Transcript Blitzkrieg
Blitzkrieg The Nazi Conquest of Europe: 1939-1940 The Molotov-Ribbentrop (NaziSoviet) Pact • • • • • • After Britain & France abandoned Czechoslovakia Stalin felt he could not count on such “friends” to come to the defense of the USSR Hitler could not afford to fight two enemies at once Germany & USSR sign a non-agression treaty – they will not go to war against eachother Agree to divide poland between them Stalin’s motivation – buy time to build military Hitler’s motivation – avoid a 2 front war Soviet-Nazi division of central Europe 1939 Blitzkrieg • Revolutionary style of warfare • Based on surprise attack with fast moving armored & infantry divisions • Requires close coordination of; » Panzer (tank) divisions » Luftwaffe (air force) » Infantry (moving in behind panzer divisions • Strategy: – Panzer divisions would focus on a narrow portion of enemy front – Luftwaffe & artillery would first bomb enemy, next panzers would race through enemy position – Infantry would follow behind on motorized transport (motorcycles, horses, trucks etc…), bulk of army would follow on foot – Enemy positions would be encircled and isolated Success of Bliztkrieg Germany invades… Date of Invasion Date of End of Campaign Length of Campaign Result Poland Sept 1, 1939 27 September, 1939 1 month German victory Denmark 9 April, 1940 9 April, 1940 1 day (Denmark offered no resistance) German victory Norway April 9, 1940 10 June, 1940 2 months German victory Holland May 10, 1940 15 May, 1940 5 days German victory Belgium May 10, 1940 27 May, 1940 17 days German victory France May 1940 22 June, 1940 about 1.5 months German victory The Maginot Line Where did Germany invade in WWI? Where did France concentrate its defenses? Where do you think Germany will invade? (*see why history is important!) The Allied “Sitzkrieg” • After Hitler invaded Poland Britain and France finally declared war on Germany • No action was taken except to issue disparaging propaganda about Nazi Germany – often referred to as the “Phoney War” • Lasted about 7 months The Miracle of Dunkirk • The Allies had no plans to thwart the German blitzkrieg – inferior tactics despite superior strength • About 400,000 French & British troops retreat to coastal town of Dunkirk • Panzer divisions halt – fear outrunning their supply lines & counter attack • New British Prime Minister Winston Churchill orders all able boats to cross the English channel and rescue troops • 340,000 troops are saved, but all heavy equipment is lost Sir Winston Churchill The Miracle of Dunkirk Allied soldiers on the beaches of Dunkirk awaiting evacuation Significance • The British had survived to fight another day • BUT, could they survive the German blitzkrieg?