Transcript Phases of WWII - hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca

Phases of WWII
Canada at War
Chapter 7
Phase 1
September 1939 – June 1940
The Axis
• 1939
• Germany
• Italy
• Japan
• (Germany had also signed a
non-aggression pact with
the Soviet Union)
The Allies
• 1939
• France
• Britain
• The Commonwealth
Phase 1
September 1939 – June 1940
• In Asia, Japan had invaded China (1937)and
was beginning to extend its empire
Phase 1
September 1939 – June 1940
• The early part of the war was called the
“Phony War” because little happened after
war was declared.
• In Europe, Poland was defeated by Germany
and the Soviet Union (USSR)
Phase 1
September 1939 – June 1940
• France prepared to defend its border with
Germany
Phase 1
September 1939 – June 1940
• The “Blitzkrieg” – Lightening War
• German tanks, aircraft and infantry – quick
and powerful – overran Allied defenses
• Denmark and Norway were invaded
• Invaded Belgium and Holland May 10, 1940
• Both countries surrendered in a short time.
• France was invaded May 12, 1940.
• On June 22, it also surrendered.
Phase 1
September 1939 – June 1940
What about Canada?
• Unlike WWI, Canada was not automatically at
war in 1939 just because Great Britain was.
• They declared war themselves on September
10, 1939
• Canada’s involvement was somewhat
“conservative” during the first phase of the
war
– Wanted to avoid casualties
– Wanted to avoid conscription (mandatory service)
What about Canada?
• Canada committed to support Britain with war
materials and a small army.
• They also mobilized their merchant ships (38
ships) to transport goods and people.
• The BCATP – British Commonwealth Air
Training Plan was set up in Canada to train air
force pilots from other Commonwealth
countries (such as Australia)
What about Canada?
• When Holland and Belgium and then France
surrendered to Germany in 1940, people were
shocked.
• Great Britain was left to face Germany alone
with only the commonwealth allies’ help.
• Canada changed its commitment to become
much more involved in the war in Europe.
What about Canada?
• Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King
visits Canadian troops
Phase 2
June 1940 – July 1943
• After the early German victories of the war,
Britain stood alone against them in Europe.
• In August of 1940, Germany began the “Battle
of Britain” – an air attack on London and other
English cities
• The Nazi air force was called the Luftwaffe
• People called these series of air raid the “blitz”
Phase 2
June 1940 – July 1943
•
Air raid siren
Phase 2
June 1940 – July 1943
Phase 2
June 1940 – July 1943
• In the summer of 1941, Germany invaded the
Soviet Union.
• Fighting would continue along this eastern
front for much of the rest of the war.
• Eventually, victory would come to the Soviet
Union.
• The Soviet leader was Joseph Stalin
Phase 2
June 1940 – July 1943
Phase 2
June 1940 – July 1943
• On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked the
American naval base at Pearl Harbour, Hawaii
• The USA, which had tried to stay out of the
war, was now at war with Japan.
Phase 2
June 1940 – July 1943
• Over 2000 military personnel were killed along
with many civilians.
• Several battleships were sunk and many more
damaged along with aircraft
• The next day, Germany also declared war on
the United States.
What about Canada?
• The Canadian Convoys
• A convoy was a group of merchant ships which
carried wartime supplies to Europe from
Canada.
• They were in tremendous danger from
German submarines.
• German submarines were called “U-Boats”
because the German word for submarine is
‘unterseeboot” (under sea boat)
What about Canada?
• Convoy in Bedford Basin
What about Canada?
• Convoys would travel in a zigzag to allude the
u-boats. They had aircraft support except for
the area known as the ‘black pit’
• A German U-Boat
What about Canada?
• The Corvettes
• The Corvettes were a type of allied warship.
• They were short and broad, so they could
patrol on very rough seas. This made them
good u-boat hunters
• There were over 300 corvettes which served in
WWII. 37 were lost.
What about Canada?
• 120 Corvettes were built in Canada
• The HMCS Sackville was one of these
• She was built in Saint John in 1941 and served
in WWII.
• She is now a museum in Halifax Harbour
What about Canada?
• Hong Kong – November –
December, 1941
• Canadian and British
soldiers were defending
Hong Kong when the
Japanese attacked.
• The majority of the
Canadians were captured
and taken to prisoner of
war camps. The rest died
either during the battle or
in the camp itself.
What about Canada?
• Dieppe, France - 1942
• Dieppe is a port in northern France. The allies
wanted to re-capture it. (Operation Jubilee)
• 6000 allied troops took part in the Raid on
Dieppe. 4963 were Canadians.
• 900 Canadians died and almost 2000 became
prisoners of war.