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1940 BCE
Battle Of Britain/The Blitz
Germany begins bombing British airfields, key ports and military bases. Britain’s Prime Minister tries to rally the British people, while gaining foreign aid and support. The Battle of Britain ended when Germany’s Luftwaffe failed to gain air superiority over the Royal Air Force despite months of targeting Britain’s air bases, military posts, and its civilian population. In winning this battle, Britain avoided ground invasion and possible occupation by German forces. -
Blitzkrieg into Poland
When Germany enters Poland on September 1st, 1939, they strategically use Blitzkrieg, which was a military tactic designed to create disorganization among the enemy through using mobile force and locally concentrated firepower. Poland’s outdated military use of horses proved quite ineffective when fought against by armies equipped with mobile transportation and strong weaponry. This day was the beginning of World War II. -
The German invasion of France
In May 1940, Germany blitzes into France. -
Dunkirk
May, 1940: Germany blitzes into France, driving a wedge between British and French troops. This attack forces the British to evacuate 340,000 troops from the French seaport of Dunkirk to England. When the evacuation concluded on June 4, about 198,000 British and 140,000 French and Belgian troops had been saved. If the armies had been unable to evacuate, they would have been forced to make a peace treaty with Germany, which would most likely consist of large German involvement in Britain.