Transcript World War II (4)

Aims, Strategies, &
Weapons
 What is the situation for the Allies in the
war when the U.S. joins the fight?
 Europe?
 Hitler conquered most of it, invaded Russia
 Pacific?
 After Pearl Harbor, the Japanese advances:
 Guam, Wake Island, Hong Kong, Philippines
 Cut off all land routes to China
 Japan in position to attack India, Australia, &
West Coast of US through Midway & Hawaii
Axis Powers
Allied Powers
(Germany, Italy, & Japan)
(GB, Soviet Union, USA)
 Each had own aim
 Vision of their own nation
as the dominant power
 No coordinated strategy
 Did not work together
 Example
 Italy invaded Greece
without telling Hitler
 Nazis had to come to
Italians rescue
 Delayed Hitler’s invasion
of Soviet Union for
months
 Unified Aim
 Defeat Hitler
 Why? –
 Bigger threat
 Armies, Industry & Tech
 Differed on Strategy
 British
 “Soften up” Nazis before
direct assault
 Blockade, bombing, attack
weakest points
 Soviet (USA)
 Direct attack where strongest
 Creation of 2nd Front
immediately
 Which strategy do they choose?
 By default, the British Strategy
 Why? – Complications with preparation of massive
amphibious invasion into France
 What are some of the effects of this decision?
 Russians on their own fighting Germany for 2 years
 Millions of Casualties (civilian & military)
 Bitter Feelings (Think beginning of the Cold War)
 Holocaust – Jews face Hitler’s “Final Solution”
 For the US, What about Japan?
 “Hold the Line” and make what gains possible until
able to devote all resources
 Mainly the U.S. on their own
 Problems in the way WWI was fought
 Trenches + New Tech = no movement & many deaths
 Old tactics used by Generals
 New Developments
 Aircraft – specific types
 (bombers, fighters, transports, etc.)
 Aircraft Carriers – Air Power + Naval Power =
 more important than battle ships (longer strike range)
 Paratroopers –
 Air Power + Infantry = land behind enemy lines,
dangerous
 Tanks – faster, lighter – more effective than WWI
 Radar / Sonar – Developed & used by GB & US
 Implications?
 V2 Rocket – 1st ballistic missile
 Why was it successful?
 Other nations invested in “old” tech (forts, stationary artillery)
 Germany invested in new tech – (aircraft, tanks, etc.)
 Elements of Blitzkrieg
 Massive Air Support / Superiority –
 soften up enemy, attack supply lines & communication centers
 Tank/Armored Concentrations –
 Overwhelm enemy at weakest point, break lines, 1-2 punch w/ air
 Paratroopers –
 capture key targets (bridges) to keep German advance going
 Radio –
 in tanks & aircraft, communication to control situation
 Initiative & Surprise –
 “shock & awe” – confuse, intimidate, overwhelm
 Limitations
 Effective for short-range, short-term offensives
 Germans did not plan well enough for logistical needs
(supplies, repairs, fuel, etc.) in long-term, long-range
offensives