Hitler’s Lightning War Why was Germany able to take over countries so quickly and where do they struggle?

Blitzkrieg on Western Front Sept 1939: Germany uses a “blitzkrieg” (lightning war) in W. Poland Blitzkrieg is a surprise attack using fast airplanes that relentlessly bomb, tanks & massive troop deployment Sept 1939-March 1940: after Stalin invades E. Poland, he annexes three Baltic countries & Finland as a “buffer” zone Mar 1940: Allies mobilize their army on French-German border Allies wait, Germany doesn’t attack – “phony war” Apr 1940: Hitler attacks Denmark & Norway (bases for later attack) May 1940: Hitler blitzkriegs Netherlands, Belgium, & Luxembourg Fall of France From Belgium, German troops get passed French Magnoit Line May 1940: French troops are trapped at coastline. British citizens use 850 boats during Rescue at Dunkirk Rescue at Dunkirk

Map Time! Stripe 26, 27, 28 and 29 in red Stripe 6,7,8,10,11 in green

June 1940: Germans enter Paris, France has fallen Germans split France into two zones: 1)Germany controls north 2) Petain, a French General loyal to Hitler controls south, Vichy France French general Charles de Gaulle who fled to London, will try to inspire French resistance We Will Return Charles De Gaulle Henri Phillipe Petain

Battle of Britain Germany plans to to take out the British Airforce (RAF) but new PM Churchill in charge of GB Aug 1940: German Luftwaffe (airforce) led by Hermann Goering begins bombing RAF sites Sept 1940: Hitler changes strategy, begins bombing British cities, known as “the Blitz”. We Shall Never Surrender! Oct 1940: Radar & a German code machine called Enigma help British win the battle Stunned by the resistance Hitler calls off attacks – proves Germany can be stopped! Winston Churchill

VQ: What crucial mistake did Hitler make in the Battle of Britain? VQ: What advantages did the Royal Airforce (RAF) have over the German Luftwaffe (Airforce)? VQ: What crucial mistake did Hitler make in the Battle of Britain? Map Time ! 29 28 27 xxxxx xxxxx Stripe 5 in green, put green “x’s in 5b, green x’s in German Allies Color #1 in blue, color Allies on key in blue

North Africa Campaign Sept 1940: Mussolini attacks Egypt, wants Suez Canal/access to oil Feb 1941: British strike back and take over 130K Italian prisoners Mar 1941: Hitler sends his best general Erwin Rommel to N. Africa Rommel pushes Gen. Bernard Montgomery & his troops into Libya Rommel earns nickname “The Desert Fox” Jan 1942: Monty’s troops counterattack & push back Rommel June 1942: Rommel pushes Monty out of Egypt “Desert Fox” vs. “Monty”

Eastern Front Jan 1941: Wanting to attack Soviets from south, Hitler gets Bulgaria, Hungary & Romania to join Axis powers April 1941: Greece & Yugoslavia resist, Germany blitzkriegs them June 1941: Blitzkrieg of the Soviet Union (Operation Barbarossa) August: Germans push 500 miles into the Soviet Union Sept: Germany opens a 2nd front, invading Leningrad Leningrad not falling to Nazis Oct: Hitler orders his troops to attack Moscow Nov: Soviets counterattack as the cold Russian winter sets in VS

Map Time! Battle of Britain Battle of Leningrad Battle of Dunkirk N. Africa Campaign Put green “x”s in 15, 22, 23 Stripe 19, 21 & Egypt in green Mark the above battles on your map

Other Countries During WW II Spain: Neutral due to civil war btwn Francisco Franco & Spanish Gov United States: Neutral – Congress is isolationist Pres. Roosevelt (FDR) begins cash & carry then lend-lease program, “lending” supplies to the British FDR & Churchill sign Atlantic Charter – post war plans for Europe (trade/elections)