World War World War II BattlesII Battles

Summary of WWII Lead-Summary of WWII Lead-UpUp

The event which really kick starts the The event which really kick starts the war is the invasion of Poland in 1939.war is the invasion of Poland in 1939. Britain and the rest of the world had Britain and the rest of the world had been working on a policy of been working on a policy of appeasement towards Germany and its appeasement towards Germany and its allies.allies. Canada had been an isolationist Canada had been an isolationist country.country. Hitler had complete control of Hitler had complete control of Germany since 1933.Germany since 1933. Hitler blamed German failure in WWI Hitler blamed German failure in WWI on the Jews (‘The Big Lie’) and his on the Jews (‘The Big Lie’) and his country’s depression on the Treaty of country’s depression on the Treaty of Versailles.Versailles.

Important Political LeadersImportant Political Leaders

CanadaCanada: Alexander Mackenzie-King: Alexander Mackenzie-King

GermanyGermany: Adolf Hitler: Adolf Hitler

BritainBritain: Winston Churchill: Winston Churchill

ItalyItaly: Benito Mussolini: Benito Mussolini

USSRUSSR: Joseph Stalin: Joseph Stalin

AmericaAmerica: Franklin Roosevelt: Franklin Roosevelt

The Phony WarThe Phony War

► After German armies invade Poland, After German armies invade Poland, England and France declare war on England and France declare war on Germany.Germany.

► The Nazi armies crushed Poland in less than The Nazi armies crushed Poland in less than a month by using dive bombers and tanks in a month by using dive bombers and tanks in a Blitzkrieg (lightning war).a Blitzkrieg (lightning war).

► Although England and France declared war Although England and France declared war on Germany neither country immediately on Germany neither country immediately went to the aid of Poland. This period of the went to the aid of Poland. This period of the war became known as the “Phony War.”war became known as the “Phony War.”

German BlitzkriegGerman Blitzkrieg

►After Poland and the Phony War After Poland and the Phony War Blitzkrieg turned into high gear.Blitzkrieg turned into high gear.

►The Germans captured Denmark The Germans captured Denmark and Norway (April 1940), and Norway (April 1940), Belgium and the Netherlands Belgium and the Netherlands (May) and France (June).(May) and France (June).

Map of BlitzkriegMap of Blitzkrieg

Axis & AlliesAxis & Allies

► The Axis powersThe Axis powers::►GermanyGermany► ItalyItaly► Japan Japan

► The Ally powersThe Ally powers::► BritainBritain► FranceFrance► CanadaCanada► USSRUSSR► AmericaAmerica►Other Other

Commonwealth Commonwealth CountriesCountries

Battle of DunkirkBattle of Dunkirk► France, May 25-31, 1940.France, May 25-31, 1940.► Germans pushed Allied troops back towards Germans pushed Allied troops back towards

the English channel making room to take the English channel making room to take the centre (Paris)the centre (Paris)

► The Germans had excellent positioning and The Germans had excellent positioning and control of the situationcontrol of the situation

► The Germans had pinned the Ally (largely The Germans had pinned the Ally (largely British) troops down against the northern British) troops down against the northern border. Britain was in danger of having to border. Britain was in danger of having to surrender hundreds of thousands of troopssurrender hundreds of thousands of troops

► Miraculously the British government was Miraculously the British government was able to evacuate over 300,000 people to able to evacuate over 300,000 people to Britain in only a weekBritain in only a week

► Unfortunately for the Allies, France was Unfortunately for the Allies, France was easily taken as a result of the pull outeasily taken as a result of the pull out

A War of the WorldA War of the World► When France fell to the Nazi’s in 1940 When France fell to the Nazi’s in 1940

Britain stood alone against Germany Britain stood alone against Germany and was in serious danger of defeat.and was in serious danger of defeat.

► Canada’s role would have to be Canada’s role would have to be increased if Britain was going to hold increased if Britain was going to hold off the Nazi’s from complete European off the Nazi’s from complete European control. Canada became Britain's most control. Canada became Britain's most powerful ally until 1941powerful ally until 1941

► In 1941 Japan declared war on the USA In 1941 Japan declared war on the USA by attacking Pearl Harbour bringing by attacking Pearl Harbour bringing the US into the war against the Axis the US into the war against the Axis powerspowers

► Japan also attacked Canadian forces in Japan also attacked Canadian forces in Hong Kong in 1941 and took the Hong Kong in 1941 and took the surviving soldiers as prisoners of warsurviving soldiers as prisoners of war

1940 – 1941:1940 – 1941:“The Battle of Britain”“The Battle of Britain”

► By 1940 almost all of Europe was in the hands of By 1940 almost all of Europe was in the hands of Germany and ItalyGermany and Italy

► In an attempt to force the British to surrender, Hitler In an attempt to force the British to surrender, Hitler begins the “Battle of Britain.” Hitler’s air force begins the “Battle of Britain.” Hitler’s air force attacks the island of England, bombing both civilian attacks the island of England, bombing both civilian and military targetsand military targets

► The Royal Air Force, along with many Canadian The Royal Air Force, along with many Canadian pilots, fought back until the German air raids ceasedpilots, fought back until the German air raids ceased

► The “Battle of Britain” lasted 8 months and cost the The “Battle of Britain” lasted 8 months and cost the lives of 40 553 men, women and childrenlives of 40 553 men, women and children

► It failed in its purpose to demoralize the British It failed in its purpose to demoralize the British people and had the opposite effect instead the allies people and had the opposite effect instead the allies became even more devoted to the concept of “Total became even more devoted to the concept of “Total War”War”

Battle of Britain ContinuedBattle of Britain Continued

► The Germans had seen the Hurricane, the The Germans had seen the Hurricane, the RAF’s most well used plane, but they were not RAF’s most well used plane, but they were not prepared to deal with the nimble Spitfire.prepared to deal with the nimble Spitfire.

► One of the reasons the RAF was able to One of the reasons the RAF was able to overcome the German Luftwaffe was because overcome the German Luftwaffe was because they got rid of their out of date strategies.they got rid of their out of date strategies.

► The failure of Germany to dominate this battle The failure of Germany to dominate this battle is known as one of the biggest mistakes in the is known as one of the biggest mistakes in the war which enabled support to arrive and the war which enabled support to arrive and the British to gain morale.British to gain morale.

Canadian RCAF PilotsCanadian RCAF Pilots

► Canadian fighter pilots continued their record of Canadian fighter pilots continued their record of some of the finest captains in the skysome of the finest captains in the sky

► We had 4 Ace’s (20 kills or more) during the second We had 4 Ace’s (20 kills or more) during the second World WarWorld War

► Canada’s largest Bomber group (No.6), which Canada’s largest Bomber group (No.6), which operated out of southern Britain, won 8,000 medals operated out of southern Britain, won 8,000 medals for braveryfor bravery

► During the Battle of Britain our pilots often were During the Battle of Britain our pilots often were outnumbered 4 and 5 to 1 but often still had a kill outnumbered 4 and 5 to 1 but often still had a kill ratio of 3 to 1 in favour.ratio of 3 to 1 in favour.

► Canada’s greatest pilot was Canada’s greatest pilot was George "Buzz" Beurling George "Buzz" Beurling who had 32 enemy kills.who had 32 enemy kills.

The Hurricane Fighter The Hurricane Fighter PlanePlane

Japan Takes Hong KongJapan Takes Hong Kong►December 1941, 2000 Canadian December 1941, 2000 Canadian

Soldiers are sent to hold Hong Kong Soldiers are sent to hold Hong Kong against a force of 20,000 Japanese against a force of 20,000 Japanese soldiers soldiers

► The Canadians put forth a valiant effort, The Canadians put forth a valiant effort, however they were unable to hold Hong however they were unable to hold Hong Kong in the face of overwhelming odds Kong in the face of overwhelming odds

► The Japanese forces committed many The Japanese forces committed many atrocities against the Canadian soldiers atrocities against the Canadian soldiers that were captured as well as those that were captured as well as those soldiers and civilians taken as prisoners soldiers and civilians taken as prisoners of Warof War

►Hong Kong is taken within the month Hong Kong is taken within the month on Christmas Dayon Christmas Day

The Rape of NankingThe Rape of Nanking

► The Japanese army was known for its ruthless The Japanese army was known for its ruthless tactics. In an event prior to the break out of tactics. In an event prior to the break out of WWII, the Japanese had gone into Nanjing WWII, the Japanese had gone into Nanjing China and plundered the city.China and plundered the city.

► For six weeks the men and children were For six weeks the men and children were beaten and killed while the women were beaten and killed while the women were raped and then often executed.raped and then often executed.

► It is said the screams could be heard for It is said the screams could be heard for miles. The whole city was eventually torched miles. The whole city was eventually torched to the ground.to the ground.

► Japanese military leaders have refused to Japanese military leaders have refused to admit the atrocity despite being well admit the atrocity despite being well documented.documented.

A Canadian Soldier Being A Canadian Soldier Being ExecutedExecuted

Battle of the AtlanticBattle of the Atlantic

► During WWII, supplies for England and the Allied During WWII, supplies for England and the Allied forces in Europe were carried by ship across the forces in Europe were carried by ship across the North Atlantic OceanNorth Atlantic Ocean

► Thousands of Canadian merchant sailors served on Thousands of Canadian merchant sailors served on ships carrying food, fuel, weapons, ammunition, ships carrying food, fuel, weapons, ammunition, and other supplies to English ports. and other supplies to English ports.

► From 1940 on these sailors faced the constant From 1940 on these sailors faced the constant threat of attack from German submarines (known threat of attack from German submarines (known as U-Boats) that traveled in groups (known as wolf-as U-Boats) that traveled in groups (known as wolf-packs) through out the North Atlantic Ocean packs) through out the North Atlantic Ocean (particularly that area that air-planes could not (particularly that area that air-planes could not defend (Known as the Black Pit.)defend (Known as the Black Pit.)

Merchant SailorsMerchant Sailors► After the war Canadian merchant sailors After the war Canadian merchant sailors

were treated as civilian participants and were treated as civilian participants and were not given the same benefits as were not given the same benefits as veterans of the army, navy or air force.veterans of the army, navy or air force.

► Examples, they were not eligible for:Examples, they were not eligible for: Pension able benefitsPension able benefits Free university educationFree university education Housing or land-grant benefitsHousing or land-grant benefits No small business financial aidNo small business financial aid Veteran’s health care benefitsVeteran’s health care benefits

Lend-Lease ActLend-Lease Act

►The USA passed the Lend-Lease Act, The USA passed the Lend-Lease Act, allowing President Roosevelt the allowing President Roosevelt the power to spend $7 billion to lend or power to spend $7 billion to lend or lease military aid to Britain and its lease military aid to Britain and its alliesallies

►By 1942 Canadian and American By 1942 Canadian and American shipyards were able to build merchant shipyards were able to build merchant ships at faster rate that U-boats were ships at faster rate that U-boats were sinking Allied Vessels.sinking Allied Vessels.

Dieppe: The PlanDieppe: The Plan

► By 1942, the Allies were making plans By 1942, the Allies were making plans to retake Europeto retake Europe

► To accomplish this, the Allies To accomplish this, the Allies launched a series of raids across the launched a series of raids across the English ChannelEnglish Channel

►One of these raids was against the One of these raids was against the French town of Dieppe which was in French town of Dieppe which was in enemy handsenemy hands

► Canadian troops were given the job of Canadian troops were given the job of capturing the town at night under the capturing the town at night under the cover of Air bombings and tank cover of Air bombings and tank landings.landings.

Dieppe: The ProblemsDieppe: The Problems

► Delays caused the ships to land on the beach Delays caused the ships to land on the beach during daylightduring daylight

► Delays caused the Bombers to be late attackingDelays caused the Bombers to be late attacking► Soldiers were picked off as they went for coverSoldiers were picked off as they went for cover► Commanders in the boats could not see what was Commanders in the boats could not see what was

happening and continued to send reinforcements happening and continued to send reinforcements onto the beachonto the beach

► Of 4,963 Canadians who landed, 2, 853 were killed Of 4,963 Canadians who landed, 2, 853 were killed or capturedor captured

► More Canadian soldiers died in those few hours at More Canadian soldiers died in those few hours at Dieppe than in any other day of the warDieppe than in any other day of the war

Stalingrad & The Eastern Stalingrad & The Eastern FrontFront

► Operation Barbarossa - blitzkrieg on Russia.Operation Barbarossa - blitzkrieg on Russia.► Three pronged attack on Soviet Union: Three pronged attack on Soviet Union:

Leningrad (under siege for two years)Leningrad (under siege for two years) MoscowMoscow Stalingrad (August, 1942 - February, 1943)Stalingrad (August, 1942 - February, 1943)

► The winter of 1941-42 was so severe that German The winter of 1941-42 was so severe that German soldiers literally froze.soldiers literally froze.

► Stalingrad was the turning point of the war in east. Stalingrad was the turning point of the war in east. Russians defeated Germans, capturing 300,000 Russians defeated Germans, capturing 300,000 POWs.POWs.

► The total cost (in soldiers) during the key battles of The total cost (in soldiers) during the key battles of the Eastern Front often approached a million on the Eastern Front often approached a million on each side.each side.

The Italian CampaignThe Italian Campaign Churchill believed that recapturing Churchill believed that recapturing

Europe would be easiest through Europe would be easiest through the “soft underbelly” (Italy).the “soft underbelly” (Italy).

Canadian troops were crucial to the Canadian troops were crucial to the success of this campaign.success of this campaign.

Fighting was often House to House Fighting was often House to House and it could take weeks to take a and it could take weeks to take a city.city.

Perhaps the most important Perhaps the most important Canadian-Axis conflict was Ortona Canadian-Axis conflict was Ortona where Canadians lost 1372 soldiers.where Canadians lost 1372 soldiers.

A Canadian tank commander A Canadian tank commander surveys the terrain below surveys the terrain below

him.him.

The Italian Campaign: The Italian Campaign: HighlightsHighlights

►The Italian Campaign was largely The Italian Campaign was largely fought between Germany and the fought between Germany and the allies.allies. Italy surrendered on Sept 3 1943Italy surrendered on Sept 3 1943

►Key events were Sicily, Ortona, Liri Key events were Sicily, Ortona, Liri Valley & The Hitler LineValley & The Hitler Line

►Over 75,000 Canadians were active in Over 75,000 Canadians were active in Italy during the campaign.Italy during the campaign.

D-DayD-Day►On June 6 1944 D-Day began.On June 6 1944 D-Day began.►D-Day was the long awaited Allied D-Day was the long awaited Allied

invasion on Europe across the English invasion on Europe across the English ChannelChannel

► It was code named Operation Overlord, It was code named Operation Overlord, and involved almost one million soldiers.and involved almost one million soldiers.

► British, American, and Canadian troops British, American, and Canadian troops stormed ashore along the entire coast of stormed ashore along the entire coast of the French province of Normandy.the French province of Normandy.

► Juno Beach was the Canadian ObjectiveJuno Beach was the Canadian Objective

Juno Beach & BeyondJuno Beach & Beyond► Canadian troops struck at first light, pouring Canadian troops struck at first light, pouring

out of their landing craft and advancing out of their landing craft and advancing across the sand up into the town of Caenacross the sand up into the town of Caen

► The Allies had taken back part of the French The Allies had taken back part of the French soilsoil

► D-day marked the beginning of the end for D-day marked the beginning of the end for GermanyGermany

► Canadians continued to fight for months in Canadians continued to fight for months in order to also take back all the French ports order to also take back all the French ports along the English Channelalong the English Channel

► The Battle of the Sheldt was a key event in The Battle of the Sheldt was a key event in this period.this period.

► Allied soldiers fought right into Germany Allied soldiers fought right into Germany through the Rhinelandthrough the Rhineland

Liberating the NetherlandsLiberating the Netherlands► One of the most important moments in the One of the most important moments in the

history of World War II for Canadian Soldiers.history of World War II for Canadian Soldiers.► Canadian troops had been fighting in France, Canadian troops had been fighting in France,

Italy, Belgium, and in Germany since the D-Italy, Belgium, and in Germany since the D-Day landing.Day landing.

► These troops were moved to the Netherlands These troops were moved to the Netherlands to push the German troops occupying the to push the German troops occupying the northeast back to the sea and to drive northeast back to the sea and to drive German troops in the west back into German troops in the west back into Germany. Germany.

► As a result of their efforts, the German As a result of their efforts, the German invasion of the Netherlands was reversed invasion of the Netherlands was reversed and the Dutch people were freed.and the Dutch people were freed.

► Canadian troops and pilots gave food to the Canadian troops and pilots gave food to the people of Holland.people of Holland.

► The people of Holland send thanks to this day The people of Holland send thanks to this day for the help they received in World War IIfor the help they received in World War II

US At WarUS At War

► Japanese attacked Japanese attacked naval base at Pearl naval base at Pearl Harbor, HI, Dec. 7, Harbor, HI, Dec. 7, 1941.1941.

► U.S. declares war on U.S. declares war on Japan, Germany & Japan, Germany & Italy declare war on Italy declare war on U.S.U.S.

► U.S. and other allies U.S. and other allies decided to defeat decided to defeat Germany first, then Germany first, then defeat Japandefeat Japan

The War With JapanThe War With Japan

► Largely fought between the US and JapanLargely fought between the US and Japan► The key tactic for the Americans was to “Island The key tactic for the Americans was to “Island

hop” between South East Asian countrieshop” between South East Asian countries► They also fortified around larger Japanese held They also fortified around larger Japanese held

territoryterritory► In June 1942 the Japanese tried to take Midway In June 1942 the Japanese tried to take Midway

Island and failed. The casualties were Island and failed. The casualties were significant.significant.

► This would be a key turning point with the This would be a key turning point with the Japanese as the US now had more naval Japanese as the US now had more naval vesselsvessels

► The Americans also cracked the Japanese code The Americans also cracked the Japanese code allowing them to know Japanese naval allowing them to know Japanese naval positioning and predict attackspositioning and predict attacks

Dropping The Atomic BombDropping The Atomic Bomb► The atomic effort, codenamed “The The atomic effort, codenamed “The

Manhattan Project,” was done jointly by Manhattan Project,” was done jointly by Americans, Brits, Canadians and ironically, a Americans, Brits, Canadians and ironically, a German.German.

► US Air force dropped Little Boy on Hiroshima US Air force dropped Little Boy on Hiroshima August 6August 6thth 1945. Three days later they 1945. Three days later they dropped Fat Man on Nagasaki.dropped Fat Man on Nagasaki.

► 140,000 and 70,000 people died respectively.140,000 and 70,000 people died respectively.► Japan surrendered 6 days after the second Japan surrendered 6 days after the second

bomb was dropped ending the war.bomb was dropped ending the war.

► Germany surrendered May 7Germany surrendered May 7thth 1945 1945(3 months earlier)(3 months earlier)