World War II Canadian Battles n Timeline Overview

World War II Canadian Battles n. Timeline Overview n Battle of Britain n. The North Atlantic n. Bombing Campaigns in Germany

WWII overview Spring 1940 W. Europe Blitzkrieg Fall of: Denmark, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium, France - Miracle at Dunkirk Aug. 1942 Cdn. Dieppe Raid June 1941 O. Barbarossa Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union Sept 1939 Invasion of Poland Summer 1940 Battle of Britain Dec 1941 Japanese invasion of Pearl Harbor Hong, Kong, and Many islands in The Pacific U. S. join the war Aug 1945 V. A. Day Atom Bomb June 1944 D-Day – allied Invasion of W. Europe “O. Overlord” Sept. 1943 – end of war Italian Campaign May 1945 V. E. Day USSR Land Grab

Battle of Britain n British air force (RAF) and navy controlled the 50 km Channel, separating Britain from France Germany had to control the skies over the Channel before its planned invasion fleet could sail Started attacking, RAF dwindling

Battle of Britain continued n August – RAF bombed Berlin n Nazis retaliated with the “blitz” n bombing cities to terrorize the civilian population into surrendering London bombed 57 consecutive nights. By the end of May 1941, over 43, 000 civilians had been killed by bombing, ½ in London

Battle of Britain continued n Londoners responded by moving into air-raid shelters, subway stations, reopening their stores every day and just “carrying on” n British resistance grew stronger, not weaker

No. 2 Air Observer School Edmonton BCATP Battle of Britain Canada’s Role 1. British Commonwealth Air Training Plan in Canada, new pilots from all over the commonwealth were trained at former relief camps § § § Part of Mackenzie King’s ‘Limited War’ Helped win the Battle of Britain Many bases still used today BCATP Trainer 1. Sept 15, 1940: Luftwaffe attacked but the RAF was ready. The Luftwaffe was decidedly beaten! RAF lost 915 planes, Luftwaffe lost 1, 722 planes

The North Atlantic A common sight German U-boat A convoy preparing to leave Halifax Canadians being rescued in a Carly float

Bombing Campaigns in Germany