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===German Aggression in 1939-1940===

===German Aggression in 1939-1940===

Hitler’s dictatorship, the Third Reich, was ready to begin conquering all of Europe.  He started with Poland based on Stalin’s promise not to interfere.  On September 1, 1939, Hitler launched a lightning-fast, massive attack (a “blitzkrieg”) against Poland.  A blitzkrieg combines bombing with a tank invasion.  Polish soldiers fought valiantly on horseback, but were crushed.  France and Britain declared war on Germany in two days, on September 3rd.  After destroying Warsaw, Poland, with the bombing and destruction of the Polish militia, Hitler annexed western Poland to Germany.   

Hitler’s dictatorship, the Third Reich, was ready to begin conquering all of Europe.  He started with Poland based on Stalin’s promise not to interfere.  On September 1, 1939, Hitler launched a lightning-fast, massive attack (a “blitzkrieg”) against Poland.  A blitzkrieg combines bombing with a tank invasion.  As mentioned above, Polish soldiers fought valiantly on horseback, but were crushed.  France and Britain declared war on Germany in two days, on September 3rd.  After destroying Warsaw, Poland, with the bombing and destruction of the Polish militia, Hitler annexed western Poland to Germany.   

By mid-September, Stalin was grabbing eastern Poland and also annexing Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia.  Finland put up an awesome struggle against Stalin, and the typically cold winter helped its defenses.  But by March 1940, the massive Soviet army had taken Finland.

By mid-September, Stalin was grabbing eastern Poland and also annexing Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia.  Finland put up an awesome struggle against Stalin, and the typically cold winter helped its defenses.  But by March 1940, the massive Soviet army had taken Finland.

Germany did little for six months after taking Poland.  The Germans nicknamed this the “sitskrieg” (sit (wait) – skrieg).  Even though war had been declared, the nations seemed to be watching and waiting.  Some call this period the “phony war.”  The British and French fortified the Maginot Line, which was a defensive line set up along the French-German border.  Ever since World War I, the French relied on a strong line there to prevent Germans from ever invading again.  But Germany later invaded by going around (“outflank”) the Maginot Line.

Germany did little for six months after taking Poland.  The Germans nicknamed this the “sitskrieg” (sit (wait) – skrieg).  Even though war had been declared, the nations seemed to be watching and waiting.  Some call this period the “phony war.”  The British and French fortified the Maginot Line, which was a defensive line set up along the French-German border.  Ever since World War I, the French relied on a strong line there to prevent Germans from ever invading again.  But Germany later invaded by going around (“outflanking”) the Maginot Line.

The Germans, meanwhile, fortified their Siegfried Line on their side.  Then, on April 9, 1940, the Germans invaded Denmark and Norway.  Denmark surrendered quickly, and by June Norway had fallen also.

The Germans, meanwhile, fortified their Siegfried Line on their side.  Then, on April 9, 1940, the Germans invaded Denmark and Norway.  Denmark surrendered quickly, and by June Norway had fallen also.