CHAPTER 5: GERMANY’S DEFEAT IN WORLD WAR II

Explain what were the main causes that led to Germany’s defeat in World War II?

(1) ENTRY OF THE USA(a) Contribution of vast resources and manpower

The USA adopted a policy of isolationism (DO NOT WANT TO GET INVOLVED) right up to the late 1930s. After Germany signed the anti-Comintern (anti-communist) pact in 1936, President Franklin Roosevelt began to fear the possibility of American military involvement in the European war. He therefore began to prepare the USA for such a possibility and began to be indirectly involved from September 1939.

21st September 1939- allowed Britain and France to buy arms from the USA on a cash and carry basis while maintaining neutrality, thus in fact ending the arms embargo.

1940- USA gave UK 50 old destroyers (Warships)

Dec 1940- Roosevelt argued against a false sense of security and pride that isolationism brought and argued for increased involvement in the war. He also expanded and re-equipped the Army and navy in preparation for direct involvement.

March 1941- passed the lend-lease Act, in response to British call for help, as British resources were nearing exhaustion by the end of 1940 (France had surrendered in June 1940); this Act signaled the end of American neutrality and played a key role in helping the Allies win the war; it was also extended to the Soviet Union (USSR) when it was invaded by Germany in June 1941; spent almost US$50 billion by the end of the World War

Important contributions:

1. To supply weapons, food and equipment to Britain and any country whose defence was thought to be vital to the national security of the USA

2. Payment could be deterred3. Payment need not be made in cash

Late 1941-The US Navy was used to provide escort/protection roles for all Allied convoys at sea to protect them against German military submarines. Germany had the most number of submarines after 1935.

USA also imposed economic sanctions on the Axis powers to deprive them of resources needed for their war effort. Example: Restricted supplies of iron to Japan from 1940 onwards. **MORE EFFECTIVE THAN LON.

8th December 1941- USA formally entered the war after Pearl Harbour. After USA declared war on Japan Italy also declared on the SUSA, putting the USA on the side

of the Allies. So, the USA now contributed ground troops, weapons and equipment, not just military supplies and escort roles.

The USA was the world’s largest producer of goods, including military goods. USA was also able to send large numbers of American military personnel (Soldiers), thus solving the Allied problems of military shortages and boosting their war machine. For example, the USA had 11 million soldiers, compared to UK’s 4.5 million. It’s Lend-Lease to UK was worth US$31 billion and to USSR worth US$11 billion.

(b) Collaboration with the Allies on military strategies.

Furthermore, USA also collaborated with the Allies on the planning and execution of military strategies, helping them to gain control of the air and sea. These prevented essential resources from reaching Germany and gave the Allies greater opportunities at bombing Axis military sites such as synthetic oil plants and airfields.

The control of the air and sea also helped greatly in Allied tactical successes against Germany. The American air force was much larger than Germany’s and Japan’s and able to develop new technology that could accurately bombed Axis targets. Regular bombing in 1943-1944 destroyed Germany’s cities, vital industries, rail links and synthetic oil plants. This hindered German production of war materials.

The US Navy was escorting British convoys carrying supplies from the USA across the Atlantic Ocean and sinking Germany U-boats. The USA mass produced warships, anti-submarine weapons, radio communications and radar. By occupying Greenland and Iceland, it gave Britain vital bases in the mid-Atlantic. The combined navies of the two countries achieved control of the Atlantic Ocean.

American involvement was also crucial to the successful landing of Allied forces at Normandy on 6th June 1944. This was the largest amphibious attack in recorded history.

*What is an amphibious attack?

A military operation attack involving land and sea.

2. Germany’s weaknesses and miscalculations

(a) Ineffective command structure

The German state and military command structure suffered from a confusing system of overlapping authority. Apart from Hitler, no one else had the power to make decisions or had access to all information. Hitler insisted on making decisions that ought to have been left to the military experts. He also often went against the advice of his experienced generals. These frequently proved to be mistakes, eg the Battle of Britain and the invasion of the Soviet Union. For example, instead of focusing on destroying the British air force, he turned to bombing Britain’s cities instead. This gave the British air force to recover and deny Hitler’s victory over Britain. In his

invasion of the USSR, he disregarded the advice of his generals and turned to attacking Ukraine when he was already near Moscow Hence, he lost the only real chance of Germany defeating the USSR.

(b) Inappropriate use of resources and military funds

Germany’s inappropriate use of military funds and resources resulted in slow and inefficient ARMament production. It was producing many different types of armaments, unlike the Allies which focused on a few types of proven weapons. Hitler also constantly demanded the most up-to-date weapons. As a result, certain weapons were mass-produced even before they were field-tested. There was also competition for funds among military leaders of different sections. Workers were starving and working inefficiently, while women stayed at home, not allowed to contribute to the war effort. There was a shortage of proven weapons and essential equipment such as trucks, infantry vehicles and suitable clothing.

(c) Heavy reliance on petroleum

Heavy reliance on petroleum was also one of Germany’s major weaknesses. It rendered its war machine and war efforts vulnerable. Although Germany had very little natural petroleum reserves of its own, petroleum was the chief resource which powered its war machine. To remedy this problem, the Germans invented synthetic oil by liquefying coal, a resource which Germany had in abundance. Synthetic oil was then used as a substitute for refined petroleum products such as fuel. Germany also seized the oil fields in Austria and Romania.

However, from 1943 onwards, Germany synthetic oil plants and oilfields were heavily bombed by the USA. This was made worst when the oilfields in Romania were put out of action by the Soviet Red Army and the US Air Force in August 1944.

(d) War on two fronts*****

Hitler’s greatest mistake was probably his decision to conduct a war on two fronts. While still at war with Britain on the Western Front(WESTERN EUROPE), Hitler decided to invade the Soviet Union, opening up the Eastern Front (EASTERN EUROPE). Then, while he seemed to be gaining the upper hand against the Soviets, he declared war on the USA. This was a fatal mistake, as the entry of the USA into the war greatly boosted Allied efforts and morale in the Western Front.

(3) Allied Resistance

(a) Reorganisation of the Soviet Union

The Soviet Union and its Red Army were often credited as being the decisive force for Allied victory. The Soviet Union not only bore the brunt (majority) of German attack throughout the war, but also defeated about 80% of the German armed forces on the Eastern Front.

On 22nd June 1941, Germany attacked the Soviet Union. On 12th July 1941, the Soviet Union formed a military alliance with Britain. The Soviet Union was initially ill-prepared for the German onslaught, and within three months, its air and tank forces were almost destroyed.

But the Soviet Union eventually gained the upper hand. Several causes- tactical errors by the Germans, strong resistance from Russian troops and the harsh Russian winter in 1941-1942 gave the Soviet Union time to reorganize its army and to rebuild its economy and military production. Furthermore, the LAND-Lease Bill (Aid) from the USA gave the Soviets much needed aid to boost its war efforts. Even Stalin recognized that without American production, the war could not have been won.

Stalin made extensive efforts to reorganize and boost its armed forces. He delegated control over the Red Army to his competent generals, unlike Hitler who monopolized control of the German army and would not listen to the more experienced generals**. The Soviets made use of the harsh winters in 1941-1942 to rebuild and reorganize the Red Army along German military lines, improved communications and produced effective new weapons in large quanitities. Major industrial plants were moved to Central and Eastern Russia, beyond German reach. All resources were devoted to military production and by 1943, the USSR was second only to the USA in military production. These factors helped the Soviet Union to win decisive victories at the Battle of Moscow in January 1942, the Battle of Stalingrad in February 1943 and the Battle of Krusk in August 1943.

(b) British resistance to German invasion*****

Britain was the only Allied country in Europe against Hitler until the USA and Soviet Union entered the war in 1941. Its resistance also played a great role in resisting Nazi aggression. Hitler had never planned for a war with the British. When France fell in June 1940, he had hoped that the British would be compelled to discuss peace terms with the Germans. Instead the British PM, Winston Churchill, made it clear that he planned to fight the Germans to the finish and prepared the British people for war.

In the summer of 1940, Hitler began to attack Britain by Air and Sea bombing British coastal defence and airfields. Within three months, Britain’s resources were already dangerously stretched. But Hitler made a tactical error of switching to attack British cities in a campaign known as the Blitz, thereby giving the British air force to recover. It quickly sought to repair their airfields and radar systems, and retaliated by making bombing strategic. The German air force therefore failed to achieve air supremacy over Britain. Furthermore, Hitler’s bombing of British civilians strengthened the morale and determination of the British who were inspired by the brilliant oratory and determination of their PM (WINSTON CHURCHILL). From December 1940 to summer 1941, Hitler began to turn his attention to invading the Soviet Union and ended the Blitz. [MARKED DOWNFALL OF HITLER]

(c) Resistance movements in Nazi-occupied European countries

These resistance movements also played a key role in the defeat of the Nazis. They provided vital information and behind-the-lines support to the Allies. Without such information, the Allies would not have succeeded in their military strategies against the Nazis. Among the most prominent of the underground resistance forces were the Yugoslav, Polish, Soviet and the Free French Forces under Charles De Gaulle (who later became a much-respected President of France)

From September 1939 to summer 1941 the resistance movement was weak as the invaded countries were too shocked and overwhelmed by Hitler’s sudden and well-prepared invasion and his brutal suppression. From June 1941, however, the resistance became active, led by communists who had previous experience working underground. Many civilians joined the communist-led resistance, not because they supported the communist ideology, but because they saw it as a successful resistance movement. Resistance was also much encouraged and supported by the British and Soviet governments.

What were some of the methods used by the Resistance?

*Blew up rail links and sabotaged factories

*Engaged in non-cooperation

*Spread false information and propaganda

*Gathered intelligence for the Allies

*Helped Allied prisoners-of-wars who escaped as well as pilots who were involved in plane crashes.

*Joined the attack on the Germans once their retreat began.

On 4 February, US, British, and Soviet leaders met for the Yalta Conference. They agreed on the occupation of post-war Germany, and on when the Soviet Union would join the war against Japan. World War II ended on 2nd September 1945 after the launching of the atomic bombs which led to the uq nconditional surrender of Japan.