Fall of Europe  Because of failures within the League of Nations and the failure to stop military alliances on both sides, war was an after thought. Hitler bullied Europe into war and we were to occupy with our own problems to stop him.  Poland: September 1-October 5, 1939 Justified by a phony attack of a Polish soldier near the boarder. Really it was a political prisoner dressed as a soldier executed by the SSJustified by a phony attack of a Polish soldier near the boarder. Really it was a political prisoner dressed as a soldier executed by the SS 56 divisions attacked from three directions (9 divisions were tank/motorized) taking the very confident Polish Army off guard.56 divisions attacked from three directions (9 divisions were tank/motorized) taking the very confident Polish Army off guard.

Fall of Europe  The Luftwaffe (air force) was successful in destroying enemy planes and railroads as well as protecting the advancing German infantry.  In four days the Germans covered 100 miles and captured 10,000 soldiers. Here come the Russians. On September 17 Stalin unleashed his men on Poland virtually squeezing the life out the country.On September 17 Stalin unleashed his men on Poland virtually squeezing the life out the country. On the 27th Warsaw fell and on Oct. 5, the country fell. The Polish government escaped to Romania.On the 27th Warsaw fell and on Oct. 5, the country fell. The Polish government escaped to Romania.

Fall of Europe  In the end the Poles lost 66,000 men. Another 200,000 wounded and 1 million captured.  This new method of fighting became known as Blitzkrieg, or Lightning War. The new technology of WWI was now improved and wielded devastating results.

Fall of Europe Aftermath  Hitler finally used force in his conquest of Europe and his Lebensraum. But for his dream to become a reality he needed to oust any opponents. The Einsatzgruppen began killing Jews and Political opponents by the thousands. Other Polish Jews would forced into GhettosThe Einsatzgruppen began killing Jews and Political opponents by the thousands. Other Polish Jews would forced into Ghettos Polish land would turnover to German officers and citizensPolish land would turnover to German officers and citizens Stalin also had his secret police arrest and deport political opponents as well.Stalin also had his secret police arrest and deport political opponents as well. Polish officers were shot in the back of the head with a German bullet to disguise the crime.Polish officers were shot in the back of the head with a German bullet to disguise the crime.

Fall of Europe Britain and France take action Chamberlain puts his most vocal critic, Winston Churchill, as First Lord of the Admiralty. A position he previously held in WWI.Chamberlain puts his most vocal critic, Winston Churchill, as First Lord of the Admiralty. A position he previously held in WWI. British Navy began engaging German subs in the Atlantic from Europe to South America. Soldiers were sent to Belgium to protect France from a likely German attack.British Navy began engaging German subs in the Atlantic from Europe to South America. Soldiers were sent to Belgium to protect France from a likely German attack. French vetoed any British air strikes on German installations, fearing retaliation by Germany on French soil.French vetoed any British air strikes on German installations, fearing retaliation by Germany on French soil. Felt secure behind the Maginot Line, a defensive wall from Switzerland to Belgium with guns and encasements facing east incase of an attack. The only question that remained was when would Hitler and his Blitz strike again.Felt secure behind the Maginot Line, a defensive wall from Switzerland to Belgium with guns and encasements facing east incase of an attack. The only question that remained was when would Hitler and his Blitz strike again.