T H E W A R I N E U R O P ET H E “ L I G H T N I N G W A R ”

9 . B L I T Z K R I E G

• Surprise attacks using tanks, planes, paratroopers

• Focused on speed to catch enemy off guard

• Denmark and Norway attacked in April 1940

• The invasion prevented allied occupation

1 0 . E VA C U AT I O N O F D U N K I R K

• Germany moved through Belgium and into France

• Allied forces were surrounded in French Port (Dunkirk)

• 340,000 troops needed to escape across the Channel

• German Luftwaffe (air force) bomb Dunkirk, while boats evacuate

• France surrendered June 22 1940

1 1 . O P E R AT I O N S E A L I O N

• Hitler’s next goal was Britain

• Luftwaffe start bombing campaigns

• "The Blitz” - shift to bombing civilian targets for 55 nights. Failed because:

• Radar gave early warning

• Spitfires and Hurricanes (planes) were effective defence

• Pilots from Commonwealth joined (80 Canadians)

1 2 . O P E R AT I O N B A R B A R O S S A

• Hitler’s turns attention to USSR.

• Soviets unprepared for attack

• Germans reach Moscow and Leningrad but are not prepared for winter

• ’42 another German offensive for oil fields. Reach Stalingrad but winter stops them again

1 3 . S TA L I N G R A D

• Luftwaffe gains complete control of the skies

• Planes attack troops reinforcing across Volga River

• Soviets use the tactic of staying close to the Germans (hugging)

• After harsh winter, Germans surrender and Soviets go on the offensive

1 4 . M E A N W H I L E I N T H E PA C I F I C

• Japan was looking to invade southeast Asia

• Areas rich in oil, rubber, & tin

• Dec 7 1941 Japan bombs Pearl Harbour in Hawaii

• US Declares war on Japan

" I F E A R A L L W E H AV E D O N E I S T O A W A K E N A S L E E P I N G G I A N T A N D F I L L H I M W I T H A T E R R I B L E R E S O LV E . ” - G E N YA M A M O T O

1 5 . T H E B AT T L E O F H O N G K O N G• Hours after Pearl Harbour Japanese

invade Hong Kong (British Colony with Canadian Units)

• Japan had not declared war (attack violated international law)

• HK falls by Xmas and 1975 Canadian troops killed or taken prisoner

• Canadians at home very upset about troops being sent to Hong Kong