WW2 Western Europe

World War II began in Europe on September 1, 1939, when Germany invaded Poland. Great Britain and France responded by declaring war on Germany on September 3.

For the next 6 months Germany did little and this period became known as the phony war.

Then on April 9, 1940, Germany simultaneously invaded Norway and occupied Denmark, and the war began in earnest

After the phony war

On May 10, German forces swept through Belgium and the Netherlands in what became known as “blitzkrieg,” or lightning war. Three days later, Hitler’s troops crossed the Meuse River and struck French forces at Sedan, located at the northern end of the Maginot Line, an elaborate chain of fortifications constructed after World War I and considered an impenetrable defensive barrier. In fact, the Germans broke through the line with their tanks and planes and continued to the rear, rendering it useless. The British Force was evacuated by sea from Dunkirk in late May.

 On June 14, German forces entered Paris

Europe goes to war. Again.

Blitzkrieg, meaning 'Lightning War', was the method of offensive warfare responsible for Nazi Germany’s military successes in the early years of the Second World War. Combined forces of tanks, motorised infantry and artillery penetrated an opponent’s defences on a narrow front, bypassing pockets of resistance and striking deep into enemy territory.

After the fall of France in June 1940, World War II entered a new phase. Germany had swiftly conquered France and the Low Countries through a combination of blitzkrieg tactics and strategic manoeuvres, culminating in the signing of an armistice with France on June 22, 1940. Following this, Germany shifted its focus to Britain, initiating the Battle of Britain, which began in July 1940. The Luftwaffe launched a series of air raids aimed at gaining air superiority in preparation for a planned invasion of the United Kingdom, known as Operation Sea Lion.

Meanwhile, Italy, having joined the war on Germany's side on June 10, 1940, attempted to expand its influence in the Mediterranean by attacking British positions in North Africa and the Middle East. The fall of France also led to increased German control over Western Europe, allowing them to fortify their positions and prepare for future military operations.

Hitler turned his attention to Russia.

Activity 1. Hitler wants to take ‘make Germany great again’ 

He is going to need resources, so you have been asked to make a plan for securing the resources needed for the German War Machine. Your plan will need to consider the strategic objectives and the importance of reliable supplies of natural resources, manufacturing and energy in supplying the German plans for world domination. 

Things you will need to include in your plan

  1. Maps: Essential for smoky war planning rooms.

  2. A list of raw materials and where they come from. (create a list and outline the potential problems for securing each item.)

  3. Countries that can threaten access to resources (sea and land) EGcThe British navy - what can we do about it?

  4. Sea lanes - Hitler is jealous of England's navy and control of the seas

  5. Why do we need to sink English and US ships in the Atlantic?

  6. Land access - the Russians are in the way

  7. How will we get the oil from the Middle East safely? Are there other potential sources of oil?

  8. Why do we need to control North Africa?

  9. Are there other benefits to controlling France besides making them pay for Versailles?

2. The war in Western Europe

The evacuation at Dunkirk - May 26 to June 4, 1940

As German forces advanced through France, they trapped the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) and other Allied troops on the beaches of Dunkirk in Norther France. Facing imminent capture, the British government launched a massive evacuation effort. Naval vessels, along with hundreds of civilian boats known as the "little ships," were mobilized to rescue the stranded soldiers.

Despite challenging conditions, including constant German air attacks and damaged port facilities, the operation successfully evacuated over 338,000 Allied troops, including about 198,000 British and 140,000 French soldiers. The evacuation was considered a "miracle" and significantly boosted British morale, although most heavy equipment was left behind. The success of Dunkirk allowed Britain to continue its fight against Nazi Germany.

Fun facts:

  • Hitler sanctioned a 48-hour halt order of advancing German troops. This halt order gave Allied command a crucial window, without which such a grand-scale evacuation would have surely been impossible. Many consider it a great strategic blunder.

  • A large number of private English fishing boats the 'little ships', pleasure cruisers, and commercial vessels like ferries crossed the Channel to aid in the evacuation.

Questions for discussion:

  1. Why is the Dunkirk evacuation considered a miraculous success?

  2. If the evacuation had been unsuccessful, how might this have impacted the Allied war effort?

    Extra

  3. Discuss possible reasons for Hitlers decision not to attack the troops on the beach at Dunkirk

The Battle of Britain June 1940

After France was occupied, Britain stood alone against the Axis powers. Hitler was against invading Britain. The Nazis initially proposed a peace treaty in early June 1940, however Churchill rejected it outright. It was only then that Hitler reluctantly approved plans to launch an invasion of Britain. Germany aimed to gain air superiority over southern England before the invasion, codenamed Operation Sea Lion. The Luftwaffe initially targeted coastal convoys and radar installations, then to RAF airfields and infrastructure. However the Luftwaffe suffered from strategic missteps, including underestimating RAF capabilities and shifting operational priorities. Despite early losses, the British RAF defeated the German air force and Hitler was forced to abandon the invasion, ensuring Britain remained a base for future Allied operations.

Fun facts.

  1. The battle of Britain was the first battle fought in the air.

  2. It was the first time that radar was used in combat

Questions for discussion:

  1. Suggest 3 reasons why Hitler expected Britain to surrender before the battle began.

  2. How might the Battle of Britain have ended if the evacuation at Dunkirk had not been successful?

  3. Why is the Battle of Britain considered by historians to be strategically significant?

    (4 reasons)

The Battle for the Atlantic. 1939 - 1943

The German strategy in the Battle of the Atlantic was  focused on disrupting Allied shipping routes to weaken the United Kingdom's war effort. The German navy, or Kriegsmarine, relied on U-boats (submarines) to target Allied merchant ships, aiming to cut off vital supplies and resources flowing from the United States to England. This strategy, known as the "tonnage war," sought to sink more ships than the Allies could replace, thereby crippling their logistics and war capabilities.

Initially, Germany's U-boats were highly effective, especially during the early years of the war, when they operated in "wolf packs" to overwhelm convoy defences. However, as the war progressed, the Allies improved their anti-submarine warfare tactics, developed better technology like sonar and radar, and implemented a more effective convoy system, which eventually turned the tide against the German U-boat threat.

Fun facts:

  1. Britain had lost over 2,000,000 gross tons of merchant shipping before the end of 1940

  2. 27 Royal Navy ships were sunk by U-boats in a single week in autumn 1940

 Questions for discussion:

  1. What are three examples of new technology shaping the Battle of the Atlantic?

  2. Why did Germany lose the Battle of the Atlantic?

  3. How did the eventual defeat of Germany in the Battle of the Atlantic contribute to the outcome of World War 2?

    Extra

  4. What role did Bletchley Park play in the German defeat in the battle of the Atlantic?