WWII – The Battles Begin

Blitzkrieg: “Lightning War” Between 1939 and 1941, Germany is able to take over many European countries using a military tactic called Blitzkrieg. Blitzkrieg: “Lightning War” Tanks, bomber planes, troops & artillery. Tanks would “punch holes” in the lines of the defences Bomber planes would fight from above Troops and artilleries would follow quickly behind the tanks Aerial bombardment and ground troops prevented Allies from re-supplying their own forces and would close in to seal the holes in the front line. Animation

Miracle at Dunkirk After taking over many countries in Europe, Germany invades France Britain sent in troops to help defend France Both France and Britain were not prepared for the speed of the Blitzkrieg The German army forced the allies back to the French city of Dunkirk where they remained trapped. During the delay of Germany planning their final attack, the British sent out a call for help Nearly 900 ships came across the English Channel Between May 27 and June 4 over 300,000 soldiers were evacuated to England from Dunkirk. It was expected that only 10,000 would have survived.

Timeline of a Miracle

The Battle of Britain July 1940 – October 1940 Luftwaffe: German Air Force RAF – British Royal Air Force Hitler ordered an air attack on British ships in the English Channel signaling the start of the Battle of Britain. Hitler’s plan was to destroy Britain’s fighter planes, factories and the morale of the people

At first Luftwaffe was extremely successful by knocking out airfields and supply factories (RAF) despite being badly outnumbered held it’s ground. After thousands of British civilians and fighter pilots were killed the Luftwaffe backs down and the battle is considered an Allied victory. Canadian fighter planes helped the RAF

13 Hours that Saved Britain Battle of Britain Statistics

Canadians at Hong Kong, 1941

Japan – Part of the Axis Powers Leader: Emperor Hirohito Japan wants to take over Asia for power and natural resources December 7, 1941 Japan launches surprise attack on Pearl Harbor (American naval base in Hawaii). Japanese had to eliminate the American Pacific fleet to continue its own expansion without any extra obstacles

U.S used the attack to declare war against the Axis Powers A few hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese invade Hong Kong (a colony of Britain). Britain and Canada had troops set up in Hong Kong for defense. Compared to Japan’s huge artillery and airplanes, the British and Canadian defenders were made up of a small number of troops, nurses and civilians had little chance of victory. Just over 2 weeks of ferocious fighting, the defenders surrendered on Christmas day. 290 Canadians killed. Survivors were sent to prison camps and used for slave labour in coal and iron mines. Ate only rice, were beaten, tortured and killed.

Read p 152 Complete a 5W’s +H chart For Hong Kong

5 Ws + H Who? What? When? Canadians, British, Japanese Japan conquered the island in two weeks. Canadians and British outnumbered Canadians and British surrendered and taken as prisoners of war (POW’s) When? December 8-25 1941

5 Ws + H Where? Why? How? Hong Kong, China Japan wants to dominate Asia to exploit the natural resources in the region How? Japan used over-whelming numbers Canadian and British defensive positions were under manned

Canadian’s at Hong Kong

The Raid of Dieppe August 19, 1942

Over 6000 soldiers were set out towards Dieppe (5000 Canadian) Canadian and British troops were sent to the French coast at Dieppe to test the German forces. They wanted to establish whether an attack from the sea on a port was possible. Objective of attack: hold the town long enough to destroy its harbour installations, gather crucial information and then withdraw safely to Britain. This raid was to test new techniques and equipment in preparation for the eventual invasion of Europe Maneuver was called “Operation Jubilee” Over 6000 soldiers were set out towards Dieppe (5000 Canadian)

A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Plan: Surprise the Germans in the middle of the dark night A Series of Unfortunate Events: A chance encounter with a small German convoy warned the Germans of a pending raid (the surprise element was gone) The Canadians and British were able to fight off the convoy, but this delayed their timing and they arrived at the beach at dawn At Dieppe the Germans were ready with artillery on the cliffs. They mowed down soldiers as they left the landing crafts Tanks that were supposed to lead the way for the Canadians stalled on the beach

Canadian Troops Training Exercise for Disembarking at Dieppe

Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps Rehearse for Raid on Dieppe

Troops Prepare to Go Ashore at the Battle of Dieppe

Troops who took part in the raid on Dieppe, France, 19 Aug 1942.

The concrete barriers, wire fencing, and other obstacles on the beach show how well the Germans fortified the Dieppe beach.

Damaged Tanks on the Beach at the Battle of Dieppe

Beach and cliffs at Dieppe

Dieppe's pebble beach and cliff immediately following the raid on August 19th, 1942. A scout car has been abandoned.

An Assault Landing Craft grounded on the Dieppe beach. Canadian tanks got bogged down on the pebbled beaches at Dieppe and very few ever made their objective of getting up the cliffs and into the town.

Corpses on the beach next to two Churchill tanks of the 14th Armoured Regiment (Calgary) stuck in pebbles.

The Dieppe Raid Canadians bore the brunt of the casualties at Dieppe, 907 killed 2,460 wounded 1,874 taken prisoner by the Germans. Of the 2,210 who returned to Britain, only 236 were unhurt - and 200 of these were men who had not been landed

What do you think about the notion of “acceptable losses” ? Acceptable losses: a certain number of lives may reasonably be lost in pursuit of long-term objectives. Therefore, Dieppe was not a complete failure Lessons learned at Dieppe proved to be very valuable at the invasion of Normandy in 1944. Mistakes such as the ones in Dieppe didn’t happen again. What do you think about the notion of “acceptable losses” ? An alternative plan

German soldiers round up Allied prisoners after the Dieppe Raid.

Canadian prisoners escorted by German guards marching through Dieppe, August 19th, 1942.

Canadian and Allied soldiers take care of their own after being taken prisoner during the Dieppe Raid.

Read p 153 – Dieppe Complete a 5W’s + H cart for Dieppe

5 Ws + H Who? What? When? Canadians, British, Germans Plan to attack by surprise in the pre-dawn darkness failed Resulted in almost all soldiers being either killed, wounded or captured When? August 19, 1942

5 Ws + H Where? Why? How? Dieppe, France A raid to test the possibility of capturing a port later in the war A raid to Capture an Enigma Machine How? Encounter with a random German convoy meant that the element of surprise and darkness was lost Poor planning and communication resulted in tanks getting stuck and reserves being sent in even though things were going badly

Show You Know Questions In your notes, answer the following questions Find Hong Kong on the map from p 152 (or other map – Google). Explain why it was a likely target for attack by Japan. Find Dieppe on the map from p 153 (or other map – Google). Explain why it was a likely choice as the location of a raid on German-occupied France. Many historians believe that sending troops to Hong Kong and Dieppe was a terrible sacrifice of lives for no good purpose. Based on what you have learned, do you agree or disagree? Explain why.

Battle for the Atlantic 1939-1945

Battle for Control of the Atlantic Axis controlled much of Europe by 1941 (including coastal areas along English Channel and North Sea) Britain becomes an isolated target for Nazis Nazi bases in occupied territories of France, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway Convoy system to protect merchant shipping Merchant Marine First 3 years of the war, Allied ships were being sunk faster than they could be built “Black Pit” – beyond aircraft protection (aka “The Greenland Gap”)

Analysis Questions: What was the greatest disadvantage faced by Allied ships in the Battle of the Atlantic? What year turned the tide in the Battle of the Atlantic?

Canada & the Battle of the Atlantic Beginning of WWII: Canada had only 6 warships and 5 minesweepers to protect coastlines, with a Naval personnel of only 2000 Britain looks to Canada as the source of food, raw materials and weapons of war By war’s end RCN includes 373 warships and 93000 men and women personnel The Corvette – 120 built in Canada, best against U-Boat attack – each had the name of a Canadian city 1941 – Radar systems invented and installed

The WWII Corvette Class Warship HMCS Weyburn HMCS Oakville HMCS Halifax

Battle of the Atlantic Read p 156-157 Complete TLS 3.1.6 Comparing Navy Sailors and Merchant Mariners Did Canada treat merchant mariners fairly? Justify your response.

Canadians in the Air

Pilots were young – average age 23 Canada’s air force was small at the beginning of the war, but by the end it was the fourth largest in the world Pilots were young – average age 23 Sent on missions to bomb industrial sites, railways, highways and bridges of Axis Powers - mostly at night. However, many bombs went astray killing civilians – mostly women and children Question: Why were most civilians women and children?

In 1942 the Allies begin to bomb German cities to destroy German spirits. Thousands of German civilians died and cities were almost totally destroyed. However, the bombing did not destroy the German will to fight (much like the British will did not break during the Battle of Britain)

Canadian Forces PL 907

Bridge destroyed by bombing in Cologne, Germany

Bombed Buildings, Germany

Canadian Air War Read p 154-155 Complete TLS 3.1.5 Rating the Importance of Canada’s Contribution to the War in the Air Air Training Plan rating (1-5) and explanation Home War rating (1-5) and explanation Overseas War rating (1-5) and explanation

Show You Know During wartime is it okay to target civilians – or should fighting be restricted to those in the armed forces? Explain the reasons for your answer The Canadian government did not recognize merchant mariners’ contribution to the Battle of the Atlantic until 1992. Then, merchant marine veterans finally started to receive the same benefits as navy veterans. If you were a merchant marine veteran, what arguments might you have used to win benefits? What arguments might the government have used to refuse your request?