Notes # 3 The Beginning of WWII

German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact August 23, 1939 Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, long thought of as enemies, sign a treaty of “peace.” Many historians believe that Joseph Stalin, the brutal dictator of the Soviet Union, made the unlikely alliance to stab the British and French in the back, because the Soviet Union was not included in the Munich Agreement the year before.

Invasion of Poland The Germans smashed into Poland on September 1, 1939. Britain and France warned Germany to get out. On September 3, 1939, both France and Britain declared war, WWII had officially begun. France and Britain couldn’t mobilize fast enough, Poland surrendered on October 6th.

Phony War September 3 1939 – 10th May 1940 After France and Britain declared war on Germany, a “Phony war” began. There was very little fighting, mostly in the air. The British sent troops to help France, called the British Expeditionary Force (BEF).

Invasion of Denmark April 9, 1940 Denmark, on the northern tip of Germany, worried Hitler, so he invaded. The Danes didn’t stand a chance, in a day Denmark fell.

Invasion of Norway April 9 – 10 June 1940 Norway threatened Hitler’s supplies provided by Sweden, so he invaded. A quick success – until the British and French sent ships and soldiers. Most of the German ships were sunk. However, thanks to poor communications, and the Germans having air superiority, the Germans defeated the British and French.

France 10th May – 25th June 1940 The British and French forces hoped that the Germans could not beak through the Maginot Line, the Germans invaded around it, the British and French tried to stop them, and the Germans surrounded them. The British Army managed to escape at Dunkirk, the French surrendered. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NO5oOJUUW74

Vichy France Pro-German southern France.

Battle of Britain 10th July – 31st October 1940 England was by itself. A massive air war began, in which the British won, though they were almost annihilated. England was safe, but Germany was still strong. https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video;_ylt=A0SO8zf.Un9YuKAArENXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE0a2c4YTU3BGNvbG8DZ3ExBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDQjMwMTBfMQRzZWMDcGl2cw--?p=Battle+of+Britain+fighting+scene&fr=yfp-t&fr2=piv-web#id=5&vid=f434dc1e90a9f22e628e238554396304&action=view

Invasion of Yugoslavia Worried about being attacked from behind when he attacked the Soviet Union, Hitler invaded on April 6, 1941. The Germans overwhelmed the Yugoslavians, who surrendered on April 18.

Invasion of Greece April 6- 30 1941 Italy had invaded Greece to expand their empire, but they suck. To help out Hitler invaded Greece. The Greek and British armies fought bravely, but were defeated.

Battle for Crete May 20th – June 1st 1941 The Greek government ran away to the island of Crete, getting protection from the British. The Germans dropped paratroopers and landed troops by plane. Though fierce fighting occurred, resulting in many Germans dying, the Germans still ended up winning, embarrassing the Greeks and British.

Operation Barbarossa Now Hitler was ready! On the morning of June 22, 1941, all along the front German troops attacked their once Soviet ally. The Soviets, initially, were easily pushed back. It seemed Hitler was unstoppable.

???What would you do??? I’ve asked you guys this question a couple of times, 1 last time. The Germans have seemed UNSTOPPABLE, only the British and the Soviets are left, and it looks bad for them. ???DO YOU ENTER THE FRAY OF BATTLE, OR NOT???