World WAR II, Chapter 32

C-32 S-1 Hitler’s Lightning War Using the sudden, mass attack called the blitzkrieg, Germany overran much of Europe and North Africa Hitler’s actions set off World War II. The results of the war still affected politics and economics of today’s world.

Great Britain and France declare war on Germany – WHY?

German tanks blitz into Poland

German blitzkrieg: German troops parade through Warsaw, Poland, September The proud, goose stepping embodied the idea of Nazi superiority and German right of conquest.

Italy joins Germany Italy signed their pact with Nazi Germany on 22 May However, they did not declare war on Britain and France until 10 June 1940.

de Gaulle sets up French government in London General de Gaulle speaking on the BBC during the war.

Winston Churchill & Great Britain Churchill wears a helmet during an air raid warning in the Battle for Britain in 1940

Bombing of London

Members of the London Auxiliary Firefighting Service.

Winston Churchill walks through the ruins of Coventry Cathedral, 1942

An (RAF) Royal Air force Spitfire

Battle of Britain  lessons learned In spite of great destruction, the British dug in and fought on The RAF hit back hard The British had a primitive radar that could warn them of coming air attacks British were able to crack German secret messages with Enigma machine Hitler was stunned at British resistance and called off the attack

Hitler’s attempt to take Moscow Hitler wanted to take Moscow, the capital and heart of Russia As winter set in, the Germans (in summer uniforms) made it to the outskirts of Moscow Their fuel and oil froze Tanks, trucks, weapons were useless Ignoring Napoleon’s winter defeat of 130 years earlier, Hitler foolishly ordered “no retreat.” Moscow was saved from the Germans in spite of the cost of 500,000 German troops

Soviet troops in winter gear supported by tanks take on the Germans

The eastern front at the time of the Battle of Moscow:

Factory workers dig anti-tank trenches around Moscow in 1941.

A German Panzer IV tank

Anti-tank fortifications on Moscow streets

Shells manufactured in one of the Moscow factories

Soviet poster proclaiming, "We shall keep Moscow!"

A Soviet soldier in his winter camouflage

The Soviet winter counter-offensive

Important Facts Using the sudden, mass attack called the blitzkrieg, Germany overran much of Europe and North Africa Hitler’s actions set off World War II. The results of the war still affected politics and economics of today’s world.

What prompted Great Britain and France to declare war on Germany?

German invasion of Poland

The German blitzkrieg was a military strategy that depended on what advantage?

Surprise and overwhelming force

What crucial lesson was learned in the Battle of Britain?

That Hitler’s advances could be blocked

After France fell, which country joined forces with Hitler?

Italy

After France fell, where did de Gaulle set up a gov’t in exile?

London

Who was Great Britain’s prime minister during WWII?

Winston Churchill

How many lives were lost in Hitler’s failed attempt to take Moscow?

500,000

Important Facts Using the sudden, mass attack called the blitzkrieg, Germany overran much of Europe and North Africa Hitler’s actions set off World War II. The results of the war still affected politics and economics of today’s world.