Blitzkrieg (Lightning War):Encases the strategy used by to sneak up on an enemy with a series of quick and unwavering short battles to carry out a knockout effect on an enemy state before it can fully mobilize.
overview of the Lightning war:
Hitler set the stage for World War II when he publicly signed a 10 year nonaggression pact with Soviet dictator Josef Stalin on August 23. Although Stalin and Hitler secretly agreed to divide Poland between them, as well as Finland and the Baltic countries, which include Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Hitler's sudden attack took place on September 1 of 1939. The German warplanes began bombing Poland and German troops trucks and tanks began barreling past the Polish borders. No one had expected this and more than that no one had expected this to trigger the second world war. This new invasion tactic became known as the blitzkrieg or the lightning war. The tactics centered around massive and unexpected attacks on the enemy, which commonly lead to their defeat due to their being unprepared.
Maps of the lightning war:
Ten best articles
1. The Storm of War Review of by Andrew Robert's attempts to answer the questions circling Hitler's defeat and why the The notion of war as a storm summons up the Nazi idea of a blitzkrieg, a lightning victory that would somehow resolve all of the political and economic problems of the German state."Lightning wars were so perceived as the most effective solution to heal Germany and help it prosper, " The notion of war as a storm summons up the Nazi idea of a blitzkrieg, a lightning victory that would somehow resolve all of the political and economic problems of the German state"
2. Nazi Germany Bombs London in the First Day of Blitz A clear and concise overview of the first bombing in London on September 7th, 1940, "The Blitz caused a great deal of damage but it did not accomplish its goal of defeating British forces. The Luftwaffe attempted its largest single-day attack on the RAF on Sept. 15, but it was repelled, ending any hopes of a land invasion."
3. Hitler Dictates Terms An article that discusses Hitler's strategic element of surprise and force, and how it dictated the entirety of the war. The article also poses the question, "why was it that Britain and France were outfought at every turn?". In addition the article brings up the idea that Hitler did in fact dictate the majority of the war with his "lightning war" tactics, "The speed, flexibility and initiative of the GermanWehrmacht took the Allies completely by surprise during the blitzkrieg at the start of World War Two. "
4. New Form of Warfare? An article that branches off from the ideas of the Hitler Dictates Terms article. This article contemplates the ideas surrounding the Blitzkrieg or "The Lightning War" tactics, and what the Blitzkrieg basic structure was, "Blitzkrieg seemed to be based around the pervasive use of new technology. After all, during the disastrous campaign in Belgium and France, it had seemed as if German tanks and aircraft were everywhere."
5. Nazi Germany Invades Poland Starting WWII An article describing the German's Army invasion of Poland and why it started WWII. The article also bridges the gap between then and now, and why WWII is still important today. The article also addresses the defense mechanisms Poland attempted,"Although it had an army of more than 700,000, Poland was unprepared for Germany’s blitzkrieg tactics. Its army could not deploy its troops quickly enough to defend against the more powerful German forces. As a result, many civilians lost their lives."
6. Blitzkrieg An article that discusses the origin of the Blitzkrieg tactic, and the origins of its military techniques, "The blitzkrieg was a form of military operation developed by an innovative member of the German military - Heinz Guderian - shortly before World War II. It was based on the concept that victory in battle could be achieved with the rapid movement of concentrated mechanized forces supported by close air support as a surrogate for fixed artillery."
7. Germans invade Poland An article the outlines a clear play by play of how and why Hitler's Lightning war occurred, and how Hitler enacted the Blitzkrieg technique. The article also includes an overview of exactly what the Blitzkrieg technique is,"The Polish army was defeated within weeks of the invasion. From East Prussia and Germany in the north and Silesia and Slovakia in the south, German units, with more than 2,000 tanks and over 1,000 planes, broke through Polish defenses along the border and advanced on Warsaw in a massive encirclement attack."
8. Germany Bombs London Hitler also enacted his Blitzkrieg method onto London in 1940, and this article depicts exactly what the effects of such bombings had on London, "After a preliminary raid on 5 September, the bombing started proper on the afternoon of the 7th. Almost 1,000 German aircraft - over 300 bombers escorted by 600 fighters - crossed the Channel. It was the largest collection of aircraft ever seen."
9. Germany advances through Europe An article explaining the Nazi's progression through Europe, and the devastation created by the Blitzkrieg, "On 1 September 1939, Germany invaded Poland, devastating it with the full force of its ‘blitzkrieg’ (‘lightning war’) strategy. This was a highly mobile combination of tanks, infantry and artillery with air support. The Soviets, meanwhile, advanced from the east."
The Lightning War An article that discusses the Blitzkrieg attacks on various European countries. The article talks specifically about the years and dates in which Germany carried out the Blitzkrieg attacks, "In the first phase of World War II in Europe, Germany sought to avoid a long war. Germany's strategy was to defeat its opponents in a series of short campaigns. Germany quickly overran much of Europe and was victorious for more than two years by relying on a new military tactic called the "Blitzkrieg" (lightning war).
Primary documents
1. Blitzkrieg strategy no new German idea A newspaper article published after Hitler finalized his Blitzkrieg techniques," Although it had an army of more than 700,000, Poland was unprepared for Germany’s blitzkrieg tactics. Its army could not deploy its troops quickly enough to defend against the more powerful German forces. As a result, many civilians lost their lives." An article discussing the new "lightning" strategies used by the German's to suddenly invade Poland, for it has created the idea that the Germans with devilish ingenuity have again sprung something on the world and invented a new technique and new weapons of warfare that can be used against France and Britain with the same results"
2. Proclamation by Adolf Hitler-September 1, 1939 Hitler's firsthand proclamation to the Germany Army spelling out the reasons for which they are in invading Poland,
"The Polish State has refused the peaceful settlement of relations which I desired, and has appealed to arms. Germans in Poland are persecuted with bloody terror and driven from their houses. A series of violations of the frontier, intolerable to a great Power, prove that Poland is no longer willing to respect the frontier of the Reich. In order to put an end to this lunacy, I have no other choice than to meet force with force from now on."
"The Polish State has refused the peaceful settlement of relations which I desired, and has appealed to arms. Germans in Poland are persecuted with bloody terror and driven from their houses. A series of violations of the frontier, intolerable to a great Power, prove that Poland is no longer willing to respect the frontier of the Reich. In order to put an end to this lunacy, I have no other choice than to meet force with force from now on."
3. Address by Neville Chamberlain- September 1, 1939 The firsthand account of Neville Chamberlain's response to Adolf Hitler's proclamation to invade Poland, Neville Chamberlain was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and his decision to declare war on Germany was momentous,"It now only remains for us to set our teeth and to enter upon this struggle, which we ourselves earnestly endeavored to avoid, with determination to see it through to the end. We shall enter it with a clear conscience, with the support of the Dominions and the British Empire, and the moral approval of the greater part of the world. We have no quarrel with the German people, except that they allow themselves to be governed by a Nazi Government."
4. Americans improve on the Germany Blitzkrieg After American generals saw the German's Blitzkrieg technique in 1940, they made it their own in 1944, "The correspondent saw the German Blitzkrieg and has seen the American of 1940 and has seen the American model of 1944...The First Army's operation has moved faster and struck deeper.
Videos
1. Hitler Unleashes Blitzkrieg A series of video clips taken in 1940 when Hitler's Blitzkrieg techniques were unleashed. Provides a visual of the speed and immense war power Hitler used to invade Poland and other European countries.
2. September 1939 Invasion of Poland A video that provides footage taken during the invasion of Poland in 1939 by Germany, and an explanation of what Blitzkrieg is and what that word came to mean for the Polish.
3. Reasons Why Germany Invaded Poland A video that provides a new perspective on the invasion of Poland. Including Hitler's reasons behind invading Poland and an English translation of one of his many addresses to the Germany Army.