Phoney War & Dunkirk

Question 1

September 1939?

Answer 1

Britain + France declared war on Germany because they invaded Poland and don’t follow an ultimatum.

Question 2

Phoney War?

Answer 2

From September 1939 and April 1940 Britain + France mobilise their armies in France but there is little military action between the Allies and Germany.

Question 3

Sitzkreig meaning?

Answer 3

The Sitting War.

Question 4

Why does not much happen? 4

Answer 4

• bad weather
• Germany busy consolidating gains in Poland
• allied defensive strategy = not ready to fight a full scale war
• Hitler offers peace = they weren’t ready either

Question 5

Blitzkreig? 4

Answer 5

• a new German tactic
• “Lightning War”
• aeroplanes, tanks, soliders
• Poland is conquered in just 2 months

Question 6

Norwegian Campaign? 6

Answer 6

• Germany ends phoney war
• Norway invaded in April 1940
• Germany want to threaten British shipping
• Germany want access to Scandinavian iron ore
• Britain go to defend Norway
• Norway conquered by June

Question 7

Consequences of Norwegian Campaign? 6

Answer 7

• Germany gain access to iron ore
• Norway becomes German naval base
• humiliating defeat for the British
• Neville Chamberlain resigns
BUT
• WC comes to power = best wartime leaders in British history
• German naval losses makes an invasion of Britain difficult

Question 8

Operation Yellow? 5

Answer 8

• Germany invades France and Belgium in May 1940
• Germany uses blitzkreig tactics
• British and French troops retreat in panic
• after 19 days forces are evacuated from Dunkirk
• humiliating defeat for the British and the French

Question 9

Dunkirk? 4

Answer 9

• only French port not in German hands
• operation Dynamo
• British government call on owners of small ships to help
• after 6 days, 344,000 British and allied forces are evacuated successfully

Question 10

Consequences of Dunkirk? 4

Answer 10

• evacuation = victory
• "Dunkirk Spirit"
• inspired the British to keep on fighting 
BUT
• Britain are on the back foot