The Axis Powers Advance WWII The Axis Powers Advance

I. Early Gains & Onslaught Blitzkrieg – lightning war Bombing of airfields, factories, towns, cities, troops & civilians Fast moving tanks & trucks to move troops & artillery Within one month, Poland ceased to exist WWII Germany invades Poland video.asf

Ger. Waited through the winter & began again in April French stayed in Maginot line Hitler launches blitzkrieg vs. Nor., Den., Neth. & Belg. By May, Ger. Pouring into Fr. Miracle @ Dunkirk (saved 300,000) June 1940 Fr. Surrendered & set up exile gov’t in Brit led by De Gaulle

Italy invades Greece, same result Italy tries to take over N. Africa, sends troops into Egypt (unsuccessful) Ger. Sends Rommel to save the day Italy invades Greece, same result Modern warfare - planes, close air combat support, (Lufftwaffe), better tanks, troop carriers, stronger bombs, radar, sonar, greater accuracy

II. Battle of Britain & the Blitz Hitler planned to invade Britain (Operation Sea Lion) Lufftwaffe began bombing Britain in August 1940 Sep. began London Blitz, 57 nights of bombing Britain survived and morale was high, bombing alone could not defeat a nation WWII London Blitz Video.asf

III. Operation Barbarossa June 1941 Ger. planned to conquer USSR Stalin was shocked & not ready (Great Purge) Russia loses 2 ½ million men in 1st year & Germany is close to Moscow by Autumn Russian winter sets in and halts blitzkrieg Siege of Leningrad lasted for over 2 years (2 pieces of bread/day, jellied meat, wall paper)

IV. U.S. Neutral but sympathetic to allies Roosevelt found ways around Neutrality Acts Lend-Lease Act Atlantic Charter W/ Churchill WWII Pearl Harbor Video.asf Banned selling supplies to Japan Dec. 7, 1941 “A day that will live in infamy.” Pearl Harbor attacked by Japanese – the sleeping giant awakes