vital lifeline to the survival of Britain. • more Canadian troops sent to Britain • The Canadian troops in Britain were fresh and well equipped and more could be sent. • Thus Canada, despite reluctance to take on such a large role within the war, quickly moved to center stage.

  22. Assignment • Complete your "Major Events of WW2" Chart sections on: • Poland • Dunkirk • The Fall of France • Read page 112. Complete the questions for Map A. Blitzkrieg on page 113.

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