Figure 1.--

The active military phase of World War II began with the NAZI invasion of Poland (1939). The NAZI invasion was followed by a British and French declaration of war, but failure to come to Poland's assistance. Within only a few days, the Soviets joined the NAZIs in invading Poland, followed by a series of other invasions of their own. The Soviet invasions were not as well publicized because the British and French wisely did not declare war. The NAZI success in Poland was the result of a not only a much larger and better equipped military, but the adoption of a tactical doctrine fully utilizing modern weaponry--Blitzkrieg. The success in Poland was followed by a string of startling military successes, especially the invasion and defeat of France (1940). Neither the British or French has absorbed the lessons of the Polish campaign and were not prepared for Blitzkrieg. The NAZI successes were puncutated by the victory of the RAF in the Battle of Britain (1940). The NAZIs in 1940 had victory within their grasp, but allowing the British Army to escape at Dunkirk and the victory of the RAF over Britain meant that Britain could continue the war, especially because President Roosevelt had decided to support Britain. Although not clear at the time, the Anglo-American industrial capacity was already beginning to make itself felt. The Italians joined their Axis partner once the German success was clear. Almost from the beginning, however, the Italians proved more of a drag on the NAZI war effort than an assett. The Germany achieved futher successes in the Balkans (April 1941). Germany military operations shifte east, except for the critical U-boat campaign in the North Atlsntic. Here the United States steadily escalated its commitment to Britain. President Roosevelt met off Newfoinfland to cement the greatest war-time alliance in history. The Battle in the North Atlantic was a long-term struggle. The War was tranformed when Hitler ordered the invasion of the Soviet Union, seeking a short-term victory by defearing the Soviet Ybnion in a ligtening summer campaign. Here the Axis had another opportunity to win the War. The Wehrmact achieved enormous successes at the outset of Barbarossa (June 1941). It seems likely that if the Japanese had attacked the Soviet Far East that the Axis would have prevailed. Here while America had not yet entered the War, American diplomacy fundamentally affected the Axis miklitary effort. Rather than a coordinated attack, the Japanese responding tho American diplomatic sctions to aid China, attacked Pearl Harbor--the forward base of the U.S. Pacific fleet. This with the failure of Barbarossa resulted in an enormous shift in the strategic ballance.

1939

The active military phase of World War II began with the NAZI invasion of Poland (September 1939). This is the first executiin of Blitzkrieg whuch the Wehrmacht has been preparing for several years. The NAZI invasion was followed by a British and French declaration of war, but failure to come to Poland's assistance. The British Army was still very small and France refused to honor its commitments to Poland. Within only a few days, the Soviets joined the NAZIs in invading Poland from the East (September 1939). This would be the first of a series of other Soviet territorial grabs as foreseen under the NAZI-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact. The Soviet invasions were not as well publicized because the British and French wisely did not declare war. From the beginning of the campaign, both the NAZIs and Soviets commit terrible attrocuities in Poland. The Germans begin plans to force Jews into ghettos. Polish intelligence officers escape with vital information about crwcking the German Enigma machines. The German U-boats prove to be more effective than the Royal Navy expected, but Admiral Dönitz has only a small force. . Their successes catch Hitler's attention and he orders increased U-boat construction. Soviet armies invade Finland (November 1939). Germany loses the Graf Spee in the Battle of the Rio Platt (December 1939).

1940

The NAZI success in Poland was the result of a not only a much larger and better equipped military, but the adoption of a tactical doctrine fully utilizing modern weaponry--Blitzkrieg. The success in Poland was followed by stunning victories in Denmark and Norway (April 1940). As a result it would be difficult to bottle-up the U-boats in the North Sea. The Germans launch their long-awaited Western offensive and quickly overrin the Netherlands and Belgium (May 1940). Neither the British or French has perceived the lessons of the Polish campsign and were not prepared for Blitzkrieg. The NAZIs in 1940 had victory within their grasp, but allowing the British Army to escape at The Italians joined their Axis partner once the German success was clear. Almost from the beginning, however, the Italians proved more of a drag on the NAZI war effort than an assett. Dunkirk. After reaching the Channel, the Wehrmact turns south, no longer inhibited by the Maginot Line. The invasion and defeat of France starteled the world (June 1940). The NAZI successes were puncutated by the victory of the RAF in the Battle of Britain (July-September 1940). The victory of the RAF over Britain meant that Britain could continue the war, especially because President Roosevelt had decided to support Britain. Although not clear at the time, the Anglo-American industrial capacity was already beginning to make itself felt. After the collapse of France, the Soviets occupy the Baltic republics (June 1940). Marshall Petain sets up a collaborationist French regime in Vichy. Churchill recognizes General DeGualle as head of the Free French resistance. With access to French ports, the Germany Navy launches an expanded campaign in the North Atlantic (July 140). The Royal Navy engaged the French fleet at Oran (July 1940). Italian forces invade Egyot from Libya, launching the North African campaign (September 1940). Germany, Italy, and Japan form the Axis (September 1940). German troops move into Romania with its vital Polesti oil field (October 1940). Hitler cancels Operation Sea Lion and begins to shift the Wehrmact east in preparation for Barbarossa (October 1940). Italian forces invade Greece from Albania (October 1940). Hitler is furious when he learns of Mussolini's move and the Italians falter and are pushed back. (October 1940). Hungary nd Romania join the Axis (November 1940). The British counter-attack in Egypt and defeat a much larger Italian Army (December 1940).

1941

The British persue the Italians into Libya (January 1940). The Germany achieved futher successes in the Balkans (April 1941), although the Crete campaign proved costly. Germany military operations shift east, except for the critical U-boat campaign in the North Atlantic. The Bismarck sinks Hood, but is itself sunk by a massive Royal Navy operation (May 1941). While the German bombing of Britain ends, the British commnence the construction of the new Lancaster bombers capable of heavt raids deep into the Reich. The United States while still neutral steadily escalated its commitment to Britain with Lrnd Lease . The Battle in the North Atlantic was a long-term struggle. Rommel and the Afrika Korps is dispstched to Libya to save the faltering Italians. Deputy Führer Rudolf Hess flies to Britain in a desperate attempt to precent a two-front war (May 1941). The War was tranformed when Hitler ordered the invasion of the Soviet Union, seeking a short-term victory by defearing the Soviet Union in a ligtening summer campaign. Stalin ignored warnings. The Wehrmact achieved enormous successes at the outset of Barbarossa (June 1941). Eisatzgruppen killing operations follow the Panzers into the Soviet Union killing Jews mercelessly in large numbers. Stalin ordered a scorched earth policy. Britain and America pledge assistance. The Germans make rapid progress, but gradually the advance slows. Unlike earlier campaigns, Hitler interferes with operations. President Roosevelt and Primeminister Churchill meet off Newfoundland to cement the greatest war-time alliance in history. President Roosevelt commits the U.S. Navy to an undeclared naval war in the North Atlantic. Operation Typhoon to seize Moscow began (October 1941), but first rain and then snow and bitter cold make it impossible. Finally the Germans begin to fall back at the same time the Red Army launched a massive offensive before Moscow (December 1941). The resulting German losses were huge and unlike the Soviers, could not be replaced. The Axis with Barbarossa, had another opportunity to win the War. Soviet losses were enormous. It seems likely that if the Japanese had attacked the Soviet Far East that the Axis would have prevailed. Here while America had not yet entered the War, American diplomacy fundamentally affected the Axis military effort. Rather than a coordinated attack, the Japanese responding to American diplomatic actions to aid China, attacked Pearl Harbor--the forward base of the U.S. Pacific fleet. This along with the failure of Barbarossa resulted in an enormous shift in the strategic ballance.

Sources

Created: 7:15 AM 11/9/2010
Last updated: 7:16 AM 11/9/2010