WWII – The Battles Begin

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

ALSA CE Verdun Maubeuge To ul Epin al Belfo rt

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.

The Miracle at Dunkirk

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

Lost Evidence: Battle of Britain

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 onPearl 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.

Canadian’s at Hong Kong

The Battle of Dieppe August 19, 1942

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)

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

The concrete barriers, wire fencing, and other obstacles on the beach show how well the Germans fortified the Dieppe beach. 30

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, A scout car has been abandoned.

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. 34 An Assault Landing Craft grounded on the Dieppe beach.

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 36

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 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. 38

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

German Prisoner of War From Dieppe

Canadian and Allied soldiers take care of their own after being taken prisoner during the Dieppe Raid. 41

Battle for the Atlantic

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”) 43

44

Analysis Questions: 1.What was the greatest disadvantage faced by Allied ships in the Battle of the Atlantic? 2.What year turned the tide in the Battle of the Atlantic? 45

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 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 46

HMCS Halifax HMCS Weyburn HMCS Oakville The WWII Corvette Class Warship 47

Canadian’s in the Air

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. Over 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