But, on May 27, the command was given for the Allies to evacuate Dunkirk. Using a fleet which ranged from Royal Navy warships to fishing boats and pleasure steamers, the Allies evacuated 112, 546 Belgian and French soldiers, as well as 224, 585 Brittish troops. This took place amidst the Luftwaffe's bombings. Although this was one of the most amazing military evacuations, it came at a great cost. The Luftwaffe succeeded in sinking many ships and killing many soldiers. Also, most of the British forces' equipment remained in France.
Also remaining in France, were 50 Allied divisions, defending the country against 120 German divisions. The French received some reinforcement's from the British Royal Air Force, and managed to gather 1,000 aircraft, versus the Germans' 3,000 aircraft. These defenders were stretched across a 230 mile defensive line, from the English channel to the Maginot line.
The German Panzer divisions were separated into army groups A and B. Defending against army group B, which attacked on June 5, the French army resisted with valor. But by June 8, some of the German army had broken through, and was headed for Paris. Army group A attacked on the 9th. Though the Allies continued to fight bravely, they also continued to fall back. The French command was unable to organize defensive lines fast enough against the German Panzer divisions, protected by the Luftwaffe. On June 12th, German forces broke into Paris. However the French government had evacuated Paris two days earlier, and gone to Tours.
By June 17, Britain withdrew the last of its forces from France. By this time, an area which contained about 30% of France's industrial base had been overrun, and it was now nearly impossible to supply an army of 50-60 divisions. Supplies and equipment were being used faster than they were being supplied.
One June 22, Germany and Italy (which had invaded France from the South on the 20th) presented their terms of an armistice to the French government. An armistice was signed two days later, separating France into territories under German and Italian control.
The war in France was over
Sources: The Historical Atlas of World War II
Monday, March 30, 2015
Thursday, March 26, 2015
May 10, 1940 - Germany Invades Low Countries and France, part 1
On May 10, 1940, Germany attacked and invaded the Belgian fortress, Ebem Emael. This would be one of the first of many highly successful attacks on Belgium, the Netherlands, and France.
But, the invasions of Belgium and the Netherlands were mostly a diversion for the real attack, which would come through the Ardennes, a supposedly "impassible" forest in the North-East of France and the South of Belgium. Because the allies thought this forest to be impassible, they thought that the main German offensive would come through central Belgium. The Germans also predicted that the Allies would think this.
When Germany invaded Belgium and the Netherlands, this drew the Allied Forces to a defensive line in Northern Belgium. By May 12, 7 Panzer(tank or armored) divisions awaited the command to force a crossing of the river Meuse. On the 13th, they received this command. Covered by powerful aerial support, the German army crossed the river, and created a bridgehead 3 miles wide and 4 miles deep. The Germans received little counter attack, other than an attempt to destroy the pontoon on which they'd crossed the river, carried out by obsolete Fairey Battles biplanes. This attempt failed miserably.
The Germans then took full advantage of the Allied tardiness, and turned West towards the English Channel. The French were in disarray, not knowing whether the Germans were headed for Paris or the channel. Thus, no major counterattacks were made, other than one local offensive which was repulsed by the German's superior forces.
The Panzers arrived at the Channel on May 19, after traveling nearly 200 miles in 10 days. Now, the Allies' best forces were trapped in a pocket in Northern France and Belgium, with almost assured destruction on the horizon.
The Allies attempted a counterattack on May 24, but, after some initial success, they were beaten back by the end of the day. On the 25th, a German attack separated the British and Belgians, leading to the capitulation of Belgium on the 28th. The remaining Allied forces were trapped in a small area around the coastal city of Dunkirk.
Then came a surprising order to the Panzers, from Hitler himself. All armored advances were to stop, until the supply lines could catch up to them. Hitler wanted to save the Panzers for the rest of France, and let the Luftwaffe (German air force) destroy the Allied forces...
To be continued.
Sources: The Historical Atlas of World War II | Alexander Swanston and Malcolm Swanston
But, the invasions of Belgium and the Netherlands were mostly a diversion for the real attack, which would come through the Ardennes, a supposedly "impassible" forest in the North-East of France and the South of Belgium. Because the allies thought this forest to be impassible, they thought that the main German offensive would come through central Belgium. The Germans also predicted that the Allies would think this.
When Germany invaded Belgium and the Netherlands, this drew the Allied Forces to a defensive line in Northern Belgium. By May 12, 7 Panzer(tank or armored) divisions awaited the command to force a crossing of the river Meuse. On the 13th, they received this command. Covered by powerful aerial support, the German army crossed the river, and created a bridgehead 3 miles wide and 4 miles deep. The Germans received little counter attack, other than an attempt to destroy the pontoon on which they'd crossed the river, carried out by obsolete Fairey Battles biplanes. This attempt failed miserably.
The Germans then took full advantage of the Allied tardiness, and turned West towards the English Channel. The French were in disarray, not knowing whether the Germans were headed for Paris or the channel. Thus, no major counterattacks were made, other than one local offensive which was repulsed by the German's superior forces.
The Panzers arrived at the Channel on May 19, after traveling nearly 200 miles in 10 days. Now, the Allies' best forces were trapped in a pocket in Northern France and Belgium, with almost assured destruction on the horizon.
The Allies attempted a counterattack on May 24, but, after some initial success, they were beaten back by the end of the day. On the 25th, a German attack separated the British and Belgians, leading to the capitulation of Belgium on the 28th. The remaining Allied forces were trapped in a small area around the coastal city of Dunkirk.
Then came a surprising order to the Panzers, from Hitler himself. All armored advances were to stop, until the supply lines could catch up to them. Hitler wanted to save the Panzers for the rest of France, and let the Luftwaffe (German air force) destroy the Allied forces...
To be continued.
Sources: The Historical Atlas of World War II | Alexander Swanston and Malcolm Swanston
Monday, March 23, 2015
April 9, 1940--Germany Invades Denmark and Norway
In 1940 Germany was in the midst of a gigantic war in Europe. They were one devastating military machine--a machine that needed iron ore to run. Germany imported it's iron ore from the neutral nation of Sweden. If the Allies could stop this import, Germany would be in sorry shape. This created a race for control of the iron ore--through Norway.
In order to get to Norway, Germany first invaded Denmark, in the early morning hours of April 9th. The conflict lasted less than 6 hours, ending with the Danish government ordering a ceasefire.
Meanwhile, another German force was already on its way to Norway. The German army quickly took the airports of Oslo, and Stavanger, as well as the coastal cities from Kritiansand in the very South, to Narvik in the very north. However, despite these victories, the Germans did lose a very modern warship, the Blucher.
Following these defeats, the Norwegian government retreated to the interior of the country, while Major-General Otto Ruge planned a fighting retreat, in order to slow the German's advance while the Norwegians awaited Allied aid.
Brittish forces did arrive at Trondheim, but were quickly evacuated after a failed attempt to retake the city. From that point on, all allied aid around the North, where iron ore was shipped from, after being imported from Sweden. The city of Narvik was eventually retaken by allied forces on May 28.
But, just when the Allies had gained victory in Narvik, the war in Sweden lost its importance, with Germany invading Belgium, Holland, and France. In the beginning of June, the Royal Navy began evacuating Allied troops, including the Norwegian government and king, who would spend the rest of the war as exiles in London.
Although the Norwegian government never officially surrendered, and some Norwegian forces continued to fight, the Germans held Norway by June 10. Norway had resisted the Germans for two months, longer than any other occupied country.
Sources: The Historical Atlas Of World War II | Alexander Swanston and Malcolm Swanston, Operation Weserubung | Wikipedia
In order to get to Norway, Germany first invaded Denmark, in the early morning hours of April 9th. The conflict lasted less than 6 hours, ending with the Danish government ordering a ceasefire.
Meanwhile, another German force was already on its way to Norway. The German army quickly took the airports of Oslo, and Stavanger, as well as the coastal cities from Kritiansand in the very South, to Narvik in the very north. However, despite these victories, the Germans did lose a very modern warship, the Blucher.
Following these defeats, the Norwegian government retreated to the interior of the country, while Major-General Otto Ruge planned a fighting retreat, in order to slow the German's advance while the Norwegians awaited Allied aid.
Brittish forces did arrive at Trondheim, but were quickly evacuated after a failed attempt to retake the city. From that point on, all allied aid around the North, where iron ore was shipped from, after being imported from Sweden. The city of Narvik was eventually retaken by allied forces on May 28.
But, just when the Allies had gained victory in Narvik, the war in Sweden lost its importance, with Germany invading Belgium, Holland, and France. In the beginning of June, the Royal Navy began evacuating Allied troops, including the Norwegian government and king, who would spend the rest of the war as exiles in London.
Although the Norwegian government never officially surrendered, and some Norwegian forces continued to fight, the Germans held Norway by June 10. Norway had resisted the Germans for two months, longer than any other occupied country.
Sources: The Historical Atlas Of World War II | Alexander Swanston and Malcolm Swanston, Operation Weserubung | Wikipedia
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
November, 1939--The Soviet Union Occupies Baltic States
In late September of 1939, the Soviet Union demanded the conclusion of a mutual assistance treaty with Estonia, giving the Soviet Red Army the right to establish military bases. The Estonians, seeing no other option, agreed. Soon after, in October, Latvia and Lithuania followed.
Later, on June 15, 1940 the Soviets invaded Lithuania and attacked the Latvian border. On the 16th, Latvia and Estonia were invaded. The Soviet government gave an ultimatum to each country, demanding the establishment of Soviet-approved governments. The governments of the Baltic states decided that resistance would be futile. The presidents of the three nations were forced to resign, and replaced with communist puppets under the newly established "People's Government." On July 14-15, the Soviets fabricated an election for the "People's Parliaments," in which only Communists were allowed to run, and the results were completely made up. On July 21, each of the People's Parliaments "requested" to join the Soviet Union. In early August the Soviet Union "accepted" the requests.
Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_occupation_of_the_Baltic_states_%281940%29
Later, on June 15, 1940 the Soviets invaded Lithuania and attacked the Latvian border. On the 16th, Latvia and Estonia were invaded. The Soviet government gave an ultimatum to each country, demanding the establishment of Soviet-approved governments. The governments of the Baltic states decided that resistance would be futile. The presidents of the three nations were forced to resign, and replaced with communist puppets under the newly established "People's Government." On July 14-15, the Soviets fabricated an election for the "People's Parliaments," in which only Communists were allowed to run, and the results were completely made up. On July 21, each of the People's Parliaments "requested" to join the Soviet Union. In early August the Soviet Union "accepted" the requests.
Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_occupation_of_the_Baltic_states_%281940%29
Monday, March 16, 2015
November 30, 1939--The Soviet Union Invades Finland
On November 30, 1939, the Soviet Union invaded Finland, demanding that Finland cede some substantial border territories, claiming that Finland was security risk to Leningrad, the Soviet capitol, which was only approximately 20 miles from the Finnish border.
The Soviets expected a quick and easy victory. The entire population of Finland was less than the population of Leningrad. The invading Soviet army had three times as much infantry, a much more advanced airforce, and approximately 100 times more tanks. The Fins had almost no tanks, and had never trained in fighting them.
However, in the previous years, Stalin had purged his army of all officers who were not 100% loyal to him, and replacing them with less experienced yet more loyal soldiers. The Soviets tried to use blitzkrieg tactics, which failed miserably in the forests, swamps, lakes, and rivers of Finland. Also, the Fins had a great will to win. Though they couldn't blow up tanks with other tanks, soldiers could run up behind them and throw glass bottles of gasoline, with matches tied to them, into the tank's air ducts. Another advantage that the Fins had was that many of their roads, traveling through miles and miles of forest, were only one lane wide. Finnish soldiers divided the Soviet army by destroying tanks and armored cars at the front and back of sections of the army, trapping the troops in between.
When late December and Early January came around, Stalin wasn't happy. His army had been humiliated in utter failure. The Soviet Chief of Staff, Boris Shaposhnikov, was given full authority over the invasion, and he commanded the suspension any frontal assaults. Also, the commander of Soviet forces, Kliment Voroshilov, was replaced with Semyon Timoshenko on January 7.
At this time, the primary focus of the invasion was switched to the Karelian Isthmus. The leaders reorganized their armies and changed tactics. They shipped the army massive amounts of new tanks, artillery, and other reinforcements.
The reinvigorated attack began with the Soviet's huge artillery barrage of the Finnish lines. After ten days, the Soviets finally broke through on the western Karelian Isthmus. On February 11, one day after the breakthrough, the Soviets deployed around 460,000 men, 3,350 artillery pieces, 3,000 tanks, and 1,300 aircraft on the Karelian Isthmus. Opposing them, the Fins had only 150,000 men.
After this the Finnish defenses crumbled and retreated rapidly. On February 15, commander-in-chief of Finnish forces, Carl Mannerheim, autharised a retreat of the 2nd corps, on the western Karelian Isthmus, to the Intermediate line. Meanwhile, the Fins on the eastern Karelian Isthmus continued to withstand Soviet attacks.
By this time, Finnish forces were nearing exhaustion. On the Soviet side, casualties were high, embarrassment threatened the Soviet regime, and there was a chance of intervention from France and Britain. The two nations began negotiating peace terms, but the Fins thought that they were too hard, and declined until Sweden, under threat of German attack, announced publicly that they would give no aid to Finland. By February 29, Finland agreed to negotiate with the Soviets, and the formal peace treaty was signed in Moscow on March 12.
Thus, the Winter War ended.
Sources: Winter War | Wikipedia, The Winter War of Finland and Russia | Youtube
The Soviets expected a quick and easy victory. The entire population of Finland was less than the population of Leningrad. The invading Soviet army had three times as much infantry, a much more advanced airforce, and approximately 100 times more tanks. The Fins had almost no tanks, and had never trained in fighting them.
However, in the previous years, Stalin had purged his army of all officers who were not 100% loyal to him, and replacing them with less experienced yet more loyal soldiers. The Soviets tried to use blitzkrieg tactics, which failed miserably in the forests, swamps, lakes, and rivers of Finland. Also, the Fins had a great will to win. Though they couldn't blow up tanks with other tanks, soldiers could run up behind them and throw glass bottles of gasoline, with matches tied to them, into the tank's air ducts. Another advantage that the Fins had was that many of their roads, traveling through miles and miles of forest, were only one lane wide. Finnish soldiers divided the Soviet army by destroying tanks and armored cars at the front and back of sections of the army, trapping the troops in between.
When late December and Early January came around, Stalin wasn't happy. His army had been humiliated in utter failure. The Soviet Chief of Staff, Boris Shaposhnikov, was given full authority over the invasion, and he commanded the suspension any frontal assaults. Also, the commander of Soviet forces, Kliment Voroshilov, was replaced with Semyon Timoshenko on January 7.
At this time, the primary focus of the invasion was switched to the Karelian Isthmus. The leaders reorganized their armies and changed tactics. They shipped the army massive amounts of new tanks, artillery, and other reinforcements.
The reinvigorated attack began with the Soviet's huge artillery barrage of the Finnish lines. After ten days, the Soviets finally broke through on the western Karelian Isthmus. On February 11, one day after the breakthrough, the Soviets deployed around 460,000 men, 3,350 artillery pieces, 3,000 tanks, and 1,300 aircraft on the Karelian Isthmus. Opposing them, the Fins had only 150,000 men.
After this the Finnish defenses crumbled and retreated rapidly. On February 15, commander-in-chief of Finnish forces, Carl Mannerheim, autharised a retreat of the 2nd corps, on the western Karelian Isthmus, to the Intermediate line. Meanwhile, the Fins on the eastern Karelian Isthmus continued to withstand Soviet attacks.
By this time, Finnish forces were nearing exhaustion. On the Soviet side, casualties were high, embarrassment threatened the Soviet regime, and there was a chance of intervention from France and Britain. The two nations began negotiating peace terms, but the Fins thought that they were too hard, and declined until Sweden, under threat of German attack, announced publicly that they would give no aid to Finland. By February 29, Finland agreed to negotiate with the Soviets, and the formal peace treaty was signed in Moscow on March 12.
Thus, the Winter War ended.
Sources: Winter War | Wikipedia, The Winter War of Finland and Russia | Youtube
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
September 1, 1939--Nazis Invade Poland
On September 1, 1939, Nazi Germany attacked and invaded Poland. They attacked from the North, South, and West, as well as bombing some major cities.
The Germans used a tactic called Blitzkrieg, or "lightning war," which was done by using tanks and other vehicles to quickly surround and capture or kill Polish infantry. Though Poland had some of the most advanced modern weapons of the time, they simply didn't have enough, so Blitzkrieg worked devastatingly well. In addition to this, due largely to pressure from the French and British, saying that they would withhold aid if Poland mobilized its military, only about 1/3 of the Polish military was ready to defend against the Germans. This was probably because France and Britain weren't quite ready for war, either. However, on September 3, they did keep their obligations to Poland by declaring war on Germany.
The night before, Hitler had staged Poland by having Nazi agents perform a mock attack on a German radio station, dressed in Polish uniforms, and leaving dead concentration camp prisoners, also in Polish uniforms.
The Nazi army saw rapid success against the unprepared Polish military, smashing the through Polish ranks and isolating sections of the army. By September 8, the Nazi army had reached Poland's capital, Warsaw, and on the 9th, the battle of the Bzura began. This battle lasted until the 19th-22nd (depending on sources), when the Poles were defeated and fled to eastern Poland to await the aid of the Allies. However, the Allies gave limited aid, and the Soviet invasion of Eastern Poland beginning on the 17th rendered any plan of Polish defense obsolete. The Polish military then retreated to Romania, and the Germans and Soviets gained control of Poland, following the defeat of Warsaw on the 27th, and the surrender of Polish forces at the battle of Kock, on October 6.
Sources: Invasion of Poland | Wikipedia, Invasion of Poland | World War II Database
The Germans used a tactic called Blitzkrieg, or "lightning war," which was done by using tanks and other vehicles to quickly surround and capture or kill Polish infantry. Though Poland had some of the most advanced modern weapons of the time, they simply didn't have enough, so Blitzkrieg worked devastatingly well. In addition to this, due largely to pressure from the French and British, saying that they would withhold aid if Poland mobilized its military, only about 1/3 of the Polish military was ready to defend against the Germans. This was probably because France and Britain weren't quite ready for war, either. However, on September 3, they did keep their obligations to Poland by declaring war on Germany.
The night before, Hitler had staged Poland by having Nazi agents perform a mock attack on a German radio station, dressed in Polish uniforms, and leaving dead concentration camp prisoners, also in Polish uniforms.
The Nazi army saw rapid success against the unprepared Polish military, smashing the through Polish ranks and isolating sections of the army. By September 8, the Nazi army had reached Poland's capital, Warsaw, and on the 9th, the battle of the Bzura began. This battle lasted until the 19th-22nd (depending on sources), when the Poles were defeated and fled to eastern Poland to await the aid of the Allies. However, the Allies gave limited aid, and the Soviet invasion of Eastern Poland beginning on the 17th rendered any plan of Polish defense obsolete. The Polish military then retreated to Romania, and the Germans and Soviets gained control of Poland, following the defeat of Warsaw on the 27th, and the surrender of Polish forces at the battle of Kock, on October 6.
Sources: Invasion of Poland | Wikipedia, Invasion of Poland | World War II Database
Monday, March 9, 2015
The German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact
On August 23, 1939, Germany, under Adolf Hitler, and the Soviet Union, under Joseph Stalin, signed a treaty called the German-Soviet Nonaggression pact. To summarize, the two nations agreed to not take or support military action against each other either directly or indirectly, as well as dividing eastern Europe into German and Soviet spheres of influence. The pact was supposed to last for 10 years, with an automatic 5 year renewal unless either party stated otherwise within 1 year of the pact's expiration. However, on June 22, 1941, Germany broke the treaty by invading the Soviet Union without warning.
This pact allowed Germany to invade Poland without having to fight the Polish, English, French, and Soviets, at the same time. For the Soviets, it gave them time to build up their military, and not have to fight Germany without the aid of England or France. The Soviet Union had tried and failed to reach a treaty with England and France, until Stalin finally fired his Foreign Minister, Maksin Litvinov, and hired Vyacheslav Mikhaylovich Molotov, who soon began negotiating with Germany.
This was the beginning of the second world war in Europe.
Sources: German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact | Encyclopedia Britannica, World War II Timeline | National Geographic
This pact allowed Germany to invade Poland without having to fight the Polish, English, French, and Soviets, at the same time. For the Soviets, it gave them time to build up their military, and not have to fight Germany without the aid of England or France. The Soviet Union had tried and failed to reach a treaty with England and France, until Stalin finally fired his Foreign Minister, Maksin Litvinov, and hired Vyacheslav Mikhaylovich Molotov, who soon began negotiating with Germany.
This was the beginning of the second world war in Europe.
Sources: German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact | Encyclopedia Britannica, World War II Timeline | National Geographic
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