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WWII - SECOND PHASE
1940  
August
”Battle of Britain” starts…(Operation “Sea Lion”). Germany's plan was to gain air superiority, then launch Operation Sea Lion: amphibious and airborne invasion of Britain. Initially RAF airfields were attacked. As the Battle progressed, operations were extended to the strategic level: systematic destruction of aircraft production centers and ground infrastructure. Eventually the Luftwaffe and the RAF resorted to attacking areas of political significance and terror bombing tactics.
British historians date the battle from 10 July to 31 October 1940, which represented the most intense period of daylight bombing. German historians usually place the beginning of the battle in mid-August 1940 and end it in May 1941, on the withdrawal of the bomber units in preparation for Operation Barbarossa, the Campaign against the USSR on 22 June 1941.
The failure of Nazi Germany to reach its objectives—to destroy Britain's air defense or to force Britain out of the war by forcing an armistice or surrender—is considered both its first major defeat and a crucial turning point in the war.
 
Italy attacks British troops in British Somaliland ( East Africa ): Mussolini had established big Italian forces in the African Colonies – Over 200 000 men in Abyssinia and Eritrea – Britain had 9000 men in Sudan… So Italy attacked! (Italian “Living Space”)
September
Italy attacks British troops in Egypt: Italy had even more men in Libya – against
36 000 British men in Egypt – So Italy attacked! (Italian “Living Space”)
 
Britain received 50 destroyers from the US: In an agreement with the US Britain received 50 destroyers to help guarding convoys (Cash and Carry - system). The US received the right to use naval bases in British colonies near the USA.
October
German troops enter Romania: Agreement with the Romanian government. This was part of a political deal after Soviet Union had seized Bessarabia (June 1940) and northern Bukovina (June 1940). (Preparation for the German attack against Soviet Union – German “Lebensraum”)
 
Italy attacks Greece (from Albania ): Italy attacked Greece by the end of October. The Greeks did not ask any other nations for help (Britain offered some) they were convinced they could defeat Italy all by themselves… (Italian “Living Space”)
November
Britain successful in an air raid against the Italian fleet (in Taranto – South Italy ): 21 British airplanes from British air carriers attacked the Italian fleet at the harbor of Taranto in South Italy. This is the first all-aircraft naval attack in history! These planes managed to sink 2 Torpedo bombers and 1 battleship and they damaged 2 battleships and 1 light cruiser. This attack was repeated about a year later – this time by Japan at Pearl Harbor …
 
Hungary joins the Axis (Germany and Italy): Political agreement between Germany and Hungary allows German troops to enter Hungary (Preparation for the German attack against Soviet Union – German “Lebensraum”)
 
Romania joins the Axis ( Germany , Italy and Hungary ): Political agreement between Germany and Romania allows German troops to enter Romania (Preparation for the German attack against Soviet Union – German “Lebensraum”)
December
Britain starts an offensive against the Italian troops in Egypt: The British troop use “Blitzkrieg” and within weeks the British advanced over 800 km. They were now south of the city of Benghazi.
   
1941  
January
Britain starts an offensive against Italian troops in East Africa: British troops thrust into Abyssinia and Eritrea from Sudan and Kenya. In May they let the Emperor of Abyssinia Haile Selassi return…
 
Britain captures the city of Tobruk in Libya: After the capture of Tobruk the Prime Minister Churchill orders the British advance to stop. Then the British starts to reorganize their troops in Northern Africa…
 
Britain had used up her credit in the USA – and the “Cash and Carry” system was seriously jeopardized…
February
German General Rommel arrives in Northern Africa: Rommel arrived in Tripoli in Libya. He launched several attacks (“Blitzkrieg”) against the British forces that were in the midst of reorganization. They were therefore soon driven into retreat.
  Britain captures Mogadishu – capital of Italian Somaliland
  Greece accepts British help
March
Bulgaria joins the Axis (Germany, Italy, Hungary and Romania): Political agreement between Germany and Bulgaria allows German troops to enter Bulgaria (Preparation for the German attack against Soviet Union – German “Lebensraum”)
  Britain sends troops to Greece: Over 50000 British soldiers land in Greece…
 
Yugoslavia signs a pact with the Axis (but then the government is overthrown): The Yugoslavian government is overthrown by a military coup. This new government rejects the agreement between the old government and Germany…
  The US Congress approves the “Lend-Lease” system
April German troops (under Rommel) and Italian troops re-enter Libya
 
German troops broke into Yugoslavia (from Austria ): Hitler has made his mind up about the attack on Soviet Union. He must therefore secure his right flank. He postpones the attack on Soviet Union to a later date – the 22nd of June. (Preparation for the German attack against Soviet Union – German “Lebensraum”)
 
Germany sends troops to aid Italy in Greece: Mussolini and the Italian troops were not able to advance in Greece. After the British troops arrived Italy risked loosing their Greek campaign. Hitler therefore sent German troops in so he could continue to secure the right flank… (Preparation for the German attack against Soviet Union – German “Lebensraum”)
 
British troops capture the Abyssinian capital Addis Ababa in East Africa: The Emperor Haile Selassi (His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, King of Kings and Elect of God) returns to his capital after several years in exile…
  Yugoslavia surrenders to Germany
 
Greece surrenders to Germany and Italy: The British troops in Greece were evacuated to the Greek island Crete…
May Iraqi troops attack British troops in Iraq
 
Germany invades Crete: The German General Student was able to land at Crete even though the British knew they were coming (these German messages were sent using the code machine Enigma). After the Germans were able to capture one airfield they could land over 22000 troops. In the end of May Britain evacuated the island – the entire European mainland was now in or under German influence. Now Hitler could concentrate on Russia…(Preparation for the German attack against Soviet Union – German “Lebensraum”)
   
  British troops enters Baghdad (Iraq)
June Syria is attacked by Allied troops (British and French)
 
Germany and Turkey signs a treaty where they promise to respect each others territory…
 
OPERATION BARBAROSSA starts. Germany attacks the Soviet Union the 22nd of June 1941…
   
  Finland declares war against Soviet Union
 

Hitler formally issued orders for the invasion of Russia in December 1940. His advisers, on the basis of intelligence reports and the performance of the Russian Army in Finland, suggested that an eight-week campaign should be sufficient to reach Moscow and bring the Soviet government to its knees. This low estimate of Soviet capability was shared by western intelligence experts.
  HITLERS REASONS FOR ATTACKING RUSSIA
 
  1. Lebensraum (ideological reason)
  2. Ukraine would be a reliable source of cheap food (economic reason)
  3. The German War Machine desperately needed access to oil and only a push to the Soviet Baku Oilfields could achieve this objective (economic reason)
  4. The Soviet Union could be a source of cheap slave labour (economic and ideological reasons)
  5. When the Soviet Union was defeated, the labor shortage in the German industry could be ended by the demobilization of many soldiers (economic reason)
  6. Defeat of the Soviet Union would further isolate the British Empire (military reason)
  7. Hitler was afraid that Stalin might have the same idea and attack first...
 

GERMAN ATTACK ON THREE FRONTS:

 
  • In the North the aim was to take the city of Leningrad.
  • The Centre attack had the aim of capture the capital, Moscow.
  • In the South the aims where the Ukraine (agricultural products), the Don Basin (industries) and the Caucasus oil fields.
July Armistice with Syria! Britain occupies Syria and Lebanon…
  Alliance Russia – Great Britain on July 12th
August The Atlant Declaration (Meeting between Britain and the USA)
  Iran let British and Soviet troops enter the country
October

Agreement Britain + United States and Russia. They agreed to supply Russia with war materials for nine months (this was later extended when the United States extended her lend-lease arrangements to Russia, and eventually sent 11 billion dollars' worth of goods to the Soviet Union - over 3000 tanks and more than 4000 planes).
  Japan takes over the rule of French Indo-China
November
British Counter Attack launched into Libya… (Tobruk reached – again in December)
December Finland declares war on Great Britain
 
Japan attacks Pearl Harbor (US Navy Base at Hawaii)
 
USA and Great Britain declares war against Japan (notice that the USSR and Japan honors their mutual non-aggression pact…)
 
Germany and Italy declares war on the USA and signs a full military alliance with Japan
 

German success in Russia - In December 1941 the North “Army” was just outside Leningrad, the Centre “Army” reached suburbs of Moscow and the South “Army” managed to take Ukraine…
In December Hitler relieved the Commander-in-Chief and took personal control.