WWII- 1939
Starting this month, I will be doing a series on World War II. I will be breaking down each year of this widespread and deadly event. We will take a look at specific people, battles, and other turning point events that influenced the outcome of WWII. There will also be a featured article on the Holocaust, and what effects it had on the war.
September 1st, 1939 marked the beginning of the deadliest war in history. The Nazi party of Germany invaded Poland (with the Soviets joining a little over two weeks later), thus leading to major hostilities within Europe. On September 3rd, 1939, Britain and France declared war on Germany in defense of their ally, Poland.
As we have seen in our own history, Britain is most certainly a force to be reckoned with. Shortly after declaring war on Germany, the British Royal Air Force attacked a German naval fleet. To add to the plethora of countries that had already managed to get involved, Canada declared war on Germany on September 10th, 1939.
Mere hours after Canada had declared war on Germany, the Battle of the Atlantic began. This was the longest continuous military campaign in the war, not ending until the defeat of Germany in 1945. German and Soviet naval forces were continually blocking the route for other countries to provide military support for the war.
A week and half after the Nazis and Soviets had invaded, Warsaw surrendered to the Nazis, and likewise the Germans paraded through the streets. Two days later Soviet and Nazi leaders met to divide Poland up between the two countries.
The mercilessness of the Nazis was not only limited to foreign countries. Only a month after their invasion of Poland, Nazis began euthanasia on those sick and disabled within Germany. After the Nazis had clearly shown the world what they were capable of and what they desired, many countries wanted to put a stop to such horrid actions. On November 8th, 1939 Johann Elser attempted to assassinate Adolf Hitler, but his efforts failed and he was to die in a concentration camp in 1945.
On November 30th, 1939 the Soviets attacked Finland. At this point in the war the Soviets were closely allied with Germany. However, this alliance proved to be of little benefit to the Soviets, who were expelled from the League of Nations in December of 1939.
