Blitzkrieg Lightening War How the Nazis took over

Blitzkrieg – Lightening War How the Nazis took over Europe! Write down anything that’s underlined J. Penney © 2014

Blitzkrieg – Lightening War • In less than 1 month, Hitler crushed Poland • After 20 days of fighting the Polish army had collapsed under unending attack by German tanks and bombers • Hitler taught the world a new word Blitzkrieg, meaning Lightening War J. Penney © 2014

Blitzkrieg – Lightening War • Blitzkrieg was an incredible military tactic that caught the enemy off guard and was extremely successful for Germany • For the Germans, Blitzkrieg depended on control of the ground and in the air • The Panzer Tanks along with Stuka dive bombers provided the force necessary for successful Blitzkrieg J. Penney © 2014

Blitzkrieg - Tanks • The German Tanks, called Panzers were fast and used together, could punch into the enemy • Almost nothing could stop the German tanks when they invaded as a group J. Penney © 2014

Mark IV (WWI) Vs. Panzer (WWII) German Panzer British Mark IV J. Penney © 2014

Blitzkrieg - Bombers • The German air force, called the Luftwaffe, was critical to the success of Blitzkrieg • Dive Bombers, called Stukas could do terrible damage to the enemy in no time • The sound terrified anyone being attacked J. Penney © 2014

German Stukas – Dive Bombers J. Penney © 2014

Phony War - Sitzkrieg • After the quick defeat of Poland there was a break in the fighting – some called it the “phony war” (sitzkrieg) but most knew what it was • The Germans were getting ready for another attack while the Allies scrambled to mobilize their forces J. Penney © 2014

Hitler Attacks • In the Spring of 1940, Germany attacked Denmark – it was defeated in one day J. Penney © 2014 • Norway was next and it too fell – in two days

• The Netherlands was smashed in 5 days • Belgium fought for 18 days J. Penney © 2014

• Mighty France which fought Germany for 4 years during WWI was defeated in 6 weeks J. Penney © 2014

• Hitler was now master of Europe J. Penney © 2014

Hitler: The Master of Europe • Hitler’s use of Blitzkrieg, or Lightening War allowed the Germany army to quickly overrun the nations of Europe – only Britain and Russia were left, and Russia was being invaded by the Nazis J. Penney © 2014

Hitler: the Master of Europe • But Hitler made the fatal mistake of spreading himself too thin – and this would be his downfall J. Penney © 2014