The Invasion of Poland
- Germans attack using Blitzkrieg warfare (Panzers)
- Blitzkrieg means "Lightning War":
- Tanks
- Planes
- Trucks
- British and French declare war on Sept. 3, 1939
- Russia joins and occupies eastern half on Sept. 17, 1939
- War ends on Sept. 29, 1939
The Phony War
- Term to describe lack of action after Invasion of Poland
- Ends in April of 1940
- During this time the 'Winter War' between Finland and Russia
- French make a small attack into the Saarland
Invasion of Denmark and Norway
- April 8 and 9 1940 Hitler invades Denmark and Norway
- Purpose is two-fold for Hitler:
- The British had landed in Norway declaring their help for Finland = Threatened the steel that came from Sweden
- It provided a much more forward base for German U-Boats
- Provides the world Quisling to the English Dictionary
- All Norwegian shipping goes to the British
Summary
Germany invaded Poland using the Blitzkrieg method, also known as the Lightning War because it was so fast. The Phoney War refers to a war that did not really happen because a lack of action. During the Phoney War, the Winter War was happening between Finland and Russia. The invasion of Denmark and Norway happened in early April of 1940.