CANADIAN HISTORY Lesson 3: The Blitzkrieg

1939

March 1939- Hitler takes all of Czechoslovakia

September 1, 1939- Germany Invades Poland

September 3, 1939- France and Britain declare war

September 10, 1939- Canada joins Britain and France by declaring war on Germany

1940 Within six months, Hitler’s army takes

Denmark Norway Luxembourg Belgium France

Hitler Takes France

The Blitzkrieg German word meaning “lightning war” In order for it to work, you needed to

use: Luftwaffe (stukas) Panzer (tanks) Shock troops Main troops (Wehrmacht)

LUFTWAFFE

Was the German Air Force (Air weapon) It had dive bombers called stukas

Small aircraft (with one engine) that could easily move toward a target and effectively take it out.

Precise weapon

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/ad/LW-post.jpg

PANZER (Tanks)

• Panzer were used to crash through enemy lines.

SHOCK TROOPS Their purpose was to lead an attack

They were also known as assault troops who would push through (penetrate) the enemy’s vulnerable (weak) areas

MAIN TROOPS

Would invade quickly in motorized transports as soon as the other units of the blitz had gone through enemy lines

HOW THE BLITZKRIEG WORKED1. The Luftwaffe dive bombers (stukas)

would drop bombs on enemy units and areas with a lot of people (populated areas) in order to cause panic

1. The Stukas were really loud (on purpose) in order to cause fear, panic and confusion.

2. Then the panzer tanks would crash through enemy lines and push forward as fast as possible.

3. Then Shock troops would drop behind enemy lines to destroy communication and transport sites.

4. Then the main troops (Wehrmacht) invade quickly in motorized transports.

Effects of the Blitzkrieg The effects of the Blitzkrieg were

shattering

In 1939, Poland was stunned by how fast the attack happened.

Polish troops fought back with cavalry units (Soldiers who fought on horseback)

They also had outdated equipment.

Poland was defeated in less than one month.

The goal was to get behind the enemy, capture key cities and transportation connections and then let the slower moving infantry finish off trapped enemy forces.

This "lightning war" provoked panic in millions and led to the downfall of entire nations: Poland, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Holland and, one of the greatest military powers of the day, France.