14.1 slides WWII: Hitler's Lightning War

Hitler's Lightning War

The Start of WWII

  • Historical Context:

    • Invasion of Poland is considered the start of World War II.

    • Germany's invasion was swift and characterized by the Blitzkrieg tactic ("Lightning War").

  • Key Events:

    • September 1, 1939: Germany launches a surprise attack on Poland.

    • September 3, 1939: France and Great Britain declare war on Germany.

    • Hitler annexes the western half of Poland; Stalin takes the eastern half as part of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact.

    • Stalin also annexes Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Finland.

Maginot Line

  • Built to deter German invasion through France.

  • Comprised of:

    • Extensive concrete fortifications.

    • Obstacles and weapons to create a strong defense.

  • Strategic Failure:

    • German Forces bypassed the Maginot Line by invading through Belgium and the Netherlands.

Phony War

  • Phase of Inaction:

    • After declaring war, French and British forces mobilized along the Maginot Line but no significant action occurred (known as the "Phony War").

    • Lasted until April 9, 1940, when Germany attacked Denmark and Norway.

The Fall of France

  • Timeline of Events:

    • May 1940: Germany conquers Belgium and the Netherlands by exploiting weak points in Allied defenses through the Ardennes forest.

    • British and French troops are trapped at Dunkirk (338,000 evacuated after heroic rescue operation).

    • June 1940: France surrenders; northern France occupied by Germany, while the southern part becomes Vichy France under Marshal Philippe Pétain.

Battle of Britain

  • Aftermath of France's Fall:

    • Great Britain stands alone against Nazi Germany. Winston Churchill becomes Prime Minister.

    • Germany's strategic objective: defeat the Royal Air Force (RAF) and prepare for invasion with 250,000 soldiers.

  • German Tactics:

    • Air attacks (Luftwaffe) begin on July 10, 1940, targeting military installations then civilian areas.

    • Two key technologies that aided British resistance:

    1. Radar: Electronic tracking system that helped locate enemy aircraft.

    2. Enigma Machine: Encryption device used by Nazis; British codebreakers, including Alan Turing, successfully deciphered their codes, shortening the war by two years.

Hitler’s Expansion in the Balkans

  • Strategic Intentions:

    • Hitler plans to invade the Soviet Union and therefore must secure the Balkans first.

    • April 9, 1941: Operation Marita begins; Germany invades Greece and Yugoslavia.

    • Greek resistance is fierce but ultimately overpowered.

    • Germans capture significant territories, raising the Nazi flag over the Acropolis after conquest.

Operation Barbarossa

  • Invasion of Soviet Union:

    • Begins June 22, 1941.

    • Aimed at an unprepared Soviet Union, Germans advance into Russian territories.

    • Notable events:

    • Russians adopt scorched earth tactics, burning resources to hinder German advance.

    • Urban warfare and siege conditions in Leningrad lead to high casualty rates (1 million die).

    • The German advance stops outside Moscow as winter conditions lead to massive losses for German troops.

Lend-Lease Act of 1941

  • U.S. Involvement:

    • U.S. seeks to support Allies without entering the war directly.

    • September 1939: President FDR asks Congress to allow aid to Allies.

    • March 1941: Congress passes the Lend-Lease Act, enabling the U.S. to provide military supplies to Britain and other Allies.

  • Objectives of the Lend-Lease Act:

    • To strengthen Allied nations against Nazi Germany.

    • Facilitate military and economic assistance, totaling billions of dollars in aid.