industrialisation & technology (WW2)#

• Which piece of technology was central to British victory during the Battle of Britain?


  Radar
• Argument that industrialisation was more important than technology?

  Despite the Germans having some of the most advanced technology (their panzers in WW2 are regarded as being as effective as any of their counterparts), they simply could not produce enough of them.
• Advantages in industry?


  Allied had 60% of world manufacturing output, Germans were only capable of 17%. Soviets produced 1300 T34 tanks a month. Germany and supply issues- Rommel in El Alamein 1942 wanted 10,000 tons of petrol, promised 6,000, received 600. 1941 Germany was fighting war on 2 fronts with an annual oil allocation only 70% of Britain’s prewar domestic allocation. So in 1944 tactical flexibility was further hampered by inability to manoeuvre. Training time of the fighter pilots needed to protect the oil industry from allied bombing was curtailed for lack of fuel.
• Advantages in tech?


  Allies had some advantages. Was a technological arms race to build most sophisticated, destructive weapon. First importing WW1 weapons eg tanks, armoured vehicles, aircraft. Brits radar crucial tech advantage to Battle of Britain and digital computer allowed them to crack German codes/attacks/movements. German jet engine, V1/V2 rockets and allied atomic bomb. Increased reliability and effectiveness of internal combustion engine
• Impact on nature?


  Later tech development aimed to shorten and win the war.Internal combustion engine increased speed, mobility and flexibility in war. Conflict lasted 6 years- able to supply and maintain for all that time. Unprecedented casualties. Changed tactics- blitzkrieg
• Impact on outcome?


  Atomic bomb ends war. Tech advances crucial to outcome. Total- allies had more advantage