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Invasion of Poland
Germany invades Poland using "Blitzkrieg" warfare. Germany invaded Poland easily, and they wanted imperial conquest. The German airforce and tanks had Poland taken out with ease. -
Evacuation of Dunkirk
From May 27 - June 4, 1940 at the Port of Dunkirk 340,000 British troops were evacuated by the British Navy. Germany though could've slaughtered them. Hitler could of killed all the British troops but decided to have them live to fight. The Britsh Navy succeeded in evacuating the troops. This was one of Hitler's largest mistakes. -
Fall of France
Germany invades France with their trademark "Blitzkrieg" warfare which left France helpless and defeated. By going through Luxembourg, Hitler bypassed the Maginot. Germany's supreme airforce destroyed france easily. Germany took control of France. -
Battle of Britain
Germany made an attempt to invade Britain for imperial conquest of Germany. At the end of September Hitler postponed the invasion of Britain. German bomber made a mistake and bombed London by accident, Churchill responded by bombing Berlin. So then Hitler had to keep bombing London. This motivated Britain and gave them the confidence that they could handle Germany's "Blitzkrieg". -
Winter War
The Red Army invaded Finland. The Finnish put up a good fight but eventually surrendered and signed a peace treaty on March 12, 1940. June 15-17, 1940 the Red Army took the Baltic States (Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia) -
Barbarossa
Surprise German attack. Hitler's policy of Lebensraum, Hitler wanted resources and to destroy communism. Stalin invoked the scorched earth policy. -
Battle of Stalingrad
Hitler wanted to capture the city bearing Stalin's name and proceed towards the Caucasus oil fields. 300,000 German troops surrendered. Hitler was denied access to the Caucasus oil fields. The supply route for lend lease aid to the U.S.S.R. was protected. -
Battle of El Alamein
El Alamein was the battle for control of the Suez Canal. Montgomery's "Desert Rats" defeated Rommel and the German/Italian retreat began. Allied victory prepared the way for the liberation of Italy. There were reopened routes to the Middle East. First American military involvment, which was crucial to the defeat of Axiz powers -
Battle of the Atlantic
Attacks by German submarines and bombers, British used convoys and radar. Britain had to do this to keep their sea lanes to North America. British counterattack was effective. There was a safe route for North American goods to reach Europe. This helped the allies victory. -
Italian Campaign
Allied invasion of Sicily, and allied invasion of the Italian mainland at Salerno. They did this to remove all possible sources of trouble before the final liberation of Europe. Allied victory, fighting on mainland ended on May 2nd 1945. Successful step for eventual liberation of Europe. -
Normandy Invasion
Amphibious allied attack on the beaches of France at Normandy. Germany wanted to liberate France. After the 1st day the allies had the beach, VE day on May 8th 1945. Opened the long awaited Second Front. -
Battle of the Bulge
Germans launched one last offensive attack. Germans found a weak spot in the allied front. 200,000 German troops attacked and are held by 80,000 allies. Last ditch demonstrated the difficulty in delivering the final blow to Hitler's forces.
