3. German-Soviet Pact August 1939 Agreement to partition Poland Agreement to NOT fight one another Germany gets ½ Poland USSR gets other ½ plus Baltic states

4. Invasion of Poland September 1, 1939 –G–Germany invaded Poland –O–Official start of World War II Germany over ran Polish defenses with BLITZKRIEG attack … air attack, followed by armor (tanks) … mechanized infantry Poles fought bravely, but USSR invaded from East on September 15 th Poles slaughtered on two fronts Entire Polish army of 1,000,000 men killed, wounded or captured One of the most overwhelming victories in history

5. Blitzkrieg – “Lightning war” Luftwaffe – German Air Force

6. Sitzkrieg September 3, 1939 Great Britain and France declare war on Germany They do NOTHING They sit and wait French strategy was one of defense Maginot Line …

7. Denmark April of 1940 Germany conquers Denmark by telephone One day

8. Norway April 1940 Hitler had three reasons for conquering Norway –Iron Ore from Sweden –Location (bombing and observation flights over England –Long coastline … break blockade –Norway subdued by May

9. Germany Turns West May 1940 – Germany invades Holland and Belgium Belgium’s major defense was an old fortress … German practice … By June it was time for France to pay! France crumbles in three weeks … Hitler insists that France sign surrender in a railroad car in Compiegne, France

10. Dunkirk June 1940 Miracle at Dunkirk British Expeditionary force escapes Every ship, boat, raft, etc. from Britain rescued troops Left equipment behind

12. Battle of Britain July – October 1940 All air war all the time “Operation Sea Lion” RAF (Royal Air Force) Winston Churchill … inspirational Radar

13. Battle of Britain – the “Blitz”

15. The London “Tube”: Air Raid Shelters during the Blitz

16. The Royal Air Force

17. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill

19. Battle of Britain Significance –First German defeat –Preserved Britain as base when USA eventually entered war –First battle entirely in air