Warfare Methodologies Against Nazi Germany

THE SECOND WORLD WAR:

THE NAZI GERMANY

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Introduction

The profound effects of the world wars are still fresh in the minds of the people. These wars defined the history of the world and have had several implications to the nation’s preparedness in military, economy, and partnerships. The Second World War was the defining moment on how nations treat each other, the human rights movement, and the rise of superpowers. This essay argues that although the Nazi Germany was prepared for war on all fronts, a combination of scorched earth policy, propaganda and intelligence, strategic bombing, and the invasion of the Normandy among other strategies, ensured victory by the Allies.

Background of the Second World War

Studies about the Second World War have failed to point out the exact time and event that triggered the commencement of this history-defining war. However, several historical events are seen as a preparatory ground for the war^[1]. First, the US Navy development of the War Plan Orange in 1890 to attack Japan and its eventual failure, led to its advancements in preparation for a future war. Later, its devastating effects were felt with the bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima cities in Japan that many historians believe marked the end of the Second World War. Second, the unexpected defeat of Russia in 1904-05 by Japan during the Russo-Japanese War could have opened a territorial explorative war window of pacific Asia by the Japanese. This is later witnessed by the Japan invasion of the China at the Marco Polo Bridge in 1937. Third, although the Great Depression affected many nations, a striking rise in unemployment was a major concern in the developed nations. In the US, Germany, Japan, and other developed nations, there was the mobilization of unemployed in camps and groups to work on conservation projects, farming, and other sectors. In some cases, the military was used to control the activities of the people. Related to this, was the nationalistic feeling that the development of the nation was everybody’s concern and this led to the desire to expand. Fourth, the Russian revolution of 1917 characterized by the widespread strikes led to the end of autocracy and formation of the Soviet Union led with communist ideologies of Vladimir Lenin. Several territories in Italy and Germany opposed the communist idea and hence broke away.

Causes and Role of Germany in the Second World War

Due to the lack of clarity on what and when the Second World War began, two versions exist namely 1937-1945 and 1939-1945. The 1937-1945 was as a result of the war-like activities at the Marco Polo Bridge between Japan and China in 1937^[2]. During this time, the Japanese army had engaged and outclassed China army leading to its retreat. The Chine retreat was considered as a strategy to ask for international support. The 1939-1945 describes the beginning of war in Europe.^[3]At the time of the war, Germany was led by the Nazi Party under Adolf Hitler whose desire to expand led him to the capture and colonize Czchekoslovakia and Austria from France. As an expansion plan, Hitler invaded and engaged Poland in war a move that angered France who declared support to Poland. Germany had a well-equipped armory and was ready to engage other nations at war at slight provocation. Germany continued its expansion expedition with the capture of France, Norway, Denmark and the other Baltic States. The division of France between Hitler of Germany and Mussolini of Italy was a step into the sovereignty of nations and Britain engage Germany into war. Opposed to Germany expansion plan in North Africa deserts and the Atlantic waters, Britain and Germany were at loggerheads again. The US, being a neutral ally to Britain decided to offer supplies to Britain during their war with Germany but later joined the war in 1941 when German troops sunk her merchant ships in the Atlantic waters.

The Allied  ties of Italy, Germany, Japan, Hungary, Denmark, and other Baltic nations was called the Axis military group while Britain, the US, USSR, and other nations formed the Western Allied  military group. Initially, the US was not participating in the war with any nation though it was supplying the British and Soviet Union with military supplies, but with the bombing of the Pearl Habour by Japan, she declared war on Japan. All the Axis allies led by Germany declared war on the US. This treaties to support one another during external attacks attracted many nations to join the war. The Germany was engaged in a war on various fronts, and this reduced its capacity to resist the offensive advances of the Allied nations^[4]. The attacks of Germany by the Soviet Union from the west and the US from the south led to the retreat of Hitler from Berlin and eventual defeat of German in the war. The defeat of Germany marked the end of the war in Europe.

The end of the war in Europe although a critical step in ending conflicts that had lasted almost six years was not the end of the Second World War. The Pacific region was still at war with the offensive attack of Japan against the Allied troops. On this front, the major warring pacts were the US and Japan and this had originated from the destruction of Pearl Habour by Japan resulting in the destruction of frontline warships. The advances of the US and its allies captured several islands that were used as supply points of their troops.

The pinnacle of the Second World War was characterized by the US bombing of various towns in Japan^[5]. These towns include Tokyo, Nagasaki, and Hiroshima. Historical data indicate the decision by the US to use an atomic bomb on Japan as a result of the anticipated fatalities and the defensive strength of Japanese troops during their fight in the Pacific. After the atomic bomb, the Japanese were forced to surrender fearing the other incidences of the bombs. This event is believed to have brought the Second World War to an end.

Methods used against Nazi Germany

Germany had established herself as the strongest member of the Axis group alongside Italy and Japan. As the war grew bigger with the entry of more nations, Germany realized that the Soviet Union under Russia was gaining ground in Western Europe and to control the region, the Soviets were to be defeated. To do that, Germany organized the largest invasion force in human history comprising 3,000,000 men in over 150 divisions, 3000 tanks 2500 aircraft, and 7000 artilleries. Nevertheless, the defeat of Germany was to come later through a combination of strategies by the Allied forces: