1. The Axis Powers Advance
WWII
The Axis Powers Advance

2. 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

3. 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.
Dunkirk (saved 300,000)
June 1940 Fr. Surrendered & set up exile gov’t in Brit led by De Gaulle

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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)

7. 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