1. The Nazi Conquest of Europe: 1939-1940
Blitzkrieg
The Nazi Conquest of Europe:

2. The Molotov-Ribbentrop (Nazi-Soviet) Pact
After Britain & France abandoned Czechoslovakia Stalin felt he could not count on such “friends” to come to the defense of the USSR
Hitler could not afford to fight two enemies at once
Germany & USSR sign a non-agression treaty – they will not go to war against eachother
Agree to divide poland between them
Stalin’s motivation – buy time to build military
Hitler’s motivation – avoid a 2 front war

4. Soviet-Nazi division of central Europe 1939

5. Blitzkrieg Revolutionary style of warfare
Based on surprise attack with fast moving armored & infantry divisions
Requires close coordination of;
Panzer (tank) divisions
Luftwaffe (air force)
Infantry (moving in behind panzer divisions
Strategy:
Panzer divisions would focus on a narrow portion of enemy front
Luftwaffe & artillery would first bomb enemy, next panzers would race through enemy position
Infantry would follow behind on motorized transport (motorcycles, horses, trucks etc…), bulk of army would follow on foot
Enemy positions would be encircled and isolated

6. Success of Bliztkrieg Germany invades… Date of Invasion
Date of End of Campaign
Length of Campaign
Result
Poland
Sept 1, 1939
27 September, 1939
1 month
German victory
Denmark
9 April, 1940
1 day (Denmark offered no resistance)
Norway
April 9, 1940
10 June, 1940
2 months
Holland
May 10, 1940
15 May, 1940
5 days
Belgium
27 May, 1940
17 days
France
May 1940
22 June, 1940
about 1.5 months

7. The Maginot Line Where did Germany invade in WWI
The Maginot Line Where did Germany invade in WWI? Where did France concentrate its defenses? Where do you think Germany will invade? (*see why history is important!)

10. The Allied “Sitzkrieg”
After Hitler invaded Poland Britain and France finally declared war on Germany
No action was taken except to issue disparaging propaganda about Nazi Germany – often referred to as the “Phoney War”
Lasted about 7 months

11. The Miracle of Dunkirk
The Allies had no plans to thwart the German blitzkrieg – inferior tactics despite superior strength
About 400,000 French & British troops retreat to coastal town of Dunkirk
Panzer divisions halt – fear outrunning their supply lines & counter attack
New British Prime Minister Winston Churchill orders all able boats to cross the English channel and rescue troops
340,000 troops are saved, but all heavy equipment is lost

12. Sir Winston Churchill

13. The Miracle of Dunkirk

14. Allied soldiers on the beaches of Dunkirk awaiting evacuation

15. Significance The British had survived to fight another day
BUT, could they survive the German blitzkrieg?