The Major Battles In Europe
The Invasion of Poland - 1939
The Phony War - Oct 1939 to April 1940
Evacuation of Dunkirk - 1940
Battle of Britain - 1940
The Invasion of Poland - 1939
The Phony War - Oct 1939 to April 1940
Evacuation of Dunkirk - 1940
Battle of Britain - 1940
The Invasion Of Poland - Fall 1939
The Germans used Blitzkrieg tactics to gain the upper hand over Poland and occupy it. By using this strategy, the Germans encountered little resistance and successfully won. France and Britain declared war on Germany immediately after this attack, and Canada announced war a week later. It can be noted that Canada's late declaration of war was not a matter of hesitation, but an assertion of their independence from Britain.
The Germans used Blitzkrieg tactics to gain the upper hand over Poland and occupy it. By using this strategy, the Germans encountered little resistance and successfully won. France and Britain declared war on Germany immediately after this attack, and Canada announced war a week later. It can be noted that Canada's late declaration of war was not a matter of hesitation, but an assertion of their independence from Britain.
The Phony War - 1939 to 1940
Everyone was expecting Germany to attack western Europe after the invasion of Poland, but the weather and indecision on Germanys part prevented this. While the Allies and Canadian soldiers waited for an attack, Hitler was practicing his war techniques in Spain during their own civil war.
Everyone was expecting Germany to attack western Europe after the invasion of Poland, but the weather and indecision on Germanys part prevented this. While the Allies and Canadian soldiers waited for an attack, Hitler was practicing his war techniques in Spain during their own civil war.
Evacuation of Dunkirk - 1940
After Belgium collapsed under the heavy weight of the German army, both British and French troops retreated to the French beach of Dunkirk. They became trapped. 900 ships sailed across the English Channel and rescued 340,000 soldiers, just a few weeks before France surrendered to Germany. This evacuation was significant because it represented a moral victory for the Allies and saved British soldiers who would live to fight another day.
After Belgium collapsed under the heavy weight of the German army, both British and French troops retreated to the French beach of Dunkirk. They became trapped. 900 ships sailed across the English Channel and rescued 340,000 soldiers, just a few weeks before France surrendered to Germany. This evacuation was significant because it represented a moral victory for the Allies and saved British soldiers who would live to fight another day.
Battle of Britain - 1940
Hitler used countless air attacks on Britain to prepare for a land/water invasion. He needed to destroy the Royal Navy that patrolled the English Channel that protected Britain. During the summer of 1940, the Royal Air Force (Many of whom were trained in Canada) and the German Luftwaffe (air force) fought above Britain. This became known as the battle of Britain. The British were outnumbered 3:1, but due to their advantage of Radar, and their advanced, superior fighter planes, they won this battle. The radar could detect a German bomber and fighter squadrons while they were still flying over the English Channel, as well as being able to decode German codes between each other. In August, 1940, a German bomber lost his way and bombed civilians in London. In response to this, Winston Churchill ordered bombs over Berlin. Hitler reciprocated to this with daylight bombing raids over London, which is now known as the Blitz. This battle was significant because it was the first time Hitler had been denied conquest, and the protection of Britain provided the Allies with a place to launch the invasion of Europe later on.
Hitler used countless air attacks on Britain to prepare for a land/water invasion. He needed to destroy the Royal Navy that patrolled the English Channel that protected Britain. During the summer of 1940, the Royal Air Force (Many of whom were trained in Canada) and the German Luftwaffe (air force) fought above Britain. This became known as the battle of Britain. The British were outnumbered 3:1, but due to their advantage of Radar, and their advanced, superior fighter planes, they won this battle. The radar could detect a German bomber and fighter squadrons while they were still flying over the English Channel, as well as being able to decode German codes between each other. In August, 1940, a German bomber lost his way and bombed civilians in London. In response to this, Winston Churchill ordered bombs over Berlin. Hitler reciprocated to this with daylight bombing raids over London, which is now known as the Blitz. This battle was significant because it was the first time Hitler had been denied conquest, and the protection of Britain provided the Allies with a place to launch the invasion of Europe later on.