WWII, episode 4: Initial Nazi Victories

Blitzkrieg (German for Lightning War) is designed to move quickly, discombobulate your enemy, and achieve victory before they can properly counter attack. In the earliest stages of World War II in Europe, the Wehrmacht - exhibiting an incredible amount of speed and coordination between the Heer (Army), Kriegsmarine (Navy), and Luftwaffe (Air Force) - achieved an unprecedented series of conquests, conquering Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, and France (as well as a decisive defeat of the British Expeditionary Force) all in a couple months time in the late spring & early summer 1940. However, the miraculous evacuation of most of the B.E.F. (and 100,000 of their French allies) at Dunkirk meant that Britain would be able to continue the good fight, and the French fighters formed the core of the Free French forces who would continue fighting with the Allies throughout the war.