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Axis Advances
The Axis, (Germany, Italy, and Japan), after the Phony war, begin their attacks. The first one being the Blitzkreig. -
Phony War
The "Phony War", was a time when people around Europe though that there might not be a war. This took place, at the France/German border where French allies occupied the border in order to protect from Germany. However, in the next seven months nothing happened. -
Blitzkrieg (Lightning War)
In the Lightning War, Germany attacks Denmark and Norway in a very powerful, quick, and suprising way. They use an extremely succesful war strategy which involves suprise with German panzers(tanks), war planes, and soldiers dropping down on to enemy soil with parachutes. This left the enemy confused. Germany conqueres both Denmark and Norway. -
Evacuation at Dunkirk
German troops surround French and British troops around Dunkirk(French port). If Britain gave up, the majority of their army would be gone. So, they used any kind of boat; fishing boats, ferries, and pleasure crafts in someway to rescue as many as soldiers as they can. Around 340 000 allied soldiers rescued. Some saw this even as a disaster and others as a miracle. -
North-African Campaign
The campaign, would be difficult for both the Allies and the Axis. The Axis, italy in particular, had already captured the Mediterranean, but now were challenged for the territory. The Germans, thought that Italy would easily be able to defend itself and did not think a lot of support was needed, however after three difficult years of battles, the Allied would eventually take the victory in May 1943. -
Battle of Britain
In 1940, Hitler wants to invade Britain. He orders the Luftwaffe to bomb airfields and aircraft factories around Britain, but before that destroy harbours and shipping facilities. However, German aircrafts also bomb many parts of London which causes a chain-reaction known as the Blitz. This made Britain mad so revenge would be taken on parts of Berlin. In return, Hitler would try to attack the British once again but is a failure. 23 000 people killed during Battle of Britain. -
Operation Barbarossa
Hitler's plans involved invading the Soviet Union. He saw the S.U. as a souce of many things such as raw materials, land, and labour that could help Germany in the war. As they attacked the Soviet Union, the Russians retreated and left the Germans out to the cold Russian winter. Due to the conditions, Germany could not continue and the deadly winter caused 300 000 casulties. -
The Dieppe Raid
The Dieppe Raid, was meant to be a trial run by Canadian troops to test new tactics, technology, etc... As the Canadians were making their pre-dawn approach, a Canadian ship got into a small battle with another German and the noise alerted the German troops on the shore. All the poor organization lead to the attack being very ineffective and nothing went according to plan. Little survivors, some taken prisoners. -
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Tide Turns
In 1942, the United States begins to support the Allies. This helps them gain more ground, to be more succesful in the Atlantic, and advance more into the Pacific. -
Battle of Sicily
This was another battle, where Canada proved to be a strong force once again. They had to face up against German, and Italian sodiers throughout the island. Soldiers fought through 240 kilmotres of mountains, but allies would eventually they would take the island. This lead Italy to quit, however Germany wanted to fight for their Italian territory. -
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Italian Campaign
British Prime Minister Churchill, thought that the best way to capture Europe was through the underbelly of Europe, Italy. Battles prooved to be more difficult than many thought. -
Battle of Ortona
Canada, had the task of capturing Ortona. On the way there, Canada fought through-out many other villages, crossed rivers, and many other difficult tasks before reaching Ortona. In Ortona, the Canadians fought through-out the streets full with peices which had been destroyed from the buildings and houses. Ortona is captured on December 28th, 1943, with 1372 casulties. -
Juno Beach
Juno Beach, was a major task given to the Canadians. Their job, was to get past the defences of the German's which involved making their way past concrete barriers, land mines, and barbed wires. Canada would succesfully take the beach, and nine more kilometers into the land. 359 died and 715 wounded. -
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D-Day
The Allies, make their biggest attack in the war yet. They use Sword, Juno, Gold, Omaha, and Utah beaches to attack through. This attack, was extremely carefully examined so nothing would go wrong, and was kept a secret from the Axis so it would be more difficult to defend against. Allies manage to land over a million troops and take control. -
Battle of the Scheldt
Canada is told to eliminate the troops in the Scheldt River, Belgium. Scheldt, was important because it connected Antwerp and the North Sea. After a month, the Canadians manage to eliminate the troops, making way for the allies to advance into Germany. -
Battle of the Rhineland
In the flooded, muddy grounds, 175,000 Canadians make an effort of driving the Germans away from the Rhine River and Netherlands. Consequences were high on both side, with 23 000 Allied soldiers killed, 5300 being Canadian, and Germany losing 90 000 men and 52 000 taken prisoners. March 10th, Germany surrenders and lets Canada move up into Holland.
