CHAPTER 5: GERMANY’S DEFEAT IN WORLD WAR II THE WORLD IN CRISIS

Dark days: 1939 – 1941 Sep 1939: Germany captured Poland using Blitzkrieg Feb-May 1940: Denmark, Norway, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg fell. June 1940: France fell; Britain stood alone. July 1940: Germany attacked Britain but was unable to defeat the British air force in the Battle of Britain June 1941: Hitler invaded Soviet Union Dec 1941: Japan bombed Pearl Harbour; USA formally entered WW2

The tide turns: 1942-43 Oct 1942: Germans defeated in Battle of Alamein in North Africa Aug 1942 – Feb 1943: Battle of Stalingrad – German forces encircled and defeated by Soviet troops in bitter winter Jul-Aug 1943: Battle of Kursk, Germany retreated from Eastern Front as Soviets scored another decisive victory Sep 1943: Italy surrendered

The end of the Third Reich: 1944-1945 June 1944: Operation Overlord to liberate Europe commenced with D-Day landings in France Aug 1944: Ploesti oilfields put out of operation Apr 1945: Allies entered Berlin; Hitler committed suicide May 1945: Germany surrendered; WW2 in Europe ended

Key reasons for Germany’s defeat in WW2 Entry of USA into the war Germany’s weaknesses and miscalculations Allied resistance

Was the entry of the USA in 1941 the main cause of Germany’s defeat in World War II? CHAPTER 5: GERMANY’S DEFEAT IN WORLD WAR II

American entry into war (Band of Brothers trailer) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ehwsOL04og) Play this video clip for the students and then ask them this question: How important do you think the American entry into World War II was? CHAPTER 5: GERMANY’S DEFEAT IN WORLD WAR II

Declaration of War Ask your students these questions: (http://www.history.com/topics/d-day/videos#d-day-invasion) Ask your students these questions: What was the significance of D-Day? How do you think American involvement would impact the Allied war effort? CHAPTER 5: GERMANY’S DEFEAT IN WORLD WAR II

US entry into the war US isolationism regarding Europe US direct involvement in the war From ‘cash and carry’ to Lend-lease ‘Arsenal of democracy’ Other forms of aid USA formally enters World War II Contribution of vast resources and manpower Collaboration with Allies in military strategies Roosevelt and Churchill. CHAPTER 5: GERMANY’S DEFEAT IN WORLD WAR II

US initial isolationism regarding Europe US maintained isolationist position despite escalating tensions in Europe and Far East in 1930s Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR): “We are determined to keep out of war” Passed Neutrality Act (May 1937) – US ships prohibited from transporting passengers or materials to warring nations

US indirect involvement in the war – arsenal of democracy Once WW2 broke out, FDR believed that USA should be the ‘arsenal of democracy’ i.e. USA should support democratic nations in their fight against Axis powers FDR revised Neutrality Act in 1939 to allow Britain and France to buy arms from USA on a “cash and carry” basis Intention was to supply aid to allies while maintaining US neutrality

US indirect involvement in the war – arsenal of democracy After France fell in June 1940, FDR convinced US Congress to give ‘all aid short of war’ to Britain Lend-Lease Act passed in 1941 – allowed USA to supply weapons, food and equipment directly to the Allies; payment could be deferred to later date Signalled the end of US neutrality and played key role in helping Allies win the war

Other forms of aid FDR mobilized US Navy to provide escort roles for all Allied convoys carrying goods and supplies at sea Imposed economic sanctions on Axis powers to deprive them of resources need for war effort

USA formally enters World War II Dec 1941: Japan attacked US Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbour; US declared war on Japan As Japan was his ally, Hitler declared war on USA, thus formally bringing the USA into war in Europe US formal entry into war brought contribution of vast resources and manpower, as well as collaboration with Allies on military strategy

Contribution of vast resources and manpower Contribution of vast resources and manpower bolstered Allied war machine USA – world’s largest producer of goods – able to convert its factories for military production at a faster rate than Axis powers (refer to p.144) US also sent large numbers of ground troops and intelligence officers to aid Allied military campaigns

Aircraft available in Europe Date British US Soviet TOTAL German Allied Ratio June 1942 9500 2100 11,600 3700 3.1:1 December 1942 11,300 1300 3800 16,400 3400 4.8:1 June 1943 12,700 5000 5600 23,300 4600 5.1:1 December 1943 11,800 7500 8800 28,100 4700 6:1 June 1944 13,200 14,700 39,700 8.6:1 December 1944 14,500 12,200 15,800 42,500 8500 5:1

Collaboration with Allies on military strategies US participation in the planning and execution of military strategies enabled Allies to achieve control of air and sea E.g.1 control of air – regular bombing of vital infrastructure such as rail links and oil plants by US/ British combined air offensives prevented essential resources from reaching Germany; bombing of cities dented German morale E.g.2 control of sea – combined navies of USA and Britain achieved total control of the Atlantic (p.145)

Collaboration with Allies on military strategies Control of air and sea vital in Allied tactical successes against Germany E.g. D-Day landings on Normandy (6 June 1944) – successful attempt in liberating Western Europe and vital in turning the tide against Germany, as Soviet troops were attacking from the Eastern Front at the same time Refer to p.146-147 for details

A map showing the D-Day advances along Normandy beach.

Significance of US role in Germany’s defeat Provision of military aid to Allies before Dec 1941  e.g. Lend-Lease Act  Enabled the exhausted Allies to sustain the war and eventually gain military superiority over Germany, which was drained as war dragged on. (link) Contribution of vast resources and manpower after US formal entry into war  boosted Allied war capabilities and allowed them to attack Germany with over-whelming force, ultimately contributing to defeat of Germany’s drained and war-weary army

Significance of US role in Germany’s defeat Collaboration with Allies on military strategies e.g. aerial bombing of infrastructure and cities; control of Atlantic  Helped the Allies to achieve mastery of air and sea, which greatly contributed to tactical success of D-Day landings, paving the way for liberation of Europe and eventual Allied victory

German weaknesses and miscalculations Ineffective command structure Inappropriate use of resources and military funds Heavy reliance on petroleum War on two fronts Illustration of a German U-Boat. CHAPTER 5: GERMANY’S DEFEAT IN WORLD WAR II

German weaknesses and miscalculations (http://www.history.com/topics/d-day/videos#hitlers-military-blunders) Play this video for students and ask them these questions: What were some of the miscalculations and weaknesses in the German strategy? How did this give the Allies an advantage?

Ineffective command structure Confusing system of overlapping authority Hitler insisted on making all decisions himself and often went against the advice of his generals E.g.1 in the Battle of Britain, Hitler ordered the Luftwaffe to attack Britain’s cities instead of focusing on destroying the British Royal Air Force (RAF) This gave the RAF time to recover and enabled it to prevent Britain from falling to Germany.

Ineffective command structure E.g.2 in the invasion of Soviet Union, Hitler disregarded the advice of his generals and attacked other cities instead of focusing on capturing Moscow. As a result, the Germans found themselves trapped in the bitter Russian winter, unable to end the war against the Soviets quickly.

Link to Germany’s defeat Grave mistakes by Hitler cost the German military to lose great opportunities for decisive victories against Britain and Soviet Union Allowed time and space for Britain and Soviet Union to recover and turn the tide against Germany, leading to its eventual defeat

Inappropriate use of resources and military funds Inappropriate use of resources and funds weakened German military production and effectiveness E.g. slow and inefficient armament production due to lack of workers – German women stayed at home instead of contributing to war effort E.g. shortage of proven weapons and essential equipment due to Hitler’s constant demands for most up-to-date weapons. Some were not even tested before mass production.

Link to Germany’s defeat Failure to use its resources efficiently deprived Germany of essential weapons and weakened its war capabilities. As a result, the Allies were able to gain military superiority, contributing to Germany’s defeat.

Heavy reliance on petroleum Germany lacked adequate petroleum reserves It invented synthetic oil as a substitute for petroleum, and used the oilfields of German occupied territories for its war effort. However, from 1943 onwards, German synthetic oil plants and oilfields were subjected to heavy bombing by the USA. The Ploesti oilfields in Romania, which were Germany’s chief source of oil imports, were put out of operation as a result of Allied attacks.

Link to Germany’s defeat Germany’s heavy reliance on petroleum rendered its war machine and war efforts vulnerable. Without adequate supply of petroleum resources, Germany’s military campaigns were severely weakened and this made its defeat inevitable.

War on two fronts While still fighting the West in Europe, Hitler invaded the USSR in 1941. this was because Hitler wanted to quickly achieve his goal of Lebensraum. When he seemed to be gaining the upper hand against the Soviets, Hitler again declared war against the USA. Hitler was convinced that the USA would be busy fighting in the Pacific and not focused on the war in Europe. However, Roosevelt concentrated his troops in North Africa and Europe.

Link to Germany’s defeat As a result, Germany’s limited war resources were over-stretched and depleted as it had to fight a war on two fronts at the same time. Having to fight a two-front war proved to be a costly mistake which contributed to Germany’s defeat.

Allied resistance Reorganisation of the USSR British resistance to German invasion Resistance movements Destruction from the German bombings during the Battle of Britain. CHAPTER 5: GERMANY’S DEFEAT IN WORLD WAR II

Reorganization of the Soviet Union When Germany invaded the USSR, it was unprepared and Soviet forces suffered heavy casualties However, the resistance of Soviet troops helped by the harsh Russian winters set German forces back and gave the USSR time to reorganize and rebuild its military.

Reorganization of the Soviet Union Major Russian industrial plants were moved to central and eastern Russia, beyond German reach. These industrial plants were devoted solely to military production and this helped the USSR to rebuild its military rapidly. By 1943, the USSR was scoring decisive victories against the retreating German military e.g. Battle of Stalingrad, Battle of Kursk

Link to Germany’s defeat Thus, the reorganization of the Soviet Union showed that Germany’s armed forces were effective in fast moving warfare but could not keep up with long-drawn-out confrontations. This ultimately drained Germany’s war resources and contributed to its defeat.

British resistance to German invasion Germany’s strategy of bombing strategic targets such as airfields and radar installations were very effective in weakening the British Royal Air Force (RAF). However, Hitler decided to change focus and attacked British cities instead. Thus tactical changes on the German side allowed the RAF breathing space and time to recover. At the same time, the resilience and unity of the British people strengthened their resolve to defeat the Germans.

Link to Germany’s defeat The fierce resistance in the Battle of Britain was a turning point as it ensured the survival of Britain and boosted the morale of the Allies in fighting Hitler. This ultimately drained Germany’s war resources and contributed to its defeat.

Resistance groups in Europe Resistance movements in Nazi-occupied territories in Europe provided vital information and support to the Allies. E.g. the Polish and Soviet resistance movements and the Free French Forces under Charles de Gaulle These resistance movements carried out sabotage operations, spread false information to Germans, gathered intelligence for the Allies, and joined the attack on the Germans once their retreat began

Link to Germany’s defeat Thus, these resistance movements stretched German resources as considerable manpower and equipment had to be used to put down these resistance movements. This weakened the German war effort further, leading to its eventual defeat.