Changes

The collapse and occupation of France, together with Germany's alliance with the Soviet Union, fascist Italy, benevolent neutrality of fascist Spain and Portugal, with little of Europe outside of Axis hands led many to assume that the United Kingdom had been defeated. Indeed it would appear that the, seemingly foolish, descision of the relativly weak United Kingdom to continue the war took the Axis powers off guard. This desicion ensured the remaining British Empire was still involved in the war, with Japan threatening many British possessions in Asia.

The collapse and occupation of France, together with Germany's alliance with the Soviet Union, fascist Italy, benevolent neutrality of fascist Spain and Portugal, with little of Europe outside of Axis hands led many to assume that the United Kingdom had been defeated. Indeed it would appear that the, seemingly foolish, descision of the relativly weak United Kingdom to continue the war took the Axis powers off guard. This desicion ensured the remaining British Empire was still involved in the war, with Japan threatening many British possessions in Asia.

In 1940 [[Denmark]] and [[Norway]] were invaded by German forces, apparently taking the British by surprise as they had intended to occupy Norway to protect it and its ports from German occupation. Norway also contained a source of [[Heavy water]], possibly crucial in the construction of an atomic weapon.

In 1940 [[Denmark]] and [[Norway]] were invaded by German forces, to preempt a British occupation of Norway. Norway also contained a source of [[Heavy water]], possibly crucial in the construction of an atomic weapon.

With Britain and [[Iceland]] the sole opposing nations (the invasion of [[Denmark]] by German forces marks the start of an independent Iceland), the [[Battle of Britain]] commenced. The [[luftwaffe]] attempted to achieve aerial dominance over the south of Britain, in order to allow a sea based invasion of Britain to proceed. For many months the [[Royal Air Force]] and Lufewaffe fought for dominance, with the resiliance of the RAF, with British, Canadian and Polish pilots forced a rethink of [[Nazi]] tactics. The period that followed is known as the [[Blitz]], where the RAF and Luftwaffe attempted to undermine the infastrucutre of the opposing country. This was a period of great economic deveastation, which took both countries a considerable period to recover from. More seriously it led to huge numbers of civilian deaths.

With Britain and [[Iceland]] the sole opposing nations (the invasion of [[Denmark]] by German forces marks the start of an independent Iceland), the [[Battle of Britain]] commenced. The [[Luftwaffe]] attempted to achieve aerial dominance over the south of Britain, in order to allow a sea based invasion of Britain to proceed. For many months the [[Royal Air Force]] and Luftwaffe fought for dominance, with the resiliance of the RAF, with British, Canadian and Polish pilots forced a rethink of [[German]] tactics. The period that followed is known as the [[Blitz]], where the RAF and Luftwaffe attempted to undermine the infastrucutre of the opposing country. This was a period of great economic deveastation, which took both countries a considerable period to recover from. More seriously it led to huge numbers of civilian deaths.

1941 marked the major turning point in the war in Europe, when the Germans put aside plans for an invasion of Britain and undertook [[Operation Barbarossa]] - the invasion of the Soviet Union. In a war of major turning points, this was the most significant in Europe. This miscalcuclation diminished the Germans armies capacity as they a war against the Soviet Union (known as the [[Great Patriotic War]] in the Soviet Union) demanded huge dedication of resources and later in the war permitted an invasion of mainland Europe by Allied Forces on [[D Day]].

1941 marked the major turning point in the war in Europe, when the Germans put aside plans for an invasion of Britain and undertook [[Operation Barbarossa]] - the invasion of the Soviet Union. In a war of major turning points, this was the most significant in Europe. This miscalcuclation diminished the Germans armies capacity as they a war against the Soviet Union (known as the [[Great Patriotic War]] in the Soviet Union) demanded huge dedication of resources and later in the war permitted an invasion of mainland Europe by Allied Forces on [[D Day]].