world war ii european theater (june ‘40 – may ‘41) hitler’s dilemma, baltics, sealion,...
TRANSCRIPT
World War II
European Theater (June ‘40 – May ‘41) Hitler’s Dilemma, Baltics, SeaLion, Tripartite Pact, Balkans,
Greece, Crete … North Africa (’40-’42)
Battle of BritainBattle of Britain
July – October 1940July – October 1940
Germany attempts to gain air superiority in order to invade BritainGermany attempts to gain air superiority in order to invade Britain
The RAF defeated the Luftwaffe and the invasion (SeaLion) was called offThe RAF defeated the Luftwaffe and the invasion (SeaLion) was called off
Tripartite Pact: Axis Powers
27 Sep ’40: Germany, Italy, Japan
Nov 1940: Hungary, Romania
Mar 1941: BulgariaOctober 1940
Italy invades Greece; repulsed
Britain sends forces to defend Greece
April 1941
Germany invades Greece and Yugoslavia
British forces evacuated to Crete20 – 31 May 1941
Germany seizes Crete with Germany’s largest and last airborne assault
Europe: June 1941
The eve of Operation Barbarossa
Fall 1939
USSR begins pressuring Baltic StatesJune 1940
USSR invades Baltic StatesAug 1940
USSR formally annexes Baltic States
June 1940
Germany Victorious
June 1940 – Oct 1940
Operation SeaLion
• Planned invasion of Britain
• Air superiority of British Channel required
The Blitz
October 1940 …
Virtually continuous night bombing of England
Hitler’s Strategic Dilema:
• Invade/Conquer England
• Turn East
• Something Else?
??
World War II
North Africa (Sep ‘40 – Oct ‘42)
North African Campaign
Sep 1940 to Oct 1942
Operation Compass
Operation Crusader
Operation Lightfoot