September 1, 1939 – Hitler invades Poland Polish army was extremely outdated They were still using horses and lances Germans used “blitzkrieg” (lightning warfare) Germany defeats Poland by Oct. 5, 1939
Britain sent troops to help the French Waited behind the Maginot Line It was a series of concrete bunkers and fortifications to protect France along the German border. This was a poor decision. ◦ (1) Germany was free to focus on Poland ◦ (2) Hitler decided to go around the Maginot Line
On May 10, 1940, Hitler went around Maginot Line with another blitzkrieg German troops parachuted into Netherlands Panzers rolled into Belgium, Luxembourg British & French forces race north to Belgium. Instead of sending tanks through the flat area of central Belgium, Hitler sent his main forces through the Ardennes Mts. (eastern Belgium).
French had only left a few troops there Germans smashed through the troops Then they turned west toward English Channel British & French armies couldn’t move quickly ◦ They became trapped in Belgium ◦ Germans drove them toward the English Channel ◦ Evacuation by sea of Allied troops was needed ◦ Germany had occupied all but one port, Dunkirk
Germans were closing in on Dunkirk Suddenly, Hitler ordered them to stop Historians are unsure of why Some think he did not want to risk his tanks Hermann Goering, head of the Luftwaffe, said his air force alone could kill the trapped soldiers.
This gave Allies a 3-day delay to evacuate. 850 ships sailed, many times, from England Known as “Operation Dynamo” Rescue of about 338,000 British/French troops However, all of Britain’s equipment remained at Dunkirk (rifles, ammunition, vehicles) If Hitler invaded England, British were in trouble.
June 22, 1940 – France surrenders Installs Marshal Philippe Petain as leader of new government in Vichy, France Leaders worked with Nazis, suppressing French people Gen. Charles de Gaulle refused to recognize this government From England and Algiers, he worked with Allied political leaders to fight for the liberation of France