World War II in Europe 1939-1945

The Road to War In 1936, Hitler reoccupied the Rhineland that had been taken from Germany after World War I Germany then annexed Austria in 1938 Both of these actions were clear violations of the Versailles Treaty, but the League of Nations refused to act

When Hitler threatened to annex the Sudetenland, Britain and France pursued a policy of “appeasement” in the hopes of avoiding war

This proved a failure when Hitler marched on the rest of Czechoslovakia a few months later Britain and France then threatened war should Germany invade Poland War began when Germany invaded Poland on Sept. 1st, 1939

German blitzkrieg quickly overran Poland

German Stuka dive bombers terrorized enemy troops and civilians

Hitler in Paris

German battle plan for Operation Sealion

White cliffs of Dover, England as seen from France

The Battle of Britain By 1940 Nazis seemed poised to conquer Britain, the last remaining democracy in Europe Battle of Britain resulted from Germany’s attempt to gain air superiority over Britain in advance of an amphibious invasion When this failed, Hitler decided to bomb London (“The Blitz”) to destroy civilian morale and force the British to sue for peace

British Spitfires in a dogfight with German Messerschmitts in the skies over Britain

RAF Pilots “Never in the field of human conflict has so much been owed by so many to so few.” Winston Churchill

The aftermath of a German bombing raid on London during the Blitz

Churchill inspects damage after a bombing raid

St. Paul’s Cathedral-a symbol of defiance during the Blitz

Londoners sleeping in a subway tunnel to escape the bombs above

The Eastern Front After failing to conquer Britain, Hitler turned his attention to USSR Breaking the non-aggression pact with Stalin, blitzkrieg was unleashed against the Soviets in 1941 German army advanced deep into the USSR by 1942 Battle of Stalingrad in 1943 proved to be the turning point battle against the Nazis

The Western Front After 1941, the Allies began a massive bombing campaign against German cities Allied invasion of Normandy in 1944 (D-Day) opened a 2nd front against the Nazis Last German counteroffensive on the Western Front, the Battle of the Bulge, failed in early 1945

The War in Europe Ends US and Soviet troops met at the Elbe River in Germany in April, 1945 Germany officially surrendered on May 8th, 1945 (VE Day) soon after the Soviets captured Berlin

Soviet flag is raised over the Reichstag in Berlin

Cross section of the “Fuhrerbunker”