-
Nonaggression Pact (Part two)
Adolf Hitler (German Chancellor) used the pact to invade Poland unopposed. The pact also had a secret agreement on how the Soviets and Germans would later divide up Eastern Europe -
Nonaggression Pact (Part one)
Shortly before World War II began, enemies Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union surprised everyone when they signed the German-Soviet Nonagrression Pact. It was an agreement which meant the two countries were not allowed to take military action against the other for the next 10 years. Europe was on the brink of another major war so Joseph Stalin (Soviet Leader) saw the pact as a way to keep his nation on peaceful terms with Germany. It also gave him time to build up the Soviet military. -
Blitzkrieg
The Blitzkrieg was the invasion of Poland by the Germans. 1.5 million German troops invaded Poland along its border, meanwhile the German Air Force bombed the Polish airfields and the German warships and U-boats attacked Polish naval forces. Hitler claimed that the invasion was just a defensive action but France and Britain weren't convinced and they declared war on Germany on September 3rd, starting World War Two. -
The Phoney War
The Phoney War was a name given to the first eight months of World War Two. (3/9/1939-10/5/1940) It was given the name 'The Phoney War' because after the Blitzkrieg attack on Poland barely anything happened. The term 'Phoney War' was supposedly first used by an American Senator, Boran. Winston Churchill referred to it as the 'Twilight War' and the Germans referred to it as the 'Sitting War' -
Rationing In UK (Part one)
Enemy ships targeted the incoming Allied merchant supplies which prevented vital supplies such as fruit, sugar, cereals and meat from making its way to the UK. To ensure a fair distribution of goods the Ministry of Food gave out ration books to everyone and the families had to register at one shop. A person's average weekly allowance would be: one egg, 4oz margarine, about 4 rashers of bacon, 2oz butter and tea, 1oz cheese and 8oz sugar. -
Rationing in UK (Part two)
People were encouraged to eat more protein, carbohydrates, pulses, fruit and vegetables. Babies, pregnant women and the sick were allowed additional nutrients such as, milk, orange juice and cod liver oil. -
Operation Weserübung (Part two)
The book stated that in a future war Germany should seize Norway so the German Navy would have an easier time reaching the Atlantic. The invasion of Norway was ordered by hitter on March 1st unde the codename of "Weserübung" the order also included the invasion and occupation of Denmark. This was the start of war in Western Europe, ending 'The Phoney War'. -
Operation Weserübung (Part one)
Hitler wanted to take control of Norway because their extensive coastline would've been important in the battle for contol over the North Sea. It also would've eased the passage of German warships and submarines into the Atlantic, and it aided Germany to import iron ore from Sweden. A book was published in 1929 by Vice-Admiral Wegener ("The Sea Strategy of the World War") -
Battle for the Netherlands (Part one)
The Dutch were hoping to remain neutral but that wasn't what the Nazi's had in mind. Germany attacked the Netherlands in the early hours of May 10th, the battle lasted five days. The German paratrooper's plan was to capture the government precinct in 'The Hague' but they failed. Luckily for the Germans, other assaults from the air had succeeded and within hours of them entering they had control of the northern provinces. -
Battle for the Netherlands (Part two)
On the 14th May surrender was inevitable because Rotterdam was destroyed in an air raid and the previous day Grebbeline fell. About 2200 Dutch soldiers and 2000 civilians lost their lives and about 2700 Dutch soldiers were wounded. (In May 1940) -
Battle of Belgium (Part two)
They sent an emissary through German lines requesting armistice but it was rejected, the Germans wanted an unconditional surrender. With Belgium's government stationed in Paris they refused to accept to surrender but to no avail. Winston Churchill defended the King's decision even though it would make the British troop's position more precarious. -
Battle of Belgium (Part one)
From the start the Belgians were outnumbered and outgunned even with supome support from the British forces. The defenders of Fort Eben-Emael surrendered one day after the invasion, King Leopold III of Belgium disregarded the odds and rallied his forces, they continued to fight on, but they were still overcome by the invaders. On May 27th the King of Belgium realised that his army was depleted and that retreat was no longer an option. -
Eagle Day (Part One)
Eagle Day was the first day of Unternehmen Adlerangriff (Operation Eagle Attack). Its main aim was to destroy the RAF (The British Royal Air Force). Hitler gave the German armed forces an instruction ordering provisional preparations for the invasion of Britain. The operation was codenamed Operation Sea Lion, but before the operation could proceed, air supremacy was needed. -
Eagle Day (Part two)
The Luftwaffe had to destroy the RAF to prevent it from attacking the invasion fleet or protecting the Royal Navy's Home Fleed which could've attempted to prevent landing by sea. Throughout July and early August the Germans were preparing for the Eagle Day, the date had to be postponed multiple times due to bad weather but was finally carried out on 13th August 1940. -
-
Bibliography (Part two)
www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/explore-the-collection/timeline-dutch-history/1940-invasion
www.history.com/this-day-in-history/belgium-surrenders-unconditionally
www.historylearningsite.co.uk/world-war-two/world-war-two-in-western-europe/the-attack-on-western-europe/the-invasion-of-norway-1940/
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldertag
www.secondworldwarhistory.com/1940-ww2-events-timeline.asp
