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Phase 1September 1939 – June 1940
The Axis• 1939 • Germany• Italy• Japan• (Germany had also signed a
non-aggression pact with the Soviet Union)
The Allies• 1939• France• Britain• The Commonwealth
Phase 1September 1939 – June 1940
• In Asia, Japan had invaded China (1937)and was beginning to extend its empire
Phase 1September 1939 – June 1940
• The early part of the war was called the “Phony War” because little happened after war was declared.
• In Europe, Poland was defeated by Germany and the Soviet Union (USSR)
Phase 1September 1939 – June 1940
• The “Blitzkrieg” – Lightening War• German tanks, aircraft and infantry – quick
and powerful – overran Allied defenses• Denmark and Norway were invaded• Invaded Belgium and Holland May 10, 1940• Both countries surrendered in a short time.• France was invaded May 12, 1940.• On June 22, it also surrendered.
What about Canada?
• Unlike WWI, Canada was not automatically at war in 1939 just because Great Britain was.
• They declared war themselves on September 10, 1939
• Canada’s involvement was somewhat “conservative” during the first phase of the war– Wanted to avoid casualties– Wanted to avoid conscription (mandatory service)
What about Canada?
• Canada committed to support Britain with war materials and a small army.
• They also mobilized their merchant ships (38 ships) to transport goods and people.
• The BCATP – British Commonwealth Air Training Plan was set up in Canada to train air force pilots from other Commonwealth countries (such as Australia)
What about Canada?
• When Holland and Belgium and then France surrendered to Germany in 1940, people were shocked.
• Great Britain was left to face Germany alone with only the commonwealth allies’ help.
• Canada changed its commitment to become much more involved in the war in Europe.
Phase 2June 1940 – July 1943
• After the early German victories of the war, Britain stood alone against them in Europe.
• In August of 1940, Germany began the “Battle of Britain” – an air attack on London and other English cities
• The Nazi air force was called the Luftwaffe• People called these series of air raid the
“blitz”
Phase 2June 1940 – July 1943
• Air raid siren
Phase 2June 1940 – July 1943
• In the summer of 1941, Germany invaded the Soviet Union.
• Fighting would continue along this eastern front for much of the rest of the war.
• Eventually, victory would come to the Soviet Union.
• The Soviet leader was Joseph Stalin
Phase 2June 1940 – July 1943
• On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked the American naval base at Pearl Harbour, Hawaii
• The USA, which had tried to stay out of the war, was now at war with Japan.
Phase 2June 1940 – July 1943
• Over 2000 military personnel were killed along with many civilians.
• Several battleships were sunk and many more damaged along with aircraft
• The next day, Germany also declared war on the United States.
What about Canada?
• The Canadian Convoys• A convoy was a group of merchant ships
which carried wartime supplies to Europe from Canada.
• They were in tremendous danger from German submarines.
• German submarines were called “U-Boats” because the German word for submarine is ‘unterseeboot” (under sea boat)
What about Canada?
• Convoys would travel in a zigzag to allude the u-boats. They had aircraft support except for the area known as the ‘black pit’
• A German U-Boat
What about Canada?
• The Corvettes• The Corvettes were a type of allied warship.• They were short and broad, so they could
patrol on very rough seas. This made them good u-boat hunters
• There were over 300 corvettes which served in WWII. 37 were lost.
What about Canada?
• 120 Corvettes were built in Canada• The HMCS Sackville was one of these• She was built in Saint John in 1941 and served
in WWII.• She is now a museum in Halifax Harbour
What about Canada?• Hong Kong – November –
December, 1941• Canadian and British
soldiers were defending Hong Kong when the Japanese attacked.
• The majority of the Canadians were captured and taken to prisoner of war camps. The rest died either during the battle or in the camp itself.
What about Canada?
• Dieppe, France - 1942 • Dieppe is a port in northern France. The allies
wanted to re-capture it. (Operation Jubilee)• 6000 allied troops took part in the Raid on
Dieppe. 4963 were Canadians.• 900 Canadians died and almost 2000 became
prisoners of war.