2. The Battle of Britain

3. The defeat of France in June 1940 left GB alone against Hitler.

4. Hitler was sure that GB would ask for peace

5. The new prime minister Winston Churchill inspired his people to continue the fight

6. Hitler’s plan for invasion of GB was called Operation Sea Lion Operation Sea Lion

7. The Royal Navy is too strong for a sea attack 1.

8. 2. The Wehrmacht is more powerful than the Royal Army but it is useless here

9. 3. Can the Luftwaffe beat the RAF ?

10. Eliminate the RAF and the Royal Navy becomes vulnerable.

11. In July 1940 the attacks are limited to strategic locations such as.... Airfields Harbours Refineries

12. At the same time Churchill ordered the bombing of German cities by Lancasters

13. This is the first time in the war that the German civilian population is directly affected by total war.

14. Goering orders the bombing of cities such as London

15. The destruction on both sides is unprecedented.

16. But the British had five advantages This period of bombing is called The Blitz.

17. 1. With the bombing of cities, it is now easier for British aircraft to operate.

18. 2. British fighters, Hurricanes and Spitfires are very maneuverable

19. 3. Radar

20. 4. The distance

21. 5. The British are superior in air combat called “dog fights”

22. In October 1940, Hitler realizes that he has lost the battle, his first defeat.

23. Operation Barbarossa

24. After the Battle of Britain, the Wehrmacht continued its conquest

25. In June 1941 Hitler launched his invasion of Russia

26. It is the largest military operation in history!

27. Why attack Russia?

28. 1. To destroy communism

29. 2. To get agricultural land (lebensraum)

30. 3. To get access to oil

31. 4. The Slavs are seen as untermensch, and a source of free labour

32. Leningrad Moscow Stalingrad Hitler’s 3 targets

33. At first, the panzers advanced very quickly, traveling up to 80 kilometers per day

34. The 2 Russian advantages

35. 1. Vast territory 1600 km Moscow Berlin

36. The Russians practiced a policy called scorched earth.

37. As they retreated they left nothing for the invading Germans

38. German supply lines were long and delays common

39. 2. The cold

40. The Battle of Stalingrad is long and brutal

41. Better trained at urban warfare, the Soviets eventually crushed the Wehrmacht, capturing 70000 soldiers in July 1943.

42. The Soviets advance towards Berlin.

43. Despite huge losses, it is Russia who stops Hitler.

44. 051015202530 Number of civilian and military deaths in millions Russia China Germ. Pol. Japan Yug.