Germany's Military Weaknesses

• • Hitler's mistakes
• Inefficient command structure:

  • German commanders always had to report back to Hitler
• Hitler was a shrewd politician but never a senior military commander - little military command experience at highest level - did not have best strategies and ideas related to fighting unlike professionals
• E.g. of poor leadership and ineffective command structure:

  • Siege of Stalingrad (city had little strategic value) - Germany attacked and faced stubborn resistance from soviet troops - most german commanders wanted to withdraw - hitler overruled them as city was named after stalin (fought for pride) - committed hundreds and thousands of troops to pointless battle by Feb 1943 (wasted resources and manpower that could have been used for other major fights/war)
• Another Hitler mistake:

  • declared war on US 4 days after PH depite having no obligation to do under Tripartite pact with J and I
  • significance: brought US into war when it was neutral + germany no match for US + now had to contend with US' resources and military might
• • The 2 front war
• What did Germany do in 1940 and significance?

  • hitler successfully fought single-front war against B and F but failed to defeat B
• What did Hitler do in 1941 and significance?

  • invaded USSR - placed germany in 2 front war (Britain and USSR) - prevented him from concentrating his efforts and resources on a single-front (forces split) - more vulnerable - military slowly worn down by allies
• • Poor planning
• What were the planning failures in naval warfare?

  1. putting too many resources in building giant battleships (e.g. Bismarck)
  2. failed to build aircraft carriers - could have helped attack further countries (efficient)
• Another mistake in equipment?

  • never developed heavy bombers (like RAF's Lancaster) - could have help do severe damage to towns and cities
  • significance: if they did - Britain would have surrendered
  • current german bombers were too small + unable to carry enough bombs
• Mistakes in Battle of Britain?

  1. Germans did not invest in radar

  • Significance: Britain did - easier for them to intercept/counter German air raids

  2. suffered shortages in fuel, ammunition and spare parts

  • Significance: unable to fight well and for a long time