Sophie (age 8) and Ellie (age 6) tell the story of Blitzkrieg – how the Germans used tanks to conquer much of Europe at the start of World War Two.
In World War One Britain invented the tank. America, Russia and Britain used tanks to defeat Germany. However, after the war people in those countries did not want to fight any more wars. They made their armies small. They also decided to defend in the future not to attack. The French built a line of forts for defence. They did not have many tanks and those they did have they used for defence.
The Germans though had other plans. After Hitler came to power his built a powerful army for Germany again. This army had many tanks. The German generals invented a new way of fighting. It involved lots of tanks in one place smashing through the enemy lines. They would be helped by planes and paratroopers. They called this type of fighting, Lighting War. In German that is Blitzkrieg. It relied on their tanks – in German they were called Panzers.
The Germans invaded Poland. The Blitzkrieg worked. They crushed Poland with his cavalry and old fashioned army.
Next the Germans attacked France. They smashed through the French lines. The British ran away and the French surrendered.
The battle was followed by an air battle over Britain. This saw many German planes destroyed and the British one.
Next the Germans attacked Greece. Again the Blitzkrieg worked. Then they attacked Crete. Crete was an island and the British Royal Navy controlled the seas so the German used their paratroopers. They won the battle but many of the paratroopers were killed. Now the Germans had lost mucg of their airforce and their paratroopers. However, they still had their tanks.
Next they attacked Russia. At first, the Blitzkrieg worked again. However, the Russians had developed their own excellent tank called the T-34. They were also happy to attack the Germans. There were huge tank battles in Russia. Slowly the Russians started to win. Then America joined the war. She had learned from the Germans how to use tanks. The British had also now learned. As the British and Americans fought the Germans they used their massive tank armies and many planes to defeat Germany.
The War was won.
PATRONS’ CLUB
If you liked this episode you might like to join our Patrons Club. We have exclusive episodes there including one on the Siege of Bastogne which also involve tanks. You can join at www.patreon.com/historystorytime.
The Viking Age: Fury of the Northmen
How England & Scotland became Great Britain
The History of the Toilet
Prince Philip in World War 2
The United States and World War 1
Tales from Herodotus of Ancient Greece
Helen Keller
The Fall of Napoleon
Emperor Napoleon
The Young Napoleon Bonaparte
Isambard Kingdom Brunel with the Brunel Museum
History of Burma / Myanmar
Gandhi
The Rescue of the Danish Jews in WW2
The Resolute Desk of US Presidents
Ancient Greece
Eleanor of Aquitaine: Queen of England
Eleanor of Aquitaine: Queen of France
The History of New Year
The History of the Christmas Tree
Join Podbean Ads Marketplace and connect with engaged listeners.
Advertise Today
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
8 Tiny Reindeer
Kids Of The Future
Greeking Out from National Geographic Kids
Anne of Avonlea
The Count of Monte Cristo
Circle Round
Little Stories for Tiny People: Anytime and bedtime stories for kids