International Relations WW2 Flashcards
Who were the Allies of WW2
Britain, USA( from 1941), France, USSR (from 1941), China
Who were the Axis in WW2
Germany, Italy, Japan, Hungary
Explain Blitzkreig
German military tactics involving heavy bombing from the air and rapid tank movements on the ground
Describe Germany’s attack of Poland
Used Blitzkreig tactics
Poland was forced to surrender to Germany and the USSR
When were Germany’s invasion of Denmark, Holland, Norway, Belgium
1940
Explain Phoney War
After attack of Poland there was no fighting during winter 1939-1940
Describe Germany’s capture of France
Maginot Line of France was heavily guarded
Germans avoided Maginot lines
Attacked April 1940 through rough woodland called Ardennes region
Was not protected because it was rough terrain for tanks
Germany occupied North France with element of surprise
South became known as Vichy France
What was Operation Dynamo
British sent hundreds of boats to rescue thousands of British and French soldiers from beaches at Dunrick in response to French Defeat
What was the Battle of Britain
1940 German Luftwaffe attack RAF airfields
British and Germans fought for control of the air
Both sides suffered heavy losses
Britain won by help of radar and superior planes to Germans
Germany bombed London giving the RAF time to recover
What was the Blitz
Luftwaffe attack on British cities 1940-1941
Bombs and incendiaries were dropped around Britain
Many evacuated London and cities
Ended when Hitler ordered attack on Russia
What was Operation Sea Lion code name for
Hitler’s invasion of Britain leading to the Battle of Britain
What was Operation Barbarossa
Hitler’s invasion of the USSR. Began month late 22 June 1941.
How was the German army organised for the attack of the USSR (Operation Barbarossa)
Over 3 million soldiers, 4,000 planes and 4,000 tanks invaded from North, centre and south
Why did the Soviets suffer many losses
Germans caught Russia by surprise and Soviet roops were poorly led
Why was fighting tough in the USSR for Germany’s army?
Russians used scorched earth policy
Rain in October caused Mud
As German s advanced they suffered heavy losses
Extreme winter temperatures caused frostbite, frozen petrol (-40°C)
Explain Scorched Earth Policy
As Russians retreated they destroyed anything of use the Germans ex. Factories, railway lines
How was Moscow saved by the Soviets
Using cold to their advantage the Soviets launched a counter attack forcing the Germans to retreat and Moscow was saved.
Why did USA join the war
Japan attack Pearl Harbour December 1941
USA enter war led by Roosevelt
Why did Hitler attack Stalingrad?
Oilfields
Describe the fighting at Stalingrad
German army led by General Paulus attack 1942. Stalin orders for city to be defended. Fierce street fighting ensues
Explain how the German army lost at Salingrad
November 1942 general Zhukov of the USSR launched a counter attack called operation uranus trapping the German army.
Paulus and his army surrendered in 1943 (February)
Germans suffered massive loss of 300,000 soldiers
Explain why the Germans suffered losses at El Alamein in Egypt
German troops sent to help Italian troops in North Africa. British in Africa prepare to attack. October 1942 British troops attack the German troops with 200,000 men. Rommel surrendered after two weeks and Germany’s army retreated to Tunisia
Explain Operation Overlord
Code name for D-Day
How was the attack on D-Day organised by the Allies?
Allies planned to land near Normandy with American, British and Canadian troops to invade led by General Eisenhower. Landed at five beaches codnamed.
Invaded on the 6th June 1944
