| A | B |
|---|
| how did Hitler fake a Polish attack on Germany? | He took a prisoner from a concentration camp, dressed him in a Polish uniform, took him into town and shot him in a bizarre faked "Polish attack" on the local radio station. |
| On what date did Germany invade Poland? | Sept. 1, 1939 |
| What new battle strategy did the Germans introduce into the history of warfare? | the blitzkrieg or "Lightning War" |
| The blitzkreig was based on what two weapons? | The tank and the airplane |
| This was the name of the German air force. | Luftwaffe |
| What affect did the Luftwaffe have on Poland? | The destroyed most of the Polish air force while it was still on the ground. |
| What were the targets of the Luftwaffe? | bridges, roads, railways, radio stations, and concentrated Polish troops |
| After the Luftwaffe had done considerable damage, what was the next line of attack in the German blitzkreig? | panzer units or tanks |
| What were the targets of the panzer units? | roads, railways, bridges, tunnels, telegraph stations and airfields. |
| What weapon did the Poles use to try and stop the panzer units? | Their calvary- men on horses |
| What was the third line of defense, after the luftwaffe and the panzers? | armored cars and motorcycle troops |
| What were stuka bombers? | they were dive bombers that unleashed terror on civilian population. They drove terrified civilians out into the roads and caused mass confusion. |
| What line of defense came after the stuka bombers? | The infantry |
| This group came behind the lines of the infantry to conduct "police and security" measures behind German lines. | The SS |
| Which country was thought to possess the most powerful army in Europe at this time? | The French |
| This was the name of the defensive line that the French built and pulled in behind. | the Maginot Line |
| Why did England not come to Poland's aid right away? | They had only a few divisions of men to spare. |
| What other European country invades Poland on Sept. 17, 1939 | The Soviets invade from the East. |
| What is the capital of Poland? | Warsaw |
| How long did it take to completely overrun Poland. | Just a little over a month |
| What were the consequences of this invasion for Poland? | They remained under German occupation until Jan. 1945, in the Soviet Union, 1.5 million Poles were transported to labor camps, captured Polish officers were shot at secret forest sites like Katyn forest, the Germans herded Polish Jews into ghettos, many were sent to concentration camps where they were shot or gassed |
| What was the British and French reaction to the Blitzkreig? | shock at the fall fo Warsaw, deep sympathy for the fate of the Poles, amazement at the speed of German advance, anger at the Soviets for their part in teh partitioning of Poland, shame for not having helped, and fear that Germany may turn "lightening war" on the west. |
