Churchill Topic 2: Churchill as wartime prime minister

What countries were conquered by Nazi Germans in 1940?

Denmark, Norway, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Belgium.

What date did Germany attack France and what date did France surrender?

Germany attacked France on May 10, 1940, and France surrendered on June 22, 1940.

What two stances on WW2 made Churchill seem more positive?

English language the weapon of war

Tehran conference and D-Day

Victorious in NA and Med

What three stances on WW2 made Churchill more negative in public opinion?

Did not help Russia, had to defend themselves, seen as unfair to allies.

Left out by allies

Voted out in 1945

What did Churchill hope regarding the USA?

He hoped the USA would join British forces.

What famous speech did Churchill give that instilled hope?

He gave his famous speech about 'never surrender'.

Who was the British generals that was disliked by Churchill?

Sir Archibald Wavell and Sir Claude Auchinleck

Why did Wavell fail, and where did he fail?

Wasn’t given time to prepare for the German invasion of the Balkan front so it failed

Also failed in Crete and desert

This didn’t help maintaining morale and attracting USA

Who succeeded Wavell and was later also removed?

Sir Claude Auchinleck.

Why did Auchenleck fail?

Insisted on delaying a German attack until he was ready which annoyed Churchill

Sacked for lack of daring and aggressiveness

Won 1st battle of el alamein in July 1942

Who did Churchill favor and who proved successful in battle?

Bernard Montgomery; he achieved victory at El Alamein.

Won over Churchill with his self confidence

What was Operation Husky?

The Allied invasion of Sicily in 10th July 1943.

Arguments for the war in med being important

• protect Suez Canal

• Threat of Italy who joined in 1940 and invaded southern France. Had troops boarding Egypt and her major naval base at Taranto

• Britain controlled Gibraltar but there was a threat from franco (Spanish dictator) as he might join Hitler

• If Germany broke through into Egypt then German forces could link up with forces in Russia securing vital oil fields

• Helps achieve Churchills plan of Italy being soft underbelly

Give 3 stats for operation husky

180,000 soldiers

Along 105 miles

26 beaches

Arguments for war in med being not important

• US wanted to invade northern France

• George Marshall said it was a waste of resource

• Take pressure off Russia and establish a western front

• Success of war depends on russias survival

How did allies assert control in Sicily?

Paraded senior mafia member on a tank and the people of Sicily allowed the US to occupy

What did Churchill call Italy?

Soft underbelly

Churchills goal invading Italy?

It would knock Italy out of the war, persuade neutral turkey to join the war, support operations in the Balkan’s and then launch armies into Austria then Germany.

Also provide hope to occupied countries and gain new airfields to bomb the balkans and Germany.

When was battle of El Alamein?

Oct 1942

What was americas views of invading Italy first?

Weren’t convinced

Compromised and said they’d withdraw forces whenever they were required in north west Europe

Why did it take so long for the allies to fully occupy Italy?

Rough terrain Hindering vechiles

Rivers, mountains and cold winters and rain

Lack of resources due to lack of ships and landing craft

Medic bases 5 miles back

What was the significance of the Suez Canal?

It was a major route for oil and the quickest path to India.

What general did Churchill like besides Monty?

Describe their relationship

Sir Alan Brooke

He was annoyed with Churchill ‘thinking out load’

Frustrated by political interference

Careful with casualties, unlike Churchill

When did Italy swap sides?

13th Oct 1943

What did Brooke predict?

Hitlers suicide 10 days before

What bold decision did Brooke make?

Send a substantial amount of Britain’s military equipment to the Middle East to deal with Italian threat to Egypt even when Germany may have invaded

Churchill supported

Why did Britain destroy French ships in 1940?

To prevent Germany from using the French navy against them to control the med or suez canal

Give 4 stats for Britain destroying French ships

By 5;30

15 inch guns

1300 killed

2 ships sunk

Why did America not want to help Britain?

Focused on Japan

Against public opinion

Neutrality acts of 1931

Battle of Tobruk

Tobruk, Libya

1941

Australians held off the Germans for 400 days

Who is Rommel? Why was he picked ?

Desert fox

Performed well in Poland and France

aryan race - perfect poster boy

Used to be Hitler bodyguard

When was battle of El Alamein?

23rd oct 42

What event was Brooke responsible for?

Dunkirk evacuation

Why was the battle of el alamein successful?

Attack late at night

Successfully cleared through minefields

300 tanks from America

Despite Monty’s forces being outnumbered by 2x

What position were Britain in by the end of 1940?

Enjoyed victories in NA and defeated German air offensive

Considerable achievement to prevent appeasement given the fact we had no allies against Germany Italy and possibly Japan with no support from USA

Tanks from America were …

Shermon

Good armament and quick

What was the code name for the Yalta Conference?

Argonaut.

Give 6 examples of his leadership style

1. Restless and energetic so worked irregular hours

2. Revolutionised methods e.g one piece of paper

3. Officials who could not keep up were dismissed

4. Imaginative ideas I.e germ warfare

5. Dictate from bed or bath

6. Take advice and show respect

What 5 reasons made him different to predecessors?

1. Strong relationship with allies

2. Mastery of speeches

3. Siren suit

4. Well travelled (25)

5. Daring and ruthless

What book did Brooke publish and what did it say about Churchill?

‘Turn of the tide and triumph in the west’

‘Peevish like a small child’

‘No long term vision’

)my god how I am tired of working for him’

What was the outcome of the Tehran Conference?

Plans were made for D-Day and strategies to defeat Germany.

What 5 problems did Churchill have when he came into office?

Germany bombing

Halifax wanted appeasement

Gold reserves running out

Japan threat to SA colonies

Dunkirk invasion

Italy joining and threat to NA colonies

What did Halifax want? What was Churchills response?

Approach Mussolini to get him to find out what peace terms hitler may accept

Churchill said ‘rot’ and refused as it would show hitler Britain was weakening

What did the Beveridge Report propose?

A series of social reforms to achieve freedom from want for all citizens.

Who did Churchill want to be rescued by?

‘New world with all its power and might steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old’

Broadcast by Norman Shelley impersonating him

When was D-Day?

June 6, 1944.

What was the main aim of Operation Market Garden?

To shorten the war and capture key bridges in the Netherlands.

What was Churchill's role in the war between 1944-1945?

He aimed to prepare for post-war Europe while focusing on military strategies.

What was the public's attitude towards Churchill towards the end of the war?

Desire for social reform and dissatisfaction with his government policies.

Who was blamed for the 'hungry decade' of the 1930s?

The Conservative Party.

What was the result of the July 1945 general election?

Labour won by a landslide, reflecting a desire for social reform.

What mistake did Hitler and Göring make during the war?

They prioritized bombing cities over destroying the RAF.

What did Churchill compare Wavell to?

A chairman of a golf club.

How did the battle of El Alamein contribute to the war effort?

It marked a significant turning point and victory for the Allies in North Africa.