Germany Invades Poland The Invasion of Poland 1939

Germany Invades Poland

*** The Invasion of Poland - 1939 The NAZIS invaded Poland on Sept. 1 st

The Invasion of Poland - 1939 The NAZIS used blitzkrieg tactics POLISH ARMY: Used trench warfare, cavalry, obsolete equipment, slaughtered by the Germans. Sept 1, 1939 – Polish cavalry surprise attacks Nazi infantry. Almost win, until Nazi tanks appear.

Quick Pics Go to page 133 and 134 of Demarco Text and examine the photographs which show the French way to use tanks and the German Strategy.

*** Key Differences Between WW 1 and WW 2 A. Technology used in warfare B. Extent to which it was a truly global conflict. (WW 1 centered around Western Front. ) C. Blitzkrieg SURPRISE SPEED WEIGHT OF ATTACK 1. Tanks (Panzers) Heavy tank smash through front 2. Motorized Infantry and Wehrmacht pour in (ground troops) 3. Aerial Support: Stuka Dive Bombers (luftwaffe) Airforce attack – drop shock troops and paratroopers behind enemy lines.

*** The Results Germans: 63 divisions, six of them armoured (1 div = 20 -30, 000 soldiers) Poland: 20 Divisions, 12 Cavalry (only one mechanized, rest on horses USSR attacks from E. front, Sept 17 th After one month, Nazis march into Warsaw. USSR turns to Finland to improve its border. “Winter War. ” 1940, USSR wins.

The Invasion of Poland - 1939 Britain immediately declared war on Germany

The Phony War : 1939 -1940 *** Everyone expected Germany to attack Western Europe Bad weather and indecision prevented any attacks Many Europeans believed that there would be no war Historians refer to this period as “The Phony War” even though war was a reality in Czechoslovakia, Poland & Finland (French call it “La Drole de Guerre”. )

Phoney War? *** March 1940: Br/Fr decide to tighten blockade of Germany April 8 th – Hitler invades Denmark. Plan to land Expeditionary force in Norway to seize port of Narvik. (Swedish ore shipped to Germany from here) but Grm invades Apr 9. Germany installs puppet government under Vidkum Quisling. Effect: Humiliating defeat for Britain. Chamberlain forced to resign. Churchill – outspoken critic of appeasement takes over. Allies wait anxiously for what Hitler will do next.

Mussolini? Where are you? Mussolini warned Hitler in May 1939 that he could not undertake a war until 1943. Weaker Vulnerable to attack from France/Britain and their navies.

Fawlty Towers – “Don’t Mention the War” https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=yfl 6 Lu 3 x. QW 0