Battles of the WW2 Blitzkrieg Who? Germany – “Lightning War” What? Fast and open style of warfare through enemy defensive lines (occurring in a single spot) - Panzers When? First used in Poland True worth: France broke through defensive lines and rushed for the coast before any counterattack(Dunkirk) Why? Aircraft used first (bombing/artillery) – This created PANIC then tanks and motorized infantry co-ordinated by two-way radio (invention) Strategy developed as reaction to attrition of trench warfare (WW1) Small force could destroy a much larger one through confusion

Battles of the WW2 Dunkirk Who? Britain, France and Germany (Panzers) What? Allies northern/southern forces separated by German advance pushed back to Dunkirk (beach on the English Channel) eventually escape Where? European Theatre France When? May 26 to June 4 1940 Why? Germany’s continued conquest of Europe Hitler ordered the attack to stop at Dunkirk – He thought Britain would surrender This allowed the allies to regroup and strengthen their defences Outcome? Operation Dynamo – evacuation of 350 000 troops – allowed allies to continue the war

Battles of the WW2 Battle of Britain Who? Britain (RAF) vs. Germany (Luftwaffe) What? Operation Sea Lion Fought mostly in the air Where? Began attacks on airfields near coast before moving inland to London When? July 10 to October 31, 1940 Why? 1. Luftwaffe was to gain control of British air space and destroy the RAF 2. Destroy aircraft production/intimidation for surrender Invention of the Dowding system: early warning detection – radar Canadian pilots were involved Outcome: First failure of Hitler’s war machine Realized the Allies were better equipped for the air war

Battles of the WW2 Pearl Harbor Who? Imperial Japanese Navy attack on the American Navy What? Surprise assault on the American Navy base and Army airfield Destroyed 6 aircraft carriers, 12 battle ships and nearly every plane on the ground 2403 Americans lost their lives Where? Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii – Pacific Theatre When? Morning of December 7, 1941 Why? Japanese wanted to neutralize the American fleet in the Pacific Japan needed oil and supplies – planned to take over Asia Japan feared the Americans because of their presence in China Outcome - Attack was a success – the US navy was crippled - long term disaster as US declares war on Japan - Germany declares war on the US - Hiroshima and Nagasaki get bombed with an atomic bomb

Battles of the WW2 The Dieppe Raid Who? Canada, Britain, US vs. Germany 5000 out of 6000 were Canadian What? Diversionary attack on German fortifications (defences) at Dieppe Where? Theatre: France beaches of Dieppe When? Dawn August 19th, 1942 Why? Diversionary attack used to draw Hitler’s attention back to the West away from the Soviets and also to get info for a larger attack (Normandy) Everything went wrong – 1. Bombers were delayed (soften German forces) 2. Ships delayed so troops ended up landing in the daylight 3. Troops were quickly pushed back More Canadian losses on this day than any other. 1400 dead 2000+ captured

Battles of the WW2 Operation Barbarossa and the Battle of Stalingrad Who? Hitler vs. Stalin German army (3 000 000 men and 3400 tanks) march into Russia What? Germany stormed into Russia with the largest offensive in history Germans quickly make it to Moscow 1941 – Hitler launched an offensive on Moscow 1942 – Hitler attacked Stalingrad Where ? European theatre – Eastern Front Majority of the battle was in Stalingrad When ? Operation Barbarossa began in June 22, 1941 Germans advance into Stalingrad the summer of 1942 Why ? Hitler wanted Russia for land and resources Major victory that saved Russia – turning point of the war

Battles of the WW2 The Italian Campaign Who ? Canada & Britain vs. Germany & Italy What ? Invasion of Italy (Sicily to the main land) Where ? Theatre: Sicily and mainland Italy When ? July 1943 (after defeating the Germans in North Africa) Why ? Allied offensive into Southern Europe with important Canadian involvement Continued pressure on German defensive positions forcing them to give up territory Little resistance until German stand in Ortona Canadian forces `The Vandoos` distinguish themselves in battle

Battles of the WW2 D-Day (Operation Overlord) Who ? Canada, Britain, US & others vs. Germany What ? Allied assault landings and invasion onto mainland Europe. Where ? Theatre: Beaches of Normandy, France When ? Dawn June 6th, 1944 Why ? Massive offensive by Allies to gain a foothold in mainland Europe These landings were the beginning of the end of the war in Europe. -Largest assault landing ever undertaken. Allied involvement: 180000 men, 5000 ships 8000 aircraft, 3200 landing crafts, 3000 heavy guns and 1500 tanks -Plan: Massive aerial and naval bombing, paratroopers drop behind enemy lines and then the landing of the troops. – Set a false attack in Calais to deceive the Germans Canadians fought with British to take Juno beach (1074 casualties and 359 dead) Success Gave Allies a base from which they could free Western Europe. Using this base for operations the Allies continued to force the germens back to Germany - May 1945 Canadians accept the surrender of the Nazi`s in the Netherlands