The War Becomes Global

Recap, Part 1Rise of Nazi Party: 1920 - 1939

Invasion of Poland: September 1st, 1939

Canada Declares War on Germany: September 10th, 1939

The Phoney War: October 1939 - May 1940

Invasion of France: May 1940 - June 1940

Miracle of Dunkirk: 26th of May 1940 - June 4th

Battle of Britain: August 1940 - May 1941

Battle of the Atlantic: 1939 - 1943 *

Russia and Germany (1939 - 1941)In August of 1939, before Germany invaded

Poland, Soviet Union and Nazi Germany signed

the German-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact

Agreed to not attack each other for 10

years

Stalin wanted to build his military

Would allow Stalin to invade Poland

Pact also contained agreement to divide

Eastern Europe

Operation BarbarossaHitler invades Russia on June 22, 1941; considered to be

the worst decision of World War 2 because he opens a

two front war

Although HItler’s armies perform well at first, they run

into problems:

Weather was brutal (Russians retreat, burn down

towns and farms, and wait for winter to arrive)

Russia lacked resources and military technology,

but made up for it in man-power

Hitler’s armies did not have winter ready

equipment

Why attack Russia?

Leningrad

Moscow

Stalingrad

Why it was tough being a Russian soldier...

Potatoes and

Grenades

Not one step back..

Attack on Pearl Harbour: December 7th 1941Although the United States did not join the war

right away, they did help Britain with the war

effort (through loans)

On December 7th, 1941, the Japanese attacked

Pearl Harbour BEFORE they formally declared

war (sneak attack to cripple the US Navy;

specifically looking to attack aircraft carriers)

US declares war on Japan on the 8th, and

Germany & Italy on the 10th

Pearl Harbor: Why? *Conspiracies:

- Did the Americans know

the attack was coming?

- Apparently the

Japanese

ambassador tried

to deliver the

message of “war”,

but was ignored

- Supposedly, radar

stations picked up

the

planes/Japanese

fleet movements

Canadians in Hong Kong - Dec 1941Shortly after Pearl Harbour, Japanese

attack British and Canadian soldiers in

Hong Kong and Japanese internment

camps open

290 of the 1917 Canadians stationed in

Hong Kong died, rest were captured

300 more died in captivity

The Dieppe Raid: August 19th, 1942Why? Russia needed the German armies

distracted, and recent evidence says the British

had a secret mission

Raid was a total disaster:

Navy, Air Force, and Army were

uncoordinated

Tanks could not move up the beach (no

traction because of pebbles)

Result for Canada: Over 3000 casualties, almost

2000 taken prisoner, and 900 Dead

The Italian Campaign: Summer 1943Canadians took part in Operation Husky:

July 9th 1943 - August 1943 (first

successful land invasion of Europe)

Allies invaded mainland Italy in September

1943. Canadians took part in the Battle of

Ortona, a vicious battle fought in narrow

streets and small buildings

Canadian troops also fought against the

Adolf Hitler Line and the Gothic Line, two

major lines of defense

D-Day Invasions: June 6, 1944Operation Overlord was the successful land invasion of France. Beginning of the end of World

War 2; years of preparation went into the planning of the attack

5 beaches were invaded along the Calais coast: Canada invaded Juno beach (and secured town

of Caen), U.S. invaded Utah and Omaha beaches, British invaded Gold and Sword beaches

In the early morning: Air force and battleships bombarded defences, paratroopers land in

France. AFTERwards, Soldiers deployed in specialized Landing Craft to establish a beachhead

(COORDINATED attack)

Realistic portrayal...