Phases of WWII

Canada at WarChapter 7

Phase 1September 1939 – June 1940

The Axis• 1939 • Germany• Italy• Japan• (Germany had also signed a

non-aggression pact with the Soviet Union)

The Allies• 1939• France• Britain• The Commonwealth

Phase 1September 1939 – June 1940

• In Asia, Japan had invaded China (1937)and was beginning to extend its empire

Phase 1September 1939 – June 1940

• The early part of the war was called the “Phony War” because little happened after war was declared.

• In Europe, Poland was defeated by Germany and the Soviet Union (USSR)

Phase 1September 1939 – June 1940

• France prepared to defend its border with Germany

Phase 1September 1939 – June 1940

• The “Blitzkrieg” – Lightening War• German tanks, aircraft and infantry – quick

and powerful – overran Allied defenses• Denmark and Norway were invaded• Invaded Belgium and Holland May 10, 1940• Both countries surrendered in a short time.• France was invaded May 12, 1940.• On June 22, it also surrendered.

Phase 1September 1939 – June 1940

What about Canada?

• Unlike WWI, Canada was not automatically at war in 1939 just because Great Britain was.

• They declared war themselves on September 10, 1939

• Canada’s involvement was somewhat “conservative” during the first phase of the war– Wanted to avoid casualties– Wanted to avoid conscription (mandatory service)

What about Canada?

• Canada committed to support Britain with war materials and a small army.

• They also mobilized their merchant ships (38 ships) to transport goods and people.

• The BCATP – British Commonwealth Air Training Plan was set up in Canada to train air force pilots from other Commonwealth countries (such as Australia)

What about Canada?

• When Holland and Belgium and then France surrendered to Germany in 1940, people were shocked.

• Great Britain was left to face Germany alone with only the commonwealth allies’ help.

• Canada changed its commitment to become much more involved in the war in Europe.

What about Canada?

• Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King visits Canadian troops

Phase 2June 1940 – July 1943

• After the early German victories of the war, Britain stood alone against them in Europe.

• In August of 1940, Germany began the “Battle of Britain” – an air attack on London and other English cities

• The Nazi air force was called the Luftwaffe• People called these series of air raid the

“blitz”

Phase 2June 1940 – July 1943

• Air raid siren

Phase 2June 1940 – July 1943

Phase 2June 1940 – July 1943

• In the summer of 1941, Germany invaded the Soviet Union.

• Fighting would continue along this eastern front for much of the rest of the war.

• Eventually, victory would come to the Soviet Union.

• The Soviet leader was Joseph Stalin

Phase 2June 1940 – July 1943

Phase 2June 1940 – July 1943

• On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked the American naval base at Pearl Harbour, Hawaii

• The USA, which had tried to stay out of the war, was now at war with Japan.

Phase 2June 1940 – July 1943

• Over 2000 military personnel were killed along with many civilians.

• Several battleships were sunk and many more damaged along with aircraft

• The next day, Germany also declared war on the United States.

What about Canada?

• The Canadian Convoys• A convoy was a group of merchant ships

which carried wartime supplies to Europe from Canada.

• They were in tremendous danger from German submarines.

• German submarines were called “U-Boats” because the German word for submarine is ‘unterseeboot” (under sea boat)

What about Canada?

• Convoy in Bedford Basin

What about Canada?

• Convoys would travel in a zigzag to allude the u-boats. They had aircraft support except for the area known as the ‘black pit’

• A German U-Boat

What about Canada?

• The Corvettes• The Corvettes were a type of allied warship.• They were short and broad, so they could

patrol on very rough seas. This made them good u-boat hunters

• There were over 300 corvettes which served in WWII. 37 were lost.

What about Canada?

• 120 Corvettes were built in Canada• The HMCS Sackville was one of these• She was built in Saint John in 1941 and served

in WWII.• She is now a museum in Halifax Harbour

What about Canada?• Hong Kong – November –

December, 1941• Canadian and British

soldiers were defending Hong Kong when the Japanese attacked.

• The majority of the Canadians were captured and taken to prisoner of war camps. The rest died either during the battle or in the camp itself.

What about Canada?

• Dieppe, France - 1942 • Dieppe is a port in northern France. The allies

wanted to re-capture it. (Operation Jubilee)• 6000 allied troops took part in the Raid on

Dieppe. 4963 were Canadians.• 900 Canadians died and almost 2000 became

prisoners of war.