1. Key Questions What was the blitzkrieg?
What lesson was learned by the Allies in the Battle of Britain?

2. Hitler’s Lightning War Part 1 of 2
Chapter 16.1
Hitler’s Lightning War Part 1 of 2

10. Germany’s lightning attack
September 1, 1939, after signing nonaggression pact, Hitler Invades Poland.
France and Britain declare war on Germany September 3.
Poland fell before any help could arrive.

11. Blitzkrieg (lightning war)
Poland fell to Germany’s strategy, the blitzkrieg:
Fast moving tanks and planes
Invasion of massive infantry force
Idea was to surprise and overwhelm the enemy

12. Soviet Invasion September 17, Stalin invades eastern Poland
Annexes countries north of Poland.
Finland resists
Stalin sends 1 million troops to crush them

13. Phony War
After declaring war Britain and France station troops along Maginot Line.
Fortified positions along French/German border
Waited for Germans to attack
Nothing happens. Armies stare at each other
April , Hitler surprise attack on Denmark and Norway

14. Maginot Line

15. Fall of France
Hitler sends large tank force through the Ardennes in France
Sneak past Maginot Line
Cross France to north coast in ten days

16. Rescue at Dunkirk Germany traps Allies in Lille in North France
Allies outgunned with backs to the sea
Great Britain uses 850 ships to rescue the Allied army
May 26-June 4
Save 338,000 soldiers

17. France Falls After Dunkirk French resistance fails
June 14 Germany takes Paris
June 22 took control of northern France
Left puppet government in southern France
French government in Exile in London under Charles de Gaulle

18. The battle of Britain Britain alone against Germany Churchill Speech
Summer 1940 Hitler bombs British aircraft factories and airfields
September begin bombing cities

19. Battle of Britain RAF outnumbered
Radar and German code making machine help RAF start to win
To avoid raids by RAF Germany gave up bombing during the day
October 1940 only night bombing
Called Battle of Britain

20. Allies Lesson Bombing ended May 10, 1941
Hitler stunned by British resistance
Taught Allies they could block Hitler’s attacks

21. Final Thoughts
Was it a good thing for the Allied army to retreat at Dunkirk? Explain why or why not.
What might have happened if they had stayed at Dunkirk?
Why do you think Hitler was surprised by Britain’s ability to defend its self?