The Blitz

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The Blitz Coursework P/P 2
Outbreak of War 1939-1940
By W. A. Boyce
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World War Two began on 1st September,
1939 when . . .
. . . both Germany and Russia . . .
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. . . attacked Poland!
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Britain and France were allied to Poland, and
declared war on Germany on 3 September 1939
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After Poland's defeat on 14 September, 1939 the
fighting stopped . . .
. . . until April 1940 when Germany attacked
Denmark and Norway
After successfully defeating these countries,
Germany struck westwards against France on 10
May 1940.
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On the day Germany attacked France there was a
change of leadership in Britain . . .
Winston Churchill was appointed as
Prime Minister
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German forces quickly broke through
the western defences . . .
British and French forces were forced back to the
beaches of DUNKIRK . . .
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BLITZKRIEG TACTICS
'LIGHTNING WAR'
Blitzkrieg was a revolutionary new form of
warfare introduced by the Germans, involving
rapidly advancing tank formations supported by
dive-bombers and paratroopers. It allowed the
German Army to crush all opponents in the period
between 1939-1941.
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DUNKIRK June 1940 Retreat from Europe
The British Army was forced on to the beaches at
Dunkirk, where it seemed that it would be
destroyed by Hitlers forces . . .
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The British Army lost over 80 of its total
transport, tanks, artillery, ammunition and
supplies but . . . .
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The 'Miracle at Dunkirk' . . .
. . . fortunately for the British they were able
to get most of their soldiers off the beaches.
. . . over 330,000 soldiers escaped including
French and Belgian troops.
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France surrendered on 10th June 1940.
. . . 'Everyone' expected Britain to surrender
soon after.
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Europe dominated by Dictatators.

• The French defeat in June 1940 meant that Europe
  was now dominated by dictatorships
• Hitlers Germany now controlled much of Central
  and Western Europe.
• Stalin controlled the USSR.
• Mussolini was leader of Fascist Italy.
• General Franco led Spain.

Britain was the only democratic country left in
Europe.
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Churchill's refusal to surrender

• Most people expected the British to surrender
• Europe was in the hands of dictators.
• Britain had no allies and its empire was far
  away.
• The British Army had left most of its weapons
  and equipment on the beaches at Dunkirk.

Churchill realised the gravity of the situation
- Europe has entered a new Dark Age.
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Churchill was determined that the war should
continue . . .
. . . against all expectations Britain was
going to fight on - if need be alone.
VERY WELL, ALONE
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Churchill's refusal to surrender posed a major
problem for Hitler
Hitler had never wanted to go to war with the
British, he saw them as fellow Aryans.
His real interest was a war in the East, against
Communist Russia.
Hitler had thought the British would seek peace
terms.
Hitler needed to end the war in the West quickly.
Blitzkrieg tactics could not be used against the
British due to the English Channel.
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SO HOW WAS HITLER TO FORCE BRITAIN TO SURRENDER