strategy (WW2)

• How did strategy affect outcome?

  The Blitzkrieg strategy works initially on Poland and France but not on Russia so it falls apart ensuring it bogs down for a long war
• German offensive strategy?


  Swift, decisive victory of her enemies aided by the use of blitzkrieg tactics. Isolate and defeat. Once Poland and France fell in 39 and 40 respectively Operation Barbarossa was planned (Invasion of the Soviet Union). Involved 4 million men, 600,000 vehicles and 700,000 horses. The ultimate aim was to destroy the Red Army, seize Leningrad, Moscow and the southern oilfields, and then all of Russia to the Urals, forcing the surrender of Britain and denying the USA the opportunity to interfere.
• What did Operation Barbarossa do to the outcome?

  Determined the outcome of the entire war. This strategy pushed the soviet union into an alliance of convenience with Britain and USA, meaning Germany was left fighting a 2 front war that it was extremely unlikely to win
• What was the strategy of the Grand Alliance?

  Focused on the war in the Mediterranean by first defending British Egypt and the Suez Canal (protecting British oil supplies and economic interests) and then by an attempt to drive the German forces out of Africa before an assault into Italy. Meanwhile, the British and US would conduct strategic bombing campaigns over Germany to wear out the resources while also keeping the Soviet Union well supplied. It was only in 1944 that their strategy involved an invasion of France to force Germany eastwards
• So what was the allied strategy a mix of?

  Economic and offensive which affected nature causing less casualties and determined the outcome of the war because it worked