WoRlD WaR Ii: CoUrSe AnD CoNsEqUeNcEs A. The Course of World War II


THE ALLIES Britain, France USSR (joined in 1941) China (invaded by Japan in 1937) USA (joined in 1941)


1939


German Advance Germany’s invasion of Poland gave Hitler a chance to show off the capability of the German army. The type of warfare he introduced was called Blitzkrieg (lightning war).


1. First the Luftwaffe bombed all roads, bridges and military centres in an area, causing a disruption to the organisation of the defence of the country under attack.


2. Next Germany’s Panzer (tank) divisions broke through any defences and destroyed them. 3. Then the German infantry (foot soldiers) mopped up any resistance and secured the newly won area.


The Polish army was unprepared for this new tactic. Their air force and armoured divisions were no match for the German Wehrmacht (army). The Germans were able to drive through to Warsaw (the Polish capital) within weeks. On 17 September, the Soviet troops also invaded, sealing Poland’s fate. Britain and France offered no help to Poland as it was too far away and their armies were not yet prepared for serious conflict.


The six-month period following the invasion of Poland became known as the Phoney War because little happened. Hitler did not want to expand his war with the winter coming and the Allies had to work hard to rebuild their military strength. Britain began to evacuate children from the cities, distribute gas-masks and organise underground shelters in preparation for the war.


THE AXIS POWERS Germany, Italy Japan (invaded China in 1937) Romania (joined in 1941) Hungary (joined in 1940)


14


Fig 14.1 Hitler introduced Blitzkrieg (lightning war) during Germany’s invasion of Poland. 369


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